DMN Blog: Irvin: Rod Woodson not a first ballot Hall of Famer

[WoodysGirl]

Irvin: Rod Woodson not a first ballot Hall of Famer

3:39 PM Tue, Feb 03, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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It came as a surprise really to no one that defensive end Bruce Smith and defensive back Rod Woodson earned Hall of Fame status in their first year of eligibility Saturday.

But someone who didn't make it in his first year questioned the voting.

Former Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin said on a Pittsburgh radio station that Woodson was not a first ballot Hall of Famer. His reasonsing?

Too soft.

Irvin said when he lined up against him, "I saw intimidation.''

So that's the reason Woodson shouldn't have made it?

Hmm. Let's see here.

Michael played all of four games including one Super Bowl against Pittsburgh. The Super Bowl, by the way, was Woodson's first game since suffering a torn ACL in the season opener. Woodson was the first player in league history to return from such an injury in the same season he suffered it.

Now Irvin had some big numbers in his three regular season games against Pittsburgh. In fact, he had 100-yard games every time. I'm sure some of those catches came against Woodson.

I know of the three touchdowns Irvin scored, at least one came against Donnell Woolford. I have no way of finding out who was covering him on the other two. Does it really matter?

Of course not.

Woodson is an 11-time Pro Bowler. He's No. 3 all-time in interceptions. He's No. 1 all time in interception yardage and interceptions returned for a touchdown. He's a six-time NFL first-team all pro player.

At the end of his career he made a successful conversion to safety and led the NFL in interceptions in 2002 at the age of 37.

Maybe Woodson had some bad days against Irvin. The fact he had so many great days against the rest of the league makes him a Hall of Famer.

We're going to discuss this on 105.3 The Fan today between 5 and 7, feel free to call in with your opinions.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

I've never understood the first ballot, second ballot argument. Either you are a Hall of Famer or you aren't. Who cares if it's on the first ballot or a subsequent one.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Rod Woodson deserves to be in the HOF whether it is first ballot or later. I think he deserved being in the HOF more than some of the other steelers in there.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

Yes he is.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Rod Woodson was a do it all corner with great instincts. I rarely disagree with Irvin. Maybe it's because Michael didn't get in on the first shot.

 

[Hostile]

Yes he is.

I agree.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think Woodson belongs in the HOF. I'm not sure "I saw intimidation'' is a legit reason to prevent him from being a first ballot inductee.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

I've never understood the first ballot, second ballot argument. Either you are a Hall of Famer or you aren't. Who cares if it's on the first ballot or a subsequent one.

 

[Big Country]

... from above DMN blog... "Woodson is an 11-time Pro Bowler. He's No. 3 all-time in interceptions. He's No. 1 all time in interception yardage and interceptions returned for a touchdown. He's a six-time NFL first-team all pro player."

This statistic will probably belong to Ed Reed when his career is done...

However, I think R. Woodson does belong in the HOF.

 

[ilovejerry]

I hate the Steelers , I hate there fans , I hate the players!!!!, I hate that whole organization from there crypt keeper owner as well

 

[bbgun]

Pettiness, thy name is Irvin. Nobody cares what you think, Mike. Nor do I remember Woodson popping off about your abilities or your voluminous scrapes with the law. Try to follow his example.

 

[ilovejerry]

Pettiness, thy name is Irvin. Nobody cares what you think, Mike. Nor do I remember Woodson popping off about your abilities or your voluminous scrapes with the law. Try to follow his example.

No, He didn't have to Chris carter came to RW defense, "Hey Cris Don't throw rocks at at a glass house when you live in one as well " and another thing who cares what his private life is.Its what they do on the field that counts. but that is a whole other issue

 

[DallasEast]

Okay. Whoa. Just who the frak is Michael Irvin talking about? Is he alright in the head? Is his blood sugar too low? What's the deal? Woodson was a shoo-in as a first-ballot candidate.

 

[theogt]

Pettiness, thy name is Irvin. Nobody cares what you think, Mike. Nor do I remember Woodson popping off about your abilities or your voluminous scrapes with the law. Try to follow his example.

It's probably a reaction to how petty Woodson acts on NFL Network regarding anything Cowboys.

 

[bbgun]

It's probably a reaction to how petty Woodson acts on NFL Network regarding anything Cowboys.

A wide chasm between "analysis" and "personal attacks."
And there's no such thing as "overcriticising" the current Cowboy club.

 

[theogt]

A wide chasm between "analysis" and "personal attacks."

And there's a wide chasm between "personal attacks" and saying someone is a HOFer, just not a first ballot HOFer.

And there's no such thing as "overcriticising" the current Cowboy club.

But there is such a thing as being petty, which is, I thought, what we were talking about.

 

[BIGDen]

I'm a HUGE Irvin fan, but he's obviously just bitter about having to wait for his induction. Irvin should have gotten in the first time and so should Woodson.
I DO love the fact that Irvin used to light up Woodson, Deion, Green and A. Williams. Those guys were the best in Irvin's era and he schooled 'em all! That's a true testament to his greatness. He's also the greatest post-season WR in NFL history aside from Rice. Man, I wish we had a guy like Irvin on this team...

 

[bbgun]

And there's a wide chasm between "personal attacks" and saying someone is a HOFer, just not a first ballot HOFer.

I guess "fear in his eyes" was a valentine or something. He all but accuses Woodson of being soft.

But there is such a thing as being petty, which is, I thought, what we were talking about

"Petty" and "personal attack" go together like chocolate and peanut butter. There's no plausible defense of Mike's actions, but have fun trying.

 

[theogt]

I guess "fear in his eyes" was a valentine or something. He all but accuses Woodson of being soft.

That's not a personal attack. That's criticizing his play of the field. It's not like he said the guy cheats on his wife.

"Petty" and "personal attack" go together like chocolate and peanut butter. There's no plausible defense of Mike's actions, but have fun trying.

I'm not defending his actions. I honestly don't think they need any defense. It's kind of a jerk thing to criticize the guy at this point in time, but I think Woodson's a big boy and can handle the criticism.

 

[links18]

Now its not enough to make the Hall of Fame, one has to be a "first ballot" Hall of Famer to feel good about oneself? Who cares?