JD_KaPow
jimnabby
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Good article at FO about the pass rushers coming up for the Hall. Ware, Suggs, Allen, Freeney and Mathis are all between 120 and 140 sacks and coming eligible.
It's more about the mechanics of Hall voting and how logjams get created at certain positions, but he does go into the merits. Several of these guys are deserving, the question is how do we get from here to there.
https://www.footballoutsiders.com/walkthrough/2021/hall-fame-debates-julius-peppers-and-sack-pack
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That said, all the members of our Sack Pack have more to offer than just strings of double-digit sack seasons:
...
Here's my breakdown of how the Sack Pack will queue up:
DeMarcus Ware has the best portfolio of the group and may have the clearest path to enshrinement. Dallas voters don't have anyone better to focus upon right now, and Denver voters should be happy to pile on. Allen and Mathis are Ware's primary obstacles before others reach the ballot. Mathis will probably stall at the semifinalist stage this year, allowing the voters to either wave Ware or Allen (or both) through.
It's more about the mechanics of Hall voting and how logjams get created at certain positions, but he does go into the merits. Several of these guys are deserving, the question is how do we get from here to there.
https://www.footballoutsiders.com/walkthrough/2021/hall-fame-debates-julius-peppers-and-sack-pack
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That said, all the members of our Sack Pack have more to offer than just strings of double-digit sack seasons:
- Allen led the league in fumble recoveries and tackles for a loss and recorded four career safeties, in addition to leading the league in sacks twice.
- Freeney was named to the Hall of Fame's All-2000s team, played for a Super Bowl winner, forced 47 career fumbles (third on an all-time list that only dates to 1999) and possessed a legendary spin move that provided many of the "signature moments" some voters look for.
- Mathis forced 54 fumbles, making him the all-time leader. He led the league in forced fumbles three times.
- Suggs was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2011, helping the Ravens win the Super Bowl the next year. He also played for a legendary defense, which could work for him or against him.
- Ware led the NFL in tackles for a loss three times and helped the Denver Broncos win a championship, recording a pair of sacks in Super Bowl 50. (See: "signature moments.")
...
Here's my breakdown of how the Sack Pack will queue up:
DeMarcus Ware has the best portfolio of the group and may have the clearest path to enshrinement. Dallas voters don't have anyone better to focus upon right now, and Denver voters should be happy to pile on. Allen and Mathis are Ware's primary obstacles before others reach the ballot. Mathis will probably stall at the semifinalist stage this year, allowing the voters to either wave Ware or Allen (or both) through.