News: BTB: Cowboys have at least five Hall of Fame potential players on their roster entering

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Do TEs get in on the first ballot? I believe Witten is a HOFer....just not first ballot. He needs a Super Bowl to have ANY chance of being first ballot.

 

[erod]

Do TEs get in on the first ballot? I believe Witten is a HOFer....just not first ballot. He needs a Super Bowl to have ANY chance of being first ballot.

Not necessarily, but guys like Witten and Tony Gonzalez should.

Depends on who's in waiting at the time.

 

[ConceptCoop]

(sigh)
The point is, Hall of Fame careers are not defined by a good "start". They are a compilation over time.

Hence the "start" stipulation. Careers are jugded as a "compilation over time." It's not an oxymoron to say Zeke and Dak have had great starts to their career.

 

[ConceptCoop]

But by all means, whatever you need to tell yourself to justify calling folks homers--don't stop on my account.

 

[erod]

Hence the "start" stipulation. Careers are jugded as a "compilation over time." It's not an oxymoron to say Zeke and Dak have had great starts to their career.

OK, OK. Never mind.

 

[Super_Kazuya]

Do TEs get in on the first ballot? I believe Witten is a HOFer....just not first ballot. He needs a Super Bowl to have ANY chance of being first ballot.

The problem isn't with Witten... it's just that there's no such thing as a first ballot HOF TE.
When Shannon Sharpe retired, he was the all time leader for TEs in receptions and yards, was 2nd in touchdowns and was 1st team All-Pro four times and had 3 Super Bowl rings. All of that exceeds Witten. And he still had to wait 3 years.
Maybe Tony Gonzalez's overwhelming numbers breaks the pattern. But with the receiver backlog that seems to always be present in the Hall, I wouldn't count on it. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if T.O. is still sitting on the ballot when Witten comes up.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

The problem isn't with Witten... it's just that there's no such thing as a first ballot HOF TE.
When Shannon Sharpe retired, he was the all time leader for TEs in receptions and yards, was 2nd in touchdowns and was 1st team All-Pro four times and had 3 Super Bowl rings. All of that exceeds Witten. And he still had to wait 3 years.
Maybe Tony Gonzalez's overwhelming numbers breaks the pattern. But with the receiver backlog that seems to always be present in the Hall, I wouldn't count on it. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if T.O. is still sitting on the ballot when Witten comes up.

Love Witten....but IMHO...he does not deserve enshrinement before TO. TO not being inducted is ridiculous. And I am not a TO lover or hater...but he could flat out ball.

 

[diefree666]

Peyton Manning had a pretty bad start to his career; Elway early on was not all that. So how you start your career is problematical to making the HOF.

Witten in one way would really qualify to a lot of the selectors because of his consistency. Year after year after year of being considered one of the best TE's in the game - a measuring point to which other TE's are compared to. Some of you here think spectacular numbers is all that matters. Looking at those put in the HOF really counters that argument. TE is a special position because it really is a combination of two skills; receiving and blocking. VERY FEW TE's balance it as well as Witten has over the years.
I do agree that a first ballot election will depend on who is up that year. He could get in quickly or have to wait several years. But I predict that he will not have to wait more than 3-4 to get in.

 

[mmohican29]

sounds to me like they are getting way ahead of themselves with this article Jason will have trouble making the hallof fame if he don't play on a team that wins a superbowl its very hard for te's to get in and the other guys its way way to early for that kind of stuff smith is having back problems already

Witten's in if he retired 4 years ago. I know you're scared, but it's going to be OK.

 

[haleyrules]

Not necessarily, but guys like Witten and Tony Gonzalez should.

Depends on who's in waiting at the time.

Absolutely. Witten is not just a great TE and Cowboy..but is the type of Human Being that makes ALL people proud.

 

[landroverking]

Dez not even close IMO

 

[haleyrules]

Love Witten....but IMHO...he does not deserve enshrinement before TO. TO not being inducted is ridiculous. And I am not a TO lover or hater...but he could flat out ball.

Yikes!! Brother,Witten is one of the greatest examples of what a man and a team player is all about. Owens was a teamkiller...his ONLY strong point is stats. Witten is 100x the MAN that Owens can ever dream of being.

 

[CyberB0b]

He inherited an absolute joke of a roster, littered with aging veterans on their last legs. Jerry Jones refused to draft offensive linemen. Romo was getting killed, and 3rd-and-1 was impossible. The defense was statisically the worst in NFL history.

Garrett changed the culture of the team. He went for youth and begged Jerry to listen and build the offense up front. And now, here we are.

Garrett was the assistant head coach and was hired before Wade. Saying he inherited the team is comical. He basically had free reign to do as he wished as the OC.

 

[ALBIT]

Jason Witten and Tyron Smith are the obvious choices but it does not just stop there.

As Jerry Jones prepares for his Hall of Fame enshrinement this weekend, lets take a look at which current Cowboys could join him in Canton at the end of their career.

Hall of Fame


Jason Witten, Tight End

Jason Witten is as much of a first ballot Hall of Fame lock as Peyton Manning. At the end of this season, Witten will own nearly every meaningful Dallas Cowboys receiving record (yards, completions, touchdowns) and he is already regarded as the best (or second best) tight end of his generation. His consistency, leadership and pure talent has helped many of his quarterbacks become stars in the National Football League. Jason Witten is the next Hall of Famer for the Dallas Cowboys, unless former Cowboys, DeMarcus Ware, gets the call first!

Tyron Smith, Tackle

Tyron Smith entered the National Football League in 2011 as a 20-year-old tackle out of USC. In his six years with the Cowboys, he has been to four straight Pro Bowls and has a pair of First-Team All-Pro and a pair of Second-Team All-Pro awards to his name. He is arguably the best left tackle in the league on the best offensive line in the NFL. Barring a series of injuries or unforeseen setbacks, look for Tyron Smith to head to Canton at the conclusion of his career.

Dez Bryant, Wide Receiver

Dez Bryant has been flying under the radar the last few years because of injuries and a recent slew of exceptionally productive receivers in Atlanta, New York and Pittsburgh. That being said, his statistics over the first seven years of his career have been outstanding as he has amassed over 6,600 yards and 67 touchdowns already. If he is able to replicate these numbers for the second half of his careers, there have been very few players in league history to achieve 11,000 yards and over 100 touchdowns. These numbers would make Dez a lock for the Hall of Fame.

Travis Frederick, Center

Travis Frederick entered the NFL in 2013 and he has already been to three Pro Bowls, and has been named to the First-Team All-Pro once, and the Second-Team All-Pro twice. He is widely regarded as the best center in the NFL and he still has the majority of his career ahead of him. Unlike guard and tackle which are well-represented in Canton, there are very few standout centers in the Hall of Fame.

Zack Martin, Guard

Zack Martin’s accomplishments speak for themselves as he has amassed three Pro Bowl appearances, two First-Team All Pro nods and one Second-Team All Pro nod in his three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He is considered one of the best guards in the NFL and given the strength of his offensive line as well as the firepower along the offensive, the Dallas Cowboys will always be in the mix for having one of the most productive offenses in the league. If Martin is able to continue his early success, look for him to join his teammates Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick in the Hall of Fame.

Honorable Mention


Dak Prescott, Quarterback

Dak Prescott enters his sophomore campaign this season as the hottest quarterback in the National Football League, outside of the usual suspects in New England and Green Bay. His performance last year was historic as his accuracy, leadership and decision-making earned him Rookie of the Year honors and a Pro Bowl appearance. The Cowboys have seen their fair share of Hall of Fame worthy quarterbacks throughout their franchise. Prescott’s longevity and post-season success will dictate his chances of entering Canton.

Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back

If Zeke is able to continue his rookie success throughout his career, he will be a virtual lock for the Hall of Fame. The contrary argument is that running backs tend to shine through their first half of their career before beginning to plateau or decline. Only the best or the lucky can hold up for a long period. Zeke’s tenacity, vision and quickness set him up for long-term success and can catapult him into Canton.

Sean Lee, Linebacker

Sean Lee began his career in 2010 and recently has been named to back to back Pro Bowls after finally gaining league-wide recognition of being one of the most talented linebackers in the NFL. While his importance cannot be understated for this Dallas defense, his only chance to make the Hall of Fame is with post-season success, likely needing a Super Bowl victory under his belt. He’ll also need a string of great, injury-free seasons ahead. Unlike Dak and Zeke who could enter the Hall of Fame purely based on statistics and career longevity, I do not see Sean Lee entering the Hall of Fame unless he leads his defense to the Lombardi trophy.

What is clear from the above list is that the front office has mastered scouting and drafting but need to now shift their focus to the defensive side of the ball. With the exception Sean Lee, it is challenging to make a case for any current defensive player (at this time) to ever enter the Hall of Fame.

Which current Cowboys do you think will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame?

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Please can we hold off on the Dak and the Hall of Fame please! Let's see how it plays out. Please. He had a great year. OK. I know. This guy I don't get why some of you think this guy is a sure fire lock superstar. Let's see what happenes. I love his make up but he is a baby, he has alot to work on and improve. Not saying it can't or won't happen but why even bring his name up in the conversation. Ugh I hope all you people.or right about this guy I really do, but the bar I think right now is being set way too high.