Media Fools

The Monday Flicker about Blanton Collier had me thinking again about the Hall of Fame selection process. This topic was raging inside of me about a month ago with the latest balloting. I didn't want the Flea Flicker to start with that kind of anger. So, I let it simmer for a month, hoping to calm down a bit, but writing about Collier brought it back to a boil.

The media should not be allowed near the Hall of Fame ballots. Tell them the field is rectangular in shape, they probably respond, "stop lying". They know nothing about football, and they show it every year. Even when they try to correct past mistakes, like finally inducting Fritz Pollard and Benny Friedman about 70 years after they played, they often do it by making new mistakes. They approach each year with agendas and quotas. Such as, Jerry Rice is going in this year so we can't have another receiver, so many defensive players this year, a coach next year, an offensive lineman the year after that. A player either deserves to be a Hall of Famer or he doesn't. Sometimes a player comes around that has a career that gains appreciation over time. Their impact isn't truly felt until some time has passed. Former Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall could be such a player. He was a very good player, the unquestioned leader of some very good teams. He was also an iron man. He played every game at one of the most grueling positions for nearly 20 years. His achievement should gain significance as every player falls short of what he did.

Blanton Collier and Don Coryell are coaches that immediately come to mind as Hall of Fame worthy. Last year Dick LeBeau was inducted. After his selection, I heard some media say that LeBeau could open the door for other deserving assistant coaches. LeBeau is an amazing assistant coach, but he went into the Hall as a player. The media should have known that. They voted for him. My main criticism right now, and for the past four years is Cris Carter's omission. It's truly mind numbing that he has been eligible for four years and is still waiting. Even a media member with an infant's grasp of football, which is about all of them, should see that Carter's ability to catch a football is special. Terrell Owens makes a mockery of catching a football. I doubt that he waits more than four years for induction. Carter's receiving skills are nicely complimented by his stastics. Few have ever played the wide receiver position better.

I have often wondered about a better selection process. The media has repeatedly proven to be clueless. Voting Michael Vick as Comeback Player of the Year is further proof of that. There has to be media members that know football and have respect for it's past. If it weren't for the fact that they are eligible for induction themselves, I would recommend Ed and Steve Sabol. Few have their passion for football. I could do it. The Pro Football Research Association members are better qualified than any currently voting. The input of former players should be considered. To hear former players speak of playing against Alex Karras, you would think that he was already in Canton. He's not. He should be. All I know is that the current system is a joke. As along as Cris Carter is sitting outside the Hall, it's quality is severely lacking.