2007 Hall of Fame Candidates...Terrell Davis leads list of newbies (1 Viewer)

[Ministry of Pain]

I am going to paste this in here along with the link.

HoF 2007

Davis, Matthews lead 11 first-time nominees for Hall of Fame

Oct. 27, 2006

CBS SportsLine.com wire reports

CANTON, Ohio -- Running back Terrell Davis and offensive lineman Bruce Matthews are among the first-time nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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Davis played just seven seasons in Denver, but the former sixth-round draft pick was a key part of the Broncos' two championship teams. He was the Super Bowl MVP for his three touchdowns against Green Bay in 1998.

Matthews' skill and durability enabled him to play in 14 Pro Bowls during a 19-year career with the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans.

Davis and Matthews are being considered with 109 other former players, coaches and contributors. The list, which was announced Friday, will be reduced to 15 finalists along with Cleveland Browns guard Gene Hickerson and Detroit Lions tight end Charlie Sanders, who were selected in August by the Hall of Fame's senior selection committee.

The final vote will be in Miami on Feb. 3, the day before the Super Bowl. Three to six new members will be selected.

The other first-time nominees are quarterback Randall Cunningham; running back Ricky Watters; offensive linemen Randall McDaniel, Mark Stepnoski and Steve Wisniewski; and defensive backs Eric Allen, LeRoy Butler and Carnell Lake.

Recently retired commissioner Paul Tagliabue is a nominee for the second time, and wide receiver Michael Irvin and running back Thurman Thomas are among the finalists from last year who will be considered again.

AP NEWS

The Associated Press News Service

OK, I think Terrell Davis will get in...he has 2 rings and was as much a reason for Denver winning those years as Elway was...in fact Elway had 3 other cracks at it b4 Davis got there and never made it. I don't want the thread to be bothing but Davis backers and haters. Here is my lsit for who I think should get in.

1st ballot...Terrell Davis, Bruce Mathews, and yes Randall McDaniel who went to 12 Pro Bowls and was the anchor for the NFC while Mathews was for the AFC...both should go in.

Guys like Carnell Lake that were mentioned in the article...don't waste your time...Eric Allen, no way this year.

Michael Irvin and Art Monk should go into the HoF along with their 3 rings a piece...to make them wait till Jerry Rice gets in 1st is simply silly. Art Monk had 940 catches but only 3 Pro Bowl appearances...he might have to wait. Irvin had 750 for his career but was unstoppable when the Cowboys won 3 rings. If John Stallworth got in, you gotta put Irvin in.

Thurman Thomas...I'm not opposed to him getting in but I also am not opposed to him waiting a couple more years too.

Ricky Watters was mentioned...I don't think he will ever get in but he has some impressive numbers...10,000+ rushing, 14,800+ total yards, 91 TDs, 5 time Pro Bowler in '92, '93, '94, '95, '96 which is impressive when you consider the shelf life of RB in the NFL.

One guy I hope gets in but this is not his year because of the other OL going in is Bob Keuchenberg. The longer it plays out the less I think people will remmeber him...many on here never ever got to see him play. 3 Super bowls in row and 2 wins with Miami in the early 70s...he was ending his career just as Marino was starting..shame he isn't in.

OK, let's hear your thoughts.

 

[diesel7982]

If Matthews and McDaniel dont get in on the first ballot, the system is broken.

TD is probably my 2nd favorite historical player, but I dont see him getting in.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

If Matthews and McDaniel dont get in on the first ballot, the system is broken.TD is probably my 2nd favorite historical player, but I dont see him getting in.

I think he will and the fact sports media like Sportsline/CBS is putting his name out there first means he probably has a lot of votes that will go his way. He was a great athlete, clean on and off the field...all those things count. He played his butt off in that system, few backs have put up the same numbers in that "system" if you want to call it that. Sure Gary, Droughns, Anderson, maybe Bell this year all put up numbers but nothing on the scale of TD and none of them were able to carry the Broncos to the Super Bowl.

 

[OldMilwaukee]

Mathews, Thomas, and Tagliabue are the only sure things!!

 

[Buckle]

Probably one of the worst classes. Lots of reaches.

I'm surprised Randall Cunningham is even considered.

 

[Tau837]

The rules say 3-6 can get in, but as recently as 2001, there was a class of 7. There hasn't been a class greater than 7 since the 1960s. Not sure what exception allows a class to go above 6, so I'm assuming it will be capped at 6.

I think Tagliabue and Matthews are in.

Normally the senior committee candidates fare pretty well.

I think Thurman Thomas and Irvin stand a very good chance of making it.

Art Monk and Andre Reed are other possibilities, but I'm not sure if it hurts their chances if another WR is selected.

Leroy Butler actually has a compelling case for a safety, but I suspect he will be underrated by the committee.

And McDaniel is a possibility, but I have a hard time judging offensive linemen. I know Matthews made 14 Pro Bowls and McDaniel made 12, but what other measures do we have for offensive linemen... just opinions of the voters who hopefully saw them play? I mean, consider these guys:

Willie Roaf - 11 Pro Bowls

Will Shields - 10 Pro Bowls and counting

Larry Allen - 10 Pro Bowls and counting

Jonathan Ogden - 9 Pro Bowls in a row and counting

Orlando Pace - 7 Pro Bowls in a row and counting

Alan Faneca - 5 Pro Bowls in a row and counting

Steve Hutchinson - 5 Pro Bowls in 5 years in the NFL

Walter Jones - 5 Pro Bowls in a row and counting

Olin Kreutz - 5 Pro Bowls in a row and counting

It's hard for me to distinguish which of these guys truly deserve to make the HOF. (Clearly it's too early to tell for some of them, just trying to illustrate the difficulty of distinguishing elite OLs from Pro Bowl caliber OLs.)

EDIT: Forgot to mention Terrell Davis. I have posted in numerous threads on this over the years. I don't think he deserves to make it, and I don't think he will make it. He had amongst the best peak performances ever, but it needs to be balanced with a certain amount of longevity, and he didn't have that.

Also, no one has mentioned Dermonti Dawson or Derrick Thomas. I don't think either will make it, but Dawson is the only eligible center who has a shot, and Thomas has been thought to have a chance in the past.

 

[WhoDat]

If Matthews and McDaniel dont get in on the first ballot, the system is broken.

TD is probably my 2nd favorite historical player, but I dont see him getting in.

I agree.

 

[aposulli]

Mathews, Thomas, and Tagliabue are the only sure things!!

McDaniel won't get in on his first ballot IMO. I drafted him all the time in QB Club '96 though

 

[ConstruxBoy]

We want Tasker!!

 

[Borat]

We want Tasker!!

I'd take Tasker for the HOF before TD.

 

[yetiknight]

And McDaniel is a possibility, but I have a hard time judging offensive linemen. I know Matthews made 14 Pro Bowls and McDaniel made 12, but what other measures do we have for offensive linemen... just opinions of the voters who hopefully saw them play? I mean, consider these guys:Willie Roaf - 11 Pro BowlsWill Shields - 10 Pro Bowls and countingLarry Allen - 10 Pro Bowls and countingJonathan Ogden - 9 Pro Bowls in a row and countingOrlando Pace - 7 Pro Bowls in a row and countingAlan Faneca - 5 Pro Bowls in a row and countingSteve Hutchinson - 5 Pro Bowls in 5 years in the NFLWalter Jones - 5 Pro Bowls in a row and countingOlin Kreutz - 5 Pro Bowls in a row and countingIt's hard for me to distinguish which of these guys truly deserve to make the HOF. (Clearly it's too early to tell for some of them, just trying to illustrate the difficulty of distinguishing elite OLs from Pro Bowl caliber OLs.)

The top four guys you mention are more than likely to make the HOF. I would say at least three of the other five will also. Some of them will be first ballot. Randall McDaniel is a lock to make the HOF and should be in this year. We are talking about the best players at their position for the length of their career. He more than qualifies.

 

[Bojang0301]

With TD I think you have to look past stats... The guy is an econ and defined that position in his peak. It matters and he will get in.

 

[cantrell]

Thurman Thomas should go in before TD. I think Davis is a HOF, although people will argue he didn't play long enough.

TD was the most dominate player from 1996-1998, 1998 NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP, 2 Super Bowl rings, 2000 rushing season, was a monster in the playoffs, gained over 7,000 yards in pretty much 4 seasons. He did so much in so little time.

My picks for the class of 2007.

- Tags

- Bruce Matthews

- Randall McDaniel

- Thurman Thomas

- Michael Irvin / Ricky Watters (could go either way)

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Matthews and Tags are locks.

Matthews will get in on pure attrition. 19 years is a long time to be playing on the line at a high level. I think you could only compare that kind of service time to a Jackie Slater or a Darrell Green.

Tags will be in because of the recent CBA. He brought the NFL to prosperity while MLB had it's strike and steroids and the NBA is just a shooting gallery of mindless thugs. I think everyone will feel Tags is owed something now ( and deservedly) and with such a weak class, there needs to be one solid feature story for this years class.

TD doesn't get in, he's like the pre Tiki (the leagues smiling nice black guy role) with more rings, less charm and less lobbying ability.

I want you to know that comment makes my skin crawl...not sure if it is because you actually wrote it or that there is a sliver of truth to it...welcome to the board though...have we hit 25,000 members on here already...I don't even know anymore.Davis will get in the HoF and I even think he gets in 1st ballot. He was a gentleman on and off the field, he won 2 Super Bowls and look at his stats over a short period of time... 7,594 yards on offense and 61 TDs over his 1st 4 seasons in the league to go with 2 Super Bowl rings...he will make it into the Hall.

Davis also had 2,000 yds rushing and that will make a big impact on voters as well. People like him, he's getting in, this year too, so accept it.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

I'm surprised Randall Cunningham is even considered.

You must be joking, Cunningham revolutionized the QB position. He may never make it, but to simply blow him off is idiotic.Ricky Watters is one of those guys that you don't necessarily think of right away, but when you look at his numbers and rings you gotta at least consider him.Thurman absolutely belongs.Ultimately I think Matthews makes it and Tags. Probably McDaniel too.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Thurman Thomas should go in before TD. I think Davis is a HOF, although people will argue he didn't play long enough. TD was the most dominate player from 1996-1998, 1998 NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP, 2 Super Bowl rings, 2000 rushing season, was a monster in the playoffs, gained over 7,000 yards in pretty much 4 seasons. He did so much in so little time.My picks for the class of 2007.- Tags- Bruce Matthews- Randall McDaniel- Thurman Thomas- Michael Irvin / Ricky Watters (could go either way)

Cantrell, the problem with TT is he doesn't have a ring...he was a better FF player maybe than an NFl player. I only say that because my biggest memory of him was losing his helmet in the Super Bowl...he felt like a product of the K-Gun...even Kenneth Davis who ran behind him did very well in that system too...he just doesn't have as many post season accolades as TD...never a SB MVP...it does weigh into it. And he was kind of a jerk to the media for the better part of his career...he was explosive from 89-93 but the last 5 or 6 seasons he was pretty average.

 

[cracKer]

Ricky Watters = IN

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Ricky Watters = IN

Not 1st ballot Shawn, sorry. TD has to go first...Thurman needs to go in at some point...Emmitt will be on the ballot in a couple seasons...where does Watter fit in? He got a ring early on in his career and was then left behind by the Niners...he was always thought to have a bad atitude and that is going to keep him out for the time being.

 

[Marc Levin]

To be honest, I STILL can't believe honest posters on this board thought TD didn't deserve consideration due to an injury shortened career.

He'll be a first ballot inductee b/c he was THE dominaznt RB in the league for three or four years and translated that dominance into 2 championships (this is by far not the primary reason, but anyone who was so instrumental in getting Elway his rings gets in).

 

[Ministry of Pain]

To be honest, I STILL can't believe honest posters on this board thought TD didn't deserve consideration due to an injury shortened career.He'll be a first ballot inductee b/c he was THE dominaznt RB in the league for three or four years and translated that dominance into 2 championships (this is by far not the primary reason, but anyone who was so instrumental in getting Elway his rings gets in).

 

[cracKer]

Ricky Watters = IN

Thurman needs to go in at some point

Why assume that Thomas would go before Watters? Comparable numbers, Thomas with around 1700 more total yards, Watters with 3 more TDs and a championship.

 

[cantrell]

Thurman Thomas should go in before TD. I think Davis is a HOF, although people will argue he didn't play long enough. TD was the most dominate player from 1996-1998, 1998 NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP, 2 Super Bowl rings, 2000 rushing season, was a monster in the playoffs, gained over 7,000 yards in pretty much 4 seasons. He did so much in so little time.My picks for the class of 2007.- Tags- Bruce Matthews- Randall McDaniel- Thurman Thomas- Michael Irvin / Ricky Watters (could go either way)

Cantrell, the problem with TT is he doesn't have a ring...he was a better FF player maybe than an NFl player. I only say that because my biggest memory of him was losing his helmet in the Super Bowl...he felt like a product of the K-Gun...even Kenneth Davis who ran behind him did very well in that system too...he just doesn't have as many post season accolades as TD...never a SB MVP...it does weigh into it. And he was kind of a jerk to the media for the better part of his career...he was explosive from 89-93 but the last 5 or 6 seasons he was pretty average.

Well I shouldn't have made it sound like an either/or scenario. TT and TD can go in together and sit Irvin and Watters. Both were great running backs and were the main reason their teams made consecutive Super Bowls. Speaking of possible inductees, when is Cris Carter and Andre Reed eligible?

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Ricky Watters = IN

Thurman needs to go in at some point

Why assume that Thomas would go before Watters? Comparable numbers, Thomas with around 1700 more total yards, Watters with 3 more TDs and a championship.

It's a great point...during Thomas' run he made the Pro bowl in '89, '90, '91, '92, and '93 and went to 4 Super Bowls in a row...didn't win any but got there 4 times in a row...Watters played on the '94 SF team and they won 1 title in the middle of Dallas winning '92. '93, and '95...coaching change in '94 and a lot of Jimmy Johnson distractions which probably helped SF a lot that season...it used to be Dallas/SF every year for about 4-5 seasons...they are pretty even but Thomas was just as dominate if not more over a longer period of time. What did Watters do in Philly? Seattle? None of those teams did anything in the post season.

 

[yetiknight]

I'm sorry. Does making it to four straight Super Bowls actually hurt Thomas' chances?

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Thurman Thomas should go in before TD. I think Davis is a HOF, although people will argue he didn't play long enough. TD was the most dominate player from 1996-1998, 1998 NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP, 2 Super Bowl rings, 2000 rushing season, was a monster in the playoffs, gained over 7,000 yards in pretty much 4 seasons. He did so much in so little time.My picks for the class of 2007.- Tags- Bruce Matthews- Randall McDaniel- Thurman Thomas- Michael Irvin / Ricky Watters (could go either way)

Cantrell, the problem with TT is he doesn't have a ring...he was a better FF player maybe than an NFl player. I only say that because my biggest memory of him was losing his helmet in the Super Bowl...he felt like a product of the K-Gun...even Kenneth Davis who ran behind him did very well in that system too...he just doesn't have as many post season accolades as TD...never a SB MVP...it does weigh into it. And he was kind of a jerk to the media for the better part of his career...he was explosive from 89-93 but the last 5 or 6 seasons he was pretty average.

Well I shouldn't have made it sound like an either/or scenario. TT and TD can go in together and sit Irvin and Watters. Both were great running backs and were the main reason their teams made consecutive Super Bowls. Speaking of possible inductees, when is Cris Carter and Andre Reed eligible?

Carter stopped in '02. So '03, '04, '05, '06, '07...2008 I think.Reed? He is eligible now but there are a lot of WR ahead of him 7 time Pro Bowler from '88-'94, 950+ catches 87 TDs...he will have to wait awhile though.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I'm sorry. Does making it to four straight Super Bowls actually hurt Thomas' chances?

Ask him when he finds his helmet

 

[Marc Levin]

Thurman Thomas should go in before TD. I think Davis is a HOF, although people will argue he didn't play long enough. TD was the most dominate player from 1996-1998, 1998 NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP, 2 Super Bowl rings, 2000 rushing season, was a monster in the playoffs, gained over 7,000 yards in pretty much 4 seasons. He did so much in so little time.My picks for the class of 2007.- Tags- Bruce Matthews- Randall McDaniel- Thurman Thomas- Michael Irvin / Ricky Watters (could go either way)

Cantrell, the problem with TT is he doesn't have a ring...he was a better FF player maybe than an NFl player. I only say that because my biggest memory of him was losing his helmet in the Super Bowl...he felt like a product of the K-Gun...even Kenneth Davis who ran behind him did very well in that system too...he just doesn't have as many post season accolades as TD...never a SB MVP...it does weigh into it. And he was kind of a jerk to the media for the better part of his career...he was explosive from 89-93 but the last 5 or 6 seasons he was pretty average.

TThomas is getting into the HOF - his career numbers are way too impressive and he has the name recognition.That said, he probably isn't a first ballot guy. Agree that TD, TT and Emmitt all need to go in. Easiest thing to do is get TD in on first ballot, Emmitt's a first ballot HOFer (maybe on same ballot as TT) and after all three go in, Watters.

 

[Tau837]

Ricky Watters = IN

Thurman needs to go in at some point

Why assume that Thomas would go before Watters? Comparable numbers, Thomas with around 1700 more total yards, Watters with 3 more TDs and a championship.

Thomas has 2 All Pro selections, Watters has 0.Thomas was the focal point of an offense that led his team to the Super Bowl times and had 2114 total yards and 21 TDs in 21 postseason games.

Watters was in one Super Bowl, in 1994, but he wasn't the focal point or leader of the offense--that was Young and Rice. Watters had 1117 total yards and 12 TDs in 11 postseason games, also very strong numbers, but Thomas did it for almost twice as many games.

I also think it helps a player when his career is associated with just one team. Thomas played 9 games for Miami, but he played 12 seasons for the Bills. Watters split his time fairly evenly over 3 teams. I'm not saying this should matter, just that it might affect the memories of the voters, as there is no team that you automatically associate with Watters.

I think Thomas is just above the threshold for HOF, and Watters is just below. And that makes me laugh at people who think Tiki should make it... Watters is much more deserving than Tiki.

 

[Tau837]

We want Tasker!!

I'd take Tasker for the HOF before TD.

Old post on this:

We won't likely ever have the best holder, long snapper, kickoff specialist, kickoff returner, or punt returner in the HOF, unless by chance the player was HOF caliber at another position. Where is the line? It is questionable if or when another kicker or any punter will be inducted. Given that, I don't see Tasker or any other special teams coverage player making it. It appears to me that the line among players has been drawn after offense & defense, with Jan Stenerud as the lone exception.

 

[Tau837]

And McDaniel is a possibility, but I have a hard time judging offensive linemen. I know Matthews made 14 Pro Bowls and McDaniel made 12, but what other measures do we have for offensive linemen... just opinions of the voters who hopefully saw them play? I mean, consider these guys:Willie Roaf - 11 Pro BowlsWill Shields - 10 Pro Bowls and countingLarry Allen - 10 Pro Bowls and countingJonathan Ogden - 9 Pro Bowls in a row and countingOrlando Pace - 7 Pro Bowls in a row and countingAlan Faneca - 5 Pro Bowls in a row and countingSteve Hutchinson - 5 Pro Bowls in 5 years in the NFLWalter Jones - 5 Pro Bowls in a row and countingOlin Kreutz - 5 Pro Bowls in a row and countingIt's hard for me to distinguish which of these guys truly deserve to make the HOF. (Clearly it's too early to tell for some of them, just trying to illustrate the difficulty of distinguishing elite OLs from Pro Bowl caliber OLs.)

The top four guys you mention are more than likely to make the HOF. I would say at least three of the other five will also. Some of them will be first ballot. Randall McDaniel is a lock to make the HOF and should be in this year. We are talking about the best players at their position for the length of their career. He more than qualifies.

I wouldn't disagree with you, but why those 4? Is it the Pro Bowls? Or do the Pro Bowls for offensive linemen happen to more accurately represent the best offensive linemen every year, meaning 9+ selections truly reflects dominance? I ask that because people often dismiss Pro Bowl selections for other positions as being overrated due to popularity contests, selections due to injury, etc.Also, why 4? What is the right number of offensive linemen to induct from one era? In the modern era (majority of career played since 1946), there have been only 30 offensive linemen inducted, including none whose careers ended after 1995. So far, only 4 have been inducted whose careers ended in the 1990s, though 9 have been inducted whose careers ended in the 1980s... wide disparity.

 

[Tau837]

Davis will get in the HoF and I even think he gets in 1st ballot. He was a gentleman on and off the field, he won 2 Super Bowls and look at his stats over a short period of time... 7,594 yards on offense and 61 TDs over his 1st 4 seasons in the league to go with 2 Super Bowl rings...he will make it into the Hall.Davis also had 2,000 yds rushing and that will make a big impact on voters as well. People like him, he's getting in, this year too, so accept it.

Sig bet?

 

[Emmitt Smith]

I don't See T.Davis getting in just yet. McDanial & Matthews are locks. Irvin might just get in by the skin of his teeth.

Then you have to count on some old players who have been passed by and at least one player nobody remembers.

 

[Tau837]

To be honest, I STILL can't believe honest posters on this board thought TD didn't deserve consideration due to an injury shortened career.He'll be a first ballot inductee b/c he was THE dominaznt RB in the league for three or four years and translated that dominance into 2 championships (this is by far not the primary reason, but anyone who was so instrumental in getting Elway his rings gets in).

I'm an honest poster who thinks he won't make it and shouldn't. He had one great year and two all time great years. And in those same years, he dominated in the postseason. Three years is not enough.As to the notion that he got Elway his rings, give me a break. He played with at least two HOF offensive teammates--Elway and Sharpe. Many here think Rod Smith will make the HOF, though I don't. Mike Shanahan could ultimately be a HOF coach. And the defense was outstanding. TD was great in those seasons, but he had one of the best supporting casts of all time. Don't overstate his responsibility for the titles.And given how well Gary, Anderson, and Portis played in the same offense when he went down, it isn't at all evident that it was TD who was truly dominating. A lot of it was the offensive line, the blocking scheme, and the coaching.

He'll be a first ballot inductee

Sig bet?

 

[Marc Levin]

Davis will get in the HoF and I even think he gets in 1st ballot. He was a gentleman on and off the field, he won 2 Super Bowls and look at his stats over a short period of time... 7,594 yards on offense and 61 TDs over his 1st 4 seasons in the league to go with 2 Super Bowl rings...he will make it into the Hall.Davis also had 2,000 yds rushing and that will make a big impact on voters as well. People like him, he's getting in, this year too, so accept it.

Sig bet?

Too far into the future for a sig bet, but I'm willing to make a simple gentlemanly wager. In short, as willing as you are to sig bet he WON'T make it in on the first ballot, I am equally sure he WILL.It is not even CLOSE, IMO - TD gets in THIS year. Emmitt next.You will never see three guards in at the same time when a high profile running back who had 2G rushing in one season and owns 2 SB rings is standing right there.

 

[Marc Levin]

Three years is not enough.

Dumbest argument ever when his career was injury shortened.List of RB entrants who had short careersoak Walker (HB) 1950-1955 Gale Sayers (HB) 1965-1971 Marion Motley (FB) 1946-1953, 1955 Paul Hornung (HB) 1957-1962, 1964-1966 There's a lot of WRs with short careers in the HOF.In short, these skill spots regularly get in with short careers - esp if the career wa shortened by injury.

 

[Marc Levin]

You will never see three guards in at the same time when a high profile running back who had 2G rushing in one season and owns 2 SB rings is standing right there.

So you believe Jamal Lewis (2 G + 1 SB) is a lock also?

his career the last three years shows he does NOT deserve to be in - he is simply not very good.Only injury stopped TD.

 

[cantrell]

I forgot about Derrick Thomas, he will be in for sure this year.

Updated List:

- Tags

- Matthews

- McDaniel

- Davis

- T. Thomas

- D. Thomas

 

[LHUCKS]

Watters > TD

 

[Marc Levin]

Players really need to be compared to their contemporaries due to the ever changing game.

Agreed - which is exactly WHY Terrell Davis will get in.He OWNED the NFL for three years. Not an easy thing to do in a BIGGER league with BETTER athletes.Your counter argument regarding system could be made about any RB - and could be made about several QBs (Steve Young, for example, inherited an amazingly prolific offense that had all the pieces in place for QB success).

 

[Marc Levin]

Watters > TD

 

[Brunell4MVP]

Monk will finally get in. I heard Peter King relenting his position on the radio the other day - said something to the effect that others were changing his mind.

Thurman Thomas should get in this year.

Matthews, McDaniel and Tagliabue will be the other 3.

I don't think TD belongs in there. His career was just so short, and from complete memory, he only had 4 good years in his 6. If those are the quals, tons of guys would have gottten in.

Irvin will have to wait. His stats really aren't that great.

 

[Da Good Da Bad an Da Ugly]

Got Monk?

 

[Tau837]

Thurman Thomas should go in before TD. I think Davis is a HOF, although people will argue he didn't play long enough. TD was the most dominate player from 1996-1998, 1998 NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP, 2 Super Bowl rings, 2000 rushing season, was a monster in the playoffs, gained over 7,000 yards in pretty much 4 seasons. He did so much in so little time.My picks for the class of 2007.- Tags- Bruce Matthews- Randall McDaniel- Thurman Thomas- Michael Irvin / Ricky Watters (could go either way)

Cantrell, the problem with TT is he doesn't have a ring...he was a better FF player maybe than an NFl player. I only say that because my biggest memory of him was losing his helmet in the Super Bowl...he felt like a product of the K-Gun...even Kenneth Davis who ran behind him did very well in that system too...he just doesn't have as many post season accolades as TD...never a SB MVP...it does weigh into it. And he was kind of a jerk to the media for the better part of his career...he was explosive from 89-93 but the last 5 or 6 seasons he was pretty average.

Well I shouldn't have made it sound like an either/or scenario. TT and TD can go in together and sit Irvin and Watters. Both were great running backs and were the main reason their teams made consecutive Super Bowls. Speaking of possible inductees, when is Cris Carter and Andre Reed eligible?

Carter stopped in '02. So '03, '04, '05, '06, '07...2008 I think.Reed? He is eligible now but there are a lot of WR ahead of him 7 time Pro Bowler from '88-'94, 950+ catches 87 TDs...he will have to wait awhile though.

Carter is a first ballot lock in 2008 IMO.Reed will have a tougher case, but is worthy IMO. He is still in the top 10 in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving TDs 6 years after he retired; made 7 Pro Bowls; and played in 4 Super Bowls.

 

[Tau837]

Three years is not enough.

Dumbest argument ever when his career was injury shortened.List of RB entrants who had short careersoak Walker (HB) 1950-1955 Gale Sayers (HB) 1965-1971 Marion Motley (FB) 1946-1953, 1955 Paul Hornung (HB) 1957-1962, 1964-1966 There's a lot of WRs with short careers in the HOF.In short, these skill spots regularly get in with short careers - esp if the career wa shortened by injury.

Haven't you been around long enough to know that comparing a current/recent player with players from the 1950s and 1960s is comparing apples and oranges? The Sayers-Davis comparison in particular has been made many times on these boards, and if you think Davis is close to Sayers, you know less about football than I thought you did.

 

[Tau837]

I forgot about Derrick Thomas, he will be in for sure this year.

Why? He was eligible for the past two classes and didn't make it.

 

[Bri]

2 HOF threads, here's the list

111 on the Hall’s Nomination List for the

Class of 2007

PRELIMINARY LIST OF NOMINEES FOR THE CLASS OF 2007

Nominees in First Year of Eligibility

QUARTERBACK – Randall Cunningham

RUNNING BACKS – Terrell Davis, Ricky Watters

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN – Bruce Matthews (G/C/T), Randall McDaniel (G),

Mark Stepnoski (C/G), Steve Wisniewski (G)

DEFENSIVE BACKS – Eric Allen, LeRoy Butler, Carnell Lake

Additional Nominees for the Class of 2007

QUARTERBACKS – Ken Anderson, Bernie Kosar, Jim Plunkett, Phil Simms,

Brian Sipe, Ken Stabler, Joe Theismann

RUNNING BACKS – Roger Craig, Greg Pruitt, *Thurman Thomas, Herschel

Walker

WIDE RECEIVERS – Cliff Branch, Harold Carmichael, Gary Clark, Mark

Clayton, Isaac Curtis, Mark Duper, Henry Ellard, *Michael Irvin, *Art Monk,

Drew Pearson, Andre Reed

TIGHT ENDS – Mark Bavaro, Todd Christensen, Ben Coates, Brent Jones,

Steve Jordan

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN – Jim Covert (T), Dermontti Dawson ©, *Russ

Grimm (G), Jay Hilgenberg ©, Chris Hinton (G/T), Kent Hull ©, Joe Jacoby

(T), Mike Kenn (T), *Bob Kuechenberg (G), Jeff Van Note ©, *Gary

Zimmerman (T)

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN –Fred Dean (DE), Richard Dent (DE), Chris Doleman

(DE/LB), Charles Haley (DE/LB), Ed “Too Tall” Jones (DE), Joe Klecko

(DE/DT/NT), Dexter Manley (DE), Charles Mann (DE), Fred Smerlas (NT)

LINEBACKERS – Cornelius Bennett, Robert Brazile, Randy Gradishar, Kevin

Greene, Ken Harvey, Rickey Jackson, Clay Matthews, Karl Mecklenburg, Sam

Mills, John Offerdahl, Darryl Talley, *Derrick Thomas, Andre Tippett

DEFENSIVE BACKS – Steve Atwater (S), Joey Browner (S), Raymond

Clayborn (CB), Kenny Easley (S), David Fulcher (SS), Lester Hayes (CB),

Albert Lewis (CB), Lemar Parrish (CB), Ken Riley (CB), Donnie Shell (S),

Roger Wehrli (CB), Louis Wright (CB)

KICKER/PUNTER – Ray Guy (P), Nick Lowery (K), Reggie Roby (P)

SPECIAL TEAMS/WIDE RECEIVER – Steve Tasker

COACHES – Don Coryell, Tom Flores, Jimmy Johnson, Chuck Knox, Buddy

Parker, Dan Reeves, Clark Shaughnessy, **** Vermeil

CONTRIBUTORS – Bud Adams, Jr., Gil Brandt, C. O. Brocato, Joe Browne,

Ed DeBartolo, Jr., Jerry Jones, Bucko Kilroy, Art Modell, Bill Nunn, Lee

Remmel, Ed Sabol, Steve Sabol, Rex Stuart, Paul Tagliabue, Ralph Wilson,

Jr., Ron Wolf, George Young

*On 2006 15 finalists list

 

[shakeybarn]

To be honest, I STILL can't believe honest posters on this board thought TD didn't deserve consideration due to an injury shortened career.He'll be a first ballot inductee b/c he was THE dominaznt RB in the league for three or four years and translated that dominance into 2 championships (this is by far not the primary reason, but anyone who was so instrumental in getting Elway his rings gets in).

So wait... was it Elway who won the rings or TD.... (don't answer it's sarcasm for the ad naseum TD argument)Problem with TD getting in, is it will set precedent for others to follow who weren't as clearly dominant.

 

[shakeybarn]

I'm sorry.... RAY GUY should be in the Hall..... this is GETTING RI-DIC-U-LOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[shakeybarn]

I'm sorry.... RAY GUY should be in the Hall..... this is GETTING RI-DIC-U-LOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lowery is in.

 

[Marc Levin]

I don't think TD belongs in there. His career was just so short, and from complete memory, he only had 4 good years in his 6. If those are the quals, tons of guys would have gottten in.

Really? There are a ton of RBs who had a 2G season, 2 SBs back to back, three consecutive Pro Bowls, averaged over 1600 yards rushing, 14 rush TDs, 295 rec. yards (1900 total yards), 1.25 rec. TDs (over 15 total TDs), over a 4 year span?List any who are currently HOF eligible and are not already in who have that kind of four year lineage, and had their career cut shortdue ENTIRELY to injury. Don't forget his post-season numbers 1996/97/98:

1996 jax L,27-30 | 14 91 1 | 7 24 0

1997 jax W,42-17 | 31 184 2 | 4 11 0

1997 kan W,14-10 | 25 101 2 | 1 17 0

1997 pit W,24-21 | 26 139 1 | 1 2 0

*1997 gnb W,31-24 | 30 157 3 | 2 8 0

1998 mia W,38-3 | 21 199 2 | 1 7 0

1998 nyj W,23-10 | 32 167 1 | 1 12 0

*1998 atl W,34-19 | 25 102 0 | 2 50 0

Only ONE game w/o 100 yards rushing, at least one TD in EVERY postseason game except the second super bowl win.Not sure you'll find any non-HOFers with those credentials.