The Pro Football Hall of Fame came out yesterday with its list of 26 semifinalists for enshrinement, and there are plenty of guys worthy of discussion. Long discussion. 
I've printed the list below, and let us know if you think certain guys do or do not belong.
One of the more intriguing debates might center on Terrell Davis, the former Broncos running back who helped the team to its two Super Bowl victories. Davis certainly had Hall of Fame talent, and he did rush for over 2,000 yards in 1998. But longevity is my big issue with him, and that's why I believe he won't make it.
Davis played from 1995-2002, but had only four seasons where he rushed for 1,000 or more yards. Four. It's just not enough.
It's certainly not Davis' fault that knee problems shortened his career. But it's a factor you simply cannot ignore in the Hall of Fame debate. Again, the talent was there, the longevity wasn't.
(UPDATE: Davis was a semifinalist last year as well, but didn't make it in. The major factor cited: his shortened career. Even teammate Mark Schlereth, now an ESPN analyst, agreed Davis didn't play long enough. Here's a link to a story about it.)
Here's the list. The Hall of Fame selections will take place the day before Super Bowl XLII.
Have at it, people.
Cris Carter, WR – 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins
Terrell Davis, RB – 1995-2001 Denver Broncos
Dermontti Dawson, C – 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers
Fred Dean, DE – 1975-1981 San Diego Chargers, 1981-85 San Francisco 49ers
Richard Dent, DE – 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles
Randy Gradishar, LB – 1974-1983 Denver Broncos
Darrell Green, CB – 1983-2002 Washington Redskins
Kevin Greene, LB/DE – 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers
Russ Grimm, G – 1981-1991 Washington Redskins
Ray Guy, P – 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Charles Haley, DE/LB – 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys
Lester Hayes, CB – 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Rickey Jackson, LB – 1981-1993 New Orleans Saints, 1994-95 San Francisco 49ers
Joe Jacoby, T – 1981-1993 Washington Redskins
Cortez Kennedy, DT – 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks
Bob Kuechenberg, G – 1970-1984 Miami Dolphins
Randall McDaniel, G – 1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-01 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Art Monk, WR – 1980-1993 Washington Redskins, 1994 New York Jets, 1995 Philadelphia Eagles
Andre Reed, WR –1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins
Ken Stabler, QB – 1970-79 Oakland Raiders, 1980-81 Houston Oilers, 1982-84 New Orleans Saints
Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner – 1989-2006 National Football League
Steve Tasker, Special Teams/WR – 1985-1986 Houston Oilers, 1986-1997 Buffalo Bills
Derrick Thomas, LB – 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs
Andre Tippett, LB – 1982-1993 New England Patriots
George Young, GM/Administrator – 1968-1974 Baltimore Colts, 1975-78 Miami Dolphins, 1979-1997 New York Giants, 1998-2001 National Football League
Gary Zimmerman, T – 1986-1992 Minnesota Vikings, 1993-97 Denver Broncos
Comments (15)
Are you kidding? TD was one of the best running backs ever to play the game. While everyone believes that Curtis Martin is a shoo in because he gained so many yards over so many seasons, he never won a super bowl or dominated in the playoffs like TD.
The only Denver Bronco in the HOF is John Elway for the same reason Matt Holliday lost out on the MVP to Rollins this year. Denver sports teams have never been taken seriously or respected on the national stage.
Granted, I'm a homer, but I don't believe that Rod Smith should be in the HOF either, because he never dominated at any time. He played well over a long period, but that doesn't make him more than an above average player.
TD was special and should be recognized as such. Once were on the issue, what about Gary Zimmerman and Steve Atwater too?
Terrell Davis should be in the NFL.
I'm too young to comment on most of the list but, from what I know:
Darrell Green, Derrick Thomas and Paul Tagliabue are shoe-ins, Art Monk should be in already, and Kevin Greene should go in for his performances in World Championship Wrestling.
My previous post should have started "Terrell Davis should be in the HOF".
He should still be in the NFL too if it weren't for injuries.
What a tough list...you can make a case for every single one of these players being enshrined. I do not envy the selection committee as it makes its final choice, but I would love to be a fly on the wall in that room when the debate begins.
is there a limit as to how many can go in in a single year? I would put my top 5 from that list in this order:
1. Art Monk
2. Derrick Thomas
3. Cris Carter
4. Russ Grimm
5. George Young
As for TD, I don't think he is a HOF'er. As you stated, you need to have longevity. Look at it in terms of baseball careers - Someone could smack 50 home runs in 4 out of 7 years they played, but that certainly doesn't make them a HOFer. When I think of the HOF, which I have visited once and cannot wait to go back to, I think of the Greatest of the Greatest. Sure, TD was on track to be that guy, but an injury cut down his career. Is Bo Jackson in the HOF? Nope. Would you consider him one of the greatest players of his era - in both football and baseball - without a doubt. However, injuries cut his career short and now we are just blessed with YouTube (and anyone with a copy of Tecmo Bowl that still works) to show the younger generation just how dominant he was on the gridiron.
I enjoy TD on the NFLN (thanks to DirectTV) and loved his game when he played. Just too bad he didn't play longer.
bigfroe:
Yes, there is a limit, as well as a minimum. At least four must get in, up to a maximum of seven.
BG
I am too young to have seen some of the older gentlemen on here. Terrell Davis is not a Hall of Famer. (is Lynn Swann?)
Without looking at stats and working off of memory:
1) Darrell Green
2) Chris Carter
3) Joe Jacoby
4) Art Monk (about time)
5) Bob Glauber
6) Steve Tasker (same reason for Guy)
7) Ray Guy (best at his position all time, and that is a position on the fb team)
I like Karl's list as it rightfully includes Ray Guy. Showing my Steelers bias, Dermontti Dawson was an awesome player who was the one of the best centers of his time and was able to pull on the Steelers' bread-and-butter traps. I still can't believe Art Monk isn't in. If Davis goes in, so should Bo Jackson. He was the best, as Lance says about TD, but only for about 6 weeks. Where do you draw the line on longevity Lance? 2 years does not a HOFer make. Zimmerman deseves it more than TD. How about Ricky Upchurch? Best punt returner of his time - maybe ever.
Bo Jackson never won a frigin Super Bowl. Can someone throw me a bone here?
Yes, Bo Jackson, he was an amazing player, but not in TD's league. TD ran for 100 or more yards in practically every playoff game he played. Plus, don't forget.that Green Bay had one of the best rush defenses when TD ran all over them in the Super Bowl.
BBiB, how many Steelers are in the HOF? There is only ONE Bronco and that's not because there were no amazing players to pass through the franchise. I think Jason Elam should be in the HOF as well, but that will likely never happen, mainly because he plays for a Denver based team.
Carter, Darrell Green and Derrick Thomas for sure. As for the linemen, I haven't been around long enough to have watched that part of the game and comment. As for the rest of the guys, I'll leave that up to those who know better than I.
Lance,
Hall of Fame generally means a period of time, not just great for a few years. Terrell Davis had a couple of great years, but that doesn't mean he's Hall of Fame worthy. Unfortunately, injuries are a part of the game. So Hall of Famers are both good and blessed with good health over a long period of time.
At least you remember that it wasn't Elway that gave the Broncos 2 Super Bowl Rings, it was TD that carried Elway.
Thank you.
Hey Karl,
How do you explain Gale Sayers, who played just over 4 1/2 full seasons and finished with 991 rushes for 4,956 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Granted TD's career was also cut short, but he was one of the best to ever play the game, with amazing strength and speed.
Bob, I can't believe your stance on this! If he played for a New York team you would definitely have a different opinion.
Bob
It kills me that Klecko doesn't get more respect. What is it with the agendas of the voters?
Davis - no way. Shining star, but burned out too quickly.
Green - no brainer, first ballot HOFer
Monk - for catching more 8 yd hitches than anyone? so?
Stabler - no
Tags - give me a break
Tasker - yes
Tippett - yes
Dawson - probably, so yes
Carter - yes
Anyway, you do a great blog. Long time, first time.
Only 5 modern day players can get in. Two senior committee nominees will be voted on seperately.
I'd be shocked in Green didn't get in on a first ballot. Carter probably will too, though the hall has been tough on wideouts. The other three spots will be up for grabs.
As for Davis, I see him as a HOF talent. Four years of dominance and an injury shortened career was enough for Gale Sayers. But I don't see him getting in this year. But he'll have 23 more chances.
This year, I'd take these
1. Darrell Green - In my book the best all around corner I saw. Took out half the field, you just didn't throw to his side. And he played the run. And made plays in the return game. Took out the Bears with a great return in the 87 run.
2. Cris Carter - 2nd in most major statistical categories to Rice. "Only caught touchdowns."
3. Gary Zimmerman - All other players that were elected to two different all decade teams were eventually elected to the Hall. Time for Z to get in.
4. Fred Dean - Dominant player in his era. Walsh's trade transformed the 81 49ers into a championship defense.
5. Art Monk. Yeah. He caught a lot of 8 yard outs. After three of them he'd fake it and go for 30. That was his role. Charlie Sanders wasn't going over the middle. All the other role players, including the quarterbacks, Gibbs was able to replace. Monk was the constant.