tony hipchest
06-02-2010, 10:05 AM
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81871a64&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
The month of June is traditionally the slowest for the NFL, which gives guys like me a chance to speculate -- on, say, things like future Hall of Famers.
The careers of quarterback Kurt Warner (http://www.nfl.com/players/kurtwarner/profile?id=WAR492511) and left tackle Walter Jones (http://www.nfl.com/players/walterjones/profile?id=JON795619) came to an end this offseason, and I believe their body of work will get them into the Hall of Fame. Then again, I also believe tight end Shannon Sharpe (http://www.nfl.com/players/shannonsharpe/profile?id=SHA468534) and wide receiver Cris Carter (http://www.nfl.com/players/criscarter/profile?id=CAR632736) should be in by now. The longer things linger for these two, the more I wonder what it will take for them two to get in.
Class of 2010 breakdown
http://static.nfl.com/static/content/catch_all/nfl_image/j_rice_060110_65x90.jpg Take a closer look at the achievements of the Hall of Fame Class of 2010, led by 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice, who holds just about every NFL receiving record. More ... (http://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement/class_of_2010.aspx)
During my Sirius Radio show on Memorial Day I was challenged with the question: Which active players have already done enough to punch their tickets for Canton? From that fundamental question come these questions: Which players are close to getting into the Hall? Which players have a chance? Which players will just miss out? And, for which players who seem on track is it simply too early to determine?
I asked front office executives, talked with two NFL historians who I respect, took emails from passionate fans, and looked at the current production of 37 present-day players who fall into one of these categories.
You're going to disagree with some of my views and see eye-to-eye with me on others. But here's the best that I can categorize these players.
Canton bound
1. Brett Favre (http://www.nfl.com/players/brettfavre/profile?id=FAV540222), QB, Vikings: No argument here whatsoever. He's the all-time leader in passing yards (69,329) and touchdowns (497) and has a Super Bowl ring, with the very real possibility of adding another should he come back.
2. Peyton Manning (http://www.nfl.com/players/peytonmanning/profile?id=MAN515097), QB, Colts: Manning has already thrown for 50,128 yards (fourth all-time behind Favre, Dan Marino (http://www.nfl.com/players/danmarino/profile?id=MAR149079) and John Elway (http://www.nfl.com/players/johnelway/profile?id=ELW276861)) and 366 touchdowns (third all-time), is the only four-time league MVP, and has his Super Bowl ring. If the 33-year-old Manning was to play six more years at this pace, he'll finish with close to 76,000 yards and 550 touchdowns.
3. Tom Brady (http://www.nfl.com/players/tombrady/profile?id=BRA371156), QB, Patriots: It's not about stats for Brady, although a single-season record of 50 touchdown passes in 2007 was quite impressive. The only number that matters: Three. As in three Super Bowl championships (twice MVP) says it all.
4. Ray Lewis (http://www.nfl.com/players/raylewis/profile?id=LEW562347), ILB, Ravens: In 14 seasons, Lewis has been the epitome of hard-hitting defense in the NFL. He has been tackling players longer than the league has kept stats for them (since 2001). Throw in his 36.5 sacks, 28 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles, and the fact that he was the general of the 2000 Ravens' defense that led the franchise to its only Super Bowl championship, and he's a lock for the Hall.
5. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons: Gonzalez is partly responsible for revolutionizing the position as we know it. He's the career leader among tight ends with 999 receptions (seventh overall) and 82 touchdowns.
6. LaDanian Tomlinson, RB, Jets: Only recently has L.T. showed signs of decline. In nine seasons as a Charger, he has 12,490 rushing yards (eighth all-time) with 138 touchdowns. On top of that he has 530 receptions for 3,955 yards and 15 touchdowns. And he ony had one of the greatest seasons ever in 2006 when he was named league MVP after scoring 31 total touchdowns and amassing 2,323 yards of offense.
7. Ed Reed (http://www.nfl.com/players/edreed/profile?id=REE192451), FS, Ravens: A ball hawk if there ever was one, in eight seasons Reed has 46 interceptions, 70 passes defended, nine forced fumbles, and five sacks. He's also scored six touchdowns in his career.
4 steelers (and 1 ex steeler) on the fringe. see link
The month of June is traditionally the slowest for the NFL, which gives guys like me a chance to speculate -- on, say, things like future Hall of Famers.
The careers of quarterback Kurt Warner (http://www.nfl.com/players/kurtwarner/profile?id=WAR492511) and left tackle Walter Jones (http://www.nfl.com/players/walterjones/profile?id=JON795619) came to an end this offseason, and I believe their body of work will get them into the Hall of Fame. Then again, I also believe tight end Shannon Sharpe (http://www.nfl.com/players/shannonsharpe/profile?id=SHA468534) and wide receiver Cris Carter (http://www.nfl.com/players/criscarter/profile?id=CAR632736) should be in by now. The longer things linger for these two, the more I wonder what it will take for them two to get in.
Class of 2010 breakdown
http://static.nfl.com/static/content/catch_all/nfl_image/j_rice_060110_65x90.jpg Take a closer look at the achievements of the Hall of Fame Class of 2010, led by 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice, who holds just about every NFL receiving record. More ... (http://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement/class_of_2010.aspx)
During my Sirius Radio show on Memorial Day I was challenged with the question: Which active players have already done enough to punch their tickets for Canton? From that fundamental question come these questions: Which players are close to getting into the Hall? Which players have a chance? Which players will just miss out? And, for which players who seem on track is it simply too early to determine?
I asked front office executives, talked with two NFL historians who I respect, took emails from passionate fans, and looked at the current production of 37 present-day players who fall into one of these categories.
You're going to disagree with some of my views and see eye-to-eye with me on others. But here's the best that I can categorize these players.
Canton bound
1. Brett Favre (http://www.nfl.com/players/brettfavre/profile?id=FAV540222), QB, Vikings: No argument here whatsoever. He's the all-time leader in passing yards (69,329) and touchdowns (497) and has a Super Bowl ring, with the very real possibility of adding another should he come back.
2. Peyton Manning (http://www.nfl.com/players/peytonmanning/profile?id=MAN515097), QB, Colts: Manning has already thrown for 50,128 yards (fourth all-time behind Favre, Dan Marino (http://www.nfl.com/players/danmarino/profile?id=MAR149079) and John Elway (http://www.nfl.com/players/johnelway/profile?id=ELW276861)) and 366 touchdowns (third all-time), is the only four-time league MVP, and has his Super Bowl ring. If the 33-year-old Manning was to play six more years at this pace, he'll finish with close to 76,000 yards and 550 touchdowns.
3. Tom Brady (http://www.nfl.com/players/tombrady/profile?id=BRA371156), QB, Patriots: It's not about stats for Brady, although a single-season record of 50 touchdown passes in 2007 was quite impressive. The only number that matters: Three. As in three Super Bowl championships (twice MVP) says it all.
4. Ray Lewis (http://www.nfl.com/players/raylewis/profile?id=LEW562347), ILB, Ravens: In 14 seasons, Lewis has been the epitome of hard-hitting defense in the NFL. He has been tackling players longer than the league has kept stats for them (since 2001). Throw in his 36.5 sacks, 28 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles, and the fact that he was the general of the 2000 Ravens' defense that led the franchise to its only Super Bowl championship, and he's a lock for the Hall.
5. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons: Gonzalez is partly responsible for revolutionizing the position as we know it. He's the career leader among tight ends with 999 receptions (seventh overall) and 82 touchdowns.
6. LaDanian Tomlinson, RB, Jets: Only recently has L.T. showed signs of decline. In nine seasons as a Charger, he has 12,490 rushing yards (eighth all-time) with 138 touchdowns. On top of that he has 530 receptions for 3,955 yards and 15 touchdowns. And he ony had one of the greatest seasons ever in 2006 when he was named league MVP after scoring 31 total touchdowns and amassing 2,323 yards of offense.
7. Ed Reed (http://www.nfl.com/players/edreed/profile?id=REE192451), FS, Ravens: A ball hawk if there ever was one, in eight seasons Reed has 46 interceptions, 70 passes defended, nine forced fumbles, and five sacks. He's also scored six touchdowns in his career.
4 steelers (and 1 ex steeler) on the fringe. see link