Twice a year, I rant and complain about how wrong Hall of Fame balloting is and this actually might be the third time this year. The NFL is about to induct 6 men into footballs hallowed hall and I could not disagree more with its selections. Willie Roaf is the only Hall of Famer on this list. Dawson was good, but he was no better than Bart Oates, Mark Stepnoski. Cortez Kennedy was oft injured and though quite talented never left an impact on the game as a Mean Joe Greene, Randy White, did. Chris Doleman was no different a player than a Pat Swilling, Charles Haley, Kevin Greene, Greg Lloyd. They were all Lawrence Taylor wannabees and none of them could even compare. Curtis Martin? He has one achievement that is hall worthy. He won a rushing title at age 31. He played in one Super Bowl and he was not the reason the Jets won or loss or the Patriots. Martin is in over Bettis? I don't much about the other guy so I will spare him but what is going on here?
The Hall of Fame is supposed to be a place for the cream of the crop. The players, coaches, NFL personnel that made the game better. The NFL has several candidates who are more Hall worthy than the players enshrined this weekend. Will Shields was the best offensive guard in football for the last 15 years. He made pro bowl after pro bowl and was on the all decade team. Charles Haley was the second most feared defender in football behind Lawrence Taylor. He has 5 SUPER BOWL RINGS!!!!! Ask Jim Kelly, Phil Simms, Steve Young about the impact on a game that Charles Haley had. Ask Jimmie Johnson and George Seifert about the Value of having a Charles Haley on their defenses. His snub is the most glaring because HE HAS 5 RINGS and he was a vital contributor to the success and failure of his teams. Bill Parcells is not in the Hall of Fame. What a joke that is. He led the Giants to the Super Bowl twice. He took the Jets to the championship game with Vinny as his qb. He took the Patriots to the Super against the Packers. He has a better resume than Marv Levy who he defeated in his final Super Bowl win. What about Cris Carter? He has over 1,100 catches in his career. Tim Brown who has over a thousand catches in his career? Andre Reed? These men were on par with Micheal Irvin. Brown and Reed were the top 2 receivers in the AFC. Marvin Harrison who is a first ballot guy also deferred to these guys before his career took off.
Is the vote that difficult to make? Everyone thinks they are a football expert but very few have a clue as to what is smart, right or wrong? Jerry Kramer is not in the Hall of Fame. He was voted on to the NFL 50th anniversary team. There are only 25 spots on that team and he is not in the Hall of fame? Is it ego? Is it a control thing? I realize that the finalist are presented by a sports writer who makes a case for his guy and then there is a vote. I wish someone can tell me what memorable thing each of the six enshrinees did in their career to make them Hall worthy. I remember Willie Roaf for his glasses and the game on Monday night football when he chased down a Dallas Cowboy who was running back an interception for a touchdown. I remember Curtis Martin scoring a touchdown in the Super Bowl against the Packers and then Desmond Howard returning the kick back for a touchdown. I remember Cortez Kennedy always hurt and sacking Phil Simms once in a game. Dermonti Dawson making a block for Jerome Bettis. Wow those were Hall of Fame moments. I am really at a loss on this one. I can't wait to see the speeches on Saturday. I can't wait to see how many rabid fans are going to show up to honor these men. Roaf is lucky that the Saints are playing in the game. Maybe Toni Braxton will show up for Curtis Martin. The hall got this one wrong.
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