Hines Ward - 1st ballot Hall of Famer? (2 Viewers)

[David Yudkin]

All-Time Leaders in Postseason Receptions

1. Jerry Rice

2. Hines Ward

Don't take this as a knock on Ward, but there are way more playoff games than there used to be. "Back in the day," the most you could play in was two games in the post season (conference championship and then the SB).Since then, many more teams make the playoffs (now 12, then 4), and a team could play 4 playoff games. Not exactly apples to apples to compare current players vs old timers.

 

[Jason Wood]

Yes. Easily. Stats aren't everything, and the Hall voters know that.

They aren't everything, but they're traditionally a HUGE part of what gets someone into Canton, unless you're talking about waiting a few decades for the Veteran's Committee to make their case.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

All-Time Leaders in Postseason Receptions

1. Jerry Rice

2. Hines Ward

Don't take this as a knock on Ward, but there are way more playoff games than there used to be. "Back in the day," the most you could play in was two games in the post season (conference championship and then the SB).Since then, many more teams make the playoffs (now 12, then 4), and a team could play 4 playoff games. Not exactly apples to apples to compare current players vs old timers.

Agreed but if you're looking for something that separates Ward from "similar" peers like Mason this does that. Interesting that in one more season Hines Ward has roughly 200 more catches and 20 more TD than HOFer Michael Irvin.

 

[Jason Wood]

All-Time Leaders in Postseason Receptions

1. Jerry Rice

2. Hines Ward

Don't take this as a knock on Ward, but there are way more playoff games than there used to be. "Back in the day," the most you could play in was two games in the post season (conference championship and then the SB).Since then, many more teams make the playoffs (now 12, then 4), and a team could play 4 playoff games. Not exactly apples to apples to compare current players vs old timers.

Agreed but if you're looking for something that separates Ward from "similar" peers like Mason this does that. Interesting that in one more season Hines Ward has roughly 200 more catches and 20 more TD than HOFer Michael Irvin.

Agreed, but two things on that front:1) Irvin benefited from the perception of that team and it's dominance as one of the Triplets

2) Eras matter. Irvin's direct contemporaries didn't put up comparable numbers for the most part, many of Ward's contemporaries dwarf him statistically

 

[CrossEyed]

All-Time Leaders in Postseason Receptions

1. Jerry Rice

2. Hines Ward

Don't take this as a knock on Ward, but there are way more playoff games than there used to be. "Back in the day," the most you could play in was two games in the post season (conference championship and then the SB).Since then, many more teams make the playoffs (now 12, then 4), and a team could play 4 playoff games. Not exactly apples to apples to compare current players vs old timers.

True, but it's not like Wards games played are significantly higher and that's the reason he's up there.Link

 

[Shawnky]

I think he should get in at some point. Definitely not a first ballot HOFer. But when the question comes up of who is the greatest blocking WR in the history of the NFL, Hines Ward's name will be mentioned far more than any other. Add that to his receiving ability (underrated, imo) and I think he's HOF worthy.

Then there are post-season stats. He's 5th all-time in WR receiving yards with 1181, tied for 3rd with 10 TDs, and 2nd in receptions with 88 (only behind Jerry Rice).

Who exactly is keeping this ranking????? greatest blocking WR of all time?

Where did I say there was a ranking?

So when you ask who's the greatest there isn't a ranking? :scratcheshead:

 

[CrossEyed]

I think he should get in at some point. Definitely not a first ballot HOFer. But when the question comes up of who is the greatest blocking WR in the history of the NFL, Hines Ward's name will be mentioned far more than any other. Add that to his receiving ability (underrated, imo) and I think he's HOF worthy.

Then there are post-season stats. He's 5th all-time in WR receiving yards with 1181, tied for 3rd with 10 TDs, and 2nd in receptions with 88 (only behind Jerry Rice).

Who exactly is keeping this ranking????? greatest blocking WR of all time?

Where did I say there was a ranking?

So when you ask who's the greatest there isn't a ranking? :scratcheshead:

My point is that it's subjective, not objective.

 

[saintsfan]

I have this argument with a buddy of mine all the time. IMO, Hines Ward is not a HOFer. The comparison to Derrick Mason is a stunning one and completely why I don't think he should be in.

He's been a solid receiver for a long time, but he's compiled stats because he's been around forever and doesn't get hurt. He doesn't scare anybody, unless you are a DB and the play is over and he's behind you. He's never been top 5 or even top 10 at his position, IMO, at any time in his career. If he played in Detroit, nobody would know who he is. He plays in Pittsburgh, therefore, people will talk him up for years and the committee might be so sick of hearing about him, that they put him in just so they don't have to hear his name.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

All-Time Leaders in Postseason Receptions

1. Jerry Rice

2. Hines Ward

Don't take this as a knock on Ward, but there are way more playoff games than there used to be. "Back in the day," the most you could play in was two games in the post season (conference championship and then the SB).Since then, many more teams make the playoffs (now 12, then 4), and a team could play 4 playoff games. Not exactly apples to apples to compare current players vs old timers.

Agreed but if you're looking for something that separates Ward from "similar" peers like Mason this does that. Interesting that in one more season Hines Ward has roughly 200 more catches and 20 more TD than HOFer Michael Irvin.

Agreed, but two things on that front:1) Irvin benefited from the perception of that team and it's dominance as one of the Triplets

2) Eras matter. Irvin's direct contemporaries didn't put up comparable numbers for the most part, many of Ward's contemporaries dwarf him statistically

Cris Carter and Andre Reed?

 

[Jason Wood]

All-Time Leaders in Postseason Receptions

1. Jerry Rice

2. Hines Ward

A little yin to your yang:# of seasons leading league in receptions: 0

# of seasons leading league in receiving yards: 0

# of seasons leading league in receiving TDs: 0

# of 1st team All Pro selections: 0

Not too many HOF receivers that have that set of bullet points to their resume.

 

[Gachi]

I have this argument with a buddy of mine all the time. IMO, Hines Ward is not a HOFer. The comparison to Derrick Mason is a stunning one and completely why I don't think he should be in.

He's been a solid receiver for a long time, but he's compiled stats because he's been around forever and doesn't get hurt. He doesn't scare anybody, unless you are a DB and the play is over and he's behind you. He's never been top 5 or even top 10 at his position, IMO, at any time in his career. If he played in Detroit, nobody would know who he is. He plays in Pittsburgh, therefore, people will talk him up for years and the committee might be so sick of hearing about him, that they put him in just so they don't have to hear his name.

So true, I've always thought he was a dirty player. And he's not an elite player IMO. Rings aren't everything, I wish someone could explain to my roommate .

 

[saintsfan]

I have this argument with a buddy of mine all the time. IMO, Hines Ward is not a HOFer. The comparison to Derrick Mason is a stunning one and completely why I don't think he should be in.

He's been a solid receiver for a long time, but he's compiled stats because he's been around forever and doesn't get hurt. He doesn't scare anybody, unless you are a DB and the play is over and he's behind you. He's never been top 5 or even top 10 at his position, IMO, at any time in his career. If he played in Detroit, nobody would know who he is. He plays in Pittsburgh, therefore, people will talk him up for years and the committee might be so sick of hearing about him, that they put him in just so they don't have to hear his name.

So true, I've always thought he was a dirty player. And he's not an elite player IMO. Rings aren't everything, I wish someone could explain to my roommate .

He's a slightly above average WR on a team with a dominating defense decade in and decade out. Derrick Mason could have done what Hines has done had he been in Pittsburgh.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

All-Time Leaders in Postseason Receptions

1. Jerry Rice

2. Hines Ward

A little yin to your yang:# of seasons leading league in receptions: 0

# of seasons leading league in receiving yards: 0

# of seasons leading league in receiving TDs: 0

# of 1st team All Pro selections: 0

Not too many HOF receivers that have that set of bullet points to their resume.

I guess we're looking at this differently. I'm an admitted Hines Ward homer but agree that he isn't/wasn't Randy Moss or Terrell Owens. He's not a freak talent, was never the focal point of the offense, never played in a pinball scheme with a 5,000 yard passer in a dome. His QBs for the first half of his career were Kordell Stewart and Tommy Maddox. His team was the most run-oriented in the NFL over that time. His biggest role on many Sundays was to open holes for Jerome Bettis. To me that make his receiving numbers all the more astounding. Throw in his postseason numbers, a Super Bowl MVP, multiple championships and his uniqely intangible qualities and I think there's a spot for him in the HOF for many of the same reasons Michael Irvin is in there.

 

[Steelfan7]

I have this argument with a buddy of mine all the time. IMO, Hines Ward is not a HOFer. The comparison to Derrick Mason is a stunning one and completely why I don't think he should be in.

He's been a solid receiver for a long time, but he's compiled stats because he's been around forever and doesn't get hurt. He doesn't scare anybody, unless you are a DB and the play is over and he's behind you. He's never been top 5 or even top 10 at his position, IMO, at any time in his career. If he played in Detroit, nobody would know who he is. He plays in Pittsburgh, therefore, people will talk him up for years and the committee might be so sick of hearing about him, that they put him in just so they don't have to hear his name.

So true, I've always thought he was a dirty player. And he's not an elite player IMO. Rings aren't everything, I wish someone could explain to my roommate .

Keith Rivers and Ed Reed beg to differ.

 

[Jason Wood]

All-Time Leaders in Postseason Receptions

1. Jerry Rice

2. Hines Ward

A little yin to your yang:# of seasons leading league in receptions: 0

# of seasons leading league in receiving yards: 0

# of seasons leading league in receiving TDs: 0

# of 1st team All Pro selections: 0

Not too many HOF receivers that have that set of bullet points to their resume.

I guess we're looking at this differently. I'm an admitted Hines Ward homer but agree that he isn't/wasn't Randy Moss or Terrell Owens. He's not a freak talent, was never the focal point of the offense, never played in a pinball scheme with a 5,000 yard passer in a dome. His QBs for the first half of his career were Kordell Stewart and Tommy Maddox. His team was the most run-oriented in the NFL over that time. His biggest role on many Sundays was to open holes for Jerome Bettis. To me that make his receiving numbers all the more astounding. Throw in his postseason numbers, a Super Bowl MVP, multiple championships and his uniqely intangible qualities and I think there's a spot for him in the HOF for many of the same reasons Michael Irvin is in there.

Would it shock me if Ward got in some day? No, particularly if he manages another ring. But do I think he's got an even 50% chance as things stand? No, I honestly don't.

 

[Shawnky]

I have this argument with a buddy of mine all the time. IMO, Hines Ward is not a HOFer. The comparison to Derrick Mason is a stunning one and completely why I don't think he should be in.

He's been a solid receiver for a long time, but he's compiled stats because he's been around forever and doesn't get hurt. He doesn't scare anybody, unless you are a DB and the play is over and he's behind you. He's never been top 5 or even top 10 at his position, IMO, at any time in his career. If he played in Detroit, nobody would know who he is. He plays in Pittsburgh, therefore, people will talk him up for years and the committee might be so sick of hearing about him, that they put him in just so they don't have to hear his name.

So true, I've always thought he was a dirty player. And he's not an elite player IMO. Rings aren't everything, I wish someone could explain to my roommate .

Keith Rivers and Ed Reed beg to differ.

Try again.I'm a fan of Ward, but those were cheepshots.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Steelers fans pretty much always think that any good player on their team should be in the Hall.

 

[Steelfan7]

I have this argument with a buddy of mine all the time. IMO, Hines Ward is not a HOFer. The comparison to Derrick Mason is a stunning one and completely why I don't think he should be in.

He's been a solid receiver for a long time, but he's compiled stats because he's been around forever and doesn't get hurt. He doesn't scare anybody, unless you are a DB and the play is over and he's behind you. He's never been top 5 or even top 10 at his position, IMO, at any time in his career. If he played in Detroit, nobody would know who he is. He plays in Pittsburgh, therefore, people will talk him up for years and the committee might be so sick of hearing about him, that they put him in just so they don't have to hear his name.

So true, I've always thought he was a dirty player. And he's not an elite player IMO. Rings aren't everything, I wish someone could explain to my roommate .

Keith Rivers and Ed Reed beg to differ.

Try again.I'm a fan of Ward, but those were cheepshots.

If you have ever played organized football then you know your coach from pee wee football on up has told you to play till the whistle and keep your head on a swivel. Anything between the lines and within the whistle and rulebooks is not cheap shots. It's called physical football.

 

[Shawnky]

I have this argument with a buddy of mine all the time. IMO, Hines Ward is not a HOFer. The comparison to Derrick Mason is a stunning one and completely why I don't think he should be in.

He's been a solid receiver for a long time, but he's compiled stats because he's been around forever and doesn't get hurt. He doesn't scare anybody, unless you are a DB and the play is over and he's behind you. He's never been top 5 or even top 10 at his position, IMO, at any time in his career. If he played in Detroit, nobody would know who he is. He plays in Pittsburgh, therefore, people will talk him up for years and the committee might be so sick of hearing about him, that they put him in just so they don't have to hear his name.

So true, I've always thought he was a dirty player. And he's not an elite player IMO. Rings aren't everything, I wish someone could explain to my roommate .

Keith Rivers and Ed Reed beg to differ.

Try again.I'm a fan of Ward, but those were cheepshots.

If you have ever played organized football then you know your coach from pee wee football on up has told you to play till the whistle and keep your head on a swivel. Anything between the lines and within the whistle and rulebooks is not cheap shots. It's called physical football.

They were hit when the weren't looking. Pretty sure that doesn't make them scared of him. Stilll cheapshots. Physical football is one thing. Breaking someones jaw is another.

 

[Clarence the barber]

Buster: Who cares if he's dirty? The HOF is littered with dirty players.I don't think he gets in for a long, long time.Firstly, the following WRs are still waiting to get in:Cris CarterAndre ReedTim BrownTorry Holt may retire this off season so he'll be eligible in 2016Ike Bruce will be eligible in 2015Marvin Harrison is eligible in 2014Are any of these guys less deserving than Ward? I'm not even considering the possible WR stat explosion we may see in the next 5 years.

Let's also not forget that Terrell Owens and Randy Moss will be up for consideration at the same time (give or take a season). And Reggie Wayne, as well.

Yeah, if TO and Moss retire before/at the same time as him, it's going to be an incredibly long line.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Hines Ward is a good football player and I think Steeler fans have been lucky to have him. He is not a Hall of Fame Wide receiver though.

 

[steelcityman]

He will get in some day, like maybe when he is 50-60 years old. I think he is a first ballot guy for the playing my career with one ACL HOF though.

Bettis will get in soon.

Dirt Dawson will get in 15 years from now.

If the NFL wants to give out HOF busts to guys no one knows, who have passed away, and are video men, then good players will either have to wait longer or never get in at all.

 

[Shawnky]

He will get in some day, like maybe when he is 50-60 years old. I think he is a first ballot guy for the playing my career with one ACL HOF though.Bettis will get in soon.Dirt Dawson will get in 15 years from now.If the NFL wants to give out HOF busts to guys no one knows, who have passed away, and are video men, then good players will either have to wait longer or never get in at all.

Bettis and Ward aren't HOF material.....sorry. Dawson, on the other hand, is.

 

[The Berry Man]

Not going to get in. He's never been close to the best WR in the league.

 

[Jason Wood]

He will get in some day, like maybe when he is 50-60 years old. I think he is a first ballot guy for the playing my career with one ACL HOF though.Bettis will get in soon.Dirt Dawson will get in 15 years from now.If the NFL wants to give out HOF busts to guys no one knows, who have passed away, and are video men, then good players will either have to wait longer or never get in at all.

Dawson is much closer, and a much higher likelihood of induction than Bettis. Bettis getting in would be kind of absurd, IMHO.

 

[Steelfan7]

They were hit when the weren't looking. Pretty sure that doesn't make them scared of him. Stilll cheapshots. Physical football is one thing. Breaking someones jaw is another.

DB hit receivers all day long without them looking. You make Commish Roger proud.

 

[Adebisi]

Really? So Cris Carter is not a 1st ballot HOFer... but Hines Ward is?

 

[duaneok66]

why does every "very good player" get a HOF thread devoted to him??????????

remember the McNabb thread???

what a joke . . .

 

[Biabreakable]

It a shame that Michael Irvin is in the HOF while Chris Carter and Andre Reed are not.

Those 2 are better than Ward so he should not be a 1st time ballot.

 

[Shtaym Syek]

The thread could be easily summed up by taking a look at the two sides.

The vast majority of the pro-Ward HOF people are Steeler fans. Nearly everyone on the "not" side isn't.

Time to take off the blinders when that's the case - or at least acknowledge that you might not be seeing things clearly.

 

[Fensalk]

You absolutely have to put him in the Hall of Fame. He is probably one of the most recognized players in University of Georgia history and deserves to be in the Georgia College Football Hall of Fa...what? NFL hall of fame? Oh God no! Not in a million years.

Actually its not the NFL hall of fame, its called the pro football hall of fame. There is a wing dedicated to other professional leagues such as the World Football League, USFL, and the All American Football Conference. The NFL doesn't recognize the Canadian Football League using the argument that the CFL has its own HOF. Doug Flutie is in the Canadian HOF, but his work in the CFL is not recognized by the pro football hall of fame, and when you strike that from his record he really doesn't qualify.Only two people are in both halls: QB Warren Moon and head coach Bud Grant.

 

[Fensalk]

How many players make the hall with 0 first-team all pro selections? Can't be many of those.

 

[Steelfan7]

The thread could be easily summed up by taking a look at the two sides.The vast majority of the pro-Ward HOF people are Steeler fans. Nearly everyone on the "not" side isn't.Time to take off the blinders when that's the case - or at least acknowledge that you might not be seeing things clearly.

There is probably some truth to your post, but we also have to factor in how much non Steeler fans hate seeing the Steelers win and/or Ward knock the snot out of their favorite teams' players.

 

[David Yudkin]

How many players make the hall with 0 first-team all pro selections? Can't be many of those.

More than you'd thinkThe list includes John Elway, Warren Moon, Troy Aikman, and Roger Staubach.

 

[N Zone]

Andre Reed, Michael Irvin, Cris Carter, Sterling Sharpe, Tim Brown, Isaac Bruce, Terrell Owens, Marvin Harrison, Randy Moss, Torry Holt all are more deserving HOF WRs than Hines Ward. This is based on year by year statistics, records, impact on the game, and flat out talent and ability at the WR position.

 

[Fensalk]

How many players make the hall with 0 first-team all pro selections? Can't be many of those.

More than you'd thinkThe list includes John Elway, Warren Moon, Troy Aikman, and Roger Staubach.

Actually there's not too many. There are 26, but when you exclude the people who didn't make it as players there's only around 20. Maybe 4 players with 0 first team all-pro selections make it per decade.What 4 players with 0 first team all pro selections do you think will make it in the next 10 years?

Here's another question. What player has the most first team all pro selections that is not in the hall?

 

[cvnpoka]

I guess we're looking at this differently. I'm an admitted Hines Ward homer but agree that he isn't/wasn't Randy Moss or Terrell Owens. He's not a freak talent, was never the focal point of the offense, never played in a pinball scheme with a 5,000 yard passer in a dome. His QBs for the first half of his career were Kordell Stewart and Tommy Maddox. His team was the most run-oriented in the NFL over that time. His biggest role on many Sundays was to open holes for Jerome Bettis. To me that make his receiving numbers all the more astounding. Throw in his postseason numbers, a Super Bowl MVP, multiple championships and his uniqely intangible qualities and I think there's a spot for him in the HOF for many of the same reasons Michael Irvin is in there.

they still threw to ward a ton.heres his targets since 02, from football guys stats:

161

156

105

115 (15 games)

126 (14 games)

113 (13 games)

126

136

93

point is, ward did not suffer from a lack of opportunities to accumulate stats. he was one of the most targeted recievers over that stretch i would imagine.

 

[zed2283]

All-Time Leaders in Postseason Receptions

1. Jerry Rice

2. Hines Ward

Don't take this as a knock on Ward, but there are way more playoff games than there used to be. "Back in the day," the most you could play in was two games in the post season (conference championship and then the SB).Since then, many more teams make the playoffs (now 12, then 4), and a team could play 4 playoff games. Not exactly apples to apples to compare current players vs old timers.

Wait, so you're saying that Ward can't be compared to Rice for that reason? Or that Rice and Ward can't be compared to guys like Raymond Berry? Either way, there have been 3 playoff rounds + Super Bowl for at least 35-40 years, so I'd say that's a pretty good sample size.Anyway, let me say it again for everyone. C.Carter and A.Reed should be IN. M.Irvin, T.Brown and H.Ward should NOT.

[/thread]

 

[onlyseventeenpoints?]

How many players make the hall with 0 first-team all pro selections? Can't be many of those.

More than you'd thinkThe list includes John Elway, Warren Moon, Troy Aikman, and Roger Staubach.

Hmmm what do all of those players have in common?

 

[Bri]

I don't know what I said earlier, old thread N all, but he feels like a team HOFer now not the NFL HOF.

 

[Man In The Box]

Hall Of Very Good. In the Drew Pearson wing.

 

[The_Man]

He will be a Veterans Committee inductee 40 years from now when the legend about his "toughest player in the NFL" outweighs his good, but not HOF-worthy career stats. Here are contemporaries who will be going into Canton long before Hines:

Randy Moss

Marvin Harrison

Torry Holt

TO

Cris Carter

Tim Brown

Isaac Bruce

Andre Reed

 

[Shtaym Syek]

The thread could be easily summed up by taking a look at the two sides.The vast majority of the pro-Ward HOF people are Steeler fans. Nearly everyone on the "not" side isn't.Time to take off the blinders when that's the case - or at least acknowledge that you might not be seeing things clearly.

There is probably some truth to your post, but we also have to factor in how much non Steeler fans hate seeing the Steelers win and/or Ward knock the snot out of their favorite teams' players.

Unfortunately, there are about 50 players us non-Steeler fans care about more than Hines Ward.

 

[David Yudkin]

Here are some other potentially HOF worthy receivers whose careers overlapped with Ward's . . .

Marvin Harrison

Cris Carter

Tim Brown

Terrell Owens

Randy Moss

Isaac Bruce

Andre Reed

Torry Holt

Derrick Mason

Jimmy Smith

Rod Smith

Derrick Mason

Reggie Wayne

Andre Johnson

Chad Johnson

Larry Fitzgerald

Anquan Boldin

Steve Smith

Brandon Marshall

Calvin Johnson

Sure, there are some guys there that are more than likely not Hall worthy (the 3 Smiths, Ochocinco, and Mason) and the other guys that are still playing have a long way to go.

But how many guys that played at roughly the same time (or close to it) are the voters realistically gong to induct? I just listed 20 guys that certainly are at least in the discussion with Ward. From that list of guys that played in the past 10 years (or other recent players that I may have missed), for the Ward supporters, please list and rank the guys you feel are more deserving of HOF induction than Ward. Or, if that is too complicated, list all the guys you would have inducted along with Ward.

I only brought this up as WR has generally been one of the hardest positions to get into the HOF. IIRC, there are 20-22 players who played WR/FL/E currently enshrined in the HOF.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Here’s a sign of the longevity and production of Hines Ward: He now has 88 receptions, 1,181 yards and 10 TDs in his playoff career, all ranking in the top five in NFL playoff history. He has 17 consecutive playoff games with a reception.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2011/02/07/by-the-num...super-bowl-xlv/

 

[David Yudkin]

Here’s a sign of the longevity and production of Hines Ward: He now has 88 receptions, 1,181 yards and 10 TDs in his playoff career, all ranking in the top five in NFL playoff history. He has 17 consecutive playoff games with a reception.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2011/02/07/by-the-num...super-bowl-xlv/

See the post above and rank the 20 players (21 with Ward included). Then draw me a line in the sand as the cut off for who makes the HOF. Thanks in advance . . .

 

[The_Man]

Here’s a sign of the longevity and production of Hines Ward: He now has 88 receptions, 1,181 yards and 10 TDs in his playoff career, all ranking in the top five in NFL playoff history. He has 17 consecutive playoff games with a reception.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2011/02/07/by-the-num...super-bowl-xlv/

And in baseball, Bernie Williams is the all-time leader in postseason doubles, home runs, and RBI. Like Ward, he had a long and productive career with the opportunity to play many more playoff games than most of his contemporaries. And like Ward, he is a very good player who does not belong in the Hall of Fame.

 

[Tau837]

He will get in some day, like maybe when he is 50-60 years old. I think he is a first ballot guy for the playing my career with one ACL HOF though.Bettis will get in soon.Dirt Dawson will get in 15 years from now.If the NFL wants to give out HOF busts to guys no one knows, who have passed away, and are video men, then good players will either have to wait longer or never get in at all.

Dawson is much closer, and a much higher likelihood of induction than Bettis. Bettis getting in would be kind of absurd, IMHO.

I used to think Bettis deserved to make it but discussions in the Shark Pool have convinced me that he falls short of deserving it. However, I think he will ultimately get in. The fact that he was a finalist in his first year of eligibility bodes well for his chances IMO.

 

[Tau837]

Here’s a sign of the longevity and production of Hines Ward: He now has 88 receptions, 1,181 yards and 10 TDs in his playoff career, all ranking in the top five in NFL playoff history. He has 17 consecutive playoff games with a reception.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2011/02/07/by-the-num...super-bowl-xlv/

And in baseball, Bernie Williams is the all-time leader in postseason doubles, home runs, and RBI. Like Ward, he had a long and productive career with the opportunity to play many more playoff games than most of his contemporaries. And like Ward, he is a very good player who does not belong in the Hall of Fame.

 

[Tau837]

As I posted earlier, since 1968 17 WRs have been inducted into the HOF. That is 1 WR inducted per 2.2 years. 1 per 2 years is a reasonable rate to assume going forward, and accounts for a slight increase for WRs.I believe that Rice, Brown, Carter, Irvin, Reed, Monk, and Harrison will all get in within the next 12 years or so, which would reflect this rate. If Ward plays 7 more seasons, to age 36 or so, he would become eligible around that time. Presumably, Owens and Moss would also be eligible or would become eligible shortly thereafter.So to answer the direct thread question, I think this makes it extremely unlikely he gets in first ballot. And the longer he waits, the more other WRs will become eligible behind him. We cannot predict which of them (Steve Smith, Chad Johnson, Fitzgerald, Boldin, etc.) may have stronger cases than Ward.This is exactly why being 5th best over a relatively short stretch for a HOF caliber career doesn't carry a lot of weight. Generations overlap, and the 5 year wait for eligibility allows others to make a player's accomplishments look less compelling in retrospect.And in addition to other WRs, you also have to consider that he competes against all other positions. See the HOF schedule thread for an example of a large number of players who will be under consideration during the next 10 years or so to get a feel for how competitive it is.All these things are why a player typically has to do one or more of the following to make the HOF:1. Be a truly dominant player at his position (at least All Pro caliber) for a number of years (see Ray Lewis).2. Accumulate elite career totals (see Tim Brown, Jerome Bettis).3. Achieve a rare level of postseason success (see Tom Brady).At this time, it is very unlikely that either 1 or 2 will be the case for Ward. And while he has a start on 3, he has a lot more work to do there if that is to carry his case.

Posted this 5 years ago today, and it still looks pretty accurate to me.