Alan Faneca Hines Ward among the finalists for HOF

[feltdizz]

I think anytime the rules are changed to make it easier for other players because of the way you play the game you are HOF worthy.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Warner is a Hall of Famer in my book.His play from 99-01 was an amazing run,add in what Ruth said about his play with the Cards,I believe he gets in.

I think that Eli will compare to Warner when his time comes. He had two amazing SB runs, and has been relatively average the rest of his career. So, the resume highlights look impressive - 2 rings, 2 SB MVPs - how can you say no? However, when you focus on the entire career as a whole, it is not all that impressive.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Stallworth was the better player in my opinion, and he got in YEARS later.

Actually Swann and Stallworth were inducted into the HoF in back-to-back years, not years later (2001 and 2002). I think 88 choosing 82 as his presenter at the ceremony in Canton helped Stallworth's candidacy the following year.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

If you polled fans about who the best receiver was it would be Lynn Swann.

if you polled fans and asked who the best blocking receiver of all time, they'd say...?

It is after all a hall of "fame".

yes, yes it is. and he's the best at something

Hines also played in an era of huge passing numbers.

Overlapped it... early in his career, that didn't happen - moreover, it took the Steelers even longer to adjust to it. Cowher was the master at milking the clock with a 11+ point lead, IIRC.

IMO, he's right on the line -but, being best blocking WR ever is akin to being best big back ever. If Bettis is in, Hines should be, too...

One final statement - i'm still pissed at Ben for throwing Mike Wallace's way in the Super Bowl against GB on 4th down. The ball should go nowhere but, Hines' way - i don't care if he's triple covered - he WILL go GET that ball.

[Shoe]

Love ward but he isn't a HOF.

I'd like to revisit this again... what did Ward do that wasn't HOF worthy?

Did he achieve, much beyond his own ability? (i.e. did he maximize his ability?)
Yes, he was a short-armed, slow, no ACL-having, college QB, who turned those qualities into a 10+ year career.

Did he produce in big moments?
Yes, SB MVP. Against the Steelers' most hated rival, Hines was no shrinking violet and actually shined in those circumstances. He was also known for key conversions, not to mention always playing hurt.

Did he produce (over the long-term)?
1,000 catches says yes. While he never won First-Team All-Pro, he was 3x Second-Team All-Pro and a 5x Pro Bowler.

This is an ancillary detail too, but he would be the first Korean to get into the HOF.
I just can't overstate how big he came up, when the team needed him. How many big catches did he make against BAL, and CIN, and CLE in rain, sleet, snow, on the road. How he outran the speedy Deangelo Hall with one shoe. How he led the Steeler rivalry with BAL, barking up Ray Lewis' and Ed Reed's tree when people feared that D.

What is a Hall of Famer? Productive, clutch, consistent, tough, high-character (leader). Which one of those is Hines not?