2022 NFL Hall of Fame Finalists

[Gandolf]

Who do you like? Overall its not a strong class. Here are the finalists:

Tony Boselli (LT, the first Jaguar)
DeMarcus Ware (stud pass rushing LB on Cowboys and Manning's last ride)
Devin Hester (returner extraordinaire for Bears and others)
Zach Thomas (Dolphins LB)
Sam Mills (mighty mite Saints LB)
Patrick Willis (Niners LB)
Jared Allen (Vikings/Chiefs DE)
Richard Seymour (3 time Pats SB DL)
Bryant Young (Niners DT)
Andre Johnson (Texans WR)
Reggie Wayne (Peyton's #2 WR)
Torry Holt (Rams greatest show WR)
Ronde Barber (Bucs DB)
LeRoy Butler (Packers S - created the Lambeau Leap)
Willie Anderson (Bengals OT)

Not making the cut (by my order of preference):

Vince Wilfork (behemoth DT on Pats dynasty teams)
Steve Tasker (Bills special teams ace)
Steve Smith (fierce Panthers WR)
Ricky Watters (star high stepping Eagles and Niners RB)
Darren Woodson (lynchpin strong safety on Cowboys 93 & 95 SB winners)
Eddie George (Titans RB - Heisman winner) - Eddie and those above him are HOF worthy IMO
Fred Taylor (great Jags RB)
Anquan Boldin (clutch WR on many teams)
Hines Ward (nobody cares about blocking WRs)
Cornerback Eric Allen
Robert Mathis (think he was a Colt DE)

 

[aplous]

Ricky Running Watters used to beast for Seattle
I think? Old AFC West days

 

[Gandolf]

Ricky Running Watters used to beast for Seattle
I think? Old AFC West days

He did, I just remember him being a thorn in the Cowboys side when he played in the NFC

 

[KJ]

Think the first 3.5 are locks (Zach should be a borderline lock)

After that there will likely be a couple fringe, would probably say Mills, Allen and Johnson should be

Strange year when there are no skill position locks outside of Hester in a round about way

 

[jedi ninja]

Reggie Wayne and Tory Holt should be in well before Hester. If Steve Tasker still isn’t in, I don’t see how another special teams specialist gets in before he does.

I know Tasker wasn’t returning kicks, but the point still remains. I could see Hester eventually getting in, but he’s certainly not a shoe in on his first attempt.

 

[Tin&Lint]

Man, probably right that they’re not hof, but massive respect for the games of Boldin & Ward. Those are the guys you need on winning teams.

 

[Gandolf]

I'd vote yes on
Boselli, Ware, Hester, Mills, Seymour. I wish Tasker and Wilfork had made the cut, I'd vote for them too.

Holt, Wayne, Andre Johnson, Steve Smith even......they all appear to be that first cut below HOF.

Check out these numbers:

Player 1 - 1031 catches, 14,731 yards, 81 TD, 2 time first team all-pro, 5 time pro bowler
Player 2 - 920 catches, 13,382 yards, 74 TD, 1 first team all-pro, 7 pro bowls
Player 3 - 1062 catches, 14,185 yards, 70 TD, 2 time first team all-pro, 7 pro bowls
Player 4 - 1070 catches, 14,345 yards, 82 TD, 1 first team all-pro, 6 pro bowls
Player 5 - 1076 catches, 13,779 yards, 82 TDs, no first team all-pros, 3 pro bowls

In order those are Steve Smith, Torry Holt, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne and Anquan Boldin.

Here are there contemporaries that are already enshrined:

Marvin Harrison - 1102 catches, 14,580 yards, 128 TDs, 3 all-pros, 8 pro bowls
Terrell Owens - 1078 catches, 15934 yards, 98 TDs, 5 all-pros, 6 pro bowls
Isaac Bruce - 1024 catches, 15,208 yards, 91 TDs, no all-pros, 4 pro bowls
Randy Moss - 982 catches, 15,292 yards, 156 TDs, 4 all-pros, 6 pro bowls
Calvin Johnson - just 9 years, 731 catches, 11,619 yards, 83 TDs, 3 all-pros, 6 pro bowls

You can see where the latter group is just a step or two above the guys on the ballot now, whether its a better YPC, more TDs, more all-pro selections. I'd say Isaac Bruce is borderline HOF statistically but is still a little better than the guys on the ballot now.

 

[Tin&Lint]

Great analysis. Two thoughts come to mind. Without seeing numbers, of the latter group I would’ve said Andre Johnson was hof material from memory and feel. But the numbers fit the latter group like you said.

Also, Wayne vs Harrison. The Indy/Peyton connection. Stats are very close initially. 30 catches and 250 yards less for Wayne (so like 3 games). Then you get to TDs