Woodson vs Witten, who gets the HOF nod first?

[gtb1943]

No, they don't have to be. But that era might have won something if they had one or two.

not with the dead weight of the Jones Boys
not even Secretariat would have won a race with all that blubber on his back

 

[LonnieElam]

Witten. Mainly because I named my son Witten. Yes, you read that right.

 

[Bullflop]

I can’t believe the lack of love for Witten by some posters in this thread.
The guy was just really good for a very long time.
That’s special right there.
I best guess is that the last impressions stick with fans and was very average at the end of his career.
He should have retired earlier, but that shouldn’t take away from his overall greatness.

Agreed. I loved Whitten while he was young and old but still productive. It's just unfortunate that he wasn't his former self in later years. Did it take away from his greatness? No, not at all. Many admired him, nevertheless.

There's no doubt that both of them were certainly great, in their own right, but playing so long wasn't in his best interest.

I loved them both for who they were while they played. It's unfortunate that Witten could have retired earlier, though. No offense intended. Far too many here were unkind and coldly critical later on.

 

[JoeKing]

Woodson should have already been in the HoF. He'll get there before Witten.

 

[noshame]

BS

So it was just coincidence when they started calling penalties on his signature move his production immediately went down.

 

[kskboys]

Woodson was great during his entire career. Witten was great while young but average, when older.

No, Witten was great for like 10-12 years. You are only remembering the last couple years when he was only minimally effective, which happens to all players.

 

[kskboys]

No, they don't have to be. But that era might have won something if they had one or two.

No, that era might have won something sans Jerry Jones. His horrific talent acquisition is what kept us from the big one.

 

[kskboys]

I can’t believe the lack of love for Witten by some posters in this thread.
The guy was just really good for a very long time.
That’s special right there.
I best guess is that the last impressions stick with fans and was very average at the end of his career.
He should have retired earlier, but that shouldn’t take away from his overall greatness.

Only at the very end.

 

[kskboys]

The dumb is strong in this thread.

 

[kskboys]

So it was just coincidence when they started calling penalties on his signature move his production immediately went down.

His production went down when he got old. Gawdawmighty, this is just so obvious. Why make things up?

 

[FVSTONE]

Interesting question.........but Woody should have been in years ago. So it's anyone's guess when they will finally put him in. Witten's TE position will impact his entrance IMO. No clue gets in first though............

At this point neither get in. For some lousy reason Darren Woodson is getting an annual slap in the face by the voters. Could it be, Cowboys need not apply............LOL!

 

[gtb1943]

So it was just coincidence when they started calling penalties on his signature move his production immediately went down.

Possibly. but then again its not like he is the first Cowboy to get worked by the officials, right?
might be age was getting to him as well, but of course you cannot admit that, right?

 

[TheMightyVanHalen]

No, that era might have won something sans Jerry Jones. His horrific talent acquisition is what kept us from the big one.

No, that horrible talent that you're speaking of got us a first-round bye. We had no leaders on that team which is why it imploded. I've been around here long enough to know why you're going this route. Just be fair. Give those same excuses to #4 like you're doing with #9.

 

[Established1971]

easy Witten

whatever people are thinking about Woodson that is keeping him out, likely persists

statistically Witten places higher among the the best historical players at his position than Woodson does at his (and frankly it is a position you cant really judge by numbers as you can for a receiver)

Witten in first

 

[gtb1943]

No, that horrible talent that you're speaking of got us a first-round bye. We had no leaders on that team which is why it imploded. I've been around here long enough to know why you're going this route. Just be fair. Give those same excuses to #4 like you're doing with #9.

How about a HC in over his head due to the Jones boys?

 

[DallasEast]

The Hall's Board of Selectors picks the enshrinees. To paraphrase Dr. Bruce Banner, "Those guys' brains are like a bag full of cats. You can smell crazy on them." Their opinions do not often jive with outsiders, but a person must try to think like them to get an idea of what might happen.

One thing to consider is class size. The Board does not max out classes despite the number of eligible inductees increasing with each passing year. 2023? The Board selected nine members? 2024 through 2026 classes fluctuated between seven to four to five.

Neither rhyme nor reason, but I mention the timeframe because it correlates to Darren Woodson's four straight yearly finishes during that span. Approximately eleven or so Selectors have been kicking dirt in his face. They have done the same to Jason Witten, but to a much lesser degree, since this last go-round was his first time getting the same treatment.

What will finally convince two or so more Selectors to vote with the majority on their behalf? As always, I believe the key is considering how Selectors will debate possible candidates at their particular position. As such for Woodson, I think his main discussion competitors are:

• Eric Berry - similar career resume and a possible sentimental favorite per his cancer survivor status. However, Berry has been eligible for the last three class and not never reached the final batch of candidates.
• Rodney Harrison - perhaps the strongest counter resume, but methinks he is being held in a holding pattern for his New England ties in their heads. That said, Harrison did break through to be named a 2024 yearly finalist
• [Honorable mention] Eric Weddle - Yes, he played free safety, but he might get a conversational retired/returned/won a Super Bowl/retired nostalgia bump

IF Woodson can beat these guys in hypothetical arguments, I put his chances at 65% of being named to the Class of 2027. Conversely, Witten's road is devoid of the same peer obstacles.

Antonio Gates has reached the finalist list twice, but that is only one more than Witten. And that list showing was 2025, not this last opportunity, which was Witten's first.

Jimmy Graham leapfrogging Witten should be enough to burn the Hall to the ground. So, it's another short list when regulated to position only debate. For this reason, I give Witten a 90% chance of getting in with the Class of 2027.

 

[Tussinman]

Witten.


Woodson should have been in a long time ago.

Witten should have been a first ballot hall of famer. Witten will get in next year.

Woodson is only a few more years away from being considered a senior candidate which is insane, he's been eligible for that long.

Witten I'm not surprised that he wasn't first ballot, Antonio Gates not making first ballot a few years back set the precedent for that position.


Witten having a really long career made it less likely for him to get in 1st year since his career overlapped with 3 other Tight ends that had better claims for 1st ballot.

 

[ryanbabs]

Witten.


Woodson should have been in a long time ago.

Witten should have been a first ballot hall of famer. Witten will get in next year.

This 100% will happen.

 

[BigDPlayer]

Interesting question.........but Woody should have been in years ago. So it's anyone's guess when they will finally put him in. Witten's TE position will impact his entrance IMO. No clue gets in first though............

Witten a million times over. Surely he's a first ballot HOF? Or did that time pass? If only I had an unlimited source of knowledge to ask other than all you yahoos. If only....

 

[DallasEast]

Witten a million times over. Surely he's a first ballot HOF? Or did that time pass? If only I had an unlimited source of knowledge to ask other than all you yahoos. If only....

Jason Witten's first-ballot opportunity was joining the Class of 2026. The Board of Selectors argued for his selection all the way to the yearly finalist round and left him hanging last February. They have done the same thing to Darren Woodson for every class since 2023.