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The Hall of Fame induction ceremony for 2010 is now in the books, and the Hall of Fame preseason game has been played to officially kick off the new football season. Last week I blogged each day about players at each position who have been overlooked by the Hall voters. But I’ll close out the Hall of Fame posting today by sharing the classic photo above. In many ways, it’s like a “Where’s Waldo” puzzle. Yes, there’s something major missing from this photo. It’s a photo taken in 2009 at the ceremony in which Bills’ owner Ralph Wilson, Jr. and sack artist Bruce Smith were inducted into Canton. It’s a picture of all the members of the Bills who are in the Hall, with one glaring absence. That would be the team’s and the NFL’s one-time  leading rusher, O.J. Simpson. Simpson was surpassed by Thurman Thomas as the team’s all-time leading rusher, and has dropped to 16th on the league’s all-time rushing yardage list.  Unfortunately, “Juice” is seen more in the news in his orange prison jumpsuit in recent years than in his gold Hall of Fame blazer. That’s a real shame. Still, the photo is very memorable. The Bills Hall of Famers in the picture, starting from the left, are Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, Marv Levy, Wilson, Joe DeLamielleure, James Lofton, Billy Shaw and Jim Kelly. One last note – the team with the most players in the Hall is one of the NFL’s oldest and most storied franchises, the Chicago Bears, followed by the Bears’ longest and fiercest rivals, the Green Bay Packers.

From left: Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Billy “White Shoes” Johnson.

When it comes to special teams, NFL coaches pretty much all preach the same sermon – they are just as important as offense and defense, they are 1/3 of the entire team and practice time should be equal to what offense and defense get, they can win or cost a team games. So, if special teams are that important, why are special teams players consistently ignored at Hall of Fame voting time? There are lots of players who played on special teams who ARE in the Hall, like Lou Groza, Sammy Baugh and Paul Hornung for instance, but they got in due to their play on offense and defense. Baugh was a terrific punter but if he hadn’t been a quarterback he wouldn’t be in the Hall. Groza and Hornung were outstanding placekickers but it was their play at tackle and halfback that got them in. It could be argued that George Blanda’s kicking ability got him elected as much as his QB play, but still, he probably wouldn’t be in if he had only kicked. When Jan Stenerud became the first placekicker to be elected, it was a big deal and the expectation was that his election would open the floodgates for all the other kickers, punters, return men, specialists, etc. to start getting elected. Of course, that didn’t happen. There still isn’t one pure punter in the Hall. And nowadays the “long snapper” is a specialty position. Will there be a day when players are voted in solely as long snappers? To me that’s a stretch, but then again, the position is important enough today that every coach employs one. The first pure punter who should be inducted into Canton has to be the Raiders’ Ray Guy. In fact, the assumption is it’s just a matter of time for him. He is clearly the most outstanding punter of all time and it can be argued that he revolutionized the position.  Speaking of revolutionizing the game, when it comes to the “gunner” position on kick coverage, Steve Tasker of the Bills was the master. If any non-kicking special teams player deserves to be inducted, it is Tasker. He was a demon on kick coverage, a punt and kick-blocking machine and an occasional return man. Tasker was a player opposing teams specifically game-planned for. Billy “White Shoes” Johnson was a dynamic return man with the Falcons and Oilers, known for his outlandish end zone dances and, of course, for wearing white shoes. The fact that he reached the end zone so many times on returns that his end zone dances became legendary tells you all you need to know about his kick return abilities. 

Above from left: Travis Williams, Pete Gogolak (and holder Daryle Lamonica), Mel Gray.

Two other return men who deserve a look are the Packers Travis Williams, who rivaled HOFer Gale Sayers in the 1960s as the NFL’s top return man, and the Cardinals’ Mel Gray. Williams played some at running back and Gray was a decent receiver, but mostly they made their name in the league returning kicks. The father and son combination of Terry and Eric Metcalf  is unique. Both had decent careers as running backs and were similar type players. They both excelled in the kick return game. For historical reasons alone, perhaps Pete Gogolak should get some love from the voters. He was the first soccer-style placekicker. Talk about revolutionizing the game! There isn’t one straight-on placekicker left in football today. The last of the straight-on kickers, Washington’s Mark Mosely, was good enough to be considered for Canton also. In the AFL, players like Gene Mingo, Speedy Duncan, Gino Cappelletti and Jim Turner all excelled at some facet of special teams, or “bomb squads” as they were affectionately called back then.

Above: Reggie Roby (left), Brian Mitchell.

Besides Guy, any conversation about HOF punter possibilities has to include Jerrell Wilson of the Chiefs and Reggie Roby, who punted for various teams, mostly the Dolphins. The fact that Roby wore a watch when he punted infuriated some players and enhanced the notion to some that punters “aren’t real football players.” And of course, that kind of macho thinking has worked against even the greatest punters as far as their chances for getting voted into Canton. One other kick returner who deserves a mention is Brian Mitchell. He was a major threat on returns and also just a general all-around great special teamer, and besides Tasker, the next best choice of non-kicking bomb squadder who is deserving.

Above from left: Jim Marshall, Walter Johnson (71).

Below:  Alex Karras.

Among defensive linemen missing from the Hall of Fame whose bust should have been added long ago is former Minnesota Viking Jim Marshall. In fact, while researching this post I was shocked that he wasn’t in. I had always assumed he was. He played 20 years in the NFL. At the time of his retirement he was the league’s all-time iron man, having played 302 consecutive games (since surpassed by Brett Favre). He had an NFL record 29 opponent’s fumbles recovered in his career, and was just an iconic figure in the league. Unfortunately, of course, he was also Jim “Wrong Way” Marshall, going down in history as the guy who returned a recovered fumble 66 yards the wrong way against the ’49ers, resulting in a safety. I find it hard to believe that this one bad play is keeping him out of Canton. The late Walter Johnson, an outstanding defender for the 1960s Cleveland Browns, should also get much more consideration than he does for induction. Johnson was to the Browns defense in his era what HOF teammate Gene Hickerson was to the offense – a catalyst for the team’s success. He played 13 seasons and was a perennial Pro Bowler. Alex Karras had a tremendous career with the Detroit Lions, competing for 12 years and playing in 4 Pro Bowls, and also being named to the all-decade team for the 1960s. His chances for induction were hurt immeasurably by his one year suspension in 1963 for gambling. Paul Hornung was also suspended that same season, and he is in Canton. A couple of other players from the ’60s who probably will never get in but deserve a closer look are Roosevelt Grier, former Giant and one-time member of the Rams’ “Fearsome Foursome” defensive front, and Gene “Big Daddy” Lipscomb. Grier was an outstanding defender but was overshadowed on that fabled Ram line by HOFers Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen. Lipscomb was huge and always seemed like a man playing among boys, and was an outstanding player. He was a 3-time Pro Bowler and MVP of the game twice. He died of a heroin overdose at the age of 31 a few months after winning the Pro Bowl MVP in the 1962 game. 

Above from left: Rich “Tombstone” Jackson, Houston Antwine, Tom Sestak (70) with HOF teammate Billy Shaw.

The American Football League, of course, produced great defensive linemen who have been overlooked by the Canton voters. One player who should get more consideration at least has a Hall worthy nickname – Rich “Tombstone” Jackson of the Denver Broncos. He was a 3 time all-star and a tremendous pass rusher, but his career was cut short by a severe knee injury. Houston Antwine was a 6-time AFL all star with the Boston Patriots and a member of the all-AFL team. Tom Sestak’s situation is similar to that of Walter Johnson. Sestak was to the dominant Buffalo Bills defense what HOF teammate Billy Shaw was to the Bills’ offense.  Sestak was a 4 time AFL all star in his injury-shortened career, and was a unanimous choice 3 times. Only 6 players were unanimous all-league selections that many times in the 1960s – Sestak and 5 other NFL players who are all in Canton.

Above: Ron McDole (left), Curley Culp.

A couple of players who started their careers in the AFL and transitioned into the NFL in the ’70s, Ron McDole and Curley Culp, deserve a closer look. McDole, the “Dancing Bear”, was a standout defensive end on the same Bills’ defense that Sestak played on. That team held opposing rushers without a touchdown for 17 consecutive games during their dominant 2 year title run. McDole moved on to Washington and was a solid player for George Allen’s “Over the Hill Gang” in the ’70s when most figured his best days were behind him. Culp was a prototype nose tackle in the 3-4 defense of Bum Phillips’ Houston Oiler teams in the ’70s after starring for the Chiefs in the AFL.  He was a 6 time Pro Bowler and is credited in some circles as being the first to play the nose tackle position.

Above: L.C. Greenwood (left), Harvey Martin (79) with HOF teammate Randy White.

Two more examples of players who are under-appreciated because of being overshadowed by high-profile teammates are L.C. Greenwood and Harvey Martin. Greenwood, famous for wearing gold cleats, was a second banana to Mean Joe Greene with the Steel Curtain defense of the ’70s, but an outstanding defender and worthy of Canton consideration. Martin was overshadowed by Randy White, although he was voted co-MVP of Super Bowl XII along with White. Martin, who died in 2001, was a 4 time Pro Bowler and a member of the all-decade team for the ’70s.

Probably the most deserving modern day player among defensive linemen is Chris Doleman,  who played 15 seasons with the Vikings, ’49ers and Falcons and was an 8 time Pro Bowler. It may just be a matter of time for Doleman to get in, since he has the longevity and the numbers. Also, former Chicago Bear Richard Dent has been a finalist 6 times but still hasn’t garnered the votes to get elected.

Above from left: Maxie Baughan, Dave Robinson, Lee Roy Jordan.

Linebacker is a position in football that requires many different skills, and a position that has evolved over the years. The best ones have to have the toughness and tackling skills of defensive linemen and the coverage skills of defensive backs. Linebackers who play in a 4-3 scheme have different responsibilities than those who play in a 3-4, but the bottom line is that in order for a linebacker to be Canton-worthy, he has to be a great football player. There were so many terrific backers playing in the 1960s that there are bound to be those who never get into the Hall. Maxie Baughan, who had a great career with the Eagles and Rams, is one of those. He played 12 years and was a Pro Bowler 9 times, and with 18 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries in his career, was a playmaker. Dave Robinson was a stalwart linebacker on the great Green Bay title teams of the ’60s. He had 21 interceptions and was a member of the all-decade team of the ’60s, despite playing in the shadow of Hall of Fame teammate Ray Nitschke. Lee Roy Jordan was a key component of Tom Landry’s “Flex” defense in Dallas in the ’60s. With 32 career picks and 16 fumble recoveries, Jordan was a great ball-hawk.  He was a 5 time Pro Bowler in his 14 NFL seasons. Tommy Nobis, the first draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons when they entered the NFL as an expansion team, was named to 5 Pro Bowls in his 11 year career, but despite having a great career, there was always the perception that Nobis didn’t live up to the hype that comes with being the top pick in the NFL draft. Chris Hanburger of the Redskins is another player from the ’60s who is somewhat forgotten despite a great career.

Again, the American Football League produced Hall-worthy players who never get the recognition they deserve at every position, and linebacker is no exception. Larry Grantham was a stud linebacker with the New York Titans/Jets and was a 5 time AFL all-star, playing in all 10 years of the league’s existence. Mike Stratton of the 1960s Buffalo Bills had a long, stellar career and was a 6 time AFL All-star. George Webster patroled the middle of the Houston Oilers defense with the same ferocity as Nitschke or Dick Butkus, but never got much recognition.

Above from left: Larry Grantham, Mike Stratton, George Webster.

Moving on to later decades, the Denver Broncos have 3 linebackers who should get more love from the Canton voters. They are Tom Jackson, who had a monumental playing career before gaining fame as an ESPN studio football analyst, Karl Mecklenberg and Randy Gradishar. Denver’s lack of success in Super Bowls probably diminished these players in the voter’s eyes, but they are all deserving. Robert Brazile played 10 seasons with the Oilers in the 1970s and was a prototype 3-4 linebacker under coach Bum Phillips. He was a seven time Pro Bowler.  Wilber Marshall was one of the most physical players on a bruising Chicago Bears defense in the 1980s, but the hype surrounding other teammates, like Mike Singletary, Richard Dent and even William “Refrigerator” Perry, left him in the background. Kevin Greene was another great 3-4 backer, starring with the 1990s Pittsburgh Steelers. He had 160 career sacks and was a 1990s All-Decade selection.

 Below from left: Tom Jackson, Robert Brazile, Kevin Greene.

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.

Above from left: Bob Kuechenberg, Kent Hull, Jerry Kramer.

Offensive linemen have traditionally been the players who grind it out in the trenches and get little or no credit for their team’s success. That may explain why there are so many deserving O-line Hall of Fame candidates who don’t ever get consideration. There are 2 glaring omissions in this category, in my opinion. Jerry Kramer of the 1960s Green Bay Packers is one of them, and Bob Kuechenberg of the 1970s Miami Dolphins the other. Kramer was a stalwart guard on the most dominant team of that decade, and led the fabled Packer sweep, the team’s bread-and-butter running play (see picture above). The Packers were not a team that used trick plays. They were a “here we come, try and stop us” team, and they were rarely stopped. How Kramer is not in the Hall is a mystery to me. Kuechenberg is a similar case. He was, in my opinion, THE dominant offensive lineman of the 1970s. He was better than his teammate, Larry Little, who is in the Hall, and was the main reason why Don Shula’s running game was dominant against every team they played, especially during the team’s 3 year Super Bowl run in the early ’70s. Buffalo center Kent Hull is a player who will likely never be considered for enshrinement, but he should be. He arrived in Buffalo along with Jim Kelly and anchored the Bills’ offensive line in their four year Super Bowl run in the 1990s. The Bills ran a no-huddle offense during this period and the offensive linemen had to be in great condition, and Hull was. He made all the line calls on the run, and was a great run and pass blocker. Bill Fralic was an outstanding guard but toiled somewhat in anonimity with the Atlanta Falcons. He was a 4-time Pro Bowler and was named to the NFL’s all-decade team for the 1980s. Jim Tyrer and Ed Budde were teammates with the AFL Kansas City Chiefs and both were mainstays on Hank Stram’s great KC teams. Budde played for 14 years and was a 5 time AFL all-star. Tyrer was a 7 time AFL all-star and a dominant run blocker. Two players who were overshadowed by great teammates, but should be considered for Canton for their own abilities are Max Montoya, who played guard for the Bengals, and Walt Sweeney, a former Charger. Montoya played on the same line with a player who many consider to be the best lineman ever, Anthony Munoz, but he was a four-time Pro Bowler himself in his 16 year career. Sweeney played in the shadow of a Hall of Famer also, tackle Ron Mix. Sweeney was an all-star, either in the AFL or NFL, nine times in his 13 year career.  

Pictured below: Walt Sweeney (left), Ed Budde.

Hull isn’t the only center overlooked despite having Hall credentials. In fact center is a position that is overlooked in general. Some centers who had great football careers and deserve a look include Mick Tingelhoff, Jay Hilgenberg, Dermontti Dawson and Bart Oates. Tingelhoff played his entire 17 year career with the Vikings and was a Pro Bowler 6 times, and also the Vikes’ center in 4 Super Bowls. Hilgenberg anchored the Bears line in the Walter Payton era and made the Pro Bowl 7 times.  Dawson was a 7 time Pro Bowler with the Steelers, and has come close to election and may yet get in. Oates played 10 seasons, was a 5-time Pro Bowler and played on 3 Super Bowl champion teams.

Below: Jay Hilgenberg (left), Dermontti Dawson.

Top Row: Shannon Sharpe (left), Pete Retzlaff.

Second Row: Jerry Smith (left), Fred Arbanas.

There aren’t many tight ends in Pro Football’s Hall of Fame, but then again it’s never been much of a “glamour” position in the NFL, although recent players like Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates are changing that perception. One tight end not in the Hall stands out above the rest – Shannon Sharpe of the Denver Broncos/Baltimore Ravens, and current CBS football studio analyst. He is destined to get in soon. There were a lot of fine tight ends in the 1960s, and that fact is borne out by the fact that 2 of them from that era – John Mackey and Mike Ditka – are in the Hall. Pete Retzlaff of the Eagles was another great TE from that era. He was a 5 time Pro Bowl player and his jersey number 44 was retired by the team. His chances of getting elected to Canton, perhaps, are hurt by the fact that early in his career he played running back and split end before settling in at the tight end spot. Amazingly, Retzlaff never caught a pass in his college career. Two others who played tight end in the 1960s are Canton-worthy also – Fred Arbanas, who starred in the AFL for the Kansas City Chiefs, and Jerry Smith, who played for the Redskins. Former AFL players are rarely considered, but Arbanas was the dominant TE in the league. Despite losing sight in his left eye, he managed to be an AFL all-star 6 times and was voted the tight end on the All-AFL team. Smith was a terrific player, a great downfield weapon for ‘Skins QB Sonny Jurgensen when tight ends weren’t normally downfield threats. He died of AIDS and it’s unknown whether his homosexuality is a reason why he never seems to get consideration from Hall voters.

Some players who deserve a look are from the years when tight ends started to become more of a threat to catch passes rather than being just an extra blocking lineman. Among those players are Riley Odoms of Denver, Todd Christensen of the Raiders, Billy Joe Dupree of Dallas and Bob Trumpy of the Bengals. More modern day players who could have a shot to get in include New England’s Ben Coates, Mark Bavaro of the Giants and another Cowboy, Jay Novacek. The fact that Floyd Little, former Bronco running back, was elected this year gives hope to a player like Odoms.  Christensen was a converted running back who caught a lot of short passes and was a very unconventional tight end. Dupree and Novacek were both very high profile players of their respective eras, but, while playing for “America’s Team” may get you more media attention it doesn’t automatically punch your ticket to Canton.