2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

[DukieBoy]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

Donnie Shell !

I believe Shell should be in as well; but not before Dawson. When analysts, former players and former coaches talk about Dermonntti Dawson they mention him in the GOAT discussion at his position. Any player that is being recognized in the GOAT discussion shouldn't be on the outside looking in at the and that includes punters (Ray Guy) and kickers (whoever that is).

If you made a big enough name for yourself to be considered GOAT you should be in the HOF. So, until Dawson is enshrined the HOF is rather comical to me, too much emphasis on the skill queers and their stats and ignoring players like Dawson.

Pappy

I follow your truth, Pap, both about Dirt and the overhyped. I just can't see Donnie Shell not even mentioned in the HOF talk. His resume is complete, and as good or better than most of the safeties already in the HOF, including the Rings. So I have to raise his name.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

Donnie Shell !

I believe Shell should be in as well; but not before Dawson. When analysts, former players and former coaches talk about Dermonntti Dawson they mention him in the GOAT discussion at his position. Any player that is being recognized in the GOAT discussion shouldn't be on the outside looking in at the and that includes punters (Ray Guy) and kickers (whoever that is).

If you made a big enough name for yourself to be considered GOAT you should be in the HOF. So, until Dawson is enshrined the HOF is rather comical to me, too much emphasis on the skill queers and their stats and ignoring players like Dawson.

Pappy

I follow your truth, Pap, both about Dirt and the overhyped. I just can't see Donnie Shell not even mentioned in the HOF talk. His resume is complete, and as good or better than most of the safeties already in the HOF, including the Rings. So I have to raise his name.

You are eligible for enshrinement 5 years after retirement, and then can be on the regular ballot for (I believe) 15 years after that. After that, the only way to get in without a ticket is to be nominated by the Seniors Committee.

Swannie and Stallworth just snuck in under the wire before their regular eligibility was due to expire. I think that the time has already elapsed for Donnie Shell and L.C. Greenwood. If either ever make the Hall, they would have to be nominated by the Seniors Committee.

[drprwnap]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

I loved the Bus as much as anyone but he is not a 1st ballot HOFer. He is a borderline HOFer to begin with and probably makes it because of his personna when all is said and done.

WOW! I'm not going to argue the 1st ballot comment. BUT, borderline HOFer?
You're kidding, right? Bussy ran for 13,662 yards in his career. That's good enough to crack the top 10 running backs in NFL HISTORY and he's "borderline HOFer"- I say again .
The HOF would be a pretty empty building if you were voting on members!

[aggiebones]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

In the age of throwing, the Bus climbed up to 5 all time in rushing yards and TDs.
He deserves and will get in...just not this year.
My figuring is they will take:
1 WR like players - Sharpe
1 RB - Faulk
1 senior - Sabol
1 OL - Dawson or Roaf (Roaf 11 time pro bowl)
Sanders for sure
1 DL - Dent, Haley, Kennedy
Maybe they take 1 more wild card, either a WR or older player

Bettis likely next year with Roaf
Dawson should get in this year.
If not then Dawson next year and maybe Bettis the following year.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

In the age of throwing, the Bus climbed up to 5 all time in rushing yards and TDs.
He deserves and will get in...just not this year.
My figuring is they will take:
1 WR like players - Sharpe
1 RB - Faulk
1 senior - Sabol
1 OL - Dawson or Roaf (Roaf 11 time pro bowl)
Sanders for sure
1 DL - Dent, Haley, Kennedy
Maybe they take 1 more wild card, either a WR or older player

Bettis likely next year with Roaf
Dawson should get in this year.
If not then Dawson next year and maybe Bettis the following year.

Ed Sabol is not a senior candidate. As a contributor, he is lumped in with the 14 modern era players on the ballot, which is sort of dumb (when voting, they really should keep players separate from coaches, owners, commissioners, and other contributors, since the criteria are so different, but they don't). The maximum number of modern-era candidates that can be elected is 5 out of those 15 candidate (you are suggesting that 6 modern-era candidates get in, which can't happen). The total class could possibly be 7 if both Senior nominees (Chris Hanburger and Les Richter) are enshrined as well.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Re: 2011 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists Announced

I loved the Bus as much as anyone but he is not a 1st ballot HOFer. He is a borderline HOFer to begin with and probably makes it because of his personna when all is said and done.

WOW! I'm not going to argue the 1st ballot comment. BUT, borderline HOFer?
You're kidding, right? Bussy ran for 13,662 yards in his career. That's good enough to crack the top 10 running backs in NFL HISTORY and he's "borderline HOFer"- I say again .
The HOF would be a pretty empty building if you were voting on members!

Bettis was a very good player but never was he a top three player in the league. His career average is 3.9 YPC. He also does not have that signature moment that makes him stand out beyond his numbers.

How about Curtis Martin? Is he an automatic? They stack up very similarly. Take a look:

Yards:

Bettis 13,662
Martin 14,101

YPC:

Bettis 3.9
Martin 4.0

TDs:

Bettis 94
Martin 102

Pro Bowls:

Bettis 6
Martin 5

All Pro:

Bettis 2 + 1 second team
Martin 2 + 1 second team

Seasons:

Bettis 14
Martin 11

Both Bettis and Martin played well beyond the length of time of most RBs. While that is a great accomplishment it does not mean that either were great players. I put Marshall Faulk in ahead of both of them in a heartbeat. Not saying that he won't or shouldn't get in, I'm just saying that he may have to wait until a year comes when there aren't "the best of his day" type players on the ballot.