Who's overlooked by the Pro Football HOF, and why

[Hugh Mungus]

With the announcement back in August that Jerry Jones (among others) was one of the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, can you think of anyone who's overlooked by them, and why?

Here's what I can think of:

• Jimmy Johnson: His stint with the Dolphins, while still good, wasn't anywhere near as successful with the Cowboys
• George Seifert: Although he won two Super Bowls, he won it with Bill Walsh's team and staff, and he eventually bottomed out with the Panthers, going 1-15 in 2001
• Tom Flores: His stint with the Seahawks was disappointing
• Don Coryell: No Super Bowl trips

Speaking of Jerry Jones, some Broncos fans were upset that Pat Bowlen got passed over in favor of Jones.

[Deleted]

2 of the 4 kickers in the Hall also played other positions: George Blanda & Lou Groza. (You can also make cases for guys like Sammy Baugh, Paul Hornung and a host of other two-way players.)

So, if you're a purist, there is only one place kicker (Jan Stenrud) and one punter (Ray Guy).

Something is wrong with that picture.

[Ganon83]

Jerry Kramer, because a lot of voters/league executives think he's already in

[Hugh Mungus]

I forgot to mention Art Modell, but due to him moving the old Browns to Baltimore and turning them into the Ravens, who would eventually win two Super Bowls...

[Spider2024]

Nov 5, 2016 8:44:04 GMT -5 @sandman said:

2 of the 4 kickers in the Hall also played other positions: George Blanda & Lou Groza. (You can also make cases for guys like Sammy Baugh, Paul Hornung and a host of other two-way players.)

So, if you're a purist, there is only one place kicker (Jan Stenrud) and one punter (Ray Guy).

Something is wrong with that picture.

Vinatieri and Gotskowski will be there eventually.

Also, I want Kurt Warner in the Hall.

[angryfan]

Nov 5, 2016 8:44:04 GMT -5 @sandman said:

2 of the 4 kickers in the Hall also played other positions: George Blanda & Lou Groza. (You can also make cases for guys like Sammy Baugh, Paul Hornung and a host of other two-way players.)

So, if you're a purist, there is only one place kicker (Jan Stenrud) and one punter (Ray Guy).

Something is wrong with that picture.

Fact that Morten Andersen isn't in, the all tiem leading scorer in NFL history, has been passed over three times now is a shame. I get it, kicker isn't a sexy position, but how any voter can look at what he did, for how long he did it, his numbers and his ability to be money from a ton of distances for so so long is a shame.

[andrew8798]

They don't see Kickers and Punters as real football players. Its the same thing with most fans

[angryfan]

Nov 5, 2016 17:38:52 GMT -5 andrew8798 said:

They don't see Kickers and Punters as real football players. Its the same thing with most fans

Oh, I know their rationale and mindset, but by that same standard then make offensive linemen do the kicks. It, to me, is no different from the "no DH's in the hall" crap from baseball. It's basically saying "here, come play for us, but no matter what you do, how well you do it, that ultimate prize of enshrining you in the hall of fame is off the table the minute you suit up".

[RadcapRadsley]

The problem is Punters in particular now have almost hit their peak level like track & field people so it dwarfs the stats of the past but their is really not much seperating the best punters. You put 1 in and then people will be like A is in why not B and I don't think they want to open that box.

[sfvega]

First off, they really pretty much don't induct kickers and punters. There's a wide gap between worrying that anybody good can get in and not letting anybody in. Andersen should be in. Vinatieri will be in, but he is probably the best kicker ever and has an ungodly postseason resumé. So that really puts a ridiculous standard to get in (if you let in Vinatieri and not Andersen.) There are All Time greats at their position who aren't in the HOF. That kinda defeats the purpose.

I would say Kevin Greene normally, but they really shut me up this year.

I was a Bucs fan, and Sapp and Brooks are in. I personally don't think Barber and Lynch will get in. They're on the wrong side of questionable and were never dominant. Now Simeon Rice, he needs to get in. Dominant pass rusher.

Zach Thomas is a maybe, but probably won't make it. Linebackers seem to need to be the elite of the elite.

Bosselli wasn't Pace or Ogden or Walter Jones, but he deserves to make it in IMO.

A grab bag of at least 2 WRs out of Owens, Holt, Bruce, and Jimmy/Rod Smith. Chad Johnson just missed it for lack of longevity IMO. They're overlooked just because they're in such a tight pack. Who really knows which get in?

[Lupin the Third]

Nov 5, 2016 8:44:04 GMT -5 @sandman said:

2 of the 4 kickers in the Hall also played other positions: George Blanda & Lou Groza. (You can also make cases for guys like Sammy Baugh, Paul Hornung and a host of other two-way players.)

So, if you're a purist, there is only one place kicker (Jan Stenrud) and one punter (Ray Guy).

Something is wrong with that picture.

Adam Vinatieri should be in the Hall when he retires.

Morten Andersen and Gary Anderson should be in the Hall.

Vanderjagt, for all his transgressions, should be in the Hall. He was the most accurate kicker for field goals, until Stephen Gostkowski and Dan Bailey surpassed him. And I think both of them should be in the Hall as well.

As for punters? Well, I'm a bit biased, but I think Pat McAfee should go in after he retires.

[Mayonnaise]

Pat Bowlen easily. Since he took over few teams have been as successful as the Broncos. Since he took over in 1984 they have 27 winning seasons and 0 back to back losing seasons. 18 Playoff trips, 9 AFC Conference Title Game appearances, 7 Super Bowl appearances and 3 Super Bowl titles. I cannot think of that many teams that can claim to be that successful over such a long period of time.

[Hugh Mungus]

Nov 14, 2016 0:16:14 GMT -5 Mayonnaise said:

Pat Bowlen easily. Since he took over few teams have been as successful as the Broncos. Since he took over in 1984 they have 27 winning seasons and 0 back to back losing seasons. 18 Playoff trips, 9 AFC Conference Title Game appearances, 7 Super Bowl appearances and 3 Super Bowl titles. I cannot think of that many teams that can claim to be that successful over such a long period of time.

Speaking of Bowlen, some Broncos fans were upset and/or angry that Jerry Jones was chosen over Bowlen for HOF consideration, probably due to the fact that Jones is still working, and that Bowlen had to retire due to his Alzheimer's.

[Ganon83]

Jones had a more significant impact on the industry, for better or worse, than Bowlen.

[Mozenrath]

Ray Finkle. In addition to being a murderer, and kidnapper of both Dan Marino and a dolphin, they also are not real.

[karl100589]

Jim Marshall of the Minnesota Vikings

270 successive NFL starts, Four Superbowl appearances, and yet overlooked by the HOF because of THAT wrong way run.

[Jedi-El of Tomorrow]

Roger Craig - He was a key part of the Niners dynasty, was the first in NFL history to rush and receive for over 1,000 yards in the same season, he revolutionized the running back position, and I have no f***ing clue as to why he's not in the Hall of Fame.

[Push R Truth]

Nov 16, 2016 6:26:41 GMT -5 karl100589 said:

Jim Marshall of the Minnesota Vikings

270 successive NFL starts, Four Superbowl appearances, and yet overlooked by the HOF because of THAT wrong way run.

Damn right.

It's like keeping Brett Favre out of the Hall of Fame because of his single most boneheaded interception.

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

Shane Lechler should get in the Hall of Fame after he retires. He is the best punter of our generation and if you are the best at your position - you should be in.