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Above, from left: Lester Hayes, Steve Atwater, Pat Fischer.

The measuring stick for defensive backs in the NFL has always been interceptions, so ball-hawking type players like Dick “Night Train” Lane and Ken Houston basically walked into Canton when their time came. Ronnie Lott of the ’49ers is an example of a punishing physical player getting recognized by the voters. Among the DBs who consistently get bypassed, despite meeting the measuring stick of players already in, are Lester Hayes, known for his trademark crouch at the line of scrimmage when lined up across from a receiver, and his use of “stick-um” back in the days when it was allowed. Hayes seems to be another victim of prejudice against renegade Raider players, since he clearly belongs in the Hall. Pat Fischer was an interception machine during his career, split between the Cardinals and George Allen’s “Over The Hill Gang” Redskin teams. He had 56 picks in his 17 year career and also should have a bust in Canton. Steve Atwater of the Broncos was a contemporary of Lott and played a similar style at safety. Like Lott, he was a leader on his team’s defense, setting the tone for the rugged Denver teams that won 2 Super Bowls. He was an eight time Pro Bowler in his 11 year career, and a member of the NFL’s all-decade team for the 1990s. Eric Allen is a player from the 1990s who has the numbers to qualify for Canton also, with 54 interceptions in his 14 year career.

Above: Carl “Spider” Lockhart (left), Donnie Shell.

Some other overlooked defensive backs with Canton credentials include the late Carl “Spider” Lockhart, a standout with the 1960s New York Giants, Lemar Parrish, who was not only a ballhawk in his career with the Bengals and Redskins but also a standout kick returner, Deron Cherry of the Chiefs, a 6-time Pro Bowler with 50 career picks, and 4 more star veterans of the 1960s, Abe Woodson of the 49ers, Jim Patton of the Giants, Eddie Meador of the Rams and Dallas’ Cornell Green. Two players who were rival safeties in the Super Bowl in the 1970s, Donnie Shell of the Steelers and Cliff Harris of the Cowboys, could also be considered Canton material. Shell was overshadowed by all the other Hall of Fame Steeler players from the ’70s but was just as important a piece of those teams. Harris and teammate Charley Waters may actually keep each other out of the Hall by splitting the vote between them.

Above: Johnny Robinson (left), Booker Edgerson.

As with every other position, there are players from the American Football League’s 10 years of existence who don’t get the notice they should. Kansas City’s Johnny Robinson started his pro career as a running back but was switched to safety and was a standout there for the Chiefs in his career, with 57 total picks and 18 touchdowns. Buffalo had the toughest defense in the AFL when they won back-to-back titles in 1964 and ’65, and a standout player on those teams was Booker Edgerson, who played 9 years in the league and was a “lockdown” cornerback before that phrase even existed. George Saimes was a safety on those teams and was a pioneer of the safety blitz (even though credit for inventing it usually goes to the Cardinals’ Larry Wilson). Dave Grayson split time in the AFL between the Chiefs and Raiders, and was also an outstanding DB. He had 47 career picks and was a 6-time AFL all-star.