NFL Hall of Fame Debates: 1990-1997 Draft Classes

The NFL Hall of Fame. Yes I am aware it's called the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but with only 1 non-NFL player in the Hallowed Halls of Canton, I think it's safe, though not fair, to call it the NFL Hall of Fame. But that's another rant for another day. I decided to take a look at players drafted between 1990-2005 and debate, myself, whether or not they belong in the Hall of Fame when their day comes. Now I realize that there are only 4-7 players inducted each year. And yes I realize just how hard it is to make it into the Hall, and I don't want to saturate the Hall of Fame with players who don't belong, but still I figured it was about time to look at active and recently retired players who will (or in some cases have already) be up for the vote in the near future.

Looking at the list of about 70-80 players I have in front of me I assure you that there will be more that I suggest for entry than is feasible based on the voting procedures. These are the players that I think have a decent shot at the Hall of Fame, or ones who I personally think should garner attention though they most likely won't ever make it to the finalist ballot of 17. A brief look at the Hall of Fame will show that, much like the Heisman, there is a substantially low ratio of non "skill" players represented in the Hall of Fame. Just like the Heisman should pretty much be issued to the top QB every year (oh wait...it already is) the Hall of Fame tends to only recognize those who put up numbers, and in a high percentage of instances of recent memory it is offensive numbers. Thus the numbers of Lineman both offense and defense, and Kickers, Linebackers, DBs, et. al. are vastly underrepresented.

And for the record I used a mix of Pro-Football-Reference.com and NFL.com. There may be discrepencies or incomplete stats, specifically with things like Tackles, Passes Defended, etc. which were not officially kept in the past that are now. To quote PFR, "We have tackle data for all players who were active in 1994 or later. Prior to 1994, the tackle data is unofficial, inconsistently recorded from team to team, and incomplete in our database. Also, before 1994, some teams recorded assists while others didn't, so we have lumped tackles plus assists together in the tackles column for those years. From 1994 to 2000, tackles were not an official stat, but were recorded consistently and should be complete in our database. From 2001 to the present, tackles have been an official statistic". And that is where I'm getting tackle data from.

The stats are, for the most part (when applicable) including the 2008 season that just ended, but some stats may be incomplete. Also, as is always the case with Pro Bowls, some players might be added to the Pro Bowl to fill in for injured/uninterested players currently on the rosters. Also, to my knowledge, the 2008 All-Pros have not yet been announced.

1990-
Junior Seau: Active (For now)
12 Pro Bowls
6x First Team All-Pro
1994 Walter Payton Man of the Year
56.5 Sacks
18 INTs
11 Forced Fumbles
17 Fumble Recoveries
1835 Total Tackles
IN - Despite his connections to Spygate and the Patriots.

Emmitt Smith: Retired (Eligible 2010)
8 Pro Bowls
4x First Team All-Pro
#1 All-Time Carries (4409)
#1 All-Time Rushing Yards (18,355)
#2 All-Time TDs (175)
#1 All-Time Rushing TDs (164)
IN - Despite the fact that I think he barely cracks the Top Ten of All-Time RBs and despite his seasons in Arizona.

LeRoy Butler: Retired (Eligible since '07)
4 Pro Bowls
4x First Team All-Pro
13 Forced Fumbles
10 Fumble Recoveries
38 INTs
889 Total Tackles
OUT

Brian Mitchell: Retired (Eligible 2009)
1 Pro Bowl
1x First Team All-Pro
13 Punt/Kick Return TDs (#1 All-Time)
23,316 All Purpose Yds (#2 All-Time)
19,013 Kick/Punt Return Yds (#1 All-Time)
OUT - Barely, unless they open a Special Teams wing.

Shannon Sharpe: Retired (Eligible 2009)
8 Pro Bowls
4x First Team All-Pro
815 catches (#2 All-Time TE)
10,060 Yds Receiving (#2 All-Time TE)
62 TDs (#3 All-Time TE)
IN - I would say definately but the fact that his numbers drop below those of a traditional WR might keep him at bay.

Matt Stover: Active
1 Pro Bowl
1x First Team All-Pro
#5 All-Time Points Scored
#3 All-Time Field Goals Made
OUT - Though I'd vote for him.

John Randle: Retired (Eligible 2009)
7 Pro Bowls
6x First Team All-Pro
137.5 Sacks (#6 All-Time)
29 Forced Fumbles
11 Fumble Recoveries
556 Total Tackles
Too Close - He was a terror in Minnesota, but his Seattle Seasons may count against him.

1991-
Brett Favre - active (for now)
10 Pro Bowls
3 First Team All-Pro
#1 in Completions, Attempts, Yards, TDs, and INTs
463 Passing TDs
14 Rushing TDs
157 Fumbles (#2 All-Time)
307 INTs
IN - Though I think he is the most overrated player in the history of the NFL, he is still one of the Top Ten QBs of All-Time hands down, but a personal Turnover:TD Ratio of 464:477 isn't really the greatest ratio. It's actually very Grossman-like.

Aeneas Williams: Retired (Eligible 2010)
8 Pro Bowls
3x First Team All-Pro
55 INTs
13 Defensive TDs (#3 All-Time)
794 Total Tackles
OUT - But he makes a few appearances in the Final 17 in my book. He went to the Pro Bowl 6 times with the Cardinals, that enough is enough of an accomplishment to get my vote.

Erik Williams: Retired (Eligble since '07)
4 Pro Bowls
2x First Team All-Pro
Stats: see Emmitt Smith
OUT - One of the leaders of the offensive line that should get 75% of Emmitt Smith's credit, alas Offensive Lineman are shunned from Canton.

1992-
N/A

1993-
Drew Bledsoe: Retired (Eligible 2012)
4 Pro Bowls
#5 All-Time in Completions and Attempts
#13 in TDs
OUT - But Pity Points for getting replaced by two potential Hall of Famers, and a few killer blocks he threw on reverses over the years. Bonus points for "his" comedic, now defunct blog.



Willie Roaf: Retired (Eligible 2011)
11 Pro Bowls
3x First Team All-Pro
189 GP/189 Starts
IN - There is no valid arguement against this and any other result is absolutely ridiculous in thought.

Jerome Bettis: Retired (Eligible 2011)
6 Pro Bowls
2x First Team All-Pro
1993 Offensive Rookie of the Year
2001 Walter Payton Man of the Year
#4 All-Time in Carries
#5 All-Time in Yards
#10 All-Time in Rushing TDs
IN - Maybe, it will take a few ballots.

Michael Strahan: Retired (Eligible 2013)
7 Pro Bowls
4x First Team All-Pro
2001 Defensive Player of the Year
141.5 Sacks (#5 All-Time)
Twice led the League in Sacks
All-Time Single Season Sack Leader (22.5 - Thanks Brett)
IN - Popularity, coming back for the Super Bowl Season, and the Single Season record get him over the hump.

Jason Elam: Active
3 Pro Bowls
#6 All-Time in Points Scored
#5 All-Time in FGs Made
Tied for longest successful FG (63 yds) in NFL History
OUT - Sorry kickers

John Lynch: Retired (Eligible 2013)
9 Pro Bowls
3x First Team All-Pro
26 INTs
16 Forced Fumbles
9 Fumble Recoveries
1058 Total Tackles
OUT - Unfortunately for one of my all-time favorites, unless the voters look at how he played, and hit, rather than the numbers in the stat column, Lynch will be on the outside looking in despite his hard nosed, hard hitting career.

Lorenzo Neal: Active
4 Pro Bowls
2x First Team All-Pro
Stats: see 1999/00 Eddie George & Steve McNair, 2001/02 Corey Dillon, 2003-07 LaDanian Tomlinson
OUT - Too bad, he's one of the top FB's of All-Time, but to voters he'll just be a running Lineman.

1994-
Marshall Faulk: Retired (Eligible 2011)
7 Pro Bowls
3x First Team All-Pro
1994 Offensive Rookie of the Year
3x AP Offensive Player of the Year (1999, 2000, 2001)
2x Pro Football Writers MVP (2000, 2001)
2000 AP MVP
19.154 Yds from Scrimmage (#4 All-Time)
136 TDs (#5 All-Time)
IN

Isaac Bruce: Active (For Now)
4 Pro Bowls
#5 All-Time Receptions
#2 All-Time Receiving Yds
#9 All-Time Receiving TDs
IN - By the skin of his teeth, "Greatest Show on Turf" Super Bowl seals it.

Larry Allen: Retired (Eligible 2013)
11 Pro Bowls
6x First Team All-Pro
Stats: see Emmitt Smith, Erik Williams
OUT - see Erik Williams, but might make a couple Finalist ballots.

Tom Nalen: Retired (Eligible 2013)
5 Pro Bowls
1x First Team All-Pro
see. 1000+ yd individual rushers in Terrell Davis (1995-1998), Olandis Gary (1999), Mike Anderson (2000 & 2005), Clinton Portis (2002/03), Reuben Droughns (2004), Tatum Bell (2006). Also in 1994, 2001, and 2007 the top 2 combined for over 1300 yds each season.
ON THE FENCE

Kurt Warner: Active (Did Not play in the Regular Season until 1998)
4 Pro Bowls
2x First Team All-Pro
1999 MVP (AP, PFWA, Bert Bell)
1999 Super Bowl MVP
2001 AP MVP
#4 All-Time QB Rating
#1 All-Time Passing Yds/G
IN - Despite the fact that he missed 4 years due to being undiscovered and bagging groceries. What he's done in Arizona is enough to give him a Bronze Bust.

1995-
Tony Boselli: Retired (Eligible since '07)
5 Pro Bowls
3x First Team All-Pro
Started 90/91 Games
OUT - Frequent Injuries will be what stands between him and Canton. One of the All Around Good Guys in the NFL.

Steve McNair: Retired (Eligible 2013)
3 Pro Bowls
2003 AP MVP
#9 All-Time in Rushing Yds/Att
211 TDs (Rushing and Passing)
OUT - One of the pioneer dual threat hybrid QBs, injuries plagued him throughout his career playing in all 16 games only 4/10 seasons. Often played through multiple injuries.

Warren Sapp: Retired (Eligible 2013)
7 Pro Bowls
4x First Team All-Pro
1999 Defensive Player of the Year
96.5 Sacks
438 Tackles
19 Forced Fumbles
12 Fumble Recoveries
573 Total Tackles
IN - Stats don't tell the whole story of the self proclaimed QB Killa. Sapp spent most of his career getting double teamed by Offensive Lineman and freeing up teammates Derrick Brooks, Simeon Rice, John Lynch, and the rest of the Feared Bucs D to destroy opposing offenses.

Ty Law: Active
5 Pro Bowls
2x First Team All-Pro
52 INTs
7 Forced Fumbles
5 Fumble Recoveries
834 Total Tackles
7 Def. TDs
OUT

Derrick Brooks: Active
10 Pro Bowls
5x First Team All-Pro
25 INTs
24 Forced Fumbles
1715 Total Tackles
7 Def. TDs
IN

Curtis Martin: Retired (Eligible 2011)
5 Pro Bowls
1x First Team All-Pro
1995 Offensive Rookie of the Year
#4 All-Time Rushing Yds. (14,101)
#12 All-Time Rushing TDs (90)
#7 All-Time yds from Scrimmage (17,430)
10/11 1,000 yd seasons
IN - But it will take a few ballots

Terrell Davis: Retired (Eligible since '07)
3 Pro Bowls
3x First Team All-Pro
1996 & 1998 Offensive Player of the Year
1997 Super Bowl MVP
1998 AP & PFWA MVP
#3 All-Time in Rushing Yds/G (97.5)
OUT - Injuries will ultimately keep him out, he's not in the Top Ten in most of the highly regarded categories due to only appearing in 78 games.

1996-
Simeon Rice: Inactive (unsigned, unretired, as of now eligible in 2013)
3 Pro Bowls
1x First Team All-Pro
1996 Defensive Rookie of the Year
122 Sacks (#12 All-Time)
5 INTs
28 Forced Fumbles
475 Tackles
OUT - Had he not had issues with the Tampa and Denver Front Offices regarding Injuries and Playing Time he could have been a guaranteed HoFer. 2nd Fastest to 100 Sacks behind the Late Reggie White.

Jonathan Ogden: Retired (Eligible 2013)
11 Pro Bowls
4x First Team All-Pro
Started 176/177 games
IN

Marvin Harrison: Active
8 Pro Bowls
3x First Team All-Pro
#2 All-Time in Receptions (1102)
#4 All-Time in Receiving Yds (14,580)
#5 All-Time in Receiving TDs (128)
IN - Marvin, say Thank You to Peyton, and don't forget to hide the Gun.

Ray Lewis: Active
10 Pro Bowls
5x First Team All-Pro
2000 & 2003 Defensive Player of the Year
2000 Super Bowl MVP
2000 Indicted on Murder Charges (charges dropped to a lesser plea)
28 INTs
11 Forced Fumbles
15 Fumble Recoveries
1635 Total Tackles
IN - Stats don't say a lot but his reputation and image should be enough to get him over the hump.

Brian Dawkins: Active
7 Pro Bowls
4x First Team All-Pro
34 INTs
97 PDs
32 Forced Fumbles
16 Fumble Recoveries
913 Tackles
OUT

Tedy Bruschi: Active
1 Pro Bowl
2005 Comeback Player of the Year (From a Stroke!)
12 INTs
44 PDs
1067 Total Tackles
OUT - Sadly enough, the Former UA Defensive Lineman is a great story and an even better player, but he's not going to the Hall despite the Rings.

Terrell Owens: Active
6 Pro Bowls
5x First Team All-Pro
#6 All-Time Receptions (951)
#5 All-Time Receiving Yds (14,122)
#2 All Time Receiving TDs (139)
#4 All Time TDs (141)
Largest Tumor in recorded history.
Real QB Killa (sorry Warren, but he takes them down in the media and psyche, you just physically harmed them)
IN - You can't argue with the numbers, though it will be fun watching as he gets passed by the first 2-5 ballots as other more media friendly candidates head into the Hall.

Zach Thomas: Active
7 Pro Bowls
5x First Team All-Pro
20.5 Sacks
17 INTs
16 Forced Fumbles
1733 Total Tackles
OUT

1997-
Orlando Pace: Active
7 Pro Bowls
3x First Team All-Pro
IN - ask Steven Jackson, Marshall Faulk, and Kurt Warner's Blindside

Tony Gonzalez: Active
10 Pro Bowls
4x First Team All-Pro
#9 All-Time Receptions (916)
#1 All-Time Receiving Yds for a TE (10,940)
#1 All-Time Receptions for a TE (916)
#1 All-Time TDs for a TE (76)
IN

Tiki Barber: Retired (Eligible 2012)
3 Pro Bowls
1x First Team All-Pro
#10 All-Time Yds from Scrimmage (15,632)
#11 All-Time All Purpose Yds (17,357)
OUT

Ronde Barber: Active
4 Pro Bowls
3x First Twam All-Pro
23 Sacks
37 INTs
125 PDs
11 Forced Fumbles
904 Total Tackles
12 Def/Spec. Teams TDs (#6 All-Time)
OUT

Jason Taylor: Active
6 Pro Bowls
3x First Team All-Pro
2006 Defensive Player of the Year
2007 Walter Payton Man of the Year
120.5 Sacks (#14 All-Time)
7 INTs
40 Forced Fumbles
26 Fumble Recoveries
680 Total Tackles
8 Defensive TDs
IN - Barely, a Super Bowl would push him over the top, but his Dancing with the Stars appearance might be helpful as far as public perception.

That brings us to 1998. Tomorrow I'll have '98 through 2004 or '05 I haven't really decided how recent to go. What to expect? I'll give you a hint, the first name on the list is Peyton Manning, and he gets an "IN" vote from me. What about Edgerrin? Urlacher? Vick? Peppers? Palmer? Elisha? Who knows....