With the announcement of the modern candidates today, we finally have a complete ballot of the finalists who will be voted on for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020.
Now we can have the first-annual Zoneblitz.com PFHOF election prediction contest. The winner of said contest will be declared the Grand Champion and will be able to use that title for the next year when ever posting on this blog.
The contest involves predicting the class of 2020. The winner will be the person who predicts the highest number of those who will be enshrined out of 20. Only one “official prediction” allowed and, if there is a tie, the person with the most correct out of the 15-person centennial class will be declared the victor. All decisions by the judges (site moderators) are final.
Feel free to discuss and debate the candidates and your choices over next few weeks before we have the results (possibly early January for centennial class; evening of Saturday February 1st for the five modern finalists). Contest results will be officially announced here the week of February 4th. Deadline for predictions is 10:59 pm CST Monday January 6th — just in case the centennial class is announced next week, since no date for the announcement is currently known.
To refresh your memory, here are the finalists:
Modern (5 elected): Steve Atwater, Tony Boselli, Isaac Bruce, LeRoy Butler, Alan Faneca, Torry Holt, Steve Hutchinson, Edgerrin James, John Lynch, Sam Mills, Troy Polamula, Richard Seymour, Zach Thomas, Reggie Wayne, Bryant Young
Centennial Class:
Players (10 elected): Cliff Branch, Harold Carmichael, Jim Covert, Roger Craig, Bobby Dillon, LaVern Dilweg, Ox Emerson, Randy Gradishar, Cliff Harris, Winston Hill, Cecil Isbell, Alex Karras, Verne Lewellen, Tommy Nobis, Drew Pearson, Donnie Shell, Duke Slater, Mac Speedie, Ed Sprinkle, Al Wistert
Coaches (2 elected): Don Coryell, Bill Cowher, Tom Flores, Mike Holmgren, Jimmy Johnson, Buddy Parker, Dan Reeves, Dick Vermeil
Contributors (3 elected): Bud Adams, Ralph Hay, Frank “Bucko” Kilroy, Art McNally, Art Modell, Clint Murchison, Steve Sabol, Seymour Siwoff, Paul Tagliabue, George Young
Good luck everyone.
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Time to get this new post started…
My five modern picks
Faneca
Bruce
James
Lynch
Butler
My Predictions
Atwater
Lynch
Faneca
James
Boselli
Haha Polamalu will wait
Will post my other 15 picks/Predictions later
To be cryptic on purpose, be ready readers next week…
I am a big fan of Simon and Garfunkel.
Especially the album…
Wednesday 3 a.m
Modern Era
1.Atwater
Boselli
Hutchinson
James
Polamalu
Centennial Class
1.Branch
2.Dilweg
3.Dillon
4.Emerson
5.Gradishar
6.Karras
7.Pearson
8.Slater
9.Speedie
10.Wistert
Contributors
McNally
Sabol
Young
Coaches
Coryell
Johnson
A fine list. All are deserving, no major quibbles.
A little surprised Patrick Willis didn’t make it, but the other two LBs have been waiting a while. His short career is obviously an issue. The three biggest surprises for me are Sam Mills and Bryant Young, plus Reggie Wayne being a first time finalist. Was wondering if Hines Ward would be a finalist since he’s next in the WR queue in seniority after Torry Holt. Wayne jumped the line, surprisingly.
Nice to see Leroy Butler and Zach Thomas get this far also.
As to who the final five might be, that’s becoming more of a crapshoot. Definitely think Polamalu, James, at least one other safety (probably Atwater), and at least one OL (probably Faneca since he has been waiting longest) get elected for sure. How strongly the voters feel about Sam Mills will be interesting, as he only has a couple years of eligibility left (his 4/5/none profile is decent at the position, which is under-represented in Canton for this time period).
My guess for now:
Polamalu
Atwater
Faneca
James
Boselli.
But Mills, Bruce, Seymour, or someone else could surprise.
My predictions:
Moderns:
Polamalu
Seymour
Hutchinson
James
Boselli
Centennials:
Emerson
Gradishar
Karras
Slater
Wistert
Lewellen
Speedie
Dilweg
Hill
Pearson
Coryell
Parker
Hay
Kilroy
Young
I had 13/15 correct. I had Patrick Willis and Darren Woodson- The nominees were Sam Mills and Bryant Young. I’m ok with that, would love to see Mills advance
Moderns (5): Atwater, Boselli, Faneca, James, Polamalu
Seniors (10): Branch, Dilweg, Emerson, Gradishar, Hill, Karras, Pearson, Slater, Speedie, Wistert
Coaches (2): Coryell, Flores
Contributors (3): McNally, Tagliabue, Young
I probably won’t play this for the same reason I don’t play fantasy football, despite it being a type of thing I do well: conflict of rooting interest. My posts would look like Brian’s, with separate wish lists and predictions, and I don’t like betting against my own wish list even in a light-hearted, non-monetary sense.
It seems like everyone agrees on James and Polamalu.
Fair point Rasputin, Also what is everyones thought on boselli
Boselli has been in final 10 last three elections, so setup for election once OL logjam is broken open, I am predicting that happens this year, had short career but 3x all pro and all decade make him worthy in my mind
I view 2020 election as opportunity for voters to clear ballot by electing those who have been finalist multiple times: Atwater 3x, Boselli 4x, Faneca 5x!!!, EJames 4x, to open spaces on future ballots, comes a point when discussing is enough and with voters continuing to advance them as finalists (= support among voters for election) it’s time to elect them and move on
Robert:
For me, Boselli is fairly simple. In the Golden Era of Left Tackles, a time that also included Willie Roaf (1993-2005), Jonathan Ogden (1996-2007), Walter Jones (1997-2008), and Orlando Pace (1997-2009), Boselli was considered the best in the NFL for three straight seasons 1997-99, and frankly, it wasn’t close. He did all of this playing for an expansion franchise, which is never easy. Simply put, he was dominate, and but for his shoulder injury, would have been, not only in the HOF, but probably in the rarefied status reserved for players like Anthony Munoz. My favorite Boselli fact is that even though it was clear he was highly unlikely to play again, the Houston Texans still took him in the expansion draft just in case he made a miraculous recovery. He was that good.
That said, he did get injured, and as a result, he has had to wait a very long time to get recognized for as good as he was. But, the time has come. The deck has been cleared of Roaf, Ogden, Jones, and Pace. The time is right to get him in before Joe Thomas enters the queue. Whether or not you agree with Davis getting into the HOF (I happen to think it was deserved based on his post-season stats), I think you should still support Boselli. A “no injury” Davis was still unlikely to reach Brown, Payton, and Sanders to enter the Rushmore of RB. On that basis, I understand those who think Davis didn’t accomplish enough to merit induction (again, I disagree, but I understand). But, Boselli was far more likely than Davis to reach the “Rushmore” level for his position. Hell, even with his abbreviated career, Boselli ranks higher on Pro Football Reference’s HOF Monitor than three HOFers: Pace, Dierdorf, and Slater. And he ranks slightly higher than worthy seniors like Jacoby and Kenn. The only non-HOFers ahead of him are Tyrer (and we know why he is still omitted) and Joe Thomas (who will be inducted first ballot). In short, he had a low-level HOF career without an “injury” exception. He was that special. This year just seems like his time, and it is deserved.
Just as an aside, today with the announcement of the 2019 AP all pro team here are some players who “enhanced” their future cases for election to the Hall (focus on those with 4+ first team all pro selections as that is a Hall worthy threshold), totals as of today:
Aaron Donald 5x, Bobby Wagner 5x, Zack Martin 4x, Justin Tucker (all these will also make 2010s first team all decade when announced in coming weeks), plus others that added to their resumes: DeAndre Hopkins 3x 1st team, plus others added more 2nd team selections, Kelce now 2x 1st / 2x 2nd team, Kuechy now at 5/2 (WOW)
Bachslunch, you mentioned Hines Ward — wondering if you think he is a Hall of Famer? I’ve seen him as on the outside looking in — really good player, like that he was a good blocker, etc. But four Pro Bowls, no AP awards … so I wasn’t all that surprised to see Wayne over him.
Andy, I don’t personally see Hines Ward as a HoFer unless you give him a lot of extra credit for things like blocking and playing in a run-heavy offense. He has been a semifinalist since he became eligible, and I thought the electorate might consider h8m HoF worthy. But given that both Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne became finalists and he didn’t, maybe I was mistaken in that impression.
Okay by me, though YMMV.
I dont see hines as a hofer either bachs and im a steelers fan
Yep BRP meeting next week to elect the 15 enshirees for the special centennial class
Personally, I think Ward is worthy of the Hall.
He doesn’t have the natural ability of Wayne, Holt or Bruce but he made himself into an excellent possession receiver, despite limited speed.
A great run support blocker, Ward made critical catches that helped the Steelers go to three SBs, winning two of them, in addition to being a SB MVP. Counting postseason, he has over 13,000 yrds and 95 TDs.
Before Big Ben came along, Ward was catching the ball from the likes of Kordell Stewart, Jim Miller, Mike Tomzak, and Tommy Maddox.
Anyone born on my birthday, can’t be all bad.
Everyone likes predictions on this tread…
Wildcard Round
Bills over Texans
Patriots over Titans
Will be colder weather in Nashville than Foxboro tonight.
Saints over Vikes, but Vikes will cover spread
Seahawks over Philly
I’m borderline on Hines Ward. hard for me to see him in and Rod Smith out. Other than blocking Smith was a better receiver.
I’m the same way bill
0-2 on playoff games today.
Still glad the Titans won.
What about Brady ?
1) Last game/Retirement ?
2) Re-sign with Patriots ?
3) Released or Traded to another team ?
Big upset by the Vikings…
Same question…Does Brees Retire or come back ?
I’d take pearson over branch by a hair but would like to see both
Modern: Steve Atwater, Tony Boselli, Alan Faneca, Troy Polamalu, Zach Thomas
Centennial Class:
Players: Roger Craig, Bobby Dillon, LaVern Dilweg, Randy Gradishar, Cliff Harris, Alex Karras, Verne Lewellen, Drew Pearson, Duke Slater, Al Wistert
Coaches: Don Coryell, Tom Flores
Contributors: Art Modell, Steve Sabol, George Young
Brees and Brady both come back, and both return to their same teams.
Here’s my rationale in a nutshell:
Modern:
– It’s great to see Mills, Butler and Young get this far, but I think they have a very low chance at election.
– Same goes for Reggie Wayne, who has a great case but is definitely not a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
– Bruce and Holt are likely going to cancel each other out.
– Lynch’s candidacy is likely to be stagnant until Atwater is off the ballot.
– Seymour will gain a bit of momentum and advance to the final 10, but will come up short.
– Hutchinson just barely misses induction, but is the most likely returning player to be inducted next year
– James comes up just short, but gets elected in 2021 alongside Peyton Manning
Centennial Class:
Players:
– The committee uses this as an opportunity to get some early snubs into the Hall and focuses on those in the voting. They ultimately select Dilweg, Lewellen, Slater and Wistert, with Speedie and Emerson just missing out. Isbell and Sprinkle, while not terrible nominees, are not quite on the same level as the rest, and don’t have a serious shot at induction.
– They also aim to decrease the safety backlog, and wind up selecting Dillon and Harris over Shell.
– They select Pearson over Branch and Carmichael since Pearson was a first-team all-decade member.
– They select a controversial, but deserving member who may have a tough time ever getting a senior nomination in Karras.
– They select Gradishar over Nobis on the basis that he’s a former defensive player of the year and has been a finalist before.
– It’s a close race for the final spot, but Craig makes it over Hill and Covert to get some name recognition, and someone who recently entered the senior pool into the class.
Coaches:
I think that realistically there are only 4 coaches that have a shot here: Coryell, Flores, Johnson and Parker. I think it’s a toss-up between those 4 and could go a number of different ways, but the committee ultimately errs on the side of recent momentum in the modern vote.
Contributors:
– I really don’t have a strong feeling about what way the committee will go here, but I get the feeling that they push one or both of Modell and Tagliabue through here since they might not otherwise get the support of the regular voting committee. I think they go with Modell since the voters very recently voted down Tagliabue.
– To soften the frustration of Modell being one ofl their selections, they put forth 2 other less controversial selections in Young (who has been a finalist several times) and Sabol (who nobody would have a problem with electing).
Bslo you actually sold me on roger craig
Great observations BSLO
My Inductees for the Centennial Class of 2020
Seniors
Slater
Lewellen
Wistert
Karras
Hill
Pearson
Shell
Branch
Craig
Gradishar
Modern Players
Faneca
James
Lynch
Bruce
Butler
Head Coaches
Parker
Flores
Contributors
Kilroy
Siwoff
Young
No predictions, just dont want Modell, Adams, Murchison or Tagliabue getting in.
And the hatred from Brian of #43 continues
There’s no hatred for Polamalu
I think he deserves to be in the HOF
Just not first ballot
I will congratulate him if he is elected
Owners I wont, haha
i think he could lose out to either atwater or butler or lynch which one do you think brian
The first ballot thing should not matter. The fact remains that Troy Polamalu was just better than Atwater, lynch and Butler.
Brian Wolf, if I had to guess I’d say both Brees and Brady will come back with their current teams next season. They both looked this year, however, like if they are going to go out on their own terms, they better do so soon. Brady finally looked old this season. And Brees wasn’t even the best QB his team put on the field Sunday.
Agreed with everything that andy said
BRP meets tomorrow Jan 8th and more details on the centennial class and enshirement can be found here https://www.profootballhof.com/football-world-and-fans-excited-for-expanded-2020-centennial-class/
Thanks Andy, I wish you and Tony would also do the PFHOF website, because it sucks. Havent gotten a time on the announcements for tomorrow yet.
More excited for the upcoming players and coaches, than the playoff games this coming weekend.
Yea PFHOF is slow with most of their social media, I think website still hasn’t been updated with revised BRP panel, including no list of its members? Especially lacking in advance notice of key meeting and events regarding seniors and contributors who we would find else when votes were happening and could anticipate subsequent announcements. Historically always been vague on news and announcements but quick on selling stuff like overpriced enshrinement week packages. We will get tweet announcement of BRP results tomorrow (I assume???) but website will lag.
over/under on super seniors getting in
Major Questions to Ponder…
1) Between both voting panels, could one group of voters influence the other group ?
2) With 35 overall players for the final 15 induction slots, which team or teams could have multiple players ?
Teams with multiple candidates (Seniors/Moderns)
GB with …5
Pitts with…3
Dall with …2
Det with…..2
Chic with….2
Denv with…2
SF with…….2
Phil with…..2
StLou with..2
TB with…….2
Could Seniors affect the Moderns between Jan 8th and Feb 2nd ?
Excellent questions to ponder i doubt the brp elec will influence modern elec
Rumor is results from BRP meeting today will not be announced for another week?? Perhaps going to turn it into a NFL network show produced with career highlights and interviews-only reason I could see waiting
Or they wait to announce at same time as moderns on Saturday Feb 1 during NFL Honors Show???
Was able to confirm BRP voting was completed today by announcement of results will not be until a later this month
Hopefully by the 16th like I originally thought.
The 15-person Centennial Slate for the @ProFootballHOF’s Class of 2020 will be announced live on @GMFB next Wednesday, Jan. 15 beginning at 7am ET on NFL Network. #PFHOF20
will any seniors carry over for a 2021 election
I think for some it will be the end but others will continue to be contenders
i think the end for duke slater lavie dilweg al wistert verne lewellen cecil isbell
Today was ridiculous in my opinion.
There was no reason why the announcement of the inductees couldnt have happened TODAY, without these players or their families, having to wait another agonizing week. The Networks and football media outlets sure didnt have a problem letting everyone know that the BRP voting was going on today, but heaven forbid, they announce the results !
Its just another PR stunt by the HOF, to create drama and intrigue, if not television ratings, rather than sticking with a voting date itinerary, so fans of these players, coaches and teams, will know what the hell is going on ?
Is that to much to ask ?
These older players, their families, their former teams, and their FANS deserve better than this.
arent we nitpicking just a bit wolfman sheesh
and also they prob have to contact family members of the deseaced inductees from both player and coach categegory and living from each
now that being said two thoughts have crossed my mind is it possible that dilweg and verne cancel each other out and some one like emerson gets in and two could 1 or two receivers cancel each other out?
sorry for my comments tonight gang not feeling up to par
Youre okay Robert.
You know I am not me, when I am hungry and frustrated…I need a Snickers bar, haha
Honestly, I do knitpick and get very critical, because I truly miss the game of professional football that I once loved. I cling to these older players, because when I was young, watching and learning the game, players were gladiators trying to kill each other. Today, the game is more like flag or two hand, touch football. The sense of urgency just isnt there and players are more worried about statistics and fan criticisms, than being the BEST at their sport. This HOF celebrates the players who played for pride, championships and beating the man across from them. That is why my comments and criticisms and observations are so PASSIONATE.
I really don’t get why wait a week to announce making finalists and their families to wait longer only to air during mid week morning show?
Only thought I had was gives time to produce a show with career highlights and round up live interviews with those elected
Just playing devil’s advocate – do we know for certain that the players and families aren’t being contacted in the time leading up to the announcement?
Just because the fans aren’t finding out until next week doesn’t mean the inductees are waiting the same amount of time.
Maybe I just being naive….
Like Robert said, the players and families could be notified early, but with social media, could any of them really keep it a secret ?
Maybe the NFL and HOF, worry about the spotlight being taken away from the playoffs, but with these great players, I think it would help enhance the playoffs, because everyone knows that postseason success, will help a young player someday get there.
I don’t see how having announcement yesterday would take the spotlight off the playoffs more than next Wednesday. I also find it unlikely they would be talking to those in advance and rumors getting out but suspect the Hall has conversations with all living finalists to prepare for a call and interview next Wednesday. I actually get the appeal of a prepared show but than to dump at 7am morning show instead of prime time evening show doesn’t make any sense in terms of promoting the class, Hall or enshirement week
I have to disagree on a comment you made about three weeks ago Paul, and I mentioned the subject on TOF Network/Maven today.
You said that unlike Ray Lewis, Tyrer and Sharper wont get in the Hall from voters because of their crimes, etc but I hope youre wrong.
Though he wasnt CONVICTED because he struck a plea deal, despite lying to the police, Lewis was still an accomplice/complicit to murder but was deservingly elected FIRST BALLOT to the HOF.
Tyrer and Sharper DESERVE the same treatment from the voters, who obviously dont want a PR fiasco on their hands, but since there are no morals clauses, especially with crimes committed after their playing careers like OJ Simpson, who wont be cast out of the Hall, these two players deserve their voices heard, regardless to what criticism and scrutiny the voters might have to endure.
If its okay for Lewis, it should be okay for Tyrer and Sharper, who played well enough on the field, to be part of the HOF.
Brian:
You need to do some research. You just slandered Ray Lewis. And you do not have a firm grasp of the law. Ray Lewis took a plea. That is correct. As a result, he in fact was convicted. However, his conviction was solely for obstruction of justice (i.e., misleading the police), which in many states is not a crime (but must be in Georgia). However, before his plea deal, Lewis was in fact charged with murder. During the trial, Lewis accepted the plea in exchange for providing testimony against his friends and co-defendants. Therefore, the state acknowledged that it could not prosecute the case without his cooperation, and importantly, the state acknowledged that Lewis was not directly involved in the killing of the two men who died. However, even with Lewis’s “star witness” testimony, neither of his two previous co-defendants were convicted. Instead, a jury of peers acquitted all defendants by reason of self-defense. Therefore, in the eyes of the law, no murder even occurred. Ironically, the only person to serve time was actually Lewis as part of his plea. If he had simply continued to maintain his innocence, then he would have likely also been acquitted. Therefore, he was NOT an accomplice or complicit in a murder because no murder even occurred. Two men died after an altercation that the legal system found was escalated by the deceased and those on trial appropriately and legally defended themselves. This was simply a situation where multiple guys got into a heated argument, and two used appropriate force to defend themselves from two others.
This is in no way similar to Tyrer or Sharper (or OJ Simpson, for that matter, who was found civilly liable if not criminally liable for the death of his ex-wife and her friend and later went to jail for aggravated robbery).
Sharper plead guilty to serially raping women in multiple jurisdictions (including four in two days). He is a predator who admitted raping at least 9 women, but was accused of raping at least 16. Many more of his victims may never be discovered because he drugged the women without their knowledge. He is sick, and quite frankly his 20 year sentence is incredibly light. He has no business walking the streets, let alone being vetted for the HOF, morality clause or not. Equating Lewis and Sharper is negligent, and honestly, depraved. It displays a callousness toward victims of rape–let alone premeditated rape like Sharper was conducting–that quite frankly shocks me.
Tyrer’s story is more complicated because of what we now know about CTE, which available evidence seems to indicate he probably had. It is incredibly sad, but in the end, Tyrer unquestionably killed his wife and himself leaving his four children orphans. This is nothing like Lewis, who at worst was in a group of individuals that spontaneously got into a heated argument that went horribly wrong. Moreover, available evidence is that Lewis was trying to deescalated the argument and walked away before the argument reached its climax.
I agree with Brian and Paul about the HoF not releasing the BRP results for another week. On the other hand the week delay gives some time for our ToF panel list, published last night, to get more exposure than it otherwise might have, lol.
Brian: I am not going to baited into a debate about Lewis but Justin did a great factual based explanation of the differences of the three respective legal cases which I concur with, and I don’t care if the Hall doesn’t have a morality clause as neither of the two players should ever be enshirees and won’t be missed by anyone
let me say that the talk of fame panel list was supberbly done it cleared the backlog of super seniors and also got rasputin’s top senior chuck howley (Mine btw is Wistert but thats another story)
to those who took part in the tof panel i have 1 question
1. did you guys realize or come to the conclusion that ken anderson really only had 4 really good years 74-75 81-82
Brian I enjoy your passion a lot about the history of football like i do
Slander or not, murder, rape or self defence, there were victims in all three cases that Justin layed out well, but it still shouldnt matter with Jim Tyrer and Darren Sharper.
We all have our opinions, but whether these men were guilty or not, two of them will not be making the HOF because like I already said, it would be a PR disaster, but that doesnt mean they dont deserve induction.
And whether you consider me depraved or not Justin, I comment on FOOTBALL PLAY, not ethics or morality, and still respect your opinions, even if you dont like mine.
According to Clark Judge, it was very close on Ken Anderson, Robert, but I didnt vote for him or Cecil Isbell.
I stand firm on believing Charlie Conerly being the next HOF QB because without his success, the world may never know about Vince Lombardi.
Anderson will have to wait, because despite all the people who love statistics on this site, he just didnt win enough, or he would be voted in already.
Thanks Brian for the info and i use to love anderson but ive done some research latley bri that convinces me otherwise is there anyway bri i could contact you
Anyone who watched him play, knows Anderson was a good to great QB, who deserves to be discussed or even voted into the Hall.
I have no problem with anyone wanting to reach me and discussing pro football, because though I am not the biggest fan of todays game, I still love its history, drama, and entertainment/rooting interest, value.
Reach me Robert at brianwolf68@yahoo.com
I will say this Robert, Anderson did have good seasons in 76 and 77 as well because the Bengals were in position to win the division over Pittsburgh but didnt get it done. Heartbreaking losses to the Raiders on MNF in 76, and the Oilers to close out the 1977 season, kept them from winning the division. Anderson then got hurt and didnt play well again until that great 1981/82 season, where he won his only two postseason wins.
Ken Anderson to me is the 70’s-80’s version of Kurt Warner. I so wish that they had beaten the 49ers in that Super Bowl. If they had he would probably be in already. I rank Ken anderson slightly ahead of Phil Simms. Simms has the Super Bowl win but not the personal awards that Anderson had (MVP). If you could mix the two, I think you would have two more QB’s enshrined in the HOF.
I actually Wnjoyed the discussion about Sharper and Tyrer above. Just my two cents, but I would never give consideration to Sharper but I would to Tyrer based on what we know about CTE. If he was enshrined, I would replace that part of the ceremony with Goodell discussing the latest info the NFL has on CTE, Violence and depression. This would also eliminate the need for the family of Tyrer’s deceased wife to have to listen to how great a player Jim Tyrer was, knowing in the gramd scheme of things…it may have contributed to the deaths of an entire family.
If Isbell and his three seasons of singlewing Quarterbacking get in, its obvious he has had alot of support for a long time.
Me and Bachslunch argue all the time about Simms because even though Hostetler won the 90/91 SB, Simms won ten games that year before getting injured, and like Wentz/Foles in 17/18, I credit Simms with two championships.
Not counting the AFL, Simms, Plunkett , Thompson and Eli, though he isnt eligible yet, are the only two time champions not in the Hall, but alot of guys dont want any of them in.
Thompson?? And sorry as QB you only get credit for starting the SB
Plunkett…not a hall of famer and who is Thompson?
Tommy Thompson QB of the Eagles.
Led them to the 47, 48, 49 championship games, winning back to back in 48/49
He played with one eye !!
Anderson wasn’t on my original list but he barely made my final 10. Leading the NFL 4 years in passer rating is a big deal to me, but it’s not like he sucked the rest of the time. Anderson posted an over 80 rating 8 years, not counting the abbreviated 1985 campaign. For perspective the league average in 1978, the middle of his career, was 65. His count of 197 TDs to 160 INTs may not seem awesome at first glance, but the NFL team average in 1978 was 1 TD and 1.4 INTs per game. His numbers don’t look bad when compared to some contemporary HoFers:
TDs/INTs
Ken Stabler
194 222
Dan Fouts
254 242
Terry Bradshaw
212 210
Bob Griese
192 172
Ken Anderson
197 160
Plus 2 passing yardage titles. He’s got a mix of efficiency and volume excellence. Anderson retired ranked 6th in career NFL passer rating, behind only Staubach, Jurgensen, and newcomers Montana, Marino, and Krieg. He ranked 5th in career NFL yards, behind only Tarkenton, Fouts, Unitas, and Hart. Note how different the top of those lists looked, with Anderson as the common denominator.
He’s not a high priority for me but I do think he’s a legitimate HoFer.
found out why they didnt announce it this week apparent the brp met for 11-12 hours
Gary Meyers, who used to write for the Cowboys seemed to be pleased with the meeting on Twitter.
My guess is one or both Cowboys got in ?
If both got in I’d be shocked
Willing to bet Drew Pearson got in
Surely they knew presenting and debating 38 candidates would be a long day, guessing plan all along was not to announce until next week
Cowher has made the HOF…just announced on CBS
Congratulations Bill Cowher…
I wouldnt have chosen him this year, but he was a great smash mouth coach. This decision could hurt Tom Flores or Don Coryell.
Despite one championship like Dungy and Madden, the Steelers consistent success and ability to develop great players, helped get Cowher in. One of the few coaches to follow another HOF coach in Chuck Noll.
Rumors on Internet and Twitter have Jimmy Johnson getting in HOF tomarrow…
We will see…
Yep apparently FoxSports setting up for special announcement during their pregame show tomorrow
What do you think is keeping out coryell or flores
Coryell – 3-6 post-season record with 0 SB appearances
Flores – Time with the Raiders was very high and low. Yes, the two SB wins, but only one playoff win outside of those two seasons and early exits as a #1 seed twice. Missed the playoffs the other four seasons. Came back with Seattle for a very unsuccessful second stint in which he finished with a 14-34 record.
Coryall gets punished for little playoff success. Flores gets dinged for his Seahawks regime.
My thoughts exactly bill i Think the same
First Cowher then Titans…
Upset Saturday !!
Big fan of Jimmy Johnson going back to Miami days but if he gets in, he would have only six playoff seasons as a head coach…
Building a great team and winning two championships has definite weight !
Initially I was surprised Bill Cowher got one of the slots. He has never even been a semifinalist, plus he has fewer wins than Reeves or Holmgren and only one title.
But he does have by far the best win percentage of any of the finalists, and that probably made the difference. In fact, his final totals aren’t that far off of Tony Dungy’s, though his W-L percentage isn’t as good, nor does he have as illustrious an assistant coaching stint before becoming head coach.
I think he’s a decent choice, though.
If Jimmy Johnson gets the other nod, that’s fine. His career is short and his W-L record is only okay, but he won two titles and served as his own highly successful GM. This last would distance him from guys like Flores and Parker. Plus he has been a finalist and semifinalist before.
Surely same voters who elected Cowher wouldn’t do so over Johnson, meaning JJ gets his during Fox pregame later today?? Plus having never been a finalist is that a factor BRP give strong consideration to and impact voting, will see impacts for contributors and seniors??
Perhaps Gary Meyers was pleased with results as Johnson, Pearson and Harris were all elected???
How did you hear about Pearson and Harris?
Bill Cowher, are you kidding me! They can’t find 15 football guys who have waited longer than Cowher? I have no real problem with him being in the HOF but it’s not like he’s a glaring omission that had to get him this year. I didn’t think special class was about that.
I do wish Cowher had taken another bite at the coaching apple to prove himself a little more like Dick Vermeil did. 49 years old is really young to hang it up as a Head Coach. Although I don’t doubt he would of been successful because he was that good at motivating. He should of went to my Miami Dolphins!
That said, I think Jimmy Johnson is hurt a little by great expectations when he went to Miami that ended with a 7-62 loss to the Jaguars in the playoffs that was also the end of Marino’s career. Kind of a downer! And hurt by Barry Switzer taking his Team to the SB and winning.
Aren’t we nitpicking about cowher just a bit tony
When we look at a QB we might need to look at how competitive their team was. Padding numbers with a bad team during garbage time is not as impressive as a winner year in and out. Maybe it’s more of a phenomenon now with QB’s being so proficient than years ago? I’d call it the Matthew Stafford effect. Great numbers with over 40,000 yards – 256 TDs 134 Ints . He’s closer to Ken Anderson than anyone I can think of today. Even if he goes to a SB and loses I’m not putting him in the HOF.
I can’t put Ken Anderson in the HOF based off of a handful of good years while shining at the end of his career. It was a nice story. I saw him play too much bad football throwing interceptions at critical times of the game. He was inconsistent from year to year. All totaled he had a HOVG career.
Bob Greise had one sub-500 year in the 1970’s at 6-8. He wasn’t huge in the formula for winning in the SB but was important collecting regular season wins. 2/8 and some people question his greatness. I find it hard to argue for a 1/4 in Anderson who never won a SB. Just my opinion. I don’t think it been an injustice leaving him out of the HOF.
I bet a lot of players would support Dick Vermeil for the HOF. :)
I expect a lot from someone going into the HOF. You always think I’m nitpicking Robert. lol Get used to it, I’m a nitpicker. I’ve been called worse. Not trying to encourage you though. :)
Despite one championship, what you have to admire about Cowher, is that lots of Steelers, including pro bowlers, left the team due to free agency, but he still kept coaching up the replacements and winning. His career was like John Madden’s, lots of AFC Championship losses before finally winning it all.
Gotcha Tony p
Bill was just passing along observation that Gary Meyers was pleased with BRP voting, suggesting it bears well for johnson, Pearson and or Harris as he is former DMN reporter and wrote on cowboys history
Well that was a pretty crappy way to treat Jimmy Johnson, public embarrassment in front of millions, Hall knew both Cowher and Johnson would be on pregame shows and should not have done stunt with only one if elected
I guess Johnson didnt make it yet…only rumors on the internet/twitter
While you on here wolfman got a ques if
buddy parker doesn’t leave detroit before the 57 season and wins that 3rd title would he be in canton
Congrats to Jimmy Johnson!! It’s a results job can’t argue with his SB success.
Yea that was great to watch live!! Don’t think any of our predictions had Johnson and Cowher. BRP may be a lot more unpredictable and more anti Hall selectors approach then we anticipated
Agreed Tony turned around dallas in 4 short years
Great call Paul!
Still don’t get ignoring Dick Vermeil who had success with three teams taking two to a SB and winning one. I guess they don’t like criers? lol
I think the PFHOF missed an opportunity by not putting Marty Schottenhiemer in the HOF while he still has his memory before he loses his battle to Alzheimer’s. He certainly deserves it IMO. He was a great Coach who won for three organizations , just didn’t make it to a SB. He can’t play the big games for his players . Lost to Elway in the Drive and Byner’s fumble and had one of the best kickers who missed a kick or he likely would of made it to a SB. He had bad luck to win so many games (200) and go to playoffs so many times (13) not to reach the SB.
Wouldn’t it be something if no player before 1960 made the special election? Maybe no one values the first 40 years of the NFL anymore?
Marty is one that intrigues me and one i go back and forth on but I think with clearing cowher and jj should open the door for marty vermeil Reeves and others hope fully
Just got the news …
Congratulations to Jimmy Johnson !!
Marty has to wait…Flores and Parker should be next if not Coryell or Shaughnessy
Besides Marty wouldnt want to get in with Modell haha
Agreed bri id give the slight edge to.Flores over parker
Parker should already be in Robert.
He built a great team winning two out of three consecutive championship game, teams.
He let Layne develop the two minute drill, that Unitas emulated. He also won games in Pittsburgh, which was hard to do because players didnt want to live there.
Glad ur back TonyP…Weds morning will be exciting !!
My question is Bri why isn’t Parker in the hall of fame
Lot of speculation about Parker.
He was a great coach, but also a mean drunk who would challenge or even attack players after bad losses. He was also considered racist and didnt want black players on his team.
Another problem is he hated ownership and never wanted them mixing with players, which is why he left Detroit. The owners then, may not have wanted him to enter the Hall.
He deserves to be in, despite his problems or perceptions.
Well Paul, maybe at least one other player for Dallas going in with Johnson…
But two might be better…
I wonder if him quitting on the Lions before 57 is a factor
I didn’t realize Parker was a bigot and kept Blacks off his teams. That may well be a major factor in keeping him out, and I can see that.
Thoughts on Jimmy Johnson’s enshrinement:
Like Bill Cowher, I’m fine with Jimmy Johnson being in the HoF, though he wouldn’t have been my first choice from the finalist list. His argument is good, though: he won two titles and contributed heavily towards a third, he has a modest innovator argument in standardizing the draft trade chart, and he was his own extremely successful GM and architect of the Cowboys dynasty of the 90s. His career is a bit short, though, and his W-L percentage is okay if not at the level of someone like John Madden or George Allen. And he has been a finalist and semifinalist before.
Still, like Cowher, a reasonable choice and a deserving HoFer. I’ll say “Congratulations” to both.
If you want to read the most uninformed article you will read today. Go onto CBSsports web page and read Bryan DeArdo’s article on potential Hall of famers this year. He mentions some of the people that are nominated for the Senior class but also mentions Jim Marshall, Jim Plunkett, Chuck Howley among others who could be in this class. As well as Steve Atwater…who is actually a modern finalist. Obviously it was not fact checked. I would fire him and the editor.
He may not have a championship, but Chuck Knox was a helluva coach.
His teams were always tough, well prepared and committed to smash mouth ball control, just like Cowhers teams with Pittsburgh.
He just never developed a QB. Harris and Jaworski had potential with the Rams, but neither could settle into the job. Jaworski should have been the man in LA, but Vermeil liked him more than Knox.
I still never understood why Buffalo fired him ?
Maybe Wilson and management thought he was too much a players coach or relied on Ferguson at QB to much, but after he left, the Bills became a laughing stock, until Levy and Jim Kelly arrived.
Could you imagine if Knox had drafted Marino or Kelly in Seattle over Kurt Warner ? Though Warner was a great RB for them before injuries.
Dave Krieg was tough and underrated, but his fumbles and inconsistency, just werent enough to bring Seattle a championship for Knox.
That would be “Curt” Warner. A very talented RB who got hurt, but I think the injuries that hurt those Seahawks the most was the Injury to Kenny Easley. He was the AFC version of Ronnie Lott. They had good pass rushers but when Easley went down, that really hurt them as well as the Warner injury.
Though I feel Donnie Shell is the most deserving safety, in this class, including modern players, with Cowhers election, plus Faneca and Polamula knocking on the door, its doubtful he will get elected.
Now thinking Dallas, Pitts and GB will have multiple choices/players getting in.
Haha youre right Bill…noticed it when I sent it.
Those were some talented Seahawks teams but like everyone else in the AFC, couldnt get by John Elway with Denver.
Dave Brown, Easley, Fred Young, Jacob Green, Joe Nash, Largent, Darryl Turner, John Williams, Eugene Robinson later…just lots of talent.
I wonder if Shottenheimer will introduce Cowher and Michael Irvin introduce Johnson ?
Schottenheimer, damn I cant spell today.
I’d endorse Marty for election sooner rather than later
I liked Schottenheimer a lot as a coach. He was the Chiefs coach when I started cheering for the team. That said, I would have a hard time endorsing him over any of the 6 coaches that were finalists for this year’s vote, or Chuck Knox to be honest.
I don’t think he’s undeserving, but I also don’t think he brought something innovative enough to the table that you could overlook his failures in the playoffs. He definitely suffered some bad luck at the hands of Elway, Byner and Lin Elliott, but fair or not, he coached team after team that you just knew were not going to perform in big moments. Part of being a good coach is getting your team mentally prepared for big moments and big games.
He won a lot of games and had a pretty good winning percentage, so he will eventually be considered and probably elected, but with coaches, most of their candidacy comes down to championships.
Agreed 100% bslo, just curious bslo which non hof coach would you endorse
I actually thought Marty’s teams were prepared for the playoff games, it just seemed like the players got tighter the closer to the finish of games and no one knew how to stop Elways great mobility and clutch play. Kosar was right with him, but some key mistakes by Byner, though Langhorne missed his block, and the Charger safety intercepting a 4th down pass, then fumbling back to NE, doomed Martys teams.
Thats why Modell sucks, he gave up on Marty with an excellent team, then Marty’s Chiefs with Montana, keep Derrick Thomas on the bench while Thurman Thomas is running crazy in that championship game.
The Chiefs had another great chance in 95/96 playoffs but Marty goofed up not giving the ball to Marcus Allen more, while Bono threw three interceptions. Completely snakebit…
Speaking of modell can you imagine Cleveland if he gets in on wednesday
Seems to be increasing speculation (and at this point that is all it is) suggesting the seniors announced tomorrow may have fewer pre 1960 era players than perhaps many through was intent of this class and process and anticipated outcome, hearing only 3
Paul, if it’s only three, am hoping it’s Dilweg, Slater, and Wistert. Those are the three worst snubs of the bunch. Crossing fingers for Emerson, Lewellen, and Speedie, but not optimistic. We’ll find out tomorrow, I guess.
Agreed, looks like Slater and Wistert are likely, Dilweg could be the 3rd, but that maybe it. I was hopeful for those three plus Emerson and Speedie but does not sound like that’s in the cards. Could open up slots for multiple 80s (Branch, Craig?) and/or more from 60s/70s (Nobis/Harris) than we anticipated??
I got the feeling Clark Judge knows who got in but wrote his article in possible frustration.
With Art Rooney suggesting the Steelers in the HOF game, Shell could be in, but I doubt there will be three steelers plus Cowher…Shell or Faneca could be the one left out.
If its only three pre 60s players, I am rooting for Lewellen, Slater and Wistert but it would be kind of a bummer, but will make our gold panel decisions from TOF look more in line with the whole 100 year process.
I’m more of a modern era guy 60’s-90s some of you guys are more pre 60s which I respect
Thanks Brian. I support Chuck Knox too. I like HC’s who are successful with multiple teams. He won Coach of the Year for three different teams. Something to be said for players wanting to run through a wall for their Head Coach. He was a real “players” coach. He might of stayed around too long though. A lot of HC’s lose some fire or maybe don’t connect with players after 15-20 years of leading young men. Maybe that’s how Cowher and Johnson felt but I suspect it was as they said wanting to spend time with family or in Jimmy’s case r and r on his boat. lol
I wouldn’t lower the bar for a HOF Head Coach lower than Chuck Knox. I know Don Coryell was an innovator but he just doesn’t quite make it for me but if he gets in I’ll have nothing to critical to say. I’m trying to think, how many HOF HC’s had a HOF QB and didn’t make it to a SB. Granted he didn’t have as much time with Fouts as some others have with great QB’s but still. I see Coryell as very close related to HOFer Sid Gilman but Gilman won it all in his League.
It makes perfect sense to me know Jimmy Johnson making the HOF when he did. Hard to imagine him not being in when you considered 100 years of football and coaching one of the greatest teams of all-time. Cowher is still a little bit of a surprise to me because of the timing.
No doubt Marty made some blunders usually because of his conservative nature. Still deserves his place in the HOF because he won so many games IMO.
Antonio Gates retired today. 1st ballot HOFer??
“I got the feeling Clark Judge knows who got in but wrote his article in possible frustration.”
Yep he knows, hence the suggestion that number will be less than 1/2, perhaps “significantly less”, so only 2 or 3 is what we are likely to see.
With Art Rooney, I think he made the comment because of TroyP and now Coach Cowher, I don’t believe it was tied to Shell.
I don’t view Gates as first ballot, and he will be on 2024 ballot with Julius Peppers and Rod Gronkowski who are more likely 1st ballot (and Gates becomes even more unlikely with Gronk on same ballot-unless he retires??
Ok let’s assume gronk comes back what happens then
Luke kuechly just retired thoughts?
Kuechly and Patrick Willis have very similar careers.
Lile I think gets in but probably on his 8-12th ballot. The log jam of great players will still be deep even by then in 2025.
Here’s the way I see these brp vote those who don’t get in this round I think have a good shot to be considered in 2021
Why could there be fewer 1950s guys : it’s possible that lavie cecil Verne cancel each other out,there leaving Slater and wistert which I’d be ok with.
I believe the Redskins will try to obtain Kuechlys rights and convince him to play. Not convinced he will stay retired.
I think if Gonzalez is first ballot, so will Gates.
Scored to many TDs to wait, but who knows ?
I think he could be effective if the Patriots tried to convince him to play, but Gronk could come back as well, but people are saying he has already lost alot of weight.
Clark Judge could be throwing me a curve ball but he is not convinced even THREE pre 60s players will get in, so we will see in the morning.
I’m thinking at least 4 pre 60s brian
And the 4 pre 60s in thinking of are speedie dilweg wistert slater
We will see Robert. If Clark Judge isnt convinced, neither am I.
I truly believe that compromise for Modell and Tagliabue may have hurt the older, deserving players but I will eagerly await in the morning.
Definitely think both Luke Kuechly (6/7/10s?) and Patrick Willis (5/7/10s?) will get in, but wait a few years. Short careers will probably delay but not deny either.
Also think Antonio Gates gets in but well down the road.
Why would the compromise for Modell and Tagliabue hurt the older deserving players?
Agree with Bachslunch about those waits
Damn they are spreading these announcements over 3 hr show
Here they are: Covert, Hill….
Carmichael
Looking really bad already for pre 1960 seniors
Are they providing us a list of the 10 who didn’t make the cut … Covert and Carmichael were the two players I was sure had no chance this morning. This is crazy…
Congratulations Covert, Carmichael and YES !!
WINSTON HILL !!!
Covert is an awful choice. Carmichael and Hill, sure, but am wondering who better may lose out.
Yeah, this isn’t looking good at all. We shall see.
DUKE DUKE DUKE !!!! Yes yes
Steve Sabol – awesome
SABOL SABOL SABOL yes yes
Congratulations to Sprinkle, Slater and Sabol !!
No owners yet !
Great to hear about Sabol and Slater.
Sprinkle is a disgraceful choice, especially if none of Wistert, Dilweg, Lewellen, Emerson, or Speedie make it. Which they probably won;t now.
This sucks rocks.
Wow Carmichael ! Covert!! I agree with you Justin.
I said I thought Carmichael would get in a year or two ago based on Eagles winning the Super Bowl. Same thing happened for Dick LeBeau and Emmit Thomas IMO because teams they were with high were in the SB. Than the media thinks about them and gets behind them. It’s a big boost I believe.
Jimbo Covert 2/2, an 8 year injury prone LT. He was really good for a short stretch. Wasn’t he a favorite of John Madden? Oh my!! Now they have to put Boselli in like PRONTO.
Who the heck is Sprinkle? Couldn’t tell you the position he played. lol Really must of been overlooked. lol What about Wisert?
That would be Ed Sprinkle, Chicago Bears end from the late 40s-early 50s. Who has a crappy 2/4/40s honors profile, reportedly looks just pretty good in film study, and had a reputation for flagrantly dirty play even by the standards of the day. But who George Halas claimed was the best player he ever saw.
I’m beyond disgusted by this.
Dont think Branch will make it.
Our Gold Panel choices with TOF were better !
Brian said: “Our Gold Panel choices with TOF were better !”
Damn right, Brian. Looks like it won’t even be close.
Some damn celebration of 100 years of the NFL.
Didn’t support Winston Hill, Carmichael or Covert but they were really popular playing for big city Teams. Lots of fans made happy today. Congrats to them and families for making the HOF.
Really glad Slater gets his place in HOF.
Any chance they through Dolphin fans a bone? Lol Dick Anderson or Jake Scott ? Looking at their selections maybe?
Dont support nepotism in the NFL, but Sabol was a choice, I am not upset with…Love his enthusiasm for promoting the game.
Karras, Dillon and Shell have been selected.
Karras, Dillon and Shell !! Finally good choices besides Hill and Slater !
Karras, Dillon, and Shell are at least varying degrees of good choices. Very surprised Dillon got through.
Pearson and Gradishar next ??
Clark Judge was wrong…more pre-60s picks than he thought…
Gradishar? Nah, probably will be Nobis instead the way this is going.
But no Wistert and no Dilweg??
At the rate things are going, probably no Wistert or Dilweg. Or Emerson, Lewellen, or Speedie. Which is beyond shameful.
Bunch of damn Frankie Frisch types on this panel, I guess.
throw!! lol
Looking at Ed Sprinkle and Jimbo Covert they are reaching. I guess they don’t care about number of good years anymore. Over half of Sprinkle’s career seems pretty unimpressive by the numbers. I bet the normal selectors are a little disgusted. A bit of a Pandora’s box being opened.
Carmichael (2nd team 70s all decade WR) but not Pearson (1st team)???? WTF
Apparently there’s a leak that the others are Mac Speedie, George Young, Paul Tagliabue, and Cliff Harris.
These are good choices, but — wow. Just — wow.
Beyond disgraceful. It’s as if they purposely ignored the best candidates.
George Young, Cliff Harris, Mac Speedie, Paul Tagliabue
Damn, NO DREW PEARSON !!!
Pearson, Branch, Gradishar, Wistert, Dilweg, Lewellen all snubbed. I would’ve said that was a million-to-one all 6 would miss out.
No Pearson no Gradishar no Branch, Broncos and Raiders fans going to burn down any Hall discussion on social media today
Later today I will post results so far in terms of our prediction contest, but guessing it’s not going to be pretty
Diilon and Shell are deserving safeties who have been overlooked. Good sign for Cliff Harris? Karras was a huge character and is a good pick. Too bad he’s not alive.
Need to keep up the pressure for those who missed out today.
Yes No owners !! And Gradishar, Pearson, Dilweg, Lewellen, Wistert, Branch keep waiting.
Congratulations to Harris, Speedie, and Young !!
Congratulations Cliff Harris !!
Though I would have chose Pearson
No Chuck Howley yet. No Pearson or Branch or Harold Jackson. :( Really Carmichael over them. Thought since Karras was chosen that maybe Nobis would get in. People been talking about his greatness for years in the same way. Had a reputation for hitting as hard or harder than Dick Butkus.
I don’t know about Mac Speedie. Inclined not to support but will defer to Bachs’ expertise.
Congrats to Cliff Harris he definitely belongs. Still think Jake Scott was just as good. :)
A quick look at the 1970s All Decade Offense, and Drew Pearson is the only 1st and 2nd team selection out of 23 players (tie for 2nd team QB) not in Canton, and he was a 1st team pick.
Cliff Harris will be the final 1st team pick on Defense to be enshrined.
With all the safeties, will any other safety get in besides Polamalu ?
Atwater could be in trouble now
Pearson is only offense player from 70s 80s 90s all decade teams not in
The modern era committee is completely different to the BRP so I don’t think that will have any impact on Atwater and the other safetys among the 15 finalists.
What is everyone’s revised list of Top 10/20 Seniors still waiting to be selected?
Gradishar/Howley at LB
Branch/Pearson/Shofner at WR
Wistert, Dilweg, Lewellen and Emerson among the super seniors 20s-40s.
Jacoby, Klecko, Kenn and Craig from the 1980s
Every offensive and defensive 1st team All Decade for 70s, 80s and 90s are in Canton with three exceptions.
Drew Pearson
Steve Atwater
Leroy Butler
Top 10 seniors still not in Canton.
1. Chuck Howley
2. Maxie Baughan
3. Randy Gradishar
4. Billy Howton
5. Del Shofner
6. Ed Meador
7. Cliff Branch
8. Harold Jackson
9. Walt Sweeney
10. Dick Schafrath
All of these men, but especially the first eight, are astonishingly overdue.
Prediction contest results (as of Jan 15th, with centennial class elected):
Robert 7/15
Paul 6/15
Justin 6/15
BSLO 6/15
BrianW 5/15
Boknows34 0/0
bachslunch 0/0
Rasputin 0/0
I mostly agree with Bachslunch’s and others’ criticism of the BRP list as my more expansive post on ToF lays out. Heck, I think either Corey’s or Bo’s new list would be better than the current BRP list. As I said on ToF, the silver lining to failing to fairly represent the century of NFL history by overchoosing recent players should be that at least more inductees will be alive. Yet they not only skewed things to recent players, and ones with less deserving qualifications, they picked ones who happen to be deceased. It’s almost like a prank list. Except there will be no “Ha Ha just kidding, guys. Here’s the real Centennial list.”
My final list of 10 had SEVEN players who were active at least some pre-1960, and yet still managed to have more living players (5) than this “Blue Ribbon Panel” list.
One player I disagree with some here on is Ed Sprinkle. When looking at his honors profile keep in mind that all 4 of his Pro Bowls came from the 1950s while he was named All Decade for the 1940s. That’s because there was no All Star game when he played in the 40s. The Pro Bowl started up in 1950. If the Pro Bowl had existed over the first half of his career his profile would likely look far different, with twice as many or more Pro Bowls. He was one of the most feared defenders in the league and a pioneer as maybe the first great pass rushing End shortly after the T-Formation revolution created the modern passing game and the modern version of the QB position. He also played a big role in winning his team a championship.
I haven’t seen Crippen’s commentary on him, except for an interview when he was still alive that was vaguely positive and didn’t have anything negative, that included Sprinkle bristling over the “dirty” media image and pushing back on it. I have been to Crippen’s site and seen him seemingly make sweeping statements based on a few grainy clips of some player, there not being much footage from the 1920s-1940s. So I take his pronouncements with a grain of salt anyway. That’s not to disparage him and I’m glad he’s doing the research he does, but I put more weight on observations by contemporaries who observed or played against guys like Sprinkle.
The accounts indicate he was a great player and one of the most feared defenders in the league for years. He was impactful, including in winning a championship game. He made some kind of first or second team All Pro team 5 years.
I view him as a legitimate HoFer.
One week to go, on next Saturday evening we should starting seeing rumors around 6p EST, official announcement in NFL Honors show around 9p, but that airs with one hr take delay so we will know via social media by 8p, but with elected informed before show starts at 7p expect unofficial news floating out around 6p
seems to me paul there seems to be at least 1-2 surprises a year that we did not expect, who would be a surprise or shock this year
I think TroyP Atwater and two OL are save but that 5th slot could go to EJames Seymour or Bruce. Don’t really see anyone else especially new finalists jumping to election
FINAL CONTEST RESULTS (only Jan17th deadline predictions were valid entries, not changes after….including mine)
Robert 11/20
Paul 9/20
Justin 9/20
BSLO 8/20
BrianW 7/20
Boknows34 0/0
bachslunch 0/0
Rasputin 0/0
So for next year Robert can choose to add THE GREATEST to all his posts.
Thanks everyone for participating and your active posts and great discussions this past year and now for 2021. Would not be such a fun learning and enjoyable forum if not for all the regulars, and the occasional – posters, plus a few new recent ones!! Lets all keep up the good work. And extending appreciation to our hosts for running this blog!!