Dirt Dawson

[flippy]

IMHO Dirt is more deserving of getting into the HOF than Rod Woodson. As good as Rod was, Dirt redefined his position to a much greater degree.


Dirt for HOF 2010

And Earl Campbell's ribs nominate Donnie Shell too!!!!!

[SteelerNation1]

Re: Dirt Dawson

IMHO Dirt is more deserving of getting into the HOF than Rod Woodson. As good as Rod was, Dirt redefined his position to a much greater degree.


Dirt for HOF 2010

And Earl Campbell's ribs nominate Donnie Shell too!!!!!

LC shouldve been in 15 yrs ago

[fezziwig]

Re: Dirt Dawson

I hear what you are saying and agree to a point. I realize you are not implying Rod doesn't deserve his induction because he does and I doubt anyone could disagree. Sadly for Dawson, the center, guard and tackle position is not glamorous enough for the bozo's that call the shots.

They must not know enough about football to realize what Dawson meant to the game and his team. Do you realize if we had or any team had a Dawson in his prime playing right now, the teams running game would increase to twice its level. This is how good that man was.

Rod deserved his first run at the HOF and so did Dawson. Dang, I just watched on the NFL channel that Jerry Krammer of GreenBay never made it to the hall. He was a heck of an offensive guard and made the all time NFL 50 year team or something like that.

I would love to know what is the most, least, middle of the road of the HOF for the position that was played. How many QB's ? How many tackles, receivers, runningbacks, centers, and so on that make up the HOF. I bet you it's all about he receivers , defensive tackles, defensive backs.

Great centers are so few and far between, Dawson should of posed for his statue the day after he retired.

[fezziwig]

Re: Dirt Dawson

IMHO Dirt is more deserving of getting into the HOF than Rod Woodson. As good as Rod was, Dirt redefined his position to a much greater degree.


Dirt for HOF 2010

And Earl Campbell's ribs nominate Donnie Shell too!!!!!

LC shouldve been in 15 yrs ago

It's wrong but it goes against these guys that so many other Steelers are in there. So What ! is my opinion. So what if an era or team had so many HOF players, let them in because they earned it. There is a lot of jealousy and politics about the HOF IMHO.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Re: Dirt Dawson

IMHO Dirt is more deserving of getting into the HOF than Rod Woodson. As good as Rod was, Dirt redefined his position to a much greater degree.


Dirt for HOF 2010

And Earl Campbell's ribs nominate Donnie Shell too!!!!!

I don't think Dawson is more deserving than Woodson. I'd like to think that both are deserving. It is unfortunate that Dawson has not made it in yet. I think that day will come.

It seems that the HOF selection committee has some issue selecting the right guys for the HOF.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Dirt Dawson

I would love to know what is the most, least, middle of the road of the HOF for the position that was played. How many QB's ? How many tackles, receivers, runningbacks, centers, and so on that make up the HOF. I bet you it's all about he receivers , defensive tackles, defensive backs.

Pre-Modern Era: Running Backs and Quarterbacks (25)
Jimmy Conzelman (QB) # 1920-1929 Bill Dudley (HB) 1942, 1945-1951, 1953 Harold (Red) Grange (HB) 1925-1934 Earl (Curly) Lambeau (HB) # 1919-1929 Sid Luckman (QB) 1939-1950 John (Blood) McNally (HB) 1925-1938 Cliff Battles (HB) 1932-1937 Tony Canadeo (HB) 1941-1944, 1946-1952 Earl (Dutch) Clark (QB) 1931-1932, 1934-1938 John (Paddy) Driscoll (QB) 1920-1929 Joe Guyon (HB) 1919-1925, 1927 Arnie Herber (QB) 1930-1940, 1944-1945 Clarke Hinkle (FB) 1932-1941 Ernie Nevers (FB) 1926-1927, 1929-1931 Jim Thorpe (HB) 1915-1917, 1919-1926, 1928 Bronko Nagurski (FB) 1930-1937, 1943 Clarence (Ace) Parker (QB) 1937-141, 1945-1946 Fritz Pollard (HB) 1919-1926 Ken Strong (HB) 1929-1937, 1939, 1944-1947 Steve Van Buren (HB) 1944-1951 Sammy Baugh (QB) 1937-1952 Alphonse (Tuffy) Leemans (HB-FB) 1936-1943 George McAfee (HB) 1940-1941, 1945-1950 Benny Friedman 1927-1934

Modern Era: Halfbacks-Fullbacks (25)
Marcus Allen (RB) 1982-1997 Jim Brown (FB) 1957-1965 Earl Campbell (RB) 1978-1985 Larry Csonka (FB) 1968-1979 Eric Dickerson (RB) 1983-1993 Tony Dorsett (RB) 1977-1988 Frank Gifford (HB-FL) 1952-1960, 1962-1964 Franco Harris (RB) 1972-1984 Paul Hornung (HB) 1957-1962, 1964-1966 Leroy Kelly (RB) 1964-1973 Hugh McElhenny (HB) 1952-1964 Barry Sanders (RB) 1989-1998 Walter Payton (RB) 1975-1987 John Henry Johnson (FB) 1954-1966 Marion Motley (FB) 1946-1953, 1955 Ollie Matson (HB) 1952, 1954-1966 Charley Trippi (HB) 1947-1955 Doak Walker (HB) 1950-1955 O.J. Simpson (RB) 1969-1979 Lenny Moore (HB) 1956-1967 Joe Perry (FB) 1948-1963 John Riggins (RB) 1971-1979, 1981-1985 Gale Sayers (HB) 1965-1971 Jim Taylor (FB) 1958-1967 Thurman Thomas 1988-2000

Modern Era: Quarterbacks (23)
George Blanda (Also PK) 1949-1958, 1960-1975 Terry Bradshaw 1970-1983 Len Dawson 1957-1975 John Elway 1983-1998 Dan Fouts 1973-1987 Otto Graham 1946-1955 Bob Griese 1967-1980 Sonny Jurgensen 1957-1974 Bobby Layne 1948-1962 Johnny Unitas 1956-1973 Steve Young 1985-1999 Joe Montana 1979-1994 Joe Namath 1965-1977 Roger Staubach 1969-1979 Warren Moon 1984-2000 Bart Starr 1956-1971 Fran Tarkenton 1961-1978 Y.A. Tittle 1948-1964 Norm Van Brocklin 1949-1960 Bob Waterfield 1945-1952 Troy Aikman 1989-2000 Dan Marino 1983-1999 Jim Kelly 1986-1996

Pre-Modern Era: Ends (7)
George Halas # 1920-1928 Don Hutson 1935-1945 Morris (Red) Badgro 1927, 1930-1936 Guy Chamberlin # 1919-1928 Ray Flaherty # 1926-1929, 1931-1935 Bill Hewitt 1932-1939, 1943 Wayne Millner 1936-1941, 1945

Modern Era: Wide Receivers (21)
Lance Alworth 1962-1972 Fred Biletnikoff 1965-1978 Elroy (Crazylegs) Hirsch (also HB) 1946-1956 Steve Largent 1976-1989 James Lofton 1978-1993 Don Maynard 1958, 1960-1973 Tommy McDonald 1957-1968 Paul Warfield 1964-1977 Charlie Joiner 1969-1986 Art Monk 1980-1995 Raymond Berry 1955-1967 Tom Fears 1948-1956 John Stallworth 1974-1987 Lynn Swann 1974-1982 Bobby Mitchell (also HB) 1958-1968 Pete Pihos 1947-1955 Charley Taylor (also HB) 1964-1975, 1977 Dante Lavelli 1946-1956 Bob Hayes 1965-1975 Michael Irvin 1988-1999

Modern Era: Tight Ends (
Mike Ditka 1961-1972 John Mackey 1963-1972 Ozzie Newsome 1978-1990 Dave Casper 1974-1984 Jackie Smith 1963-1978 Kellen Winslow 1979-1987 Charlie Sanders 1968-1977

Pre-Modern Era: Two-Way Performers (Guards, Tackles, Centers) (16)
Albert Glen (Turk) Edwards (T) 1932-1940 William Roy (Link) Lyman (T) '22-28, 30-31, 33-34 Alex Wojciechowicz (C) 1938-1950 Dan Fortmann (G) 1936-1943 Ed Healey (T) 1920-1927 Mel Hein (C) 1931-1945 Wilbur (Pete) Henry (T) 1920-1928 Robert (Cal) Hubbard (T) 1927-1933, 1935-1936 Walt Kiesling (G) 1926-1938 Frank (Bruiser) Kinard (T) 1938-1947 Mike Michalske (G) 1926-1935, 1937 George Musso (T-G) 1933-1944 Steve Owen (T) # 1924-1931, 1933 Joe Stydahar (T) 1936-1942, 1945-1946 George Trafton (C) 1920-1921, 1923-1932 Clyde (Bulldog) Turner (C) 1940-1952

Modern Era: Offensive Linemen (37)
Chuck Bednarik (C-LB) 1949-1962 Anthony Muñoz (T) 1980-1992 Jackie Slater (T) 1976-1995 Tom Mack (G) 1966-1978 Ron Yary (T) 1968-1982 Rayfield Wright 1967-1979 Joe DeLamielleure (G) 1973-1985 Dan Dierdorf (T) 1971-1983 Gary Zimmerman (T) 1986-1997 Bob (Boomer) Brown (T) 1964-1973 Roosevelt Brown (T) 1953-1965 Frank Gatski (C) 1946-1957 Forrest Gregg (T-G) 1956, 1958-1971 Lou Groza (T) (Also PK) 1946-1959, 1961-1967 John Hannah (G) 1973-1985 Gene Upshaw (G) 1967-1981 Stan Jones (T-G, also DT) 1954-1966 Jim Langer (C) 1970-1981 Art Shell (T) 1968-1982 Mike Webster (C) 1974-1990 Larry Little (G) 1967-1980 Mike McCormack (T) 1951, 1954-1962 Ron Mix (T) 1960-1969, 1971 Mike Munchak (G) 1982-1993 Jim Otto (C) 1960-1974 Jim Parker (G-T) 1957-1967 Jim Ringo (C) 1953-1967 Bob St. Clair (T) 1953-1963 Billy Shaw (G) 1961-1969 Dwight Stephenson (C) 1980-1987 Randall McDaniel 1988-2001 Bruce Matthews 1983-2001 Gene Hickerson 1958-1973 Lou Creekmur (T-G) 1950-1959

Modern Era: Defensive Linemen (32)
Art Donovan (DT) 1950-1961 Carl Eller (DE) 1964-1979 Joe Greene (DT) 1969-1981 Dan Hampton (DT-DE) 1979-1990 David (Deacon) Jones (DE) 1961-1974 Howie Long (DE) 1981-1993 Gino Marchetti (DE) 1952-1964, 1966 Jack Youngblood (DE) 1971-1984 Randy White (DT) 1975-1988 Arnie Weinmeister (DT) 1948-1953 Merlin Olsen (DT) 1962-1976 Lee Roy Selmon (DE) 1976-1984 Doug Atkins (DE) 1953-1969 Elvin Bethea (DE) 1968-1983 Junious (Buck) Buchanan (DT) 1963-1975 Willie Davis (DE) 1958-1969 Len Ford (DE) 1948-1958 Henry Jordan (DT) 1957-1969 Ernie Stautner (DT) 1950-1963 Bob Lilly (DT) 1961-1974 Reggie White (DT-DE) 1985-1998, 2000 Bill Willis (MG) 1946-1953 Leo Nomellini (DT) 1950-1963 Alan Page (DT) 1967-1981 Andy Robustelli (DE) 1951-1964 Bruce Smith 1985-2003 Fred Dean (DE) 1975-1985

Linebackers (19)
Dick Butkus 1965-1973 Harry Carson 1976-1988 Jack Ham 1971-1982 Jack Lambert 1974-1984 Willie Lanier 1967-1977 Ted Hendricks 1969-1983 Dave Wilcox 1964-1974 Andre Tippett 1982-1993 Bobby Bell (also DE) 1963-1974 Nick Buoniconti 1962-1974, 1976 George Connor (also DT, OT) 1948-1955 Bill George 1952-1966 Joe Schmidt 1953-1965 Sam Huff 1956-1967, 1969 Ray Nitschke 1958-1972 Mike Singletary 1981-1992 Lawrence Taylor 1981-1993 Derrick Thomas 1989-1999

Defensive Backs (20)
Mike Haynes (CB) 1976-1989 Paul Krause (S) 1964-1979 Ronnie Lott (CB-S) 1981-1994 Willie Wood (S) 1960-1971 Jimmy Johnson (CB) 1961-1976 Willie Brown (CB) 1963-1978 Larry Wilson (S) 1960-1972 Darrell Green (CB) 1983-2002 Emmitt Thomas (CB) 1966-1978 Herb Adderley (CB) 1961-1972 Lem Barney (CB) 1967-1977 Mel Blount (CB) 1970-1983 Jack Christiansen (S) 1951-1958 Ken Houston (S) 1967-1980 Dick (Night Train) Lane (CB) 1952-1965 Mel Renfro (S-CB) 1964-1977 Emlen Tunnell (S) 1948-1961 Rod Woodson 1987-2003 Yale Lary (S) 1952-1953, 1956-1964 Roger Wehrli 1969-1982

Placekickers (1)
Jan Stenerud 1967-1985

Coaches (21)
Paul Brown 1946-1962 Jimmy Conzelman # 1921-30, 1940-42, 1946-48 Weeb Ewbank 1954-1973 Joe Gibbs 1981-1992 Bud Grant 1967-1983, 1985 George Halas # 1920-29, 1933-42, 1946-67 Earl (Curly) Lambeau # 1919-1953 Tom Landry 1960-1988 Marv Levy 1978-1982, 1986-1997 Vince Lombardi 1959-1967, 1969 John Madden 1969-1978 Bill Walsh 1979-1988 Chuck Noll 1969-1991 George Allen 1966-1977 Guy Chamberlin # 1922-1927 Ray Flaherty # 1936-1949 Sid Gillman 1955-1969, 1971-1974 Earle (Greasy) Neale 1941-1950 Steve Owen # 1930-1953 Don Shula 1963-1995 Hank Stram 1960-1974, 1976-1977

Contributors (19)
Joe Carr 1921-1939 -- President - National Football League, 1921-1939 George Halas 1920-1983 -- Founder/Team Owner - Decatur Staleys/Chicago Staleys/Chicago Bears, 1920-1983; Head Coach - Decatur Staleys/Chicago Staleys/Chicago Bears, 1920-1929, 1933-1942, 1946-1955, 1958-1967; Co-Founder - National Football League, 1920 Lamar Hunt 1959-2006 -- Co-Founder - American Football League, 1959; Team Owner - Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs, 1959-present Earl (Curly) Lambeau 1919-1953 -- Team Founder/Coach/General Manager - Green Bay Packers, 1919-1949; Head Coach - Chicago Cardinals, 1950-1951, Washington Redskins, 1952-1953 Tim Mara 1925-1959 -- Founder/Team Owner - New York Giants, 1925-1959 Bert Bell 1933-1959 -- Commissioner - National Football League, 1946-1959; Team Owner - Philadelphia Eagles, 1933-1940, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1941-1946 Jim Finks 1964-1982, 1986-1992 -- Team Administrator - Minnesota Vikings, 1964-1973, Chicago Bears, 1974-1982, New Orleans Saints, 1986-1992 Wellington Mara 1937-2005 -- Team Administrator/Team Owner - New York Giants, 1937-2005 Art Rooney 1933-1988 -- Founder/Team Owner - Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers, 1933-1988 Dan Rooney 1955-present -- Team Administrator/Team Owner - Pittsburgh Steelers, 1955-present Tex Schramm 1947-1956, 1960-1990 -- Team Administrator - Los Angeles Rams, 1947-1956, Dallas Cowboys, 1960-1989; President/CEO - World League of American Football, 1989-1990 George Preston Marshall 1932-1969 -- Founder/Team Owner - Boston Braves/Boston Redskins/Washington Redskins, 1932-1969 Hugh (Shorty) Ray 1938-1952 -- Technical Advisor on Rules, Supervisor of Officials - National Football League, 1938-1952 Dan Reeves 1941-1971 -- Team Owner - Cleveland/Los Angeles Rams, 1941-1971 Pete Rozelle 1960-1989 -- Commissioner - National Football League, 1960-1989 Ralph Wilson, Jr. 1960-Present Charles W. Bidwill, Sr. 1933-1947 -- Team Owner - Chicago Cardinals, 1933-1947 Al Davis 1963-present -- Team Owner - Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1966-present; Head Coach - Oakland Raiders, 1963-1965; Commissioner - American Football League, 1966

[ramblinjim]

Re: Dirt Dawson

LC and Dirt not being in the HOF is a flippin' crime.

[buckeyehoppy]

Re: Dirt Dawson

Beyond Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith there isn't much to next year's class. Carter and Reed are probably deserving but may be the types that are hit or miss from year to year. With Rice and Smith already being shoo-ins, that might not be good news for them.

And it seems like the HOF is earmarking at least one OL or DL each year in recent years. Dirt's credentials are beyond question. He belongs in and, I feel, that it is only a matter of time.

As for Tagliabue, what did he do to advance the game that Rozelle didn't already start during his tenure? Tagliabue, by and large, was a traffic cop for the agenda advanced during the Rozelle years. I don't see anything particularly special about the Tagliabue years that warrants his induction any time soon.

BTW, it might have come from grumbling Clowns fans for the most part. But the response to Woody's call for Art Schmodell's induction is EXACTLY the reason he should not be in. The man was, at best, a mediocre business man and he should have been stripped of his team with the promise from the league that he would get an expansion team at the expense of selling off the Clowns to a new ownership team that would have run the Clowns from that point and kept them in Cleveland while the new owners secured funding for a new stadium. He'd probably STILL be the owner of the Rattards if the NFL had handled the situation the way I've proposed here. This also was handled under Tagliabue's watch...another reason why any rush to induct Tags is probably ill-advised.

[frankthetank1]

Re: Dirt Dawson

im sure dirt will get in eventually. just hope he doesnt have to wait to long. he was by far the best center i have ever seen play the game. its also pretty interesting that only 19 linebackers are in the hof. im also shocked that chris carter hasnt been inducted yet

[Shoe]

Re: Dirt Dawson

As good as Rod was, Dirt redefined his position to a much greater degree.

Dawson redefined the position? I don't agree with that. He did bring a rare dimension to the position, but the position of Center hasn't been changed cuz of Dirt Dawson.

If you really want to nominate 90's Steelers for HOF consideration, you gotta at least mention Greg Lloyd. Everyone's gonna say he didn't play long enough, etc. But please tell me: who set the tone of that era's team--TOUGH, physical, no-nonsense. I think Greg Lloyd.

Kevin Greene needs to go as well (in time, I think he will). Cowher. DICK LEBEAU. I think that's about it.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Dirt Dawson

As good as Rod was, Dirt redefined his position to a much greater degree.

Dawson redefined the position? I don't agree with that. He did bring a rare dimension to the position, but the position of Center hasn't been changed cuz of Dirt Dawson.

If you really want to nominate 90's Steelers for HOF consideration, you gotta at least mention Greg Lloyd. Everyone's gonna say he didn't play long enough, etc. But please tell me: who set the tone of that era's team--TOUGH, physical, no-nonsense. I think Greg Lloyd.

Kevin Greene needs to go as well (in time, I think he will). Cowher. bad word LEBEAU. I think that's about it.

Lloyd was my favorite player. Still have the jersey. But even I admit that he is not a legit HoF candidate. Keeping Dawson out of the HoF, however, is a crime and crock.

[papillon]

Re: Dirt Dawson

While I believe that LC Greenwood and Donnie Shell both belong in the HOF, a case can be made against them to a certain degree. Dermontti Dawson on the other hand is an absolutely abject failure on the part of the HOF voters that, not only is not in the HOF yet, but that he wasn't first ballot. When you are widely regarded as one of the two or three best at your position all-time after you retired and the best while you played you belong in the HOF. <Edited for clarity>

Not one other player and certainly not another lineman should be inducted until Dawson is elected into the hall, not Rice, not Smith, not Carter, etc, it's criminal that he still awaits the phone call.

Pappy

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Dirt Dawson

While I believe that LC Greenwood and Donnie Shell both belong in the HOF, a case can be made against them to a certain degree. Dermontti Dawson on the other hand is an absolutely abject failure on the part of the HOF voters that, not only is not in the HOF yet, but that he wasn't first ballot. When you are widely regarded as one of the two or three best at your position while you played and what will be 10 years after you retired you belong in the HOF.

Not one other player and certainly not another lineman should be inducted until Dawson is elected into the hall, not Rice, not Smith, not Carter, etc, it's criminal that he still awaits the phone call.

Pappy

He was not widely regarded as one of the two or three best at his position while he played. He was unquestionably the best center while he played. No doubt whatsoever there. He was widely regarded as one of the two or three best at his position of all time (along with Mike Webster and Dwight Stephenson). That's a Hall of Famer right there.

[papillon]

Re: Dirt Dawson

While I believe that LC Greenwood and Donnie Shell both belong in the HOF, a case can be made against them to a certain degree. Dermontti Dawson on the other hand is an absolutely abject failure on the part of the HOF voters that, not only is not in the HOF yet, but that he wasn't first ballot. When you are widely regarded as one of the two or three best at your position while you played and what will be 10 years after you retired you belong in the HOF.

Not one other player and certainly not another lineman should be inducted until Dawson is elected into the hall, not Rice, not Smith, not Carter, etc, it's criminal that he still awaits the phone call.

Pappy

He was not widely regarded as one of the two or three best at his position while he played. He was unquestionably the best center while he played. No doubt whatsoever there. He was widely regarded as one of the two or three best at his position of all time (along with Mike Webster and Dwight Stephenson). That's a Hall of Famer right there.

That is what I meant to write and as I read my post again it certainly didn't come out that way. Yes, the best while he played and one of two or three best all-time, you are correct. He should have been a no brainer first ballot; it's criminal.

Pappy

[feelthesteel]

Re: Dirt Dawson

Dirt was great i met him nice guy i think Webby taught him alot
you know who was pretty good Strelzcyk dude could play guard and tackle
he was a big boy pretty cool too. I met the team in 94 hung out and stayed at the Hilton with them
met Rod-Lloyd-Greene-Chad Brown-Yancy-i got to go into the training room and on the field three rivers-locker room got some good pictures.
Me and my wife had a package deal -had dinner with the team etc.. Tunch was the host.
wish they still had that package got it thru Steeler Digest i used to love that rag.
They also gave us game tickets and we hung with the Black and Gold brigade from all over.