3 Steelers Legends Considered Likely Hall of Famers

[pczach]

3 Steelers Legends Considered Likely Hall of Famers

by Chris Ward, Steelers Now


The 33rd Team listed former Pittsburgh Steelers players Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Maurkice Pouncey in their exercise of Hall of Fame chances among retired and non-active players. Roethlisberger was a lock, while Brown and Pouncey were considered likely.

Roethlisberger is a no-brainer. He’ll be in the Hall, it’s just a matter whether he’s first-ballot. With two Super Bowl titles and ranking fifth all-time in passing yards (64,088) and eighth in touchdown passes (418), he should be a shoo-in for first-ballot. Roethlisberger also holds the NFL record for most 500-yard passing games (4) and is tied with Peyton Manning for the most career perfect passer rating games (4).


“I remember telling a well-known national columnist years ago that Ben Roethlisberger not only would reach Canton one day but would be a first-ballot choice,” Hall of Fame voter Clark Judge said. “He laughed and said it wouldn’t happen. I think it will: Roethlisberger didn’t put up a lot of gaudy numbers like some of his peers, but he won twice as many games as he lost (165-81-1) and delivered two more Lombardi Trophies to Pittsburgh. That’s good enough for me. Check, please.”

Based on his production on the football field with the Steelers, Brown was a generational talent. Simply one of the best ever. He arguably had the best six-year stretch (2013-2018) for a wide receiver in NFL history. In that span, Brown recorded 686 receptions for 9,145 yards and 67 touchdowns. That’s more total receptions than Mike Evans in his entire career, more yards than Stefon Diggs in his entire career, and more touchdowns than Julio Jones in his entire career.

Read the rest here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl...a74352ce&ei=43

[Born2Steel]

AB may get in one day but it would surprise me if it happens anytime soon.

[pczach]

AB may get in one day but it would surprise me if it happens anytime soon.

I agree. His behavior has to have some kind of impact on him getting in.

He was an incredible player, but his antics are probably going to delay his getting voted in...and maybe not getting in at all.

[86WARD]

Ben won’t be first ballot because the media hates him and because he played for the Steelers; they have “too many in the hall of fame already”.

[Craic]

Ben won’t be first ballot because the media hates him and because he played for the Steelers; they have “too many in the hall of fame already”.

He won't be a first ballot HOFer because he doesn't deserve to be. First-ballot, in my mind, is reserved for players who changed the game or redefined the position like Troy P.

Ben will get in, and in my opinion, should probably get in somewhere between 3rd and 5th ballot but 2nd ballot is on the table if there isn't any first-ballot worthy players that year.

[polamalubeast]

He won't be a first ballot HOFer because he doesn't deserve to be. First-ballot, in my mind, is reserved for players who changed the game or redefined the position like Troy P.

Ben will get in, and in my opinion, should probably get in somewhere between 3rd and 5th ballot but 2nd ballot is on the table if there isn't any first-ballot worthy players that year.

Ben was better that Troy Aikman and Aikman was a first ballot HOF

[Craic]

Ben was better that Troy Aikman and Aikman was a first ballot HOF

Aikman won three superbowls in four years, had an 11-4 record in the playoffs, and made the Probowl six times when it was more than just a publicity contest. He was also the SB XXVII MVP where he threw for four TDs and had a QB rating of 140.7. In his last SB, his rating was 108.8 for a lifetime SB pass rating of 111.9. And, that was before the current pass-happy era of inflated QB stats.

You can also argue Aikman was in a weak QB HoF class. Sure, Reggie White, Greenwood, and M Irving were in there with Thurman Thomas and Art Monk, but the only other QB that made it was Warren Moon, and the only other QB in the semifinal stage let alone the final stage was Ken Stabler. So, it was a very weak class for the QB position.

Like it or not, Ben does not have the SB numbers Aikman had, and in truth, Ben didn't win SB XL with his passing ability (which is what they look at, right or wrong, in my opinion). None of this is to say Ben doesn't deserve to be in the HoF, just that if he doesn't get in first ballot, it won't be because of the reasons 86Ward stated. It'll be because he doesn't have the SB numbers, SB wins, and so on, and also because he'll be in there with a lot more competition. Ben played in an era where QBs excelled and there were several household or semi-household name franchise QBs.

So, again, my guess will be year 3 or perhaps, as already stated, if there is a week class for some reason, year 2. I'd be ecstatic if he made it in year 1. I just think he needed that third SB win and better numbers in the first SB to really be considered for it.

[polamalubeast]

Aikman won three superbowls in four years, had an 11-4 record in the playoffs, and made the Probowl six times when it was more than just a publicity contest. He was also the SB XXVII MVP where he threw for four TDs and had a QB rating of 140.7. In his last SB, his rating was 108.8 for a lifetime SB pass rating of 111.9. And, that was before the current pass-happy era of inflated QB stats.

You can also argue Aikman was in a weak QB HoF class. Sure, Reggie White, Greenwood, and M Irving were in there with Thurman Thomas and Art Monk, but the only other QB that made it was Warren Moon, and the only other QB in the semifinal stage let alone the final stage was Ken Stabler. So, it was a very weak class for the QB position.

Like it or not, Ben does not have the SB numbers Aikman had, and in truth, Ben didn't win SB XL with his passing ability (which is what they look at, right or wrong, in my opinion). None of this is to say Ben doesn't deserve to be in the HoF, just that if he doesn't get in first ballot, it won't be because of the reasons 86Ward stated. It'll be because he doesn't have the SB numbers, SB wins, and so on, and also because he'll be in there with a lot more competition. Ben played in an era where QBs excelled and there were several household or semi-household name franchise QBs.

So, again, my guess will be year 3 or perhaps, as already stated, if there is a week class for some reason, year 2. I'd be ecstatic if he made it in year 1. I just think he needed that third SB win and better numbers in the first SB to really be considered for it.

I get your point and yes Aikman was better than Ben in the super bowl, although I don't believe Aikman's super bowl was that good vs steelers in 1995, since their offense was anemic in the entire second half but they scored 2 TD because of Neil O'Donnell, but yes Aikman was still better than Ben in the super bowl and in the playoffs overall...I still believe that Ben had more quality years and less mediocre years in his prime that Aikman

But I still believe Ben has a realistic chance of being in the HOF....He was a top 5 QB in the NFL for over a decade and with his 2 super bowl and 3 super bowl appearances he also finished his career top 5 in regular season wins and winning percentage, so it can help him a lot...

If he's not a first ballot HOF, I think he'll have to wait until his 3rd year, since Tom Brady will be eligible for Ben's 2nd year.

[polamalubeast]

Drew Brees is going to be a first ballot HOF, which is the year before the first year that Ben will be eligible, so Brees will not have an impact on Ben....I believe QB like Eli Manning and Philip Rivers have a chance to be in the HOF but Ben is considered by the vast majority as the best QB of the 2004 draft class so I don't think his 2 QBs will have an impact on Ben...I mentioned Aikman, but you have also talk about Warren Moon, another first ballot HOF....Great QB but it's another QB that Ben was better, career wise in my opinion...2027, the first year that Ben will be eligible, his only competition at the QB will very likely be Eli and Rivers

[Craic]

Drew Brees is going to be a first ballot HOF, which is the year before the first year that Ben will be eligible, so Brees will not have an impact on Ben....I believe QB like Eli Manning and Philip Rivers have a chance to be in the HOF but Ben is considered by the vast majority as the best QB of the 2004 draft class so I don't think his 2 QBs will have an impact on Ben...I mentioned Aikman, but you have also talk about Warren Moon, another first ballot HOF....Great QB but it's another QB that Ben was better, career wise in my opinion...2027, the first year that Ben will be eligible, his only competition at the QB will very likely be Eli and Rivers

Not sure I agree with you on Moon. He was chucking the ball around like a modern day QB in the 90s. I don't know when Ben's two draft mates are eligible, but if they become eligible before Ben, they might pull a few votes away from Ben when he becomes eligible. I hope not, but I can see it happening.

[86WARD]

He won't be a first ballot HOFer because he doesn't deserve to be. First-ballot, in my mind, is reserved for players who changed the game or redefined the position like Troy P.

Ben will get in, and in my opinion, should probably get in somewhere between 3rd and 5th ballot but 2nd ballot is on the table if there isn't any first-ballot worthy players that year.

Disagree. He's on par with Elway, Moon, Young, Kelly. Maybe Young redefined the position...not so much the other three. He was much better than Aikman, Fouts. Aikman had an All-Pro team...much better than any offense that Ben worked with. It's debated here all the time if Bradshaw or Ben were the best Steelers QB...Bradshaw was a first ballot hall of famer.

He won't get in because he was never a media darling...not because he didn't have Hall of Fame talent...because look at his accomplishments compared to some of the ones listed above and he far surpasses them.

[Dwinsgames]

He won't be a first ballot HOFer because he doesn't deserve to be. First-ballot, in my mind, is reserved for players who changed the game or redefined the position like Troy P.

Ben will get in, and in my opinion, should probably get in somewhere between 3rd and 5th ballot but 2nd ballot is on the table if there isn't any first-ballot worthy players that year.

this wont go over well with most here (because many did not see him play or only seen the tail end of his career) while I loved the player and how he played the game but Troy P wasn't even the best SS in steelers history

Donnie Shell was and has the statistics to prove it , while shell wasnt as "flashy" (not many are because of the memorable flowing locks of hair sticking out from under the helmet) but Shell was a missile of a player himself and was a harder hitter , was better in coverage and better in run support , Shell lacked the quick twitch that Troy had but other than that he had all the tools and then some ... Flashy can get you in to the HoF quicker because when you have a gimmick (such as the hair) its memorable but Shells 5x pro bowl 3x all pro 4x SB winner and retried with 51 ints and 19 fumble recoveries ...His 51 interceptions made him the first strong safety in the history of the National Football League to surpass the 50-interception mark. Shell, in 1984, duplicated his team- and career-best seven-interception effort. Counting 1982, 1983 and 1986 when he was team co-leader in interceptions, he led or shared the lead in interceptions five out of seven years. Adding to the significance of his accomplishments, his five interceptions in 1982 came during a strike-shortened, nine-game season...In addition to having a nose for the ball, Shell was also a devastating tackler. He led the team in tackles in both 1982 and 1984, and was the leading tackler in the Steelers secondary for six consecutive years (1981-1986). ...His 51 career interceptions rank him third in Steelers history, behind Hall of Famer Mel Blount (57) and Jack Butler (52), and his 19 opponent fumble recoveries are just behind Hall of Famer Jack Ham (21) as a second-best performance by a Steeler.and a two-time team MVP... oh the 51 INTs are still the most in NFL history for a Pure strong Safety ( meaning that was the pos played all along , not a corner who late in their career switched to SS )

[EzraTank]

He'll get in the HOF, who cares how, but he will definitely be in his first year eligible.

Aikman played with an offensive line that could open holes big enough for Emmitt to drive a golf cart through. Let's not pretend Aikman didn't benefit from that. I'm not saying Aikman wasn't good but based on the teams they played on and the receivers they had to throw to, I think Ben was a little better. Now if the HOF required an IQ test to get in, neither of them make it.

[Craic]

this wont go over well with most here (because many did not see him play or only seen the tail end of his career) while I loved the player and how he played the game but Troy P wasn't even the best SS in steelers history

Yes and no. The issue here is that there are only a few safeties in the history of the NFL I'd take before either one of them.

[Craic]

Disagree. He's on par with Elway, Moon, Young, Kelly. Maybe Young redefined the position...not so much the other three. He was much better than Aikman, Fouts. Aikman had an All-Pro team...much better than any offense that Ben worked with. It's debated here all the time if Bradshaw or Ben were the best Steelers QB...Bradshaw was a first ballot hall of famer.

He won't get in because he was never a media darling...not because he didn't have Hall of Fame talent...because look at his accomplishments compared to some of the ones listed above and he far surpasses them.

But if he's on par with Elway, Moon, so on and so forth, that's not high praise. Those guys did it in a much more difficult era for QBs.

Again, just to be clear. I think Ben might be a second-year, most likely a third year ballot. Ben was never the best QB in the league and in all but one or two years, was a step below the very top-tier QBs like Brady* and P. Manning, or Drew Brees for a few seasons in NO. Those are the QBs from era in which Ben played that I believe should be (or have been) first-ballot HoFers (Though Brady shouldn't be). Of course, Favre got in on the first-ballot, but with his accolades over twenty years (11x probowl, 3x all pro, 1x SB champ, 2x AP MVP, so on and so forth), it's not difficult to see why.

[oneforthetoe]

My guess is that it will be third year. They won't put Ben in the same year as Brady.

[dislocatedday]

I'd bet good money that Ben gets in on the first ballot when he is eligible. I think it is a lock IMO. QB is the most revered position and stands alone in importance compared to other positions. Ben checks all the boxes........and he will not be eligible at the same time as Brady since Brady played the season after Ben retired.

[DuckHodges]

Ben will be first ballot, he's an all-time great at QB and won 2 superbowls.

[ALLD]

Ben will get in 1st ballot. Pouncey will need to wait. AB, IDK he went crazy and the HoF is not an asylum.

[Dwinsgames]

my guess is AB doesn't get in until he is an old man IF he is lucky

Ben goes his first year of eligibility

Pouncey gets in but not right away and he battles his brother for 1 spot perhaps ??

[86WARD]

my guess is AB doesn't get in until he is an old man IF he is lucky

Ben goes his first year of eligibility

Pouncey gets in but not right away and he battles his brother for 1 spot perhaps ??

If AB comes to his senses and straightens out, I agree.

I agree Ben is first ballot talent, but I fell like the media will screw him.

Agree with Pouncey.

[Craic]

AB is an interesting case. Had he continued his career at Pittsburgh and had the same type of years until retirement that he had previously, he'd not only be a lock for 1st ballot but would be in the discussion of the top few receivers of all time. The only thing that would be missing from his resume would be a SB win.

Now? He got the SB win. But he burned so many bridges that I think he suffers for it. He definitely deserves the HoF for his work on the field. But I think he's punished for the toxicity he brought to the Raiders and then for walking off the field with Tampa.

Pouncey. I don't know. It's a lot more difficult for linemen to get in. Pouncey doesn't have rings. However, he is a 9x time pro-bowl player and 2x all-pro along with 2 time second team all pro. I definitely hope he makes it in. If he does, it'll be a few years later due to the modern focus on stats and flash rather than who was truly the best at a position.

[El Kabong]

I agree Ben is first ballot talent, but I fell like the media will screw him.

My concern is that the voters will hold Milledgeville against him and make him wait.

[willy]

Big Ben a HOFer? Without question. Should he be a 1st ballot? 3 SB appearances, 2 rings. I say he's a first ballot HOFer.

[Craic]

My concern is that the voters will hold Milledgeville against him and make him wait.

And this is the heart of my discussion. There are reasons outside of off-field issues for him not to be a first-ballot HoFer. I'm not saying he won't be (although again, I think it'll be second or third ballot), just that if he isn't, I'm not immediately going to think he got screwed because of his off-field antics.

All-in-all, it's really going to boil down to the strength of the overall class.

[vasteeler]

My concern is that the voters will hold Milledgeville against him and make him wait.

Well, Ray Lewis is a first ballot Hall of Famer...

[El Kabong]

Well, Ray Lewis is a first ballot Hall of Famer...

Well, with THAT in mind, Ben should be a 1st ballot shoo-in.

[pczach]

Ben should walk in on the first ballot.

[HollywoodSteel]

I am really surprised by the debate here. Ben will be a first ballot HOFer. It’s not even a question.

I realize some people think it should work differently than it does, like players should be made to wait unless they are the absolute best ever. But that’s not how the HOF voters approach it… except with T.O. but that was purely out of spite. They generally don’t make you wait just to make you wait.

In any given the voters put in the players that they think are most deserving who are eligible. There might be other considerations if there is a backlog at a position, but that won’t happen with QB.

But what the voters don’t do is say, “this guy is 100% a HOFer. Slam dunk. No question. He deserves it and will be in… but he’s not the best to ever do it so I think he’s more of a third… or maybe second… hmm, no I’m leaning more towards third ballot HOFer. So let me just mark that on my calendar to vote him in that third year of eligibility. Where’s my pencil?”

No. They don’t plan ahead like that. On any given year they narrow it down to the eight guys who most deserve to be in. There will not be eight players eligible that year who are more deserving than Ben. It just won’t happen. If they’ve made some borderline WR wait multiple years, they aren’t going to bump Ben because that borderline guy has waited too long. Ben will move right to the top. Just like any other slam dunk player who is first eligible that year. I’m not sure which other sure things retired the same year as Ben. Maybe Adrian Peterson. Possibly Fitzgerald? Whatever, there certainly are NOT eight more deserving players in order to bump Ben.

He’ll be in that first year. He is top eight in pretty much every QB stat known to man. With two rings. And an absolutely classic game winning TD pass to win a SB. The story of the NFL in the 21st century can’t be told without Ben. Carve this one in stone.

[86WARD]

Hall of Fame voters do say: “there’s already too many Steelers in the HOF right now…let’s wait a while or not put a player in because of it.” They also don’t give votes based on players they don’t appreciate…which Ben is one of. Ben has the credentials, easily, to be first ballot…and should be. I don’t have much confidence in those casting the votes…