NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2008

The NFL announced the 6 newest members of its Hall of Fame today, having elected former Washington Redskins Darrell Green in his first opportunity, Art Monk in his seventh, former Patriot Andre Tippett, former Charger/49er Fred Dean, former Minnesota Viking Gary Zimmerman and former Kansas City Chief star cornerback Emmitt Thomas.

These six electees are more than qualified to be members of the NFL's hallowest halls.

Darrell Green played for 20 years at the one position on the football field at which speed, in most cases the first skill that decreases with age, cornerback. Green never seemed to lose his world class speed, and always covered the opposing team's best receiver. He finished his career with 54 interceptions. Not bad for a guy who allegedly was second only to Carl Lewis in the 100 meter dash on several occasions.

Fellow Redskin Art Monk had an incredible career finishing with 820 receptions, during a time which featured less passing and more concentration on the running game. What is even more amazing, it took him seven attempts until the sportswriters felt that he was worthy. What on earth are the sportswriters thinking? Perhaps they should get their heads out of their ass from time to time and actually pay attention to their votes, as well as the people on which they are voting.

Now please allow me this segue. A couple of other nominees did not make the Hall of Fame, notably Cris Carter. Carter only finished his career with the second most receptions and touchdown catches in HISTORY!!! He doesn't deserve to be in the Hall of Fame? Now I understand that not everyone can be elected each year, and I have no doubt that Carter will be in the Hall of Fame in the next couple of years, but in this case, how is he not elected in his first year. We will no doubt hear and read a lot about how Monk's election meant that Carter is going to have to wait, and a bunch of other crap, but what will really know about this experience is that the NFL Hall of Fame is voted on by older, stale and out-of-their mind reporters.

I have read from several reporters and columnists how bloggers are rampant in the sports world, and without any checks or integrity can say whatever they want. That is true, and most bloggers are just writing their opinions and not trying to be reporters or take over the legitimate journalist's jobs. But what we do see by bloggers, especially sports bloggers, is that sometime a fresh (young?) perspective is necessary. Nowhere is this more important than in Hall of Fame voting.

Back to the electees, Andre Tippett was one of my favorite players to watch back in his day. Of course he was no Lawrence Taylor, but then again, who is?

Gary Zimmerman was an absolute force as a lineman for the Vikings and Broncos, and it is good to see the Hall elect another player from the highly underrepresented offensive line.

Now seems like a good time for my second rant. Russ Grimm, Bob Kuchenberg and Randall McDaniel were not elected into the Hall. I have no doubt that at least Grimm, and at most all 3 will eventually be elected. McDaniel was an absolutely bulldozer on the line and with his dark visor on his helmet looked just downright mean!!! The dearth of lineman, particularly offensive lineman, in the hall of Fame is astounding. By numbers they represent almost half of the offense, and given that volume, the voters need to take a good look at a ton of the offensive lineman being considered in the next few years, and make sure that they watch film to get a true sense of these behemoths. If I had a vote, I want to be on record of supporting Grimm, Kuchenberg and McDaniel, and other offensive line stars as well.

I really have no opinion on Fred Dean and Emmitt Thomas, having not had the opportunity to really watch them play, but I have no quarrels with their selection. Congratulations to them.

Rant number 3 - Ray Guy. Guy is simply the best player in the history of the game at his position. Yes, I understand that he is a punter, but the last time I checked, the position of punter existed in the game of football. If the league is going to allow players to kick the ball on the field, those that are the best at kicking the ball need to be rewarded. Ray Guy deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. PERIOD!!!

Now, I understand that there are only limited space in each class (the NFL requires at least 4 and no more than 7 members of each class), and that with those restrictions, not every deserving candidate can be elected every year, but what we see with the current voting is absolutely asinine. Changes need to be made, and I suggest that the voters need to be more highly scrutinized, and even changed. Perhaps term limits should be considered.

On a personal note, as a Bears fan I would love to see Richard Dent in the Hall of Fame, "The sack man's coming, I'm your man Dent. If the Quarterback's slow, he's gonna get bent." Perhaps that day will come soon. His stats show that he is Hall of Fame caliber, but I didn't address this much more because I didn't want my fandom to overshadow the rest of my rants.

Anyway, congratulations to Green, Monk, Tippett, Zimmerman, Dean and Thomas. With Monk finally elected, and going in with his former teammate Green, the Redskins fans will be in Canton in force. However, for my two cents, pay attention to Tippett's speech. He is sure to speak about larger and more important topics than just football and the Hall of Fame.