Which Cowboy Veteran would you like to see in the HOF?

[BringBackThatOleTimeBoys]

Know it's been a couple of weeks since the Class of 2013 was announced, and can't complain with Allen and Parcells inducted.

It's definitely better than around seven years ago when three Cowboys were finalists - none of them got in, and even Paul Zimmerman accused the selection committee of anti-Cowboy bias.

One of those finalists got in post-posthumously: Bob Hayes.

I know we probably would like to add ten more, but this is the two I definitely think should go in and why:

• Drew Pearson - One of the leading clutch receivers of the 70's. He caught a number of other critical passes on the drive ending with the Hail Mary pass. The committee probably complains of more yardage, years, but wasn't he named for the All-Decade Team?
• Cliff Harris: He redefined the role of safeties - they became auxiliary linebackers because of him. And he was a frequent Pro Bowler. I smile when he is referred to as "Capt Crash"

Other random thoughts

How does baseball select their HOF? More people should be involved, including HOF players in the selection. The limited number of people voting in secrecy contributes to conspiracy theories and accusations of bias of all kinds.

Did you know for every defensive player in the NFL HOF, there are three offensive players?

If Ray Guy is considered the greatest punter ever, why is he not in?! Essentially, cowardly sports writers in the committee are saying nobody on special teams should even be considered?

I would not make rules, but a rule of thumb on what makes a player/coach/contributor worth considering would add credibility.

[DABOYZ]

Darren Woodson. Moose will never get in but he should.

[SkinsandTerps]

I don't really consider Parcells a Cowboy.

The question you are asking however, is former Cowboys ? Is that right ?

I don't really see anyone that makes me say absolutely that is not already in.

As far as the voting... the last thing a team that feels under represented needs, is for the HOF players to vote. Many with a foot in the grave, many with extreme bias.

[SkinsandTerps]

Originally Posted by DABOYZ

Darren Woodson. Moose will never get in but he should.

I think both were great players. I just don't know about 'cream of the crop' recognition.

[BringBackThatOleTimeBoys]

^ you have a point, Parcells was with a number of teams - so was Deon Sanders.

The veteran players are the ones that have retired 18yrs (?) ago.

In a backhanded way, I'm advocating the Landry era players that should be in the HOF. But as someone said Woodson deserves to be in as well.

[Super_Kazuya]

Originally Posted by SkinsandTerps

I think both were great players. I just don't know about 'cream of the crop' recognition.

Moose, probably not. But I think you can make just as strong a case for Woodson as Haley. Almost identical All-Pro/Pro-Bowl honors (Woodson has one more All-Pro). Woodson also checks all of the character boxes as well.

[percyhoward]

Chuck Howley and Cliff Harris in that order, because there's no way they would go in together.

[percyhoward]

Originally Posted by BringBackThatOleTimeBoys

I know we probably would like to add ten more...

The amazing thing is we actually could add ten more, and there would still be players left over with better credentials than some current Hall of Famers.

George Andrie
Cornell Green
Charles Haley
Cliff Harris
Chuck Howley
Lee Roy Jordan
Harvey Martin
Ralph Neely
Nate Newton
John Niland
Jay Novacek
Drew Pearson
Don Perkins
Everson Walls
Darren Woodson

[jobberone]

Howley, Harris, Pearson and Woodson deserve consideration.

[TwoDeep3]

Until Drew Pearson takes his place in the Hall of Fame the Hall will be questioned as truly including the best.

Or the voters - journalists, really, these are the guys who know the sport best - should be questioned.

Lynn Swann made it.

Season Team(s) Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles Total
Points
Rec Yds Avg TD Rush Yds Avg TD
1974 PIT 11 11 208 18.9 2 1 14 14.0 0 5 18
1975 PIT 14 49 781 15.9 11 3 13 4.3 0 4 66
1976 PIT 12 28 516 18.4 3 1 2 2.0 0 0 18
1977 PIT 14 50 789 15.8 7 2 6 3.0 0 1 42
1978 PIT 16 61 880 14.4 11 1 7 7.0 0 0 66
1979 PIT 13 41 808 19.7 5 1 9 9.0 1 0 36
1980 PIT 13 44 710 16.1 7 1 -4 -4.0 0 0 42
1981 PIT 13 34 505 14.9 5 0 0 0.0 0 0 30
1982 PIT 9 18 265 14.7 0 1 25 25.0 0 0 0
Career Games 115 Rec 336 Yards 5,462 Avg 16.3 TDs 51

Why not Drew?

Season Team(s) Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles Total
Points
Rec Yds Avg TD Rush Yds Avg TD
1973 DAL 14 22 388 17.6 2 0 0 0.0 0 1 12
1974 DAL 14 62 1,087 17.5 2 3 6 2.0 0 1 18
1975 DAL 14 46 822 17.9 8 1 11 11.0 0 1 48
1976 DAL 14 58 806 13.9 6 2 20 10.0 0 1 42
1977 DAL 14 48 870 18.1 2 2 22 11.0 0 0 12
1978 DAL 16 44 714 16.2 3 3 29 9.7 0 0 18
1979 DAL 15 55 1,026 18.7 8 3 27 9.0 0 0 48
1980 DAL 16 43 568 13.2 6 2 30 15.0 0 0 36
1981 DAL 16 38 614 16.2 3 3 31 10.3 0 4 18
1982 DAL 9 26 382 14.7 3 0 0 0.0 0 0 18
1983 DAL 14 47 545 11.6 5 2 13 6.5 0 1 30
Career Games 156 Rec 489 Yards 7,822 Avg 16.0 TD 48

[SkinsandTerps]

Originally Posted by Super_Kazuya

Moose, probably not. But I think you can make just as strong a case for Woodson as Haley. Almost identical All-Pro/Pro-Bowl honors (Woodson has one more All-Pro). Woodson also checks all of the character boxes as well.

Haley was a great example of a player that the media shunned for whatever reason.

As far as Woodson...it's the demand of the position that hurts him...but in hindsight from my earlier post...he is one that deserves to be in.

[JackWagon]

Woody ... other need consideration but Woody was a truly great safety and deserving of the hall.

[Future]

Originally Posted by DABOYZ

Darren Woodson. Moose will never get in but he should.

I'd love it if Woody got in, and think that if he didn't play on such crappy teams towards the end of his career he would.

But the reality is that Moose was a blocking fullback. The skillset required to get in the HoF just isn't there. That doesn't mean he isn't a great football player, but he doesn't really belong in the same class as guys who go to the HoF.

[percyhoward]

Originally Posted by jobberone

Howley, Harris, Pearson and Woodson deserve consideration.

I think there are many here (and some on the selection committee) who don't even know who Chuck Howley is.

There are now 24 linebackers in the HOF. Only 7 of the 24 were named 1st team All-Pro by the Associated Press more times than Howley. Besides being the only Super Bowl MVP with 5+ Pro Bowls who isn't in the Hall of Fame, and besides being a 5-time 1st team All-Pro, he is also the all-time Super Bowl leader in takeaways.

[burmafrd]

Originally Posted by percyhoward

I think there are many here (and some on the selection committee) who don't even know who Chuck Howley is.

There are now 24 linebackers in the HOF. Only 7 of the 24 were named 1st team All-Pro by the Associated Press more times than Howley. Besides being the only Super Bowl MVP with 5+ Pro Bowls who isn't in the Hall of Fame, and besides being a 5-time 1st team All-Pro, he is also the all-time Super Bowl leader in takeaways.

Howley is the one old Cowboy that should have been in a long time ago.