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
I knew I forgot someone. I'd put Mcnair at 8, ahead of Alexander.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 12, 2008 10:18 PM
I think some consideration has to be given as to whether the player left the game when he was on top or hung on too long. Favre, Ogden,Strahan and Allen left while they were still high performers.
Sapp, McNair, McCardell and maybe Seau held on too long and will leave as shadows of their former selfs.This will probably affect the number of HOF votes they receive. Whether it should or not is a great debate, but in my mind it definitely affects the number of votes they get.
Alexander is an interesting case because you can either think his decreased numbers recently were the result of erosion of skills and wear and tear on his body or that he was exposed when the 'Hawks O-line downgraded its talent when Hutch left. I'm in the "Alexander exposed as an average RB"camp myself.
Posted by: CdnFan | June 13, 2008 03:05 PM
Okay Farve, Ogden, and Strahan are one two and three. I would definatley put Seau and Allen in before Sapp. I might even put Young in before Sapp. If they had a HOF just for how good of a game you can talk Sapp definatley goes first, but self promotion is not what the hall is all about. Sapp guessed too much which lead to big plays, but also alot of inconsistences in his play.
Posted by: Davey | June 15, 2008 05:02 PM
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Posted by: Qkdbrhxb | July 14, 2009 09:15 PM
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Posted by: Qkdbrhxb | July 14, 2009 09:15 PM