Every year this list changes and every year it's seems to get deeper at some positions, but overall the facts remain the same, these players should already have a bust in Canton, Ohio. Many are passed over year after year and some never get to witness this because they've passed away, so let's find a way to get these ten great players in the Hall.
1. Jim Marshall DE Cleveland Browns (1960) Minnesota Vikings (1961-1979)
Jim Marshall was one of the key contributors to the "Purple People Eaters" during the Vikings dominance in the late 60's- early 70's. His nose for the football was uncanny as he was the king of the forced fumble. Even though he's still not in the Hall, he's praised as one of the most dominant players at his position, during his era.
2x Pro Bowler
Sacks: 127 (Unofficial)
Started 270 consecutive games
2. Edgerrin James RB Indianapolis Colts (1999-2005) Arizona Cardinals (2006-2008) Seattle Seahawks (2009)
"Edge" hit the NFL hard his rookie season as he would amass 2,139 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns on his way to an outstanding season in which he would win offensive rookie of the year. James would have a nice run with the Colts, However after the 2005 season, he would parts ways with the team. He broke the 1,000-yard mark 2 times in Arizona before finishing with the Seahawks in 2009. He still holds the Colts team records in rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns.
Career stats:
Rushing Yards: 12,246
YPC: 4.0
Rushing Touchdowns: 80
Receptions: 433
YPR: 7.8
Receiving yards: 3,364
Receiving Touchdowns: 11
Offensive ROY ('99)
Led NFL in rushing ('99-'00)
4x Pro Bowler
NFL All-Decade Team (2000's)
Colts Ring of Honor
3. Isaac Bruce WR Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams (1994-2007) San Francisco 49ers (2008-2009)
Isaac Bruce was one of the most underrated receivers to every ply in the NFL as he let his work on the field foo his talking. The 4-time pro bowl receiver finished 5th on the all-time receiving list (15,208) and had the big catch in the Rams 23-16 victory over the Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV.
Career stats:
Receptions: 1,024
Receiving Yards: 15,208
YPR: 14.9
Receiving Touchdowns: 91
4x Pro Bowler
Super Bowl Champion (XXXIV w/Rams)
Led NFL in Receiving Yards (1996)
Holds the record for most receptions for a receiver under 25 (119)
4. Roger Craig RB San Francisco 49ers (1983-1990) Los Angeles Raiders (1991) Minnesota Vikings (1992-1993)
Roger Craig probably has to be one of most underrated players of his era, as he was one of best dual threat backs with the 49ers in the 1980's. He was dubbed as a fullback early on, but took over as the full-time running back in Super Bowl XIX were he had 132 total yards and became the first ever to score 3 touchdowns in a Super Bowl. Craig would finish his career in Minnesota after a tough 1991 season with the Raiders.
Career stats:
Rushing Yards: 8,189
YPC: 4.1
Rushing Touchdowns: 56
Receptions: 566
Receiving Yards: 4,911
YPR: 8.7
Receiving Touchdowns: 17
NFL offensive POY ('88)
3X Super Bowl Champion (XIX, XXIII, XXIV)
4x Pro Bowler
NFL All-Decade Team (1980's)
49ers Hall of Fame
First player in NFL history to run/receive for 1,000 yards in the same season (1985)
5. Steve Atwater S Denver Broncos (1989-1998) New York Jets (1999)
Steve Atwater could bring the BOOM and that is what he would be known for, but he had instincts like a corner which helped him with his ball- hawk style of play. His biggest career highlight was a bone-jarring hit on Chiefs RB Christian Okoye, which is said by many that he was never the same after that hit. He would go on to win 2 Super Bowl titles with the Broncos before finishing his career with the New York Jets in 1999.
Career stats:
Tackles: 1,180
Interceptions: 24
Interception return yards: 408
Sacks: 5
2x Super Bowl Champion
8x Pro Bowler
NFL All-Decade Team (1990's)
Broncos Ring of Honor
6. Ricky Watters RB San Francisco 49ers (1991-1994) Philadelphia Eagles (1995-1997) Seattle Seahawks (1998-2001)
Ricky "Bones" Watters was one of the slickest runners to pay in the league, meaning he could slip through tackles and coverage, always finding an open lane. He would take over for Roger Craig in the early 90's and win a title with the 49ers in 1994. Watters would also play with the Eagles and Seahawks.
Career stats:
Rushing Yards: 10,643
YPC: 4.1
Rushing Touchdowns: 78
Receptions: 46
Receiving Yards: 4,248
YPR: 9.1
Receiving Touchdowns: 13
Super Bowl Champion (XXIX)
5x Pro Bowler
Seattle Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team
7. Simeon Rice DE Arizona Cardinals (1996-2000) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2001-2006) Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts (2007)
Simeon Rice was one of the quickest defensive linemen of his era using great hands and footwork, Rice could take over the game. He was a major piece of the Buccaneers championship team in 2003.
Career stats:
Tackles: 475
Sacks: 122
Forced Fumbles: 25
Interceptions: 5
Pass deflections: 35
Safety: 1
Super Bowl Champion (XXXVII)
3x Pro Bowler
NFL Defensive ROY (1996)
8. Shaun Alexander RB Seattle Seahawks (2000-2007) Washington Redskins (2008)
Alexander had a good combination of vision and power out of the backfield, but his leadership qualities was maybe his best trait. His 2005 MVP season was probably one of the most complete in NFL history.
Career stats:
Rushing Yards: 9,453
YPC: 4.3
Rushing Touchdowns: 100
Receptions: 215
YPR: 7.1
Receiving Yards: 1,520
Receiving Touchdowns: 12
3x Pro Bowler
NFL MVP (2005)
NFL Offensive POY (2005)
NFL Rushing Yards Leader (2005)
2x NFL Rushing Touchdowns leader (2001, 2005)
Seattle Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team
9. Jimmy Smith WR Dallas Cowboys (1992-1993) Jacksonville Jaguars (1995-2005)
Smith fell in the perfect situation after being taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1995 expansion draft. Jimmy Smith had great play making ability, hands and the great release at the line of scrimmage. He battled off the field problems while still putting up franchise records that still stand today.
Career stats:
Receptions: 862
Receiving Yards: 12,287
YPR: 14.3
Receiving Touchdowns: 67
2x Super Bowl Champion (XXVII,XXVIII)
5x Pro Bowler
NFL receptions Leader ('99)
10. Fred Taylor RB Jacksonville Jaguars (1998-2008) New England Patriots (2009-2010)
Yes, I have two Jaguars on my list and this Jag was one of the most underrated in team history. Taylor could run between the tackles or bounce it outside, but he could also catch it out backfield. He finished his career as the Jaguars all-time leading rusher and was named to the Jaguars Ring of Honor ("Pride of the Jaguars").
Career stats:
Rushing Yards: 11,695
YPC: 4.6
Rushing Touchdowns: 66
Receptions: 290
YPR: 8.2
Receiving Yards: 2,384
Receiving Touchdowns: 8
Pro Bowler (2007)
Second Team All-pro (2007)
Follow me on:
Twitter: @fatboislim_21
Instagram: an2won
Facebook: The Sports Machine
YouTube: Open Field Report
Comments
Post a Comment