2007 NFL Hall of Fame Semi-Finalist - Time to buy?

ndleo

Here is the list of the 2007 Hall of Fame candidates. By rule, between 3-6 make it each year. It seems that it has been tougher for more recent players to get in lately, I think the voters are taking a harder line. For example, Gale Sayers got in, but I don't think Terrell Davis will even though they have similar stats.

I think George Young, Bruce Matthews, and Derrick Thomas will get in. Tagliabue is close, but I think George Young's age will make him the favorite. I can see maybe one of the pass rushers making it, possibly Haley. Kevin Greene is interesting, he had a lot of sacks, but I never thought of him as dominate defensive player like Dent. Thurman should get in, but I think he gets overlooked. I don't think any of the top WRs will get in. Monk should be in, but for some reason the voters don't like him. Reed and Irvin will probably have to wait a few more years.
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Terrell Davis - RB - 1995-2001 Denver Broncos
Dermontti Dawson - C - 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers
Fred Dean - DE - 1975-1981 San Diego Chargers, 1981-1985 San Francisco 49ers
Richard Dent - DE - 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles
Randy Gradishar - LB - 1974-1983 Denver Broncos
Kevin Greene - LB/DE - 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-1995 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-1999 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers
Russ Grimm - G - 1981-1991 Washington Redskins
Ray Guy - P - 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Charles Haley - DE/LB - 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-1996 Dallas Cowboys
Lester Hayes - CB - 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Michael Irvin - WR - 1988-1999 Dallas Cowboys
Bob Kuechenberg - G - 1970-1984 Miami Dolphins
Bruce Matthews - G/T/C - 1983-2001 Houston Oilers/Tennessee Oilers/Titans
Randall McDaniel - G - 1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Art Modell - Owner - 1961-1995 Cleveland Browns, 1996-2003 Baltimore Ravens
Art Monk - WR - 1980-1993 Washington Redskins, 1994 New York Jets, 1995 Philadelphia Eagles
Andre Reed - WR -1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins
Ken Stabler - QB - 1970-1979 Oakland Raiders, 1980-1981 Houston Oilers, 1982-1984 New Orleans Saints
Paul Tagliabue - Commissioner - 1989-2006 National Football League
Derrick Thomas - LB - 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs
Thurman Thomas - RB - 1988-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Miami Dolphins
Andre Tippett - LB - 1982-1993 New England Patriots, injured 1989
Roger Wehrli - CB - 1969-1982 St. Louis Cardinals
George Young - GM/Administrator - 1968-1974 Baltimore Colts, 1975-1978 Miami Dolphins, 1979-1997 New York Giants, 1998-2001 National Football League
Gary Zimmerman - T - 1986-1992 Minnesota Vikings, 1993-1997 Denver Broncos

Fabfrank

I agree with you ndleo. Young, Matthews, D. Thomas. Tagliabue is a strong choice and T. Thomas should make it. My dark horse is Ray Guy. I think the modern voters are finally understanding the importance of field position and the punter. Ray Guy was the best ever and should get in.

EAsports

Matthews for sure. D. Thomas, most likely as well. Tagliabue is in, I think.

With Terrell, we really don't know if it was his great running or that offensive line (or coaching or whatever). Would Quentin Griffin, Mike Anderson or Olandis Gary put up similar numbers with as many touches as Terrell got in those 5 years? I think that hurts him.

Monk should be, but isn't, because he wasn't flashy enough. Same with Thurman Thomas. Dermontti Dawson and Randall McDaniel will get in eventually, as both were as good as it gets at thier position for a decade.

Alfonz24

Comparing stats from different generations is not a good indication of the player.

When Sayers played, there were fewer teams and less saturation of lower quality players. Also when Sayers played, the season was only 12 games (I believe they played 6 preseason games back then) long. You also had less playoff spots, so you had to be on an outstanding team to make the playoffs.

My 2 cents worth.

wheat34

I just keep shaking my head wondering why Herschel Walker continues to be overlooked.

Harry

zef204

<< <i>I agree with you ndleo. Young, Matthews, D. Thomas. Tagliabue is a strong choice and T. Thomas should make it. My dark horse is Ray Guy. I think the modern voters are finally understanding the importance of field position and the punter. Ray Guy was the best ever and should get in. >>



I agree 100% with frank.

Stingray

What about Art Monk??

JasP24

I think Thurman Thomas is a lock this year. He's the top offensive skill player on the board and made the final 10 last year before missing the cut to the final 6.

Bruce Matthews along with at least one of the 2 Senior Candidates will get in. That's 3 of the spots...

Derrick Thomas has a really good shot as the best defensive player, but he didn't make the final 10 last year. He was cut going 15-10. I think Gradishar could be a dark horse at LB and trump D. Thomas if he gets a push..I think we will see one defensive player selected...

Either Young OR Tags will make it, but not both...

The last spot will be someone unexpected. It seems to happen almost every year...I wouldn't be surprised to see Ray Guy or Bob Kuechenberg get in, or one of the 3 WRs (Irvin, Monk, Reed)..Terrel Davis, Randall McDaniel, and Roger Wehrli are other long shot possibles...Or they could only put in 5 players...

I would be VERY surprised to see anyone other than the guys I listed above get in...

Jason

ndleo

Monk, Irvin, and Reed are basically the same player. I know Monk played in a different era, but even during his time he wasn't considered a top WR for most of his career. Reed probably has the best shot, but I don't think any of them will make it.

Monk 940 rec 12721 yds 13.5 avg 68 TDs 3 Pro Bowls
Irvin 750 rec 11904 yds 15.9 avg 65 TDs 5 Pro Bowls
Reed 951 rec 13198 yds 13.9 avg 87 TDs 7 Pro Bowls

My surprise pick is Dermontti Dawson. If I recall an injury ended his career, he was still a top lineman.

ssgunnip

Ndleo,

No way Monk is in the same catagory as Irvin. I don't ever know of a time where teams game planned to keep Art Monk from getting touches. Irvin was dominant and didn't play as long as Monk. The HOF is not about longevity, it is about dominance. That being said, I like Monk going in but he is not in the ballpark of Michael Irvin. You have to get into the details and quit looking at surface stats. Are you saying that a player that play 14+ years that has the same number of pro bowls, catches, and yards is in the same catagory as a player that played 10+ years hypothetically speaking. Dig deeper!

ndleo

Planning a defense around Irvin? I think Emmitt and Troy were bigger concerns. Irvin was a great WR, but I wouldn't say he is that much better than Art Monk or even Andre Reed. The only WRs that you plan a defense around in the modern era are Rice, Moss, and TO. Irvin is not in that class.

Plus if you want to dig deeper, the hookers, drugs, and arrests will probably keep Irvin out of the HOF for a while.