The Pro Football Hall of Fame welcomed six former players and one very important filmmaker into immortality last weekend.
The 2011 class consisted of recent players Richard Dent, Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders and Shannon Sharpe, old-timers Chris Hanburger and Les Richter and NFL Films founder Ed Sabol.
Looking at the spectrum of positions, records and timeframes represented by that group made me wonder just how many hall-of-famers NFL fans will be watching once the season starts next month.
For my money, there are five active players already guaranteed a place in the hall of fame. They each have three of the characteristics most common among hall-of-famers – career longevity, all-time statistics and playoff success. They are:
– Tom Brady
The New England Patriots star has the individual and team statistics to qualify him among the top 10 all-time NFL quarterbacks: three Super Bowl titles, two AP Most Valuable Player awards, eighth-most wins by a QB, most consecutive playoff wins and most touchdowns in one season (to name a few).
– Ray Lewis
The Baltimore Ravens linebacker has been the best defensive player of his generation and the leader of the NFL”s best defense during the last 11 years. Lewis is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl MVP, 10-time All-Pro and the fastest guy to 30 interceptions, 30 sacks for a career.
– Peyton Manning
Perhaps the most recognizable face in the NFL, Manning has led the Indianapolis Colts to one Super Bowl title during a career defined by impressive regular season totals: four MVPs, fourth-most wins all-time and the third-most passing yards, completions and touchdowns ever.
– Terrell Owens
The free agent wide receiver hasn”t always been likable but has the individual numbers to rank him among the top five receivers ever: second all-time (behind only Jerry Rice) in receiving yards and touchdowns – not to mention a Super Bowl appearance.
– Adam Vinatieri
Arguably the greatest placekicker ever and without a doubt the best playoff kicker, Vinatieri will soon be second player elected for a career spent solely as a kicker (joining Jan Stenerud). The numbers are undeniable: four Super Bowl rings, seven Super Bowl field goals, 42 postseason FGs and the 11th-most career FGs made.
Note: the above list does not include two recently-retired, but commitmentphobic future hall-of-famers (Brett Favre and Randy Moss).
There are five other players just on the cusp of solidifying their hall-of-fame status (and might already have the credentials to get in someday):
– Tony Gonzalez
Look at the numbers; he”s the best receiving tight end ever (leads in career TDs, yards and receptions). Having little playoff success and no Super Bowl appearances hurts him.
– Donovan McNabb
The Minnesota Vikings QB has the 14th-most wins and 15th-most passing yards ever, not to mention 28 career rushing TDs. In a past life, he also made five trips to the NFC Championship and one Super Bowl appearance.
– Ben Roethlisberger
The Pittsburgh Steelers QB has two Super Bowl wins and a third appearance but might need another title or vastly-improved regular season numbers (just tell Jim Plunkett that two rings as a starting QB guarantees Hall of Fame selection).
– Darren Sharper
The safety got his ring two seasons ago with the New Orleans Saints, finally bringing a title to a list of career accomplishments that includes 63 INTs, 7.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and 11 INT TDs (second-most all-time).
– LaDainian Tomlinson
Though he”s had little playoff success, this “LT” did win an MVP and has amassed the sixth-most career rushing yards and second-most rushing TDs all-time.
To throw a few more names into the hat, here are the five active guys next closest to the hall of fame. As it stands, they”re probably not hall-of-famers but are really close and could help their own causes late in their playing lives.
– Brian Dawkins
A six-time All-Pro safety with 23 sacks, 37 INTs, more than 1,000 tackles and one Super Bowl loss.
– Shane Lechler
The Oakland Raiders punter is an eight-time All-Pro, the all-time leader in punting average and has one Super Bowl appearance. Of course, no full-time punter is in the hall of fame (but another Raider, Ray Guy, should be inducted).
– Ed Reed
Entering his 10th season, the Ravens safety already has 12 career TDs (combined on blocked punts, kick returns, fumbles and INTs; Sanders-like numbers).
– Jason Taylor
A five-time All-Pro tied for eighth in career sacks to go with eight career INTs and nearly 40 forced fumbles; little playoff success though.
– Charles Woodson
The former Raider has one Super Bowl title, a second appearance and exceptional career totals for a cornerback: 13.5 sacks, 27 forced fumbles and 47 INTs.
Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. He can be reached at 263-5636 ext. 37 or jwalsh@record-bee.com.
