Who Is, But Maybe Shouldn’t Be, In the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

It has been quite interesting over the past two months analyzing the best players at each position who have not yet earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It has reaffirmed my belief that there are a heck of a lot of deserving football players who have yet to get a bust in Canton. It also has made me scratch my head over a few of the players that have received football immortality.

Overall, I will say that for the most part, the Hall of Fame voters have done a very good job of selecting top players for the Hall of Fame. While I believe there are as many as two dozen deserving players who have been overlooked, the number of players in the Hall of Fame that I question is significantly less.

In fact, while I planned to have a top 10 list of players in the Hall of Fame that I think you could argue don’t belong, I actually was able to only come up with nine players from the modern era that I really questioned whether they belong in the HOF.

Now, I did not analyze any of the players from the pre-1950 era who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. My reasoning being that the game during that time period and selection process in the early days of HOF is so different than today that trying to argue for or against certain players from the pre-modern era made little sense.

Instead, players had to have played a majority of their careers after 1950 to be considered for this list.

The one player that this rule may have saved was Bob Waterfield, the former Rams quarterback. I have seen a number of articles in recent years questioning if his numbers justified being in the HOF or if he got in primarily because he was married to Jane Russell.

So, here is my list of nine players whose Hall of Fame status I think could be questioned. In some cases it isn’t necessarily that I think they don’t belong, but rather question how they could have been inducted before other players from their era or who played the same position.

However, there are a couple that I think were selected purely because of politics and the “scratch my back” network. I’m sure there will be strong disagreement to some of my choices, but remember, these are my opinions and the great thing about having opinions and living in the United States is that everyone is entitled to one and encouraged to share it.

I have given mine, and now I encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions.

Canton Conundrum: Best Special Teams Players Not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

We conclude the position-by-position look at the best eligible players not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame by looking at the top special teams players who have not yet earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

While special teams has long been considered an important element of winning football, special teams players have never really received much recognition or respect.

It doesn’t take long to call roll for the special teams players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

There is only one player in the Hall of Fame, kicker Jan Stenerud, who never played on either offense or defense.

There are several players, including Yale Lary, Paul Hornung, George Blanda, Lou Groza, Gale Sayers, Mel Renfro and Sammy Baugh, who contributed to their team either as a placekicker, punter or returner. However, in each case they also played either offense or defense at a level that warrants their Hall of Fame selection.

Now I am not suggesting that there are a plethora of kickers, punters, return specialists or kamikaze tacklers who should be in the Hall of Fame. However, given the emphasis placed on special teams and how much they can contribute to the success, or failure, of a team, I do think there are some specialists who have stood out over their careers and deserve consideration.

In determining this list I considered any player who spent significant time as a punter, placekicker, return man or even as a regular participant as a tackler and blocker on special teams as being eligible.

While I primarily looked at their prowess as a specialist, I did give some “extra credit” if a player also regularly contributed to his team on either offense or defense.

I considered season and career statistics, All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition and performance in “clutch” moments when the game was on the line.

So, here is my list of the top 10 eligible linebackers not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I look forward to your comments, discussion, and disagreements.

The series will conclude with two lists that will be released this weekend that highlight the top 10 players (regardless of position) deemed to be worthy of induction into the Hall of Fame as well as a list of 10 Hall of Famers that perhaps should not have been enshrined.

Canton Conundrum: Best Defensive Backs Not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Our position-by-position look at the best eligible players not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame rolls along with a look at the top defensive backs that have yet to earn a bust in Canton.

The role of the defensive back has changed over the years as defenses have adjusted coverage schemes to account for offensive innovations.

Defensive backs are often measured by their interception totals. However, that can often be a misleading statistic.

Top defenders can disrupt the plans of a quarterback and basically take part of the field, or a particular receiver, out of the game plan simply through their presence.

Of the eight players in NFL history with more than 60 career interceptions, three are not in the Hall of Fame and all three were part of defensive backfields with at least one Hall of Famer or perennial All-Pro.

With 65 interceptions, Ken Riley has the most picks of any player not in the Hall of Fame. He spent his entire career with the Bengals and for many years teamed with Tommy Casanova, Lemar Parrish and Marvin Cobb to give the Bengals one of the best secondary units in the league.

Parrish was selected to eight Pro Bowls and Casanova was selected to three. Both earned first team All-NFL selections once. Despite regularly ranking among the league leaders in interceptions, Riley was never chosen to participate in the Pro Bowl and his only All-Pro selection came in his final year in the league.

Similarly, Dick LeBeau–with 62 career interceptions– teamed in the Detroit backfield with Hall of Famers Yale Lary, Dick “Night Train” Lane and Lem Barney for various stages of his 14-year career. LeBeau was selected to three Pro Bowls, but never was an All-Pro.

Dave Brown had 62 interceptions playing primarily for the Seattle Seahawks. He was named to one Pro Bowl while safety Ken Easley earned five Pro Bowl trips and was a first team All-Pro three times.

In selecting the top defensive backs not in the Hall of Fame I looked at interceptions as one factor, but also looked at other criteria including team success and prowess of the overall defensive unit, Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition and how they compared with other defensive backs from their era in regards to interceptions and post season honors.

So, here is my list of the top 10 eligible defensive backs not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I look forward to your comments, discussion, and disagreements.

Best Linebackers Not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Our position-by-position look at the best eligible players not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame continues with a position that includes both players who served as the quarterback of the defense and others that disrupted offenses with their prowess rushing the passer.

Beginning in the 1950s and 1960s, many top middle linebackers became familiar figures as the defensive quarterback on the field. Players like Ray Nitschke, Dick Butkus, Tommy Nobis, Willie Lanier, Bill Bergey, Lee Roy Jordan, Jack Lambert, Harry Carson, Nick Buoniconti and Mike Singletary were recognized as the defensive leader for their team and every team looked to find their own stuffer in the middle.

Until players like Lawrence Taylor changed the game and made outside linebackers regular pass rushers, the outside backers were generally more involved in pass coverage and stopping the run than in putting constant pressure on the quarterback.

There are 18 modern era linebackers in the Hall of Fame, but when you look at the list of those not in the Hall of Fame, there seems to be an equal number of deserving linebackers still waiting for induction.

Only five linebackers have been inducted into the Hall of Fame in the last decade and 10 have been enshrined since 1989.

Ranking the top 10 linebackers not in the Hall of Fame was a challenge partly because of such a disparity in statistics. Sacks were not kept as an official stat until 1982 and most tackle numbers are unofficial and inconsistent.

For that reason, I weighed heavily such factors as Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition. I also looked at how defensive units ranked in points and yardage allowed.

So, here is my list of the top 10 eligible linebackers not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I look forward to your comments, discussion, and disagreements.

Favre Decision Big For The NFC North

The unexpected announcement that Brett Favre will not be returning to the NFL wearing the purple and gold of the Minnesota Vikings should have Bears and Packers fans dancing in the streets. Suddenly, the NFC North rival Vikings have gone from potential Super Bowl contenders to a team in turmoil.

After three months worth of actions that clearly showed the lack of confidence Minnesota coaches have in their returning quarterbacks, they now must put their tail between their knees and make nice with Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels.

The dramatic shift in Favre’s mindset over the past few weeks is a dramatic final chapter (at least we hope it is the final chapter) in the longest running mini-series in the NFL “Will Brett Favre Play?”

When Favre opted for minor shoulder surgery in May it appeared that his decision had been made and he was getting ready for his return to the NFL. Ensuing rumors about plans being made by the Favre family made it seem apparent that the future Hall of Famer would be returning to the NFL for a 19th season.

However, evidently the tide started to shift over the last few weeks. According to various reports, a number of factors started to change the mind of the 39-year old Favre.

Whether it was continued pain in his arm, lack of full off season preparation, a reluctance to live in a dorm during training camp (my personal favorite reason), or the realization that his body probably couldn’t withstand another full NFL season, it sounds like Favre is finally ready to live with the decision he has made several different times in the past.

You can’t blame any NFL player for trying to hang on to the lifestyle and thrill of the NFL as long as absolutely possible. Imagine nearing your 40th birthday and being told you can never do the thing that you have enjoyed the most (and has made you handsomely rich) ever again.

Even as his methods made him a lot of critics. Favre was determined not to make a final decision on his NFL future until his body was ready to give him the true scoop. Evidently, Favre’s body is finally telling him that it is time to hang up the helmet.

Hopefully, Favre will finally be at peace with his decision.

However, for the Vikings there is little hope that Favre’s decision will bring them any peace.

They now are the owners of a full-boar mess that is entirely of their own making.

Head coach Brad Childress knew from the beginning that there was a distinct chance that Favre was never going to take another snap in the NFL. Yet, he publicly and repeatedly declared his interest in Favre and, through insinuation, made it clear that he didn’t have confidence in his current quarterbacks.

Entering his fourth season, Tarvaris Jackson is now re-elevated to his previous role as the starting quarterback for a team that many consider to be Super Bowl caliber at every position except quarterback.

Certainly, Jackson has been under-whelming during his 19 career starts, as the Vikings have posted a 10-9 record in those games. He passed for 3,442 yards with 20 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 76.5.

It looked for a time in 2007 like Jackson might be emerging as an NFL standout as he led the Vikings to an 8-4 record in 12 starts. However, he struggled in 2008 and spent much of the season on the bench as 37-year old Gus Frerotte led the offense.

Even before the team started dancing with Favre, they brought in the more experienced Rosenfels to provide competition and depth.

In seven NFL seasons, Rosenfels has made 12 starts with a 6-6 record. Statistically, he is an improvement over Jackson with a career completion percentage of 62.5 and passer rating of 81.2, but he also has seen only minimal action in key situations.

He is actually probably best remembered for the poor decision he made to try and run for a first down late in a 2008 game against Indianapolis. The result was a fumble that was returned for a touchdown as Indianapolis rallied from 17 points down in the fourth quarter to win.

Outside of quarterback, Minnesota is still a talented team and will certainly be a contender in the NFC North.

The offense will now be even more reliant on the running of third-year pro Adrian Peterson. After carrying the ball 363 times and leading the NFL with 1,760 yards a year ago, you can expect him to get even more chances in 2009.

Defensively, the Vikings allowed the fewest rushing yards in the NFL last season and were a respectable 18th against the pass.

That pass defense will certainly get a bigger test from the Bears new quarterback in 2009.

With Jay Cutler under center instead of Kyle Orton, the Bears are looking to be more dynamic offensively and put pressure on the pass defense of teams like Minnesota.

Last season it was the Green Bay Packers that spent the off season in turmoil waiting to see if Favre would return. Now that they had nothing to do with the soap opera this time around they should also contend for the division title.

I guess it is a testament to Favre’s greatness that even though he last played a game in the NFC North in 2007, you can argue that he has been just as significant in shaping the division over the last two years as he was in his 16 years in Green Bay.

Thankfully for Chicago fans, this year his impact on the division will not include any touchdown passes and could actually work in favor of the Bears.

 

Check out Dean Hybl’s sports blog: Sports Then and Now, to read about more great athletes and moments in sports history.

Welcome Back Michael Vick (Well Sort Of)

After weeks of speculation and rumors, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has officially brought Michael Vick back into the NFL fold with the potential for him being back on the field by the sixth week of the 2009 season.

Of course there is a catch (isn’t there always?).

It doesn’t really matter if he can attend training camp, play in the final two games of the preseason and apply for full reinstatement following the fifth week of the season if no team is willing to give him a uniform.

Even though he now has the blessing of the Commissioner, Vick needs the blessing of some NFL owner and coach willing to deal with the distraction that will inevitably come with his return to the NFL.

Unfortunately for him, it seems that teams seem to be falling all over themselves to announce that they aren’t interested in the former overall number one draft pick.

It is just the latest illustration of how much things have changed for Vick since his days as one of the most electrifying players in the NFL.

I am glad that rather than drawing this thing out for another few weeks, Goodell has shown his cards and hopefully started to put things in motion for this ugly situation to eventually move off the front page.

There certainly will be another media firestorm if Vick signs with a team. However, allowing Vick to participate in training camp and off-the-field drills during the first weeks of the regular season should allow both him and the media to turn the page and have a sense of normalcy. By the time Vick puts on a uniform for a real game the story shouldn’t be as high profile as it has been.

Especially considering that even if Vick does get signed this season, it is unlikely that he will see extensive action on the field.

I would think that even those in the media who have been insistent on chronicling everything they possibly can about the Vick situation will eventually get tired of showing pictures and video clips of him standing on the sidelines holding a clipboard.

Given his unquestioned athletic ability, you would think there would be at least one NFL team chomping at the bit to bring Vick into the fold, especially now that the Wildcat offense has become the offense de jour.

While there were always questions about Vick’s passing ability, no one has ever questioned his running prowess.

In case you have forgotten–and it is certainly possible given that he hasn’t played since the 2006 season–Vick rushed for 3,859 yards (averaging 7.3 yards per carry) in his six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. In 2006, he became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season.

Surely some coach and offensive coordinator would welcome the chance to line Vick up in the backfield and see what confusion he can cause for the opposing defense.

However, unless a team is doing something that is almost unthinkable in the modern NFL–making a high-profile personnel decision without first tipping off Chris Mortensen, Jay Glazer or John Clayton, it doesn’t appear that Vick has many legitimate suitors.

Instead, it appears that Vick’s best option may end up being the fledgling United Football League, which is scheduled to begin play with four teams in October.

Vick has already been designated for the Orlando team and would certainly provide the league with instant notoriety and increased publicity.

The United Football League would also provide Vick with a better opportunity to see immediate action at the quarterback position.

While some NFL teams are reluctant to bring in Vick because of his recent past and the circus that would surround him, a more substantial reason that interest in Vick has been minimal is because he hasn’t played an organized game in two years and would have to get rid of his rust while also learning a new offense.

Playing in the UFL would give him a chance to get game experience, rather than simply seeing some action in practice and then holding a clipboard on Sundays. He then could be positioned to return to the NFL in 2010 as a potential starter, rather than as a third string quarterback.

However, even if the UFL is a better fit and would likely give him a larger initial payday, you can bet that if given any choice at all, Vick will opt for a return to the NFL.

If nothing else, it appears Vick has a pretty clear understanding of all that he has lost, and knows that the best chance to start rebuilding his reputation and career is by getting back into an NFL uniform.

Heck, after what he has been through in the last two years, even sitting on the end of the bench in the NFL is significantly better than sitting in Leavenworth.

 

Check out Dean Hybl’s sports blog: Sports Then and Now, to read about more great athletes and moments in sports history.

Walter Payton: Simply Sweet

The images of him flying through the air or high-stepping across the end zone are so ingrained in my mind, that I can’t believe it’s been more than two decades since Walter Payton completed his NFL career, and nearly a decade since his premature passing.

I know you hear it all the time, but God definitely broke the mold when he created Walter Payton.

Others are recognized as maybe being better NFL players, but I just don’t know that there was ever a better combination of desire, gracefulness, power, and athleticism packed into a 5’10” frame than the man they called “Sweetness.”

By all accounts, Payton never should have been as great as he was.

Given his physical stature, initial preference for playing the drums over playing football, and that he played his college football at tiny Jackson State, it’s really quite amazing that Payton went on to achieve such lofty status.

However, heart and desire can’t be measured at a scouting combine, and there’s no question that Payton had those required tools in spades.

Payton’s career numbers: 16,726 rushing yards (second all-time), 21,264 yards from scrimmage (third), 125 touchdowns (11th) are beyond reproach, but his career was about so much more than mere statistics.

For more than a decade, Payton was the silent assassin of the NFL. His soft voice and quiet demeanor off the field masked his killer instinct on the field.

They also masked his reputation as a locker room prankster and cut-up.

Payton actually was first introduced to the world when he and a girlfriend competed in a dance contest (they finished second overall) on the popular television show of the early 1970s “Soul Train.”

When he arrived in Chicago as the fourth pick in the 1975 NFL Draft, there were a lot of questions as to whether this little running back from a small school could handle the rigors of the NFL.

The critics looked like they might be right when Payton rushed for zero yards on eight carries in his first NFL game. However, by the end of the season he had become a starter and rushed for 134 yards against New Orleans in the final game of the season.

Payton shattered any doubt about whether he belonged during his second season as finished behind only O.J. Simpson with 1,390 rushing yards.

The following season he rushed for 1,852 yards to lead the NFL. Ultimately, he ranked among the top 10 rushers in the NFL rushers for 11 straight years and between 1976 and 1986 passed 1,000 yards in every season except the strike-shortened 1982 campaign.

But more than anything else on the football field, Walter Payton was a winner. He would do whatever it took for his team to be successful.

Whether it be blocking, taking snaps at quarterback, or catching passes, Payton would do whatever was needed to help his team win.

After a decade of being the bright light on an inconsistent team, Payton finally got the chance to play for a winner in his final years with the Bears.

Though it’s a shame that he didn’t get to participate in the scoring onslaught against the New England Patriots, Payton was just pleased to finally have a Super Bowl Championship.

Fittingly, his career ended with Payton giving it everything he had in a playoff loss to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Washington Redskins in January 1988. He rushed for 85 yards and caught passes for another 20 in the loss.

After retirement, Payton remained engaged in a wide variety of activities. He was part of a group that attempted to bring the NFL back to St. Louis in 1995, and was co-owner of a team on the CART IndyCar World Series.

The revelation in February 1999 that he suffered from a rare liver ailment surprised many football fans that believed Payton to be invincible.

Though he ultimately lost his battle, Payton was as gracious near the end as he was throughout his career.

He served as an advocate for organ transplants, and even declined to receive a liver transplant because of the severity of his condition and reluctance to take away a chance at life from someone else.

Payton was truly one of a kind, and an NFL great that will never be forgotten.

Check out more from Dean Hybl at Chicago Sports Then and Now where passionate fans can stay updated on the latest in Chicago sports while also reliving the great moments, players and teams of Chicago’s tremendous sports history.

New England Patriots Backfield Full Of 30-Somethings

The addition of 33-year-old Fred Taylor to the New England Patriots’ backfield provides veteran depth to a unit that was already full of runners in their 30’s.

A year ago, the Patriots used a backfield by committee approach to rush for more yards (2,278 yards) than in any other season since 1985.

However, they accomplished the feat without having a true featured back.

Once Laurence Maroney was lost for the season after playing in only three games, the Patriots relied on 32-year-old Kevin Faulk and 31-year-old Sammy Morris to shoulder most of the load.

Both players responded with outstanding campaigns.

Morris rushed for a career-high 727 yards, while Faulk’s 507 yards rushing marked his highest total since the 2003 season. Given that Faulk also had a career-high 468 yards catching passes, the duo proved to be among the most effective units in the league.

If Maroney can return to the form that saw him gain 1,580 yards rushing in his first two seasons, the unit could be stronger than ever.

On top of Maroney, Faulk, and Morris, the addition of one of the best running backs of the last decade should give the Patriots a backfield that will serve as a great compliment to the Brady, Moss, and Welker passing offense.

Throughout his decade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Fred Taylor was one of those players that seemed to fly just under the radar. Everyone knew that he was good, but he didn’t receive the recognition that usually accompanies performances like he annually put up for the Jaguars.

In 11 seasons in Jacksonville, Taylor passed the 1,000-yard mark seven times. He gained at least 1,200 yards six times, including a career-high 1,572 yards in 2003.

Surprisingly, Taylor was not selected for the Pro Bowl despite finishing sixth in the NFL in rushing. He finally earned his only Pro Bowl trip after rushing for 1,202 yards in 2007.

Overall, Taylor is third among active rushers and 16th all-time with 11,271 rushing yards.

Now at age 33, the question is whether Taylor still has enough in the tank to lift the Patriots’ running attack to another level. His production declined last season, as he was limited to 556 yards rushing and a career-low 3.9 yards per carry.

Having three other solid runners in the backfield should help take some of the pressure off Taylor and allow him to be fresh down the playoff stretch.

With Brady back under center, the Patriots may not be running the ball as much as a year ago, but they certainly have the weapons capable of carrying the load when needed.

 

Check out more from Dean Hybl at Boston Sports Then and Now where passionate fans can stay updated on the latest in Boston sports while also reliving the great moments, players and teams of Boston’s tremendous sports history.

Best Defensive Linemen Not In the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Our position-by-position look at the best eligible players not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame now shifts from offense to defense as we look at the best defensive linemen who have not yet earned a bust in Canton.

From Art Donovan, Deacon Jones and Ben Davidson to Bubba Smith, Mark Gastineau, and Michael Strahan, NFL history is filled with charismatic defensive linemen who were recognized not just for their talent, but also for their showmanship and flamboyance.

Defensive line units have also regularly been fan favorites with names such as “Doomsday”, “The Fearsome Foursome”, “The Purple Gang” and “The Steel Curtain.”

Defensive linemen have also been well respected by Hall of Fame voters, as the position is second only to the offensive line in the number of modern era players enshrined in the Hall.

However, much like offensive linemen, because statistics are inconsistent and tell only a part of the story, ensuring that the most deserving defensive linemen are inducted is a tough challenge.

Though some recognition was given to the sack as far back as the 1960s and sack leaders were printed on Topps football cards in the 1970s, the sack wasn’t recognized as an official statistic until 1982.

This provides a challenge for some of the best defensive linemen of the 1960s and 1970s who were known for their pass-rushing ability, but don’t have the same “numbers” to show for their prowess as players of the last three decades.

There are, of course, also great defensive linemen who were primarily run stuffers and didn’t have impressive stat totals, regardless of whether they played prior to or after the sack became a recognized stat.

In selecting the best defensive linemen not in the Hall of Fame, I looked at the individual statistics of post-1982 candidates, but also looked at overall team defensive prowess for players from all eras.

I also analyzed how each candidate compared to players of their own era in regard to Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections.

Selecting the top 10, and event the best 25, was quite a challenge as there are many great defensive linemen who have yet to receive the call from Canton, but who were regular participants in the Pro Bowl or key performers on championship teams.

One player who ended up being ranked much lower on the list than one might expect is former Viking Jim Marshall.

At the time of his retirement, Marshall had played in more games than any other player in NFL history. On the famous “Purple Gang” that included Hall of Famers Carl Eller and Alan Page, Marshall was generally considered to be equal to those two greats.

However, when comparing his credentials with those of other similar defenders, Marshall surprisingly didn’t stack up. He participated in only two Pro Bowls and was never an All-Pro.

In addition, Marshall famously was man handled by a variety of offensive linemen in the four Super Bowl appearances for the Vikings.

Despite being eligible for the HOF for 25 years, Marshall has been a finalist only once, in 2004.

So, here is my list of the top 10 eligible defensive linemen not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I look forward to your comments, discussion, and disagreements.

The 10 Best Tight Ends Not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Our position-by-position look at the best eligible players not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame continues with a rundown of the best tight ends that have not earned a trip to Canton.

Choosing which tight ends deserve immortality in the Hall of Fame is a difficult challenge.

In general, you would expect the best tight ends to be exceptional receivers and powerful blockers. However, few tight ends can truly be called “great” in both areas.

Instead, most tight ends either are great blockers and adequate receivers or, as is the case more often in the last couple decades, great receivers and average blockers.

The Hal of Fame voters waited until 1988 to finally induct a tight end and it remains the least represented position with a total of seven players honored in the Hall.

The first two tight ends to enter the Hall of Fame were arguably the two that best epitomized the requisite combination of blocking and receiving prowess. Mike Ditka and John Mackey were the dominant tight ends of the 1960s as they combined for 10 Pro Bowl appearances and five first-team All-Pro honors.

The next three tight ends inducted into the Hall of Fame, Jackie Smith, Kellen Winslow and Ozzie Newsome were all recognized for their receiving prowess.

While few argued the merits of the sixth tight end inducted into the Hall of Fame, Dave Casper, there was some question of his worthiness because his tenure as a premier player in the league was relatively short.

The induction of Charlie Sanders into the HOF in 2007 caught many people off guard. Sanders had been a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro for mediocre Detroit Lions teams in the 1970s, but his career stats were considered pedestrian and he was never a Hall of Fame finalist before being chosen as a Senior Nominee and ultimately inducted in 2007.

Using statistics to validate the worthiness of a tight end for the Hall of Fame is an exercise in futility. Even tight ends from the same era can have very different levels of offensive production.

Some teams, like the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s, have used the tight end predominantly as another blocker.

In 1973, the Buffalo Bills used the seventh overall pick in the draft to select Paul Seymour, an offensive tackle out of Michigan. They then moved Seymour to tight end and over the next five years he caught only 62 passes, but was a key blocker on the unit that helped O.J. Simpson win three rushing titles between 1973 and 1977.

Other teams have used the tight end as another pass receiver who may sometimes line up in the traditional tight end spot on the line of scrimmage, but often is split out like a flanker.

Don Coryell and the San Diego Chargers forever changed the way tight ends were used when they took the long and lanky Kellen Winslow and made him their receiving tight end. Winslow caught 541 passes in nine seasons while giving Dan Fouts a third dynamic receiving option.

You will see one recurring theme in the players selected as the 10 best not in the Hall of Fame. All of them, regardless of in which era they played, caught more passes in their careers than both John Mackey and Charlie Sanders.

In fact, of the 25 tight ends chosen for this overall list, only six have fewer career receptions than Sanders (336 receptions) or Mackey (331).

As has been the case with all positions, I tried to base my selections first and foremost on how the players compared with others from the same era. How many times was he an All-Pro or Pro Bowl player, how many times was he among the top receiving tight ends in the league, how integral was he to the offensive attack for his team.

Trying to use prowess specifically as a blocker was a challenge because the actual amount of blocking done by each tight end varies greatly and is difficult to quantify.

So, here is my list of the top 10 eligible tight ends not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I look forward to your comments, discussion, and disagreements.

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