HOF semi finalists

[Dolarltexas]

I'm curious whether anyone thinks Marvin Harrison's shootings will keep him out of the Hall of Fame?  His performance on the field are exceptional and definitely worthy of the Hall.  And, I know that technically off-the-field issues aren't supposed to affect the votes, but the reality is that I wouldn't vote for him until I knew what really happened.  From what I can tell from the media articles, he's a vigilante who protects his bar--with extreme force. 

Here's a pretty good article on what is known so far:  http://diaryofahollywoodstreetking.com/the-curious-case-of-marvin-harrison/

[MikeO]

I'm curious whether anyone thinks Marvin Harrison's shootings will keep him out of the Hall of Fame?  His performance on the field are exceptional and definitely worthy of the Hall.  And, I know that technically off-the-field issues aren't supposed to affect the votes, but the reality is that I wouldn't vote for him until I knew what really happened.  From what I can tell from the media articles, he's a vigilante who protects his bar--with extreme force. 

Here's a pretty good article on what is known so far:  http://diaryofahollywoodstreetking.com/the-curious-case-of-marvin-harrison/

Won't have any effect on whether he gets in or not. Those shootings were so long ago, and nothing ever came of them and most people have no idea they took place. Plus he was never arrested or charged with anything. While I am not saying Harrison is a saint or innocent....it will have no bearing on his hall of fame voting. The guy is a sure fire lock hall of fame WR. 1100+ receptions, 14,000+ yards and 128 touchdowns...not even up for debate.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Update:
Here's the complete list of modern-era finalists:

Morten Andersen
Jerome Bettis
Derrick Brooks
Tim Brown
Edward DeBartolo
Tony Dungy
Kevin Greene
Charles Haley
Marvin Harrison
Walter Jones
John Lynch
Andre Reed
Will Shields
Michael Strahan
Aeneas Williams

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000311460/article/walter-jones-leads-list-of-hall-of-fame-finalists

[Phishfan]

Totally agree.  I hate all this "first time ballot" crap.  Either you make the HOF or you don't.  There shouldn't be levels of acceptance.

The rules are that 4-7 people will be selected and that players need to appear on a certain number of ballots. As long as there are those types of rules you will have discussions on who would be a first year, second year, etc. guy.

[fyo]

Don't see Morten Andersen getting in. Sure, he has the record for most points (and kicked the second-longest-at-the-time field goal -- behind that 63-yarder that was broken only this season), but there's only one kicker in the Hall and kickers have improved so much today that Morten's achievements seem less significant.

Bettis seems to really divide people. He doesn't really fill the official criteria, but he was a special kind of back, almost a fullback. He would be the heaviest running back if inducted. Didn't get in the first time around. I think he might this time.

[MikeO]

Tony Dungy being on the list is a joke. Nice guy, great guy, but not a hall of fame coach. Tom Flores and Jimmy Johnson won more Super Bowls than he did and they aren't in the HOF. Morton Anderson and Anesas Williams, also shouldn't be on the list and in consideration.

The guys who get in to me is easy this year

Strahan
Harrison
Jones
Brooks
Shields
Brown

Now I am not a big Tim Brown guy but I think he will get in finally so that's why I put him on the list but if I were voting I wouldn't put him in. DeBartolo and Haley SHOULD get in and already be in, but nobody likes them so they won't.

[MikeO]

How Andre Reed got in I will never understand. But I don't understand how Art Monk got in a few years back so whatever. Marvin Harrison got robbed.  Harrison played 3 LESS years than Reed and has 41 more TD's, and 1400 more receiving yards, was 3 times all pro while Reed was NEVER All Pro, yet they put Reed in. Amazing. Truly Amazing.

The rest of the class I have no problem with, it was all pretty matter of fact this year. Pretty easy class to vote on really. Just surprised they screwed up the Harrison-Reed-Brown deal. I mean they royally screwed it up! Glad to see at least Tim Brown didn't make the first cut!!  I wouldn't have put Aeneas Williams in but whatever, not a big deal. He was a nice player.

[masterfins]

Don't see Morten Andersen getting in. Sure, he has the record for most points (and kicked the second-longest-at-the-time field goal -- behind that 63-yarder that was broken only this season), but there's only one kicker in the Hall and kickers have improved so much today that Morten's achievements seem less significant.

Sorry, but your analysis that "kickers have improved so much today that Morten's achievements seem less significant" is just plain wrong.  You have to judge the player based on his peers at the time he played.  If anything his achievements in his era only improve the justification for electing him.  By your logic most of the QB's in the HoF should not be there because they don't measure up to what Brady, Manning, Brees, or others are doing today.

[Spider-Dan]

How Andre Reed got in I will never understand. But I don't understand how Art Monk got in a few years back so whatever. Marvin Harrison got robbed.  Harrison played 3 LESS years than Reed and has 41 more TD's, and 1400 more receiving yards, was 3 times all pro while Reed was NEVER All Pro, yet they put Reed in. Amazing. Truly Amazing.

Reed was on a team that won four consecutive AFC championships.  Lynn Swann doesn't deserve to be in the HOF either, but people care about the postseason.  Robert Horry will probably make it into the basketball HOF for the same reason.

If Haley wasn't such a dick, he'd have been in a long time ago.

[MikeO]

No kicker will be voted in by the press. It will be through veterans committee type of deal like ray guy

[MikeO]

Reed was on a team that won four consecutive AFC championships.  Lynn Swann doesn't deserve to be in the HOF either, but people care about the postseason.  Robert Horry will probably make it into the basketball HOF for the same reason.

If Haley wasn't such a dick, he'd have been in a long time ago.

Tim Brown and Marvin Harrison have better stats than Reed. Makes zero sense Reed is in over them. The HOF has turned into a popularity contest.

[fyo]

Sorry, but your analysis that "kickers have improved so much today that Morten's achievements seem less significant" is just plain wrong. 

My analysis is spot on.

I'm well aware of the standards that are supposed to be applied when looking at Hall of Fame candidates, but that doesn't mean those are strictly adhered to.

The problem for a guy like Morton is that he was quite probably the best "old school" kicker, but the position has moved on to such an extent that his accomplishments just don't seem that special. We're talking about a position where there only 1 guy has ever gotten in. If you, as a HoF voter, are considering adding #2, it would be unrealistic not to look at the consequences... which would be that #3 would HAVE to come with the current crop. That then raises the natural question if maybe the current crop might provide a better #2 than Morton.

[Spider-Dan]

Tim Brown and Marvin Harrison have better stats than Reed. Makes zero sense Reed is in over them.

How many QBs have better stats than Aikman?

[MikeO]

How many QBs have better stats than Aikman?

He led 3 Super Bowl teams. That counts for something when it comes to QB's. How many QB's have 3 rings? Not many!

[Spider-Dan]

How many WRs have better stats than Michael Irvin or Lynn Swann?
How many RBs have better stats than Larry Csonka?

Postseason success matters (to the selectors).  Reed's team won 4 straight conference championships.  It's not like inducting key players (with above-average stats) on really good teams is a new development.