The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced their most recent class on Saturday and just like every year, the debate on those selected has been intense. Fans are bashing the Sabol selection and are confused on why players like Charles Haley or Cris Carter weren’t selected over the founder of NFL Films. Unfortunately, what takes place in the voting room is kept secret so we’ll never know how this occurred. In my opinion, this shouldn’t be that much of a debate. The man revolutionized sports with his coverage of the NFL. There would be no NFL Network if it wasn’t for him. Carter, Haley and other finalists will get in. When they get in is the question. Here are my predictions for the next few years of Hall of Fame voting.
2012
Curtis Martin – Barely missed it this year. One of the league’s all-time great rushers and good guys. Next year is his year.
Andre Reed – The former Bill has waited for quite a while now. Carter has better stats but if this year’s voting was any indication then it looks like Reed is first in line for the receivers.
Bill Parcells – Parcells will be newly eligible in 2012 and I expect him to hear his name called right away. A two-time Super Bowl winning coach and defensive innovator, he’s a lock.
Dermontti Dawson – Dawson was a mainstay in the Pro Bowl during his career and should take his place in Canton next year.
Charles Haley – With five Super Bowl rings from two different teams and the backing of his Hall of Fame teammates, Haley barely missed the cut this year. Look for him to barely make it IN next year.
2013
Cris Carter – A long wait for Carter but he will finally hear his named called in 2013.
Will Shields – In only his second year of eligibility, I think Shields can find his way in. A perennial Pro Bowler and one of the best at his position of all-time.
Michael Strahan – A first time eligible candidate in 2013, he’s a lock to have his name called. His stats, Super Bowl ring and even his personality make him a favorite to lockdown a spot early.
Larry Allen – A mainstay on All-Pro teams in the 90′s and early 2000′s, Allen is regarded by some to be the best guard of all time. Throw in his three rings and he’s a lock in his first year.
Jerome Bettis – Bettis didn’t make the final ten this year but look for that to change in 2012 and eventually get in the door in 2013.
2014
Jonathan Ogden – Ogden is eligible in 2013 but with two other lineman going in, I expect him to wait a year until ’14. One of the greats at left tackle, he could sneak into the 2013 class.
Willie Roaf – The Saints tackle became eligible this year but will have to wait a few years to be elected. I wouldn’t be surprised to see his name called before 2014 but for the sake of predictions, I’m going with this year.
Cortez Kennedy – Another player that will have to wait for the logjam to loosen. Kennedy was a finalist this year but I think the former Seahawk will be bumped down the line in years to come.
Warren Sapp – Continuing the lineman trend, Sapp should be elected in his second year of eligibility. A force during his prime and owning a Super Bowl ring, he’s a shoe-in.
Tony Dungy - The former Colts coach is newly eligible in 2014 and unless he changes his stance on a return to coaching, look for him to make it in the first year. His championship with the Colts and turnaround of the Buccaneers franchise, have all but guaranteed his spot.
2015
Walter Jones – Regarded as maybe the greatest left tackle of all-time, this is a gimme.
Junior Seau – Another all-time great at his position who’s longevity of production will not go unnoticed in his first year.
Kurt Warner – This one will spark debate in the voting room but in the end, I think he makes it his first year. His numbers, championship and back-up to MVP story will do the trick.
Orlando Pace – Joining his former teammate Warner, Pace should conclude the last of the first-time eligible candidates to get in. If Walter Jones didn’t exist, Pace would be regarded as the best left tackle of his era.
Tim Brown - The former Raider probably would cry if he read this since he was eligible this year but I don’t see it happening for him until this spot. Sorry Timmy.
2016
Brett Favre – He finally hung it up this year. Despite a controversial last few years, no one can argue that he’ll be entering Canton in 2016.
Marvin Harrison – One of the most consistent receivers ever, Harrison is eligible in 2014 but won’t be elected until 2016.
Isaac Bruce – Cleaning up the latest wide receiver logjam, Bruce will join his fellow Rams from the 2015 class in 2016.
Paul Tagliabue – The former Commish has been eligible for a few years now and under this prediction, it looks like his wait will continue for some time.
Chris Doleman – A strong candidate this year, I see Doleman having to wait for some time due to new and more deserving candidates. There is no doubt that he is hall worthy and wouldn’t be shocked to see him enter Canton sooner than listed here.
Feel free to let us know your picks in the comments.
- Andy
Posted by Paul Wright on September 22, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Also no idea why you would think Walter Jones any more likely to be first ballot than Ogden or Roaf.
Ogden 11x ProBowl, 9x All Pro, SB champ
Roaf 11x Pro Bowl, 9x All Pro, 2x All Decade
Jones 9x Pro Bowl, 7x All Pro
Pace 8x Pro Bowl, 5x All Pro, SB champ
Posted by JDoubles on November 20, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Most contemporary coaches said that Jones was the greatest offensive linemen they've ever seen, and that includes people who saw Anthony Munoz play. Mike Holmgren, who coached Brett Favre and Steve Young as a head coach and O Coordinator said that Jones was the greatest FOOTBALL PLAYER he ever coached, bar none.
Posted by Paul Wright on September 22, 2011 at 5:11 pm
While different positions, and even with 5 SBs, not so sure Haley would get in ahead of Allen, Shields, Kennedy (or any other 2011 finalist) in 2012.
Shield, 12x ProBowl, 9x All Pro
Allen 11x ProBowl, 7x All Pro
Kennedy 8x ProBowl, 4x All Pro
Dawson, 7x ProBowl, 6x All Pro
Doleman 8x ProBowl, 5x All Pro
Haley 5x Pro Bowl, 4x All Pro
Posted by Paul Wright on September 22, 2011 at 5:25 pm
I'd even argue Randy Gradishar (7x ProBowl, 6x AllPro) is more deserving than Haley.
Should note that list at the top appears to assume everyone who was a finalist in 2011 will make it in by 2016. Try telling that to Art Monk who finally made it in as a finalist for the 8th time or Carl Eller who made it in 2004 as a finalist for the 13th time or Lynn Swann who made it his 14th time. Or Bob Kuechenberg an 8x finalist, or Ray Guy a 7x finalist, and LC Greenwood a 6x finalist, none of which are yet in the hall.
Very possible that one or more of the 2011 finalist who weren't elected to not make it in the next 5+ years. I would put some of the WRs on notice first as they appear to have the most competition with more to come in the next few years.
Posted by Paul Wright on September 22, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Sorry, missed you think Roger Craig (another 2011 finalist) won't make it and maybe not by 2016, or maybe ahead of some of the others listed above. But again, likely that several won't make it with others not mentioned on the orignal list becoming eligible by 2016.
Posted by Bub Mynes on September 24, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Drew Bledso, Tony Dungy, Vinney Testaverde, Tiki Barber, Brad Johnson! I dont really agree. They were great players, but not the greatest to ever play the game. Now maybe Dungy some day. What about Randall Cunningham? I agree on Lynch, Brooks, and Ken Stabler.
Posted by Bub Mynes on September 24, 2011 at 12:19 pm
I also think Steve Atwater should be in.
Posted by Greg "Bone" on September 24, 2011 at 1:49 pm
It's time for Ray Guy to get in…Kickers-Punters deserve spots in the Hall of Fame. Edgerrin James and Derrick Brooks should get in but it will be later. they are comitting crimes with Chris Carter , Andre Reed, and Tim Brown…..why all waiting I'l never agree with it..you are either in the HallofFamer or Not..I understand the recognition of 1st ballot, but otherwise your Hall of Famer or not.
Posted by Mike M on September 30, 2011 at 10:04 am
I agree. Ray Guy was one of the best kickers ever.
Posted by RENKY JENK on November 7, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Chris Carter's talents should be based by his on the field efforts not off the field. Voting should not be based on if the writers like you or not. Unless, you pulled an Orenthal James Simpson or Rae Carruth type of travesty while playing.
Posted by malegenitelia on September 25, 2011 at 9:58 pm
He didnt do jack squat. Drew Bledso uses Derrick Brook's carcass as a football to throw touchdowns all day everyday
Posted by iseedumbpeople on January 2, 2012 at 1:56 am
Brooks didn't do squat, you shouldn't be allowed to talk about football ever again. At least he was a factor when he won his ring, or should I say played…
and then there are his stats
Posted by E-Man on September 26, 2011 at 10:55 pm
If Kickers and Punter deserve spots. What about Kick Returner's.?They have become such a large part of the game. Dante Hall was easily one of the most captivating and dynamic players of the last decade. Should someone like that get a shot?
Posted by JDoubles on November 20, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Brian Mitchell or Billy Johnson would get in over Hall… But I DO think that specialists deserve more consideration. Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Brian Mitchell, Daryl Johnston all at least deserve discussion.
Posted by Mike M on September 30, 2011 at 9:03 am
I think 6 time pro-bowler and superbowl champ Mike Alstott deserves consideration? How about you?
Posted by JDoubles on November 20, 2011 at 8:11 pm
nope… He's a specialist at best, and if Daryl Johnston hasn't gotten any serious consideration, I'd highly doubt Alstott deserves it. Teammate Warrick Dunn would be higher on the list than Alstott, and he won't get a sniff of the hall
Posted by NIC BUSCHARD on November 29, 2011 at 8:03 am
WHAT ABOUT COREY DILLION IM MEAN I SENT THIS TO A COUPLE PEOPLE UP ABOVE AND I WANT ANY OF YA TO COMMENT HE RAN BEHIND A TEAM THAT WON 3OR4 GAMES A SEASON FOR 4OR 6 YEARS AND STILL GOT A 1000 YARDS AND ALMOST 5TO 10 TD'S A YEAR CHECK THE STATS AND REMEMBER HE ONLY PLAYED NINE(9) YEARS ……………!