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| | Thursday, July 27 From the mailbag | |||||
| ESPN.com Who should be in the NFL Hall of Fame? Here's what fans had to say: Randy Gradishar - Linebacker. The heart of the Denver Broncos "Orange Crush" Defense. In my opinion the best 4th down/short yardage backer ever. He was a perpetual Pro Bowler, who was always, unfortunately overshadowed by Jack Lambert. Lambert was certainly deserving of his induction. So is Gradishar.
Sander Klein
It amazes me how longevity counts more than the quality of a career. When you think of sports, you think of prime time players making big plays in big games. With that in mind, Lynn Swann should absolutely be in the Hall of Fame. Here's a guy, who was a vital cog, at a skill position, on what is recognized as the best football dynasty ever - the four time Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the MVP of Super Bowl X and made numerous other game changing plays, many of them highlight film caliber, throughout the team's storied run. People want to talk about Andre Reed, Michael Irvin, Art Monk, as sure bets for the Hall, due in part to the number of career receptions. Swann was better than any of them. Here's a vote for for quality over quantity.
Larry Glickstein
As far as who should be in who isn't yet; ROGER CRAIG. He is the first to gain 1000 yards rushing and receiving in the same year. The first to score 3 TD in a Super Bowl. And a significant leader in the both 1985 and 1989 Super Bowls. While many remember Montana and his last minute orchestration of the game-winning drive, few remember how it was Roger Craig and MVP Jerry Rice who produced 90% of the offensive yards; and that Craig carried the Niners offensively for the season.
Nickolay Mak
Phil Simms deserves to be in the Hall. He led the Giants renaissance under Parcells and had one of the greatest Super Bowls for a passer ever. Plus, Simms was a class act who personified the commitment to excellence that was the late 80's-early 90's Giants. No doubt Phil deserves his place in Canton next to LT.
Mike Schor
Why not the Snake? Kenny Stabler is one of a few Super Bowl winning qb's not in the hall. He owned the completion percentage record for a while, too. Look at the other great qb's from the 70's: Griese, Bradshaw, Tarkenton, Staubach, Fouts...The Snake deserves his, too. Dave Casper, one of Stabler's favorite targets, deserves the honor, too. He has more than one highlight to his credit, unlike Mike Ditka; could block, too, unlike Kellen Winslow; and was the real prototype for the tight end position (not like the self-promoting Todd Christiansen). He also was clutch when a first down or touchdown was needed. The Snake and the Ghost are 2 others left off your list that should be in Canton.
Paul Keen
Hands down, without a doubt, Dan Hampton. He was the sole reason the Bears defense was so great in the early '80s. Without the Danimal in the middle, the Bears would never have been Superbowl champs. Besides, anyone who has 12 or so knee surgeries, should be put in for toughness alone, period.
Michael Cacciabondo
The Dolphins of the '70s were awesome. Three straight Super Bowl appearances, two championships and one 17-0 undefeated season. Five players and the head coach are in the Hall of Fame. BUT, all five players were on offense. It was the Dolphin defense that made them great. Middle linebacker Nick Bouniconti should be in Canton. Selected to the All-Time AFL first team, he put the "D" in Dolphins.
Bob Gosselin
One who truly deserves to be in Canton is Cincinnati Bengal QB Ken Anderson. A quiet personality, a non-flashy style of play and playing in a small market are factors keeping on the outside. Anderson holds 4 NFL passing titles (only Young and Baugh old more) and the record of the highest completion percentage in a season. He truly belongs.
Paul M.
There is only one player in any of the four major sports who is Hall eligible, was universally considered a ground-breaking, amazing player when active, and whose stats completely back up that status. Ray Guy. He needs to go in yesterday. Let's start the campaign in some SportsCenter ads... he'd look great breaking the studio lights with a punt, and I bet he can still punt it at least that high.
Doug Broda
I wonder why Deron Cherry doesn't get more consideration? He had a great 11 year career with Kansas City, making six Pro Bowls and starting five of them. He led the Chiefs and most safeties in tackles year in and out and anchored arguably the best secondary in the NFL throughout the 1980's.
Jack Harding
Two interesting points, embodied in two Cowboys players. First, Bob Hayes; Hayes changed the way the game was played because of his speed...not just speed, but catching and running with the ball. His biggest problem may be his trumped up criminal conviction. But then thank goodness for LT. Second, there is Daryl "Moose" Johnston. Fullbacks, by definition, don't put up flashy numbers, or usually have flashy personalities. How do you define "fame" for a fullback? BUT, if a true fullback will ever deserve election, it will be Moose, as he did the fullback schtick as well as anyone, and was a major factor on three Super Bowl champions. As a real fullback, Johnston would be a worthy choice.
Scott D. Mattson
It should be John Offerdahl. This was to the Dolphins what Mike Singletary was to the bears. Having gone to the Pro Bowl as a rookie and matured to become the equal of any middle linebacker in the game at the time, including Singletary it was a tragedy that his career was cut short by a series of injuries. What needs to be remembered is that unlike Singletary, Offerdahl never had McMichael, Dent, Perry and Co. to back him up, he was the heart and sould of an awful Dolphins defense, an island of strength in a sea of mediocrity.
Tim Chapman
Harry Carson belongs in Canton. Long unnoticed during the Giants bleak years of the late 70's and early 80's and then overshadowed by Bill Parcells, LT and Carl Banks. Carson did the job year in and year out and did it at an extremely high level. He was one of the premier middle linebackers during his career. Carson was the foundation for the Big Blue Wrecking Crew and gave the Giants defense credibility and class both on the field and off.
Charles Yeager
Carl Eller should easily be in the hall of fame. No questions asked. He played on a team that dominated the NFC Central for an entire decade and went to three Super Bowls in the '70's. He was a dominate defensive force on the dominant defensive team of his era. He should easily be in ahead of somebody like Jack Youngblood.
Jay Kautt
Sterling Sharpe...hands down the best reciever of the early 90's...he set the record for receptions 2 years in a row, while playing an entire season listed as questionable for every game. Jerry Rice may have had a better career, but Sharpe was the best in his prime.
Tim Scott
Pat Fischer should be in the Hall of Fame. Nobody in the history of the NFL did more with less natural and physical ability. But, when he retired, he had played more games at corner than any other player, not a feat to be laughed at. He was small and not all that fast, but he knew how to play the game well for 17 seasons.
Gary von Maucher
Lynn Swann. There is no doubt this man should be in the Hall of Fame. This man has been robbed. He earned it on the field and through the way he carries himself. The NFL is in a state of moral crises, lets reward a man who not only earned it on the field but off the field as well. Lynn Swann was a fantastic football player and he is and always has been a class act.
Chris Randall
Larry Grantham (Linebacker) from the Champion New York Jets was one great player from the team that was overlooked in my opinion. A great , gutsy player who gave his all. Always earning praise from his opponents offensive squad, and an all pro as I remember. The great Jets team was more than Namath and Maynard. Grantham was the heart and soul of that defense. A true coach on the field.
Tony Petrillo
Mike Hauschild
I Believe Scott Studwell a middle linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings during the 80's and 90's should be in the Hall of Fame. Ask anybody who is familiar with the Central Division about Scott Studwell and they will tell you he was a excellent player. He ranked second behind Dick Butkus at Illionios for career tackles as well.
Jainley
| ALSO SEE Who belongs in Cooperstown? Who should be in the NHL Hall of Fame? Who deserves to be in the NBA Hall of Fame? In-depth: The Hall of Fame debate | |||||