05-10-2021, 06:10 AM
п»їPro Football Hall of Fame finalists: My picks for Class of 2021.
Congratulations to the 15 men selected as modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2021. It's an incredible honor, and each of them is among the greatest players in NFL history. Which makes the task of selecting five modern-era candidates for enshrinement seemingly impossible. Especially when you consider two spots have already been spoken for (yes, we'll get to them soon, but you know who they are).
(To learn more about senior finalists Drew Pearson and Tom Flores, click here; to learn more about contributor finalist Bill Nunn, click here.)
Before we dissect my picks for the Hall of Fame's Class of 2021, I'd like to note that this isn't a prediction piece. Because it appears Hall of Fame voters and I have very different definitions when it comes to who should be in the Hall of Fame.
Let's get into it.
THE MORTALEST OF MORTAL LOCKS: Peyton Manning (QB, Colts 1998-2011; Broncos 2012-15) and Charles Woodson (CB/S, Raiders, 1998-2005, 2013-15; Packers, 2006-2012) are both getting in. Manning is considered by some to be the greatest quarterback in NFL history, and he retired with numerous passing records after winning Super Bowl championships with two different franchises. There is no need to even discuss his candidacy further. Same goes for Woodson, who will add a gold jacket to a personal checklist that already includes a college national championship, a Heisman Trophy and a Super Bowl title. The only man on this planet who can even try to top that collection of accolades is Roger Staubach, who has a Super Bowl MVP over Woodson but whose Navy team lost to Texas in the national championship. (These two can argue about this after Woodson gets his automatic bid. Oh, and I guess Marcus Allen can jump into this convo, too.)
GUYS WHO SHOULD BE LOCKS: I slotted Calvin Johnson (WR, Lions, 2007-2015) over Charles Woodson when I was ranking the Hall of Fame semifinalists in November, but while I still am confident in Woodson's chances as a great player who went into television (which never hurts), I'm starting to wonder about Megatron's standing in the eyes of voters who get weird about shorter careers. Johnson played nine seasons, choosing to retire on top rather than sticking around longer to pad his stats. But he was a dominant player, a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro who holds the single-season receiving-yards record (1,964). Plus, he played for the Lions, which should give him extra consideration. I mean, imagine him catching passes on a Manning-led team throughout his career. We might still be talking about Megatron as the best receiver in NFL history.
Jared Allen (DE, Chiefs, 2004-07; Vikings, 2008-2013; Bears, 2014-15; Panthers, 2015) should be a lock, too. But again, we have to account for the weirdness of those voters who seem to love to make these guys earn it. All that aside, let's not pretend that Allen wasn't one of the best to ever do it. He was a four-time All-Pro who led the NFL in sacks twice. I mean, unless you really don't like mullets, it's tough to think of a real reason to deny him a spot in Canton.
MY FIFTH VOTE WOULD GO TO: I'm still kind of surprised Alan Faneca (G, Steelers, 1998-2007; Jets, 2008-09; Cardinals, 2010) didn't get in last year, given that he was a great player who also played for the Steelers. No disrespect to the Steelers, but playing for that organization seems to help pave the way to Canton. (And if you think I'm talking about Jerome Bettis, you would be absolutely correct.) The voters love their Steelers. So they should do the right thing and get Faneca into the Hall. The Steelers had enough great running backs over the years to merit rewarding the guys up front.
GUY WHO SHOUD BE A LOCK BUT ISN'T EVEN A FINALIST: I really want whomever is keeping Patrick Willis (LB, 49ers, 2007-2014) from being a finalist to explain themselves. Willis was a FIVE-TIME All-Pro during his eight years. He was also the Defensive Rookie of the Year in '07. There is no reasonable explanation for why he's not already in the Hall, let alone being snubbed here.
ONE OTHER NON-FINALIST I'M NOT GIVING UP ON: Steve Tasker (ST/WR, Oilers, 1985-86; Bills, 1986-1997). Here is the deal. Either people need to stop talking about winning all three phases of the game, or Tasker needs to get into the Hall of Fame. I mean, if special teams isn't that significant, then it's fine to just say that. Actually, it's not fine, but that would at least make Tasker's exclusion a bit more honest. Otherwise, let's honor a dude who was in the Pro Bowl seemingly every year he played.
I'M NOT GOING TO BE MAD IF THEY GET IN: Zach Thomas (LB, Dolphins, 1996-2007; Cowboys, 2008) was a five-time All-Pro during his time in the NFL. He kind of gets overlooked, considering his contemporaries are Derrick Brooks, Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher. It's kind of like being the Jim Neidhart of middle linebackers when guys like Bret and Owen Hart were getting more attention. Like Neidhart, Thomas was one of the best to ever do it, and he should receive more attention.
I would love to see the late Sam Mills (LB, Saints, 1986-1994; Panthers, 1995-97) get in at some point, too. He was a great player. He went from undrafted free agent to the USFL to the Dome Patrol of the New Orleans Saints. And don't scoff at that USFL service time. I don't want to play the semantics game, but when considering entry to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, all pro football accomplishments should be included. Hell, Hall of Fame president David Baker was the commissioner of the Arena Football League at one point. He's got to feel me on this.
I WILL HEAR ARGUMENTS FOR: My guy Reggie Wayne (WR, Colts, 2001-2014). I mean, if you wanted to do the thing where you put in Reggie with his quarterback, that would be pretty cool. It's not like Reggie isn't worthy. I know he might not have the gaudiest stats of any Hall of Fame candidate. But he was one of the most clutch receivers in the game, and he always seemed to come up with that killer, back-breaking reception. As a Bears fan, I should know.
NFL Football Free Picks and Weekly Expert Predictions [2021]
Season to Date: 33 -45 -1.
Sunday 1/24 – Bills vs Chiefs Free Pick LOSS Sunday 1/24 – Bucs vs Packers Free Pick LOSS.
Sunday 1/17 – Bucs vs Saints Free Pick LOSS Sunday 1/17 – Browns vs Chiefs Free Pick WIN.
Saturday 1/16 – Ravens vs Bills Free Pick WIN Saturday 1/16 – Rams vs Packers Free Pick LOSS.
Sunday 1/10 – Browns vs Steelers Free Pick LOSS Sunday 1/10 – Bears vs Saints Free Pick LOSS.
Saturday 1/9 – Bucs vs Washington Free Pick WIN Saturday 1/9 – Rams vs Seahawks Free Pick LOSS.
Sunday 1/3 – Packers vs Bears Free Pick WIN Sunday 1/3 – Cowboys vs Giants Free Pick LOSS.
Monday 12/28 – Bills vs Patriots Free Pick LOSS.
Sunday 12/27 – Rams vs Seahawks Free Pick LOSS.
Saturday 12/26 – Dolphins vs Raiders Free Pick LOSS.
Friday 12/25 – Vikings vs Saints Free Pick WIN.
Monday 12/21 – Steelers vs Bengals Free Pick LOSS.
Sunday 12/20 – Eagles vs Cardinals Free Pick LOSS Sunday 12/20 – Chiefs vs Saints Free Pick PUSH.
Saturday 12/19 – Panthers vs Packers Free Pick LOSS.
Thursday 12/17 – Chargers vs Raiders Free Pick WIN.
Monday 12/14 – Ravens vs Browns Free Pick WIN.
Sunday 12/11 – Steelers vs Bills Free Pick LOSS Sunday 12/11 – Colts vs Raiders Free Pick LOSS.
Thursday 12/10 – Patriots vs Rams Free Pick WIN.
Tuesday 12/8 – Cowboys vs Ravens Free Pick LOSS.
Monday 12/7 – Bills vs 49ers Free Pick WIN.
Sunday 12/6 – Patriots vs Chargers Free Pick LOSS Sunday 12/6 – Browns vs Titans Free Pick LOSS.
Wednesday 12/2 – Ravens vs Steelers Free Pick LOSS.
Monday 11/30 – Seahawks vs Eagles Free Pick WIN.
Sunday 11/29 – Bears vs Packers Free Pick LOSS Sunday 11/29 – Chiefs vs Bucs Free Pick LOSS.
Thursday 11/26 – Washington vs Cowboys Free Pick WIN Thursday 11/26 – Texans -3 over Lions WIN.
Monday 11/23 – Rams vs Bucs Free Pick LOSS.
Sunday 11/22 – Packers vs Colts Free Pick WIN Sunday 11/22 – Patriots vs Texans Free Pick LOSS.
Thursday 11/19 – Cardinals vs Seahawks Free Pick LOSS.
Monday 11/16 – Vikings vs Bears Free Pick WIN.
Sunday 11/15 – Ravens vs Patriots Free Pick WIN Sunday 11/15 – Bills vs Cardinals Free Pick WIN.
Thursday 11/12 – Colts vs Titans Free Pick LOSS.
Monday 11/9 – Patriots vs Jets Free Pick LOSS.
Sunday 11/8 – Saints vs Bucs Free Pick LOSS Sunday 11/8 – Seahawks vs Bills Free Pick LOSS.
Thursday 11/5 – Packers vs 49ers Free Pick WIN.
Monday 11/2 – Bucs vs Giants Free Pick LOSS.
Sunday 11/1 – 49ers vs Seahawks Free Pick WIN Sunday 11/1 – Steelers vs Ravens Free Pick LOSS.
Thursday 10/29 – Falcons vs Panthers Free Pick LOSS.
Monday 10/26 – Bears vs Rams Free Pick LOSS.
Sunday 10/25 – Seahawks vs Cardinals Free Pick WIN Sunday 10/25 – 49ers vs Patriots Free Pick LOSS.
Thursday 10/22 – Giants vs Eagles Free Pick LOSS.
Sunday 10/18 – Rams vs 49ers Free Pick LOSS Sunday 10/18 – Packers vs Bucs Free Pick LOSS.
Tuesday 10/13 – Bills vs Titans Free Pick LOSS.
Monday 10/12 – Chargers vs Saints Free Pick WIN.
Sunday 10/11 – Vikings vs Seahawks Free Pick WIN Sunday 10/11 – Panthers vs Falcons Free Pick LOSS.
Thursday 10/8 – Bucs vs Bears Free Pick LOSS.
Monday 10/5 – Falcons vs Packers Free Pick LOSS.
Sunday 10/4 – Eagles vs 49ers Free Pick WIN Sunday 10/4 – Saints vs Lions Free Pick WIN.
Thursday 10/1 – Broncos vs Jets Free Pick LOSS.
Monday 9/28 – Chiefs vs Ravens Free Pick WIN.
Sunday 9/27 – Raiders vs Patriots Free Pick WIN Sunday 9/27 – Rams vs Bills Free Pick WIN.
Thursday 9/24 – Dolphins vs Jaguars Free Pick LOSS.
Monday 9/21 – Saints vs Raiders Free Pick LOSS.
Sunday 9/20 – Patriots vs Seahawks Free Pick WIN Sunday 9/20 – Falcons vs Cowboys Free Pick LOSS Sunday 9/20 – Rams vs Eagles Free Pick WIN.
Thursday 9/17 – Bengals vs Browns Free Pick WIN.
Monday 9/14 – Steelers vs Giants Free Pick WIN.
Sunday 9/13 – Cowboys vs Rams Free Pick LOSS Sunday 9/13 – Cardinals vs 49ers Free Pick WIN Sunday 9/13 – Eagles vs Washington Free Pick LOSS.
Thursday 9/10 – Texans vs Chiefs Free Pick WIN.
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