Minnesota Vikings
Chuck Foreman, RB
I might be the only Vikings fan that doesn't think Jim Marshall first when I think of a Vikings player not in the Hall of Fame that should be in the Hall of Fame. Marshall was great, a team leader. He was the heart of the team during their best stretch in franchise history. He's one of the most important players in the history of the team. But, I don't see him as a Hall of Fame football player. He was a very good football player and a great Minnesota Viking. If he ever does make it, I'll be in Canton to celebrate it. This is supposed to be about Chuck Foreman. He was a Hall of Fame-caliber football player. He opened his career with five-straight Pro Bowl appearances. From 1974-77 he was arguably the best running back in the league. He was certainly the most versatile. In 1975, he was seven rushing yards short of leading the NFC in rushing, receptions, and touchdowns. No back has ever done such a thing. The knock on his career, and as a result his Hall of Fame candidacy, is that injuries caused his career to tail off considerably after those first five seasons.
Green Bay Packers
Lavvie Dilweg, E
1920s All-Decade, 7x All-NFL, three NFL titles. Lavvie Dilweg should've been in the Hall long ago.
1920s All-Decade, 7x All-NFL, three NFL titles. Lavvie Dilweg should've been in the Hall long ago.
Chicago Bears
Ed Sprinkle, DE
I've gone back and forth on Ed Sprinkle. Sometimes I think that he was a thug in the Hardy Brown mold and other times I think that he was among the game's best players. What isn't in doubt is that he was one of first and best pass rushing ends.
I've gone back and forth on Ed Sprinkle. Sometimes I think that he was a thug in the Hardy Brown mold and other times I think that he was among the game's best players. What isn't in doubt is that he was one of first and best pass rushing ends.
Detroit Lions
Alex Karras, DT
Alexx Karras' Hall of Fame absence has always been a mystery to me. To hear his opponents talk about him you'd think that they were talking about Warren Sapp. The voters should listen to former players more. If he's being punished for his gambling suspension in 1963, Paul Hornung had the same suspension. And a lot of Hall of Famers had the same sort of "sketchy" acquaintances that Karras had.
Alexx Karras' Hall of Fame absence has always been a mystery to me. To hear his opponents talk about him you'd think that they were talking about Warren Sapp. The voters should listen to former players more. If he's being punished for his gambling suspension in 1963, Paul Hornung had the same suspension. And a lot of Hall of Famers had the same sort of "sketchy" acquaintances that Karras had.
New York Giants
Charlie Conerly, QB
Charlie Conerly was the quarterback and leader of the great New York Giants teams of the 1950s. If the voters listened to how his teammates spoke of him, he'd already be in the Hall.
Charlie Conerly was the quarterback and leader of the great New York Giants teams of the 1950s. If the voters listened to how his teammates spoke of him, he'd already be in the Hall.
Dallas Cowboys
Chuck Howley, LB
Making five All-Pro teams, six Pro Bowls, winning a Super Bowl, and taking home a Super Bowl MVP award (while on the losing team) is often enough to end up in Canton.
Making five All-Pro teams, six Pro Bowls, winning a Super Bowl, and taking home a Super Bowl MVP award (while on the losing team) is often enough to end up in Canton.
Washington Redskins
Jerry Smith, TE
Hall of Famers Mike Ditka and John Mackey are considered the first playmaking tight ends. Jerry Smith was right there with them.
Hall of Famers Mike Ditka and John Mackey are considered the first playmaking tight ends. Jerry Smith was right there with them.
Philadelphia Eagles
Bobby Walston, WR
Bobby Walston's fellow receivers on the 1950s All-Decade Team are in the Hall of Fame. Raymond Berry and Tom Fears. Walston was also a very good kicker, twice scoring over 100 points in a season.
Bobby Walston's fellow receivers on the 1950s All-Decade Team are in the Hall of Fame. Raymond Berry and Tom Fears. Walston was also a very good kicker, twice scoring over 100 points in a season.
New Orleans Saints
Sam Mills, LB
The Saints had an excellent group of linebackers in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Rickey Jackson is in the Hall of Fame. Pat Swilling could be. Sam Mills was the leader of the group and one of the best inside linebackers in the league.
Atlanta Falcons
Tommy Nobis, LB
Maybe if Tommy Nobis had played for a team other than an expansion team he'd get more attention. He still played well enough on a terrible team to make the 1960s All-Decade Team. Tackle Mike Kenn is another former Falcons player deserving of Hall consideration. Perhaps even more deserving.
Maybe if Tommy Nobis had played for a team other than an expansion team he'd get more attention. He still played well enough on a terrible team to make the 1960s All-Decade Team. Tackle Mike Kenn is another former Falcons player deserving of Hall consideration. Perhaps even more deserving.
Carolina Panthers
Sam Mills, LB
Sam Mills holds this spot until Steve Smith Sr. becomes eligible. Mills played his best years with the New Orleans Saints. He gave the expansion Panthers a defensive leader and playmaker. He earned All-Pro honors in his second season with the team at the age of 37.
Sam Mills holds this spot until Steve Smith Sr. becomes eligible. Mills played his best years with the New Orleans Saints. He gave the expansion Panthers a defensive leader and playmaker. He earned All-Pro honors in his second season with the team at the age of 37.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
John Lynch, S
Two Hall of Famers from the great Buccaneers defenses of the late 1990s and early 2000s feels light. John Lynch is deserving and it seems like he's been right on the voters doorstep for a few years now. Hardy Nickerson is deserving of consideration as well.
Two Hall of Famers from the great Buccaneers defenses of the late 1990s and early 2000s feels light. John Lynch is deserving and it seems like he's been right on the voters doorstep for a few years now. Hardy Nickerson is deserving of consideration as well.
San Francisco 49ers
Billy Wilson, WR
The voters have to at least talk about Y.A. Tittle's favorite receiver.
The voters have to at least talk about Y.A. Tittle's favorite receiver.
Seattle Seahawks
Steve Hutchinson, G
Steve Hutchinson will be in the Hall of Fame. It's only a matter of when.
Steve Hutchinson will be in the Hall of Fame. It's only a matter of when.
Los Angeles Rams
Nolan Cromwell, S
I thought that Nolan Cromwell was the best safety in the league for much of his career. Others thought pretty highly of him as well. 3x All-Pro, 4 Pro Bowls, and the 1980 NFC Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a terrific holder.
I thought that Nolan Cromwell was the best safety in the league for much of his career. Others thought pretty highly of him as well. 3x All-Pro, 4 Pro Bowls, and the 1980 NFC Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a terrific holder.
Arizona Cardinals
Marshall Goldberg, RB
The "glory" days of the Cardinals franchise was a couple years in the late 1940s. When they played in Chicago. They won and lost an NFL title. The backfield was the strength of those teams. Charley Trippi is the only one of the backs in the Hall of Fame. Marshall Goldberg has been a Senior Finalist twice. So he's been in the discussion but perhaps his opportunities have passed.
No comments:
Post a Comment