Ranking the class of 2013
I just watched Jonathan Ogden's press goodbye press conference. It will receive less fanfare than other big names to quit this offseason, but Ogden's dominance is second to none. His best line of the presser: "I want to thank them for bringing in me over Lawrence Phillips. I still think that was a good decision."
There has been a lot of talk of all the surefire Hall of Famers in this retiring class, but they can't all go in together. Three is the all-time high of first-ballot Hall of Famers going in at the same time. Here's how I'd rank this retiring group, in order of how they'll enter the Hall.
Sure-fire First Ballot of Famers
1. Brett Favre: 3 MVPs, enough said.
2. Jonathan Ogden: Argument could be made as the greatest ever to play his position. He changed the position.
Definitely in, but might have to wait a year
3-4. Michael Strahan and Larry Allen: If only one player makes it here, my gut says Strahan would get the call first.
Definitely in, but probably not in first year
5. Warren Sapp: In a lot of years, he might be the top candidate. A no doubter.
6. Junior Seau: Still a chance he could play this year.
Outside looking in
7. Bryant Young: Would make the hall of very, very good
8. Shaun Alexander: Doubt it will happen
9. Keenan McCardell: Eighth all time in receptions, but that just doesn't mean enough anymore. No great peak.
I'm probably forgetting some other recent retirees here, like, uh, Anthony Thomas.
Comments
Aren't you forgetting Steven McNair? Where would he fall in this?
Posted by: Tom | June 12, 2008 12:51 PM
It wouldn't be in the Hall.
Posted by: Stephen | June 12, 2008 01:33 PM
Larry Allen should be a sure-fire first ballot, IMO. He may have been the greatest guard of all time. Most powerful player in the NFL, with enough agility and quickness to play LT (he went to a pro as a left tackle one year). Him and Ogden are a close second to Favre, both ahead of Strahan.
Posted by: Andrew | June 12, 2008 01:38 PM
I don't get how Bryant Young isn't a lock for the HOF. He won a Super Bowl, he started 208 games and had two seasons of double digit sacks from the DT position. Had he gone to another team, he would have been a lock in my opinion but because he stayed loyal to the 49ers, he labored in obscurity. I'm not saying he's on par with Favre, Ogden and Strahan, but I'd put him right there with Sapp and Seau. He certainly shouldn't be lumped in with Shaun Alexander and Keenan McCardell.
Posted by: DJOmaha | June 12, 2008 03:12 PM
I would go ahead and put Michael Strahan in that Surefire group of Favre and Ogden.
Posted by: theendzoneview | June 12, 2008 06:19 PM
Fun Fact: Steve McNair has a better career TD:INT ratio and QB rating than HOFer Troy Aikman.
Aikman, however has a big lead in those pesky Super Bowl rings.
Posted by: theendzoneview | June 12, 2008 06:27 PM
"I would go ahead and put Michael Strahan in that Surefire group of Favre and Ogden.
Posted by: theendzoneview | June 12, 2008 06:19 PM"
I agree.
I think McNair should be 8 or 9 on the "Outside looking in" list. I'm not a big fan of Shaun Alexander, but I think he has a pretty good case. No ring, obviously, but 98 TDs over a 5 season stretch is pretty amazing, and he does have the one MVP.
Posted by: The Dox | June 12, 2008 08:12 PM