nyjunc said:
I was always for Art Monk getting into the Hall but examining his #s more closely he was really just a compiler. He played 16 years and was only in the top 10 in recs 4 times, top 10 in rec yards 3 times and top 10 in rec TDs ONCE(where he was 9th). If you look at his overall #s they looked good but mainly b/c he played 16 years.
I totally agree with this comment.
I'm in the "Peter King Camp" about Art Monk. The guy was very good for a long time, never "great" and never "dominant", in my opinion. When you thought of those great Redskin team I always thought about Gary Clark or the running game. The Hall of Fame is not a place for guys who caught 85 10 yard come backers a season.
I totally agree with you on Joe Klecko as well. The guy went to the Pro Bowl at three different positions, and was defensive player of the year in 1981. Dwight Stephenson (the best center who has ever lived) called Klecko the best D-lineman he's ever faced.
My HOF Class of '07 would be:
Thurman Thomas
Richard Dent
Andre Tippett
Bob Kuechenburg
George Young
I take Thurman because the guy was a dominant player on a great team for a long time. He KILLED the Phins for a decade. Ricahrd Dent was a dominant force for 3-4 years on the best defense I've ever seen. Andre Tippett got lost in the shadow of L.T. his whole career but was a great, great player. A lot of older football writers consider Kuechenburg the best O-lineman on the Dolphins' teams in the 70's. If there are two other lineman from the same team in there he deserves his spot. George Young did a lot to get the league to where it is today.
I can't pick Terrell Davis because of length of career and the sucess other runners have had in the same system. I can't pick Art Monk because of the reasons I listed above. I can't pick Andre Reed because he is not even the best reciever in the eligible class. I can't pick Derrick Thomas because he was WAY too one dimensional and I can't pick Michael Irvin because he bothers me...LOL.
I think Reed and Irvin will get in, just not this year. I'll never be sold on Thomas or Davis.
I think the '08 class will have Tagliabue and either Reed or Irvin, if not both depending on the strenght of the class that season.