News: ST: Jason Witten not a Hall of Famer? Some pundits don't think so

[Super_Kazuya]

Shannon Sharpe was faster, but his all-around game isnt close to Witten. Thats what separates Witten from so many TE's through the years. You can not name one TE who was better at being a complete TE. From Blocking, route running, hands, durability, leader, tough. Ditka is the only one I can think of who comes close.

A lot was faster, just as good with their hands as well. But the all-around game? Nope. Has nothing to do with being a homer/fanboys. And I cant stand the word fanboys. So freaking millennial it makes me sick.

I don't think they look at it in that context. It's not about was he better than Sharpe, he very well may have been... but they are not going to sit down and watch film. They are going to look at their accomplishments, statistics and impact in relation to the era they played.
We all know the Hall loves rings: Sharpe had 3, Witten 0. They also love first team All-Pros: Witten "only" had 2... less than Sharpe, Gonzalez, Gronk, Winslow, Sanders, Casper, Mackey and Gates.
People also forget that "first ballot Hall of Famer" isn't a special honor they bestow on extra worthy Hall of Famers. Sometimes it works out, but sometimes players who could have easily gotten first ballot just get unlucky and go in with a super strong class or have to wait because of strong backlogs. It doesn't matter. A Hall of Famer is a Hall of Famer.
The uncertainty of not even knowing what players will be on the ballot competing with him makes it pretty foolish for anyone to say that Witten is a "lock" for first ballot. Historically, he has a small chance.

 

[HowardC]

TEs have traditionally had a hard time getting in but that is changing. TEs are more integral to the game. Look at the greatest TE of all time and how long it took him to get in. It took John Mackey until 92 for him to be inducted. And if you didn't see him play then at least watch some youtube.

John Mackey was awesome

 

[HowardC]

I believe that he is a HOFer but maybe not 1st ballot

 

[Torturedcowboysfan]

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article210404149.html

Feel free to discuss and Go Cowboys


Go Mike White!

Thats pure hate if any human feels that way. I won't even support the article. He's a top 3 TE ever. I rank him number 2 as a receiving TE and number 1 as a complete TE. He's one of a few with four 1000 yard seasons. He has 90+ catches 4 times. He has 110 catches in a season.

 

[jobberone]

He's probably #5-7 TE all time. JMO. I doubt he gets in the first time.

 

[SlimBig]

Bomani Jones has shouted from the rooftops that Witten isn't a Hall of Famer.
I don't agree (I don't think he's 1st ballot though) but Bomani makes a compelling argument.

His biggest arguments are that he was never the best TE in the game any time he played. Never better than Gates, Gonzales, Gronk, etc.
He also argues that longevity and reliability aren't reasons to make the HOF.
I think Rich Gosselin also wrote an article about obstacles in Witten getting in. (I'm not sure though.)

What I find most interesting about Bomani's Witten takes is that he says alot of sports people agree with him privately but would never say it out loud.
I wonder if because of this, you won't see Witten make it the 1st few times to the Hall.

 

[TNCowboy]

"My standards are high. Did he change the game? Was he a transcendent player?"

By that standard, most of the current HOF inductees would be excluded.

 

[black label]

nes an hof with a dummy gm who drowns him with monay while hes in his wheelchair

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

He's definitely a hall of famer, no debate. It's certainly possible he has to wait a few years though seeing some hall deserving receivers experience. Tim Brown had to wait 6 years. Issac Bruce is still not in.

 

[stilltheguru88]

Shannon Sharpe was faster, but his all-around game isnt close to Witten. Thats what separates Witten from so many TE's through the years. You can not name one TE who was better at being a complete TE. From Blocking, route running, hands, durability, leader, tough. Ditka is the only one I can think of who comes close.

A lot was faster, just as good with their hands as well. But the all-around game? Nope. Has nothing to do with being a homer/fanboys. And I cant stand the word fanboys. So freaking millennial it makes me sick.

All around game? Shannon dominated playoff games lol who cares about all around. Shannon wasn’t a bad blocker hence Terrell Davis having more rushing yards than any rb Witten played with. Again, if you think Witten is better than Sharpe you’re a bias fanboy. Hate the facts all you want. Lol

 

[LocimusPrime]

Thats pure hate if any human feels that way. I won't even support the article. He's a top 3 TE ever. I rank him number 2 as a receiving TE and number 1 as a complete TE. He's one of a few with four 1000 yard seasons. He has 90+ catches 4 times. He has 110 catches in a season.

 

[Cowpolk]

I believe that he is a HOFer but maybe not 1st ballot

He will be his career rates it

 

[LocimusPrime]

Bomani Jones has shouted from the rooftops that Witten isn't a Hall of Famer.
I don't agree (I don't think he's 1st ballot though) but Bomani makes a compelling argument.

His biggest arguments are that he was never the best TE in the game any time he played. Never better than Gates, Gonzales, Gronk, etc.
He also argues that longevity and reliability aren't reasons to make the HOF.
I think Rich Gosselin also wrote an article about obstacles in Witten getting in. (I'm not sure though.)

What I find most interesting about Bomani's Witten takes is that he says alot of sports people agree with him privately but would never say it out loud.
I wonder if because of this, you won't see Witten make it the 1st few times to the Hall.

Bomani makes interesting arguments. Thanks for sharing bro

 

[tyke1doe]

Looks like everyone's getting sucked by the Cowboys bait tactics again.
Witten is a sure-fire Hall of Famer. Book it.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

All around game? Shannon dominated playoff games lol who cares about all around. Shannon wasn’t a bad blocker hence Terrell Davis having more rushing yards than any rb Witten played with. Again, if you think Witten is better than Sharpe you’re a bias fanboy. Hate the facts all you want. Lol

You apparently are unfamiliar with what makes fact a fact. Your comparison is quite the opposite.

 

[ESisback]

Absolutely ridiculous. Witten is a first ballot HOFer. He's like 6th all time in catches, including receivers. He has the second best TE numbers of all time.

Facts don't matter to some. He was a Cowboy. Plus, those that say it KNOW it stimulate$ debate.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

He's probably #5-7 TE all time. JMO. I doubt he gets in the first time.

Agreed.

Can't go strictly by receptions & passing yards because passing offense has become so much more efficient over the last two decades.

I think #5-7 all time is right.

 

[percyhoward]

Here is Steven Ruiz from USAToday:

"Witten has put up the volume stats, but he was not a very efficient player during his career. And if we’re putting him in Canton because he stayed healthy and stacked numbers, then you should also consider Matthew Stafford a lock for the Hall of Fame if he keeps up his current pace."

Stafford's "current pace?" Witten went to 11 Pro Bowls.

At his current pace, Stafford would literally have to play 99 years.

 

[ESisback]

Shannon Sharpe was faster, but his all-around game isnt close to Witten. Thats what separates Witten from so many TE's through the years. You can not name one TE who was better at being a complete TE. From Blocking, route running, hands, durability, leader, tough. Ditka is the only one I can think of who comes close.

A lot was faster, just as good with their hands as well. But the all-around game? Nope. Has nothing to do with being a homer/fanboys. And I cant stand the word fanboys. So freaking millennial it makes me sick.

Can't give this enough likes! ANYONE who thinks Witten isn't a HOFer, or that Shannon "Freakin' Horse Face" Sharpe is better, 1)doesn't know JACK about football, and 2)is a giant awesome person who can suck it.

 

[tyke1doe]

Why are we comparing Shannon Sharpe and Jason Witten?