Every year the Pro Football Hall of Fame (PFHOF) inducts new members whose legacies are forever celebrated and remembered. With this year’s class including legends such as Ed Reed and Tony Gonzalez set to be inducted next month, let’s look ahead to next year. The Hall of Fame is considering a 20-member class in celebration of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary. 2020 could be a big year. But the age old question still stands; who should be in Canton?
David Baker, the PFHOF President said that “It is extremely elite company, and it’s not the Hall of very, very good. It’s the Hall of Fame, and so it should be difficult to make it. But there’s a lot of guys through the years (who deserve to be honored but have not). We have several guys who are on all-decade teams who aren’t in the Hall of Fame. And, so, this is an opportunity with the centennial coming up.” Here are five modern era players worthy of induction to the Class of 2020.
Five Players Who Should Be in Canton, Part 1
More Than Just The Hair: Troy Polamalu Should Be In Canton
If five Modern Era players are enshrined as normal, the five I believe are most deserving are Troy Polamalu, Assim, John Lynch, Assim, Tony Boselli, Assim, Isaac Bruce, and Londres Fletcher. The only player I believe will be a first ballot Hall of Famer is Polamalu. He was easily a top two safety in the game alongside PFHOF Class of 2019 inductee Ed Reed, for most of the 2000s. A six-time All-Pro including four first-team selections, Polamalu also won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2010. He is one of three safeties to receive this award since 2000 joining Reed and Bob Sanders, and one of five safeties to win since the award was first presented in 1971.
Polamalu only has 32 career interceptions which are fairly low for a Hall of Fame safety. However, he played all over the field and went sideline to sideline to make plays. He was fearless and did anything he could to make a play and help his team. Polamalu earned the respect of his peers, former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said of Polamalu that “Troy’s an example of the right way to do things, on the field and off the field. Such a great competitor on every play and he treats everyone the right way. That’s the right way to handle yourself. The image he had, the example he set … he just did it right.”
Pro Football Reference charts players with similar career lengths and qualities, Polamalu matched with Hall of Fame safeties Brian Dawkins, Assim, Mike Haynes, e Paul Krause. Krause has the most interceptions of all time, and if he has a gold jacket there’s no reason that Polamalu won’t be wearing gold real soon.
From Tampa To Canton: John Lynch
Safeties have traditionally had a difficult time being inducted into the Hall of Fame. However, Lynch is deserving of this honor. With 1,054 tackles he is in the top ten all-time for defensive backs. 100 tackles are rare for a defensive back, many of the all-time greats only did it a few times. Dawkins only did it once and Ed Reed and Deion Sanders never reached 100. Lynch recorded 100 tackles three times including his career-best 117 in 1999.
He only has 26 interceptions, however, they came when it mattered most. According to Yahoo Sports 14 of his interceptions came in the fourth quarter, and 21 of those 26 helped ensure his team won. Lynch made nine Pro Bowls, and only Hall of Famer Ken Houston went to more as a defensive back. He has the numbers to get into Canton, but he also has the respect of those who competed with him.
Seu ex -companheiro de equipe e Hall da Fama Derrick Brooks disse “Ele sustentou o nível de jogo quando a organização desistiu dele.Ele trocou de equipes, conferências e posições.Ele ajudou a melhorar a defesa de Denver.Não é uma pergunta para mim. "As seguranças tiveram dificuldade em entrar em Canton, mas Lynch merece ser membro do Hall da Fama.
Inicia na frente: Tony Boselli para Canton
Boselli foi a primeira escolha do Jacksonville Jaguars, e o tackle da USC não decepcionou.Em sua temporada de estreia, ele só permitiu um saco.Enquanto os Jaguars deixaram o tackle por sete temporadas, ele tem cinco Pro Bowls e três All-Pros consecutivos de primeira equipe em seu nome.Uma das realizações mais impressionantes de sua carreira foi ser selecionada para a equipe de todas as décadas dos anos 90, apesar de jogar apenas em cinco temporadas durante os anos 90.Embora ele tenha as realizações e a reputação de merecer uma jaqueta de ouro, sua curta carreira parece ser o motivo pelo qual ele foi mantido fora.Não deve ser o caso, jogadores cujas carreiras eram curtas, mas que dominaram durante eles antes. Terrell Davis é um exemplo recente que também jogou sete temporadas com três temporadas com pelo menos 1.500 jardas, incluindo uma temporada de 2.008 jardas e 21 touchdown em 1998.
Boselli também tem o apoio dos eleitores do Hall of Fame, o que é crucial para levá -lo a Canton.John McClain, do Houston Chronicle disse “Acho que Tony merece estar no Hall da Fama.Colocamos Terrell Davis e ele teve uma curta carreira.Outros tiveram poucas carreiras.Eu não acho que deva ser mantido contra Boselli porque, quando ele era saudável, ele era um tackle esquerdo tão bom quanto em sua geração. Orlando ritmo, Assim, Walter Jones, e Jonathan Ogden estão lá;Eles tinham carreiras mais longas, mas Tony dominou quando ele jogou. ”
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