2013 HOF Class Prediction/Discussion Thread

[ramsrule]

I may be in the minority here, but I think Isaac Bruce gets in. He is third in yardage behind Rice and Owens; however, what stands out to me the most is that he is considered by many as one of the route runners of all-time. When you are an all-time great at something, that holds a lot of weight with me. It will likely take a while, but he eventually gets in IMO.

Same with Chris Carter and Tim Brown. Carter will probably make it the next two years. Much like Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce, Brown will take a while, but what people fail to realize is that he doubled as a dangerous punt returner.

Hines Ward will get in as well. His numbers may not be as good as many receivers, but like Bruce, he is considered an all-time great in a particular area: Blocking. He also had a history of playing well in the big games. Two Super Bowl rings also helps.

[FUNBUNCHER]

I don't think Hines Ward gets in. He's one of those players right at the edge; very good during his time but not someone who was ever IMO a 'great' WR.
Great football player however.

[Mufasa]

If Hines Ward ever gets in the Hall of Fame it will become as big of a joke as the pro bowl.

[G Mobile]

Was Hines ever elite? I don't think he belongs anywhere near the hall. He was a very popular productive player on probably the most popular team, but he just isn't the same caliber as other HoF players. If he gets in the Hall loses major credibility.

[Ness]

I don't recall one year where Ward was arguably the best receiver in the NFL. Not one.

[ph90702]

Originally Posted by prock

Notable first ballot nominees include Larry Allen, John Lynch, Warren Sapp, Michael Strahan, and Jon Ogden.

My prediction is:

Strahan
Ogden
Allen
Cris Carter
Charles Haley
Robert Griffin III

What do you guys think about this class?

Ogden and Allen are the only obvious ones. The others are a crap shoot.

[Smooth Criminal]

I don't think Ward should be in. He's the definition of a guy that just doesn't pass the eye test for the hall.

Fans will clamor for it. And they'll be able to make a case with numbers. But he was never a dominant receiver. Played most of his career on a run based team. Was never the most feared player on his own team. Had very few years anyone would even consider him a top 5 guy, if any.

Longevity and great numbers shouldn't get you in if you didn't dominate. It's the hall of fame. It's not about just putting up good numbers by playing a long time. We're you among the best? No? Then you're not getting in.

[Halsey]

Hines Ward was a football player's football player, not a fantasy player's player.

[vidae]

I'd love to see Will Shields enshrined, but I'm not sure how likely that is. He definitely deserves to be in there though.

[MetSox17]

Originally Posted by Halsey

Hines Ward was a football player's football player, not a fantasy player's player.

This was the most useless, waste of a post i've seen in a while here.

[Halsey]

Originally Posted by MetSox17

This was the most useless, waste of a post i've seen in a while here.

Then why did you make it?

[LonghornsLegend]

Originally Posted by Ness

I don't recall one year where Ward was arguably the best receiver in the NFL. Not one.

Or even close to that. He should never make the HOF, and that doesn't mean he wasn't a great WR but it's just one of those things that should never happen.



I'd be really surprised if Allen and Ogden don't make it in. I mean, being arguably the best Guard or LT in the history in the NFL who both have SB rings isn't enough?

[G Mobile]

Ward was a guy I will remember, but he isn't a guy I'll never forget.

The Hall is for special players and I just don't think he was historically special.

[Giantsfan1080]

Go Strahan!

e Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its list of 15 finalists Friday morning, a group which will be whittled to no more than five inductees the day before the Super Bowl.

The group includes four first-time eligible nominees: Guard Larry Allen, tackle Jonathan Ogden, defensive tackle Warren Sapp and defensive end Michael Strahan.

It also includes last year’s 10 finalists who missed the final cut: Running back Jerome Bettis, wide receivers Tim Brown, Cris Carter and Andre Reed, guard Will Shields, defensive end Charles Haley, linebacker Kevin Greene, cornerback Aeneas Williams along with Bill Parcells and Ed DeBartolo, Jr.
The 15th finalist is former Browns owner Art Modell.

[Vikings4ever]

I'll say Reed, Ogden, Allen, Shields, and either Modell or Parcells.

Carter should be in already, but I don't think he made the top 10 last year, while Reed did.

[WCH]

Hines Ward isn't getting in. Come on, guys. We aren't even positive that better receivers are getting in.

[MaxV]

Like him or not (and I don't) Warren Sapp should ABSOLUTELY be in the HOF. I don't see how it's even a debate.

You can make the case that he was the most all-around dominant DL of his time.

He lived in opponent's backfield.

[WCH]

Originally Posted by MaxV

Like him or not (and I don't) Warren Sapp should ABSOLUTELY be in the HOF. I don't see how it's even a debate.

You can make the case that he was the most all-around dominant DL of his time.

He lived in opponent's backfield.

Sapp was the prototypical undertackle for that system. He wasn't Reggie White or Bruce Smith, but he was right below them. Sapp and Simeon Rice were a nightmare to try to contain.

I always thought of him as a first-ballot guy, even though I hate his damn guts.

[FUNBUNCHER]

Originally Posted by WCH

Sapp was the prototypical undertackle for that system. He wasn't Reggie White or Bruce Smith, but he was right below them. Sapp and Simeon Rice were a nightmare to try to contain.

I always thought of him as a first-ballot guy, even though I hate his damn guts.

Sapp was the perfect player in the perfect system. If he'd been a NT in a 34, we might never have heard of him.

Some people need to remember that even elite players need to be put in the right offensive/defensive system that takes full advantage of their athletic skillset.

I hate Sapp too. But his game was the truth.

[JordanTaber]

Hines Ward will get in because he was a Steeler. Every significant member of the Steelers gets into the Hall of Fame. It's ridiculous, but that's the way it's always been.

Warren Sapp was a rare talent. You could have put him on the nose and used a different technique with him, but it would have been a waste of his pass rush ability.

[Halsey]

So winning Super Bowls won't be part of the reason? What about being one of a small number of players to ever catch 1,000 passes?

[DBNYDP]

I'm going to put my homer hat on for this one but the fact that Randy Gradishar isn't in is disappointing. One of the best MLBs, the leader of the Orange Crush defense, and just a very dominant defensive player in his day.

[stlouisfan37]

Originally Posted by Halsey

So winning Super Bowls won't be part of the reason? What about being one of a small number of players to ever catch 1,000 passes?

Right now there are 8 players with 1000 receptions. In the next decade that number will probably triple. Besides, the hall has shown us year after year that numbers do not get WRs in.

[Smooth Criminal]

Bettis I want in. Ward is a no. Not even worth going over the reasons.

Ogden and Allen should be in no problem.

[Splat]

Originally Posted by vidae

I'd love to see Will Shields enshrined, but I'm not sure how likely that is. He definitely deserves to be in there though.

Shields is going to get **** on with Ogden and Allen getting in and them not wanting three OL men going in the same year.