Gridiron Experts

My 2010 HOF Ballot

First of all, I’m not a fan of “big” Hall of Fame classes. I’d honestly like to see no more than five guys inducted a year. I think smaller classes shine the spotlight on each player receiving the greatest individual achievement in their sport.  I also think that when the big-name players are enshrined, the classes should be smaller, like three players max. Point in case: we’re already forgetting that David Robinson and John Stockton were part of the Michael Jordan NBA HOF Class of 2009.  Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and Rutgers women’s basketball coach Vivian Stringer were also part of that class, but no one will remember that in five years. It’s a shame.

That being said, the problem with the NFL Hall of Fame is that the voters continue to overlook a lot of well qualified individuals, thus creating a backlog of players who should be enshrined in Canton, OH. (Cough, cough…RAY GUY!!!)

So, I pared my list down to seven individuals. That’s more than the five I’d like to see. But, as you’ll see, there are some old-schoolers on this list that need to feel the love. Here’s the ballot I’d turn in, if granted the power:

1). Rickey Jackson- LB 1981- 93 New Orleans Saints, 1994-95 San Francisco 49ers: I figured I’d get this one out of the way first, being the New Orleans homer that I am. But, seriously, if this guy played in New York, San Francisco, Pittsburgh or Minnesota, he’d have challenged Lawrence Taylor for league dominance throughout his career. Ask Joe Montana, Steve Young and others who they feared most on the opposite side of the ball, and I can assure you Jackson’s name is mentioned as often as LT’s.

2). Ray Guy- P 1973-86 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders: The bottom line is until he gets in, punters are screwed if the ultimate individual goal is to give a speech in Canton! Sure, I get it. Punters aren’t physical. They don’t “lead the team to victory.” But, they can be just as important as a stout defense when they leave the opponent with a 95-yard drive to win it all. Please, voters, do the right thing. Let Guy in!

3). Richard Dent- DE 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles: A key cog, if not THE key cog, on that dominant ’85 Bears defense and one of the best “designated pass rushers” of his time. He’s been one of the top 15 finalists since 2005. It’s time to start recognizing specialists of his nature.

4). Shannon Sharpe- TE 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens: One of the early tight ends to emerge as a pass-catcher, without Sharpe there would be no Tony Gonzalez or Antonio Gates as we know them. In fact, it’s Sharpe’s records that Gonzalez is breaking.

5). Emmitt Smith- RB 1990-2002 Dallas Cowboys, 2003-04 Arizona Cardinals: A first ballot Hall of Famer if there ever was one in any sport. Really, there’s no need to say more for this guy.

6). Jerry Rice- WR 1985-2000 San Francisco 49ers, 2001-04 Oakland Raiders, 2004 Seattle Seahawks: Easy vote, but I really feel that some have forgotten just how great Rice was. Jerry Rice was very humble, but in his prime he was everything a wide receiver could be for his team. Rice was not a big guy, but played bigger and stronger than everyone on the field.

7). Tim Brown- WR/KR – 1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: I kind of feel sorry for Brown. He was truly an elite receiver whose only shortcoming proved to be playing in the Jerry Rice Era. A solid, consistent wideout and an excellent return man. Definitely first-ballot worthy, though I don’t see the voters giving him the nod.

I could have easily voted for every finalist on the ballot. They’re all obviously worthy. If only those who cast the real ballots would see it that way, we wouldn’t have guys rotting for years waiting on their moment. (*Ahem…RAY GUY!!!)

Related posts: