2025 HOF nominations/ first 167 before cuts in October

[Dr. Strangelove]

I don't know if I ever really thought of Eric or Jared Allen as HOFers. Specifically, I'd say Suggs was more deserving than the latter.

Great to see Sterling Sharpe finally get in. He was arguably every bit as good as Jerry Rice in the early 1990s. Any argument for keeping him out due to longevity went out the window when Terrell Davis got in.

I agree on Sharpe. Most people easily forget just how good he was. I think Suggs should get in as well but he gets overshadowed by Ray Lewis. Same with Tory Holt being overlooked because of the team he was on and all those other great players. Sometimes, guys get penalized for being on great teams or units.

 

[Diamondeye]

I agree on Sharpe. Most people easily forget just how good he was. I think Suggs should get in as well but he gets overshadowed by Ray Lewis. Same with Tory Holt being overlooked because of the team he was on and all those other great players. Sometimes, guys get penalized for being on great teams or units.

Another problem Holt has is that he came into the league at the time when passing and receiving stats exploded around the league and he gets lost in the overall WR performance that occurred during his era.

I feel the same way about Hines Ward. He made four straight Pro Bowls in the early 2000s (back when that still meant something) playing on teams that ran the ball a ton and had the likes of Kordell Stewart and Tommy Maddox throwing to him. On top of that, the Steelers remained a run-heavy offense during the first several years of Roethlisberger's career.

By the time the Steelers started opening things up more, Ward was still productive but had lost a step.

 

[fastforward]

Suggs will get in. This was his 1st year of eligibility, same with Vinatieri.

 

[fastforward]

I don't see any first timers getting in, Keuchley has the best shot but I think he waits a year.

Turns out you were right. Good call.