NFL HOF: Preliminary Selections (2007)

[ThEgReAtOnE]

Just announced....

http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/story.jsp?story_id=2234

Here's who I'm voting for:

Terrell Davis
In just 7 short NFL seasons he rushed for 7,607 yds and 65 tds. Was Super Bowl MVP, with 3 rushing TD's, against Green Bay. That season, he rushed for 2,008 yds and 21 tds, with a 5.1 yd per carry avg. He was a 3 time Pro-Bowler and All Pro athlete, and was selected to the NFL 1990's All-Decade Team. Can't say I've seen or played against a greater RB, other than Barry or Emmitt. He was also named NFL MVP, once. Ranks as one of the Top 5 RB's, IMO. (Based on level of ability and era played.)

Bruce Matthews
14 Pro Bowls. NFL 1990's All-Decade team. Has NFL record 296 starts and 19 seasons as an NFL lineman. Versatile lineman, as he played several positions, earning Pro Bowl starts at both guard and both tackle positions. He blocked for 2 great RB's, in Earl Campbell and Eddie George. Team player, and superb blocker.

Michael Irvin
Irvin finished his career with 750 receptions (10th all-time in the NFL) for 11,904 yards (9th all-time in the NFL) and 65 touchdowns. He was selected to five Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowls. Irvin was a vocal, emotional leader, who set every significant career receiving mark in team history, such as catches, receiving yards, and 100-yard games (47), including an NFL record eleven in a row in 1995. One of the game's greatest receivers. Nicknamed "Playmaker" for his ability to make big plays in the biggest of games.

Dermontti Dawson
Dawson was named to seven straight Pro Bowls from 1992 to 1998 and played in 171 consecutive games. He's considered the one of the best centers - if not the best - of all time. Tenacious, smart blocker. He played 12 yrs in the NFL.

Derrick Thomas
He was known as one of the best defensive players in NFL history, and one of the most highly visible Chiefs players throughout his career. Thomas was perhaps most well known for his ability to sack the quarterback. He totaled 127.5 sacks in his career and still holds the single game record of 7 quarterback sacks. He is one of only 22 NFL players to achieve 100 or more sacks, and ranks fifth all-time in Chiefs' history with 649 career tackles. During his career, he also recorded 1 interception and recovered 19 fumbles, returning them for 161 yards and 4 touchdowns. Anyone remember his 27 sack season, at Alabama? This guy was in the elite of the elite.

Steve Atwater
Steve started in all 155 games while he was with Denver, which ties for seventh in franchise history for games started. He also started in 14 post-season games. Of particular note was Super Bowl XXXII, where he posted one of the best performances ever by a safety in a Super Bowl. In that game, he is credited with six solo tackles, one sack, two passes defensed (one of which cemented Denver's victory) and a forced fumble. In his 11 NFL seasons, Atwater recorded 5 sacks and 24 interceptions, which he returned them for 408 yards and a touchdown. He also recovered 8 fumbles and returned them for 42 yards. He was selected to 8 Pro Bowls and to the NFL 1990's All-Decade Team. He's one of the hardest hitting safeties to have ever played the game. Two words..."Christian Okeye"!;)


My alternate HOF choice would be:
Lester Hayes/CB


What's your list look like?

[Favpack]

I vote for all of them - but they won't all make it. I'm thinking Davis' and Dawson's careers were probably too short - sadly enough. Atwater? I don't see him making it - but was HOF to me.

[Matthew 2000 Eagle]

1. Michael Irvin- If anyone knows football, then they should know that no team is complete without a leader like Irvin. He ALWAYS came to play, and he gave 100 percent on every play and in practice. One of the toughest guys to ever step foot on the football field, Irvin was everything you wanted in a number 1 reciever. Unlike some guys today, he was someone who you would describe as an "Ultimate Team-player", and he always came thru in the clutch. He couldn't be covered one on one by anybody, and he often saw double and sometimes triple coverages. He was tough as rusty nails, a great blocker, and he had OUTSTANDING HANDS, and not to mention, Irvin won 3 Super Bowl rings in 4 years. Ask Darrell Green and Deion Sanders about Irvin.

2. Steve Atwater- This dude intimidated me and I just watched him on TV. If you were running any post routes against the Broncos, then you had better have insurance because Atwater would clean anyone's clock. Atwater was a very physical player who never missed a game, and he could've still played another year if he wanted. Earning back to back Super Bowl rings, Atwater decided to go out on top after already having an illustrious career in Denver.

3. Derrick Thomas- One of the "true" pass rushers of the game, Thomas was also a guy who could cover. He had speed, and his brute strength made him a force to be reckoned with. You had better have two people blocking him, or you were in trouble. Only blemish on his career is that he never played in a Super Bowl.

4. Art Monk- This man played 17 years (if I'm not mistaken, but if I am, can someone correct me on this?) and like Irvin, played hard every Sunday. He played for two different teams in the Redskins and Jets. His numbers could've been alot higher, but, he was surrounded with other weapons like Gary Clark, Ricky Sanders and Timmy Smith while with the Skins. Being a team player, Monk didn't mind sharing the wealth as he earned 2 Super Bowl rings while playing in Washington.

5. Dermontti Dawson- 12 year career, and nobody, NOBODY, played his position better than him. One of my favorite players of all time, I would take him on my team any day. But, like Derrick Thomas, he never played in a Super Bowl. He SHOULD be a shoe in.

6. Charles Haley- I'm surprised he hasn't been mentioned yet. Super Bowl winner on two different teams, and he was also a "true" pass rusher. Mixed in speed with strength, he demanded double teams which freed up his fellow defensive lineman Dana Stubblefield with the 49ers, and Leon Lett with the Cowboys. In my opinion, Haley was one of the best defensive ends to play the game along with Bruce Smith, Charles Mann, and Harvey Martin etc. He should be in pretty soon.

Alternate- Bill Parcells IF, he ever stays retired. Dude has come back more times than Dracula.