What IS a HOF Player anyway?

[CoCo]

I would imagine there is some written criteria somewhere. And despite that it no doubt remains subjective.

But does a lot of the bias talk die down if several of those marginally HOF Steelers DON'T get in? Isn't a big part of the problem the fact that Swan & Stallworth are in but Drew Pearson isn't? Or Lambert is in and Howley or Jordan are not? Insert your pet peeve player selections/ommissions here.

And is it possible that the Steelers of the 70's just were a bit overhyped and voters got caught up in that just a bit and selected 2 or 3 or 4 guys that perhaps shouldn't have made it. If those folks were out, does the bias talk die down? If the bar was lowered a bit in error should we therefore let in everyone else who was on par with those mistakes?

Is it really an anti-Cowboy bias when Elway is the only Bronco in the HOF and they participated in the bowl 6 times? Are the Niners and their 5 rings appropriately represented? And I HATE both the Broncos and Niners!

I'm bugged Bob Hayes didn't get in. But if there were really an anti-Cowboy bias would Rayfield Wright have gotten in? Wouldn't he be much easier to snub "under the radar?"

Outside of the skill position players who unquestionably are team leaders with multiple SB rings (so Aikman, Irvin and Emmitt all unquestionably get in IMO) it gets real debateable, real fast. And I think one can build a case for other teams getting shafted just like the Cowboys. Then the Steelers, for whatever reason, appear to get the royalty treatment.

In the end I think its simply a very, very, undefineably fine line that separates some haves from some have nots. And yeah there is no doubt some personal bias amongst that pool of voters. Some favor this team, others that. No one is 100% unbiased even if they think they are. HOF voting is an art, NOT a science. As such the debates will rage on.

But the selection of Wright, and Aikman's first ballot selection, and looking at some other teams HOF memberships, to me sends a message that says the Cowboys as a team, by a block of voters, are not being singled out.

But then I am admittedly not a conspiracy theorist.

 

[CoCo]

And as much as I love seeing Cowboys in the HOF I think only the triplets are clear cut must be members off those 90's teams.

Deion and Haley probably get in off their total NFL careers but would'nt if going off JUST their Cowboy careers.

I don't think Woodson gets in, nor Novacek, and probably not Moose either even though I think he should get extra consideration given he was the lead blocker for most of the all-time rushing champion for most of his career.

Someone from those SB OL's should probably get in but who would it be? Several strong contributors in various years but none who truly are CLEARLY HOF worthy. Nate had up and down years, Erik post injury etc. Allens gets in but I consider him a late-comer to the SB parties and a bit outside the overall question.

 

[Bledsoe4MVP]

A Hall of Fame player is somebody who is larger than life and transcends the game of football.

A Hall of Fame player is somebody who is a charismatic and gritty leader on the field and a consummate professional off the field.

A Hall of Fame player is somebody who can will a team to victory by himself and take over a game at any given moment.

A Hall of Fame player has longevity and posts solid numbers year after year over a long period of time.

A Hall of Fame player wins games early in their career as well as late in their career.

A Hall of Fame player plays and gives their all even when they aren't 100%

A Hall of Fame player has legions of fans worldwide, fans that look up to them and aspire to be like them.

In conclusion there are many great players in the NFL past and present that fit this description, but on that really sticks out in my mind is none other than our all world QB....Drew Bledsoe!

 

[ReturnToGlory]

First of all, the media voting for the hall is a shame. Most of the older media members are packer / steeler / niner fans. Who were their ultimate competition throughout the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s? That's why they are biased against the Cowboys. Aren't you guys biased against the steelers and niners? It's a no brainer.

I define a hall of famer as someone you devise game plans against. that's why former coaches and assistant coaches and hall of famers should also vote. They should at least have an input.

Why doesn't anyone mention Irvin's 12 catch 192yd game at SF in the NFC Championship game when he was double teamed all game long while deion was covering Alvin Harper? - The niners divised their game plan against Irvin in their most important game for them in years. Or why doesn't anyone mention his numbers vs. Green, a first ballot hall of famer??? He made a career out of playing against Green. Can anyone compile his numbers against Green? I don't think I have the data to do so.

If you can have a monster game in a championship game when the other team game plans their defense against you or if you can make a career playin against another hall of famer, no doubt you are a hall of famer.

There is no reason for Irvin not to be a Hall of Famer. And the fact that there is no reason is proof that there is Cowboy bias.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I would imagine there is some written criteria somewhere. And despite that it no doubt remains subjective.

But does a lot of the bias talk die down if several of those marginally HOF Steelers DON'T get in? Isn't a big part of the problem the fact that Swan & Stallworth are in but Drew Pearson isn't? Or Lambert is in and Howley or Jordan are not? Insert your pet peeve player selections/ommissions here.

And is it possible that the Steelers of the 70's just were a bit overhyped and voters got caught up in that just a bit and selected 2 or 3 or 4 guys that perhaps shouldn't have made it. If those folks were out, does the bias talk die down? If the bar was lowered a bit in error should we therefore let in everyone else who was on par with those mistakes?

Is it really an anti-Cowboy bias when Elway is the only Bronco in the HOF and they participated in the bowl 6 times? Are the Niners and their 5 rings appropriately represented? And I HATE both the Broncos and Niners!

I'm bugged Bob Hayes didn't get in. But if there were really an anti-Cowboy bias would Rayfield Wright have gotten in? Wouldn't he be much easier to snub "under the radar?"

Outside of the skill position players who unquestionably are team leaders with multiple SB rings (so Aikman, Irvin and Emmitt all unquestionably get in IMO) it gets real debateable, real fast. And I think one can build a case for other teams getting shafted just like the Cowboys. Then the Steelers, for whatever reason, appear to get the royalty treatment.

In the end I think its simply a very, very, undefineably fine line that separates some haves from some have nots. And yeah there is no doubt some personal bias amongst that pool of voters. Some favor this team, others that. No one is 100% unbiased even if they think they are. HOF voting is an art, NOT a science. As such the debates will rage on.

But the selection of Wright, and Aikman's first ballot selection, and looking at some other teams HOF memberships, to me sends a message that says the Cowboys as a team, by a block of voters, are not being singled out.

But then I am admittedly not a conspiracy theorist.

my idea of a HOFamer, is someone in the top 10 in NFL annals, at least in 2 categories, for their position, at least 5 Pro Bowls, and a championship ring, if not a ring, at least have gone to the big show, or 2

 

[ReturnToGlory]

unless you are a QB or pulled a Roethlesburger(choked) in the SB, I don't think Championships matter.

Is Dick Butkus not a Hall of Famer.

And # of pro bowls made is the most over-rated criteria for the Hall.
# of All-Pros is a far better indicator.

 

[lane]

A Hall of Fame player is somebody who is larger than life and transcends the game of football.

A Hall of Fame player is somebody who is a charismatic and gritty leader on the field and a consummate professional off the field.

A Hall of Fame player is somebody who can will a team to victory by himself and take over a game at any given moment.

A Hall of Fame player has longevity and posts solid numbers year after year over a long period of time.

A Hall of Fame player wins games early in their career as well as late in their career.

A Hall of Fame player plays and gives their all even when they aren't 100%

A Hall of Fame player has legions of fans worldwide, fans that look up to them and aspire to be like them.

In conclusion there are many great players in the NFL past and present that fit this description, but on that really sticks out in my mind is none other than our all world QB....Drew Bledsoe!

excellent!

 

[Bob Sacamano]

unless you are a QB or pulled a Roethlesburger(choked) in the SB, I don't think Championships matter.

championships do matter, or we wouldn't be talking about how Irvin is getting snubbed

 

[Bledsoe4MVP]

excellent!

Well it's the truth isn't it?

 

[THUMPER]

A Hall of FAME player is a player that the media likes, it's as simple as that. They create the hype and they vote the guys in, what is the big mystery here folks?