128 Modern-Era Players nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026

[Seahawks fan]

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

Seahawks fans getting uptight over some Niners moving closer to the HOF while their guys get farther away.

Conveniently forgetting 16k yards, wild.

Nah he's in for that..this isn't a knock on Gore but more of a showing how worthy some of those other guys are despite never getting in. Since he was actively taking a dig at them.

[88horsepower]

Originally Posted by Seahawks fan

Here is a list of accomplishments Anderson has that a certain "he should be a 1st ballot Hofer" in this thread does not.

2 Superbowl victories
1 SB MVP
1 1st team All Pro
PFWA All rookie team
Offensive Rookie of the year
Offensive Comeback player of the year

Here are some things they tie on
2nd team all pros
they both have 81 rushing TDS
they both have over 3K receiving yards.

He should have been in the HOF a long time ago imo back when 10K yards meant something and he was In the top 10 all time in rushing yards when he retired.

Preach. Anderson is one of the most overlooked stars of his era. I still can't figure out how he isn't in already.

[PuddleMonkey]

Originally Posted by the mesiah

Corey Dillon ,Shaun Alexander and Ricky “running” Watters all rolling around in their graves at this point

I guess Ottis did play in more games than all of them. Congratulations Ottis, welcome to the HOF!

[Grid]

Originally Posted by 88horsepower

Preach. Anderson is one of the most overlooked stars of his era. I still can't figure out how he isn't in already.

Its because he was a stat compiler over many years. Like Gore, he benefited from good health and avoided any major injuries that many other RBs face over their careers.

Anderson played from 1979-1992. Which is no knock on him, that's a long time to ball! But was he ever, at any point, a top 5 RB in the league? How many great RB's played in his era? A lot. And all way better.

He started off hot, and then was just a guy for a dozen seasons. Both of his All Pros (1 first team) and both of his Pro Bowls were in 1979 & 1980 over his first 2 years. Then a dozen years of nothing straight.

Yes, he won 2 Super Bowls. But he was just on the team that got there. He wasnt the reason they were there. SBXXI in 1986, he had zero starts for the Giants and had 81 yards rushing for 1 TD in 8 games that season.

The other one, XXV, he had 784 rushing yards and 139 receiving with a total of 11 TDs on the season.

But he won SB MVP! He did! We should let Jim Plunkett, Doug Williams, Mark Rypien, Desmond Howard, Dexter Jackson & Santonio Holmes into the Hall as well then. They all won an MVP in the SB around the same time.

[2010GBPackers]

Originally Posted by Grid

Its because he was a stat compiler over many years. Like Gore, he benefited from good health and avoided any major injuries that many other RBs face over their careers.

Anderson played from 1979-1992. Which is no knock on him, that's a long time to ball! But was he ever, at any point, a top 5 RB in the league? How many great RB's played in his era? A lot. And all way better.

He started off hot, and then was just a guy for a dozen seasons. Both of his All Pros (1 first team) and both of his Pro Bowls were in 1979 & 1980 over his first 2 years. Then a dozen years of nothing straight.

Yes, he won 2 Super Bowls. But he was just on the team that got there. He wasnt the reason they were there. SBXXI in 1986, he had zero starts for the Giants and had 81 yards rushing for 1 TD in 8 games that season.

The other one, XXV, he had 784 rushing yards and 139 receiving with a total of 11 TDs on the season.

But he won SB MVP! He did! We should let Jim Plunkett, Doug Williams, Mark Rypien, Desmond Howard, Dexter Jackson & Santonio Holmes into the Hall as well then. They all won an MVP in the SB around the same time.

Agreed. I'm not a fan of above-average talent getting into the HoF because they miraculously beat the odds by rarely being injured and compiling huge counting stats. That's why I was soooo happy Sterling Sharpe got in last year (other than being a GB fan). Dude was an absolute monster for his 6 prime years and deserved it much more than those above him on the all-time receiving yards/TDs lists.

[Scottish Punk]

I can see some of these RBs getting in on with the vet committee. Just for the fact there won't be as many modern RBs with the numbers to get in. Modern RBs are going to be judged a bit more with scrimmage yards instead of just rushing yards.

Take somebody like Lesean McCoy who is on the all decade team, a lead indicator of getting in. 23rd all time in yards, 32 in TDs. On balance, is his numbers all the different to some of those backs mentioned - Anderson, Dillon, Waters, Steven Jackson, Warrick Dunn, Fred Taylor, Sean Alexander.

I tend to put all those guys in the same bucket. Some have more yards, some have more TDs. I don't think all those guys are HOFers. I do think if a few get a vet nod, he wouldn't be out of place in the HOF.

[Grid]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

Agreed. I'm not a fan of above-average talent getting into the HoF because they miraculously beat the odds by rarely being injured and compiling huge counting stats. That's why I was soooo happy Sterling Sharpe got in last year (other than being a GB fan). Dude was an absolute monster for his 6 prime years and deserved it much more than those above him on the all-time receiving yards/TDs lists.

100% agree on Sterling. Was he one of the best WR's during his era? Yes, yes he was.

Was he the best in the league at any time? Yes, and not just for a year. He was the best in a 5 year run. And thats with a prime Jerry Rice still going off as well.

I get the league not letting in every one hit wonder. They have to have some sort of cut-off. IE, great for X amount of years when considering career ending injuries. Like Sayers as well.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

Update:

Moving within one step of inclusion in the next class of enshrinees are Robert Kraft (Contributor), Bill Belichick (Coach), and Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood (Seniors). The remaining bar to clear: approval from at least 80% of the members of the full Selection Committee at their annual meeting next year in advance of the class unveiling during Super Bowl LX week in San Francisco.

Really hope Roger finally gets his due.

I'm rooting for Kraft & Belichick to both get in on the same ballot.

Both because it would be fitting and because I'd love to see how they interact with each other at the ceremony.

[Scottish Punk]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

I'm rooting for Kraft & Belichick to both get in on the same ballot.

Both because it would be fitting and because I'd love to see how they interact with each other at the ceremony.

Ha ha, let's just wait for the full Patriots HOF day - Brady, Gronk, Vinitiari, Kraft, and Belichick. Get it all done in one year.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by Scottish Punk

Ha ha, let's just wait for the full Patriots HOF day - Brady, Gronk, Vinitiari, Kraft, and Belichick. Get it all done in one year.

I'd travel to Canton to see that.

[Noles939913]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

I'm switching by pick of Witten to Holt since I last posted. I just feel as though Witten's career is not substantial enough to be a 1st ballot guy. Holt's waited long enough and has a worthy career to warrant enshrinement. It was tough to choose between him and Wayne, but I gave it to Holt by just a smidge - similar career yards vs. Wayne, but did it in less games/his career was in a more difficult era for WRs/he's waited longer.

Holt was a rookie in 1999, Wayne was a rookie in 2001. Were the eras really that different?

[Grid]

Originally Posted by Noles939913

Holt was a rookie in 1999, Wayne was a rookie in 2001. Were the eras really that different?

Well, Holt started in the 20th century. Wayne was in the 21st Century...

[Dallas Cowboys]

Otis Anderson played from 1979 - 1992.
Here’s a list of all the Hall of Fame Running backs his career overlapped with. Some of these guys were at the tail end of their careers. Please note that I just list the years of overlap not full playing years. Anderson is not a hall of famer in my mind.

OJ Simpson 1979
Larry Csonka 1979
Franco Harris 1979 - 1984
John Riggins 1979, 1981-1985
Earl Campbell 1979-1985
Walter Payton 1979-1987
Tony Dorsett 1979-1988
Marcus Allen 1982 - 1992
Eric Dickerson 1983 -1992
Thurman Thomas 1988 -1992
Barry Sanders 1989 - 1992
Emmitt Smith 1990 - 1992


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[2010GBPackers]

Originally Posted by Noles939913

Holt was a rookie in 1999, Wayne was a rookie in 2001. Were the eras really that different?

What I meant was that Holt's time in the league (1999-2009) was more difficult than Wayne's (2001-2014) as it relates to the WR position.

[mjekase]

Roger Craig is more deserving than Anderson as a Vet selection, in my opinion. Had about the same yards from scrimmage in 18 fewer games, and wasn't just a passenger on title teams. He's 9th all-time in postseason yards, and topped 100yds from scrimmage in all three of those Super Bowls.

[Fenway55]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

I'm rooting for Kraft & Belichick to both get in on the same ballot.

Both because it would be fitting and because I'd love to see how they interact with each other at the ceremony.

They’ll just ignore each other.

[Noles939913]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

What I meant was that Holt's time in the league (1999-2009) was more difficult than Wayne's (2001-2014) as it relates to the WR position.

It seems like that’s a whole lot of overlap to make a point in Holt’s favor.

[49erRCCollector]

Originally Posted by Grid

Was he the best in the league at any time? Yes, and not just for a year. He was the best in a 5 year run. And thats with a prime Jerry Rice still going off as well.

We sure about this?

If compare 1988 - 1994 for both players (Sharpe's playing career) it's not really that close.

1992 was an amazing year for Sharpe.

I'm less of a fan of short careers with top peaks, but I have no issue with Sharpe being in. He was spectacular.

[Grid]

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

We sure about this?

If compare 1988 - 1994 for both players (Sharpe's playing career) it's not really that close.

1992 was an amazing year for Sharpe.

I'm less of a fan of short careers with top peaks, but I have no issue with Sharpe being in. He was spectacular.

No, I am not sure. I was just supporting another members comment. Clearly you are biased. And I do agree Rice was the WR GOAT. No debate there.

But 1989-1993. Rice and Sharpe were both 1st team All Pro. So you'd be silly to say that weren't at least on the same level.

The big difference? Rice had Montana & Bill Walsh. Sharpe had Majkowski & Infante

[Scottish Punk]

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

We sure about this?

If compare 1988 - 1994 for both players (Sharpe's playing career) it's not really that close.

1992 was an amazing year for Sharpe.

I'm less of a fan of short careers with top peaks, but I have no issue with Sharpe being in. He was spectacular.

One player 6 year run - 540 catches, 7343 yards, 64 TDs, 5 PB, 3 AP (89-94)
Other player 6 year - 548 catches, 7466 yards, 53 TDs, 4PB, 3 AP (93-98)

Neither is Jerry Rice. Don't perfectly overlap. The other player is never mentioned for HOF (nor should he be), but had a very similar career derailed with injuries, but he didn't retire right away. Career TDs are very close.

[2010GBPackers]

Originally Posted by Scottish Punk

One player 6 year run - 540 catches, 7343 yards, 64 TDs, 5 PB, 3 AP (89-94)
Other player 6 year - 548 catches, 7466 yards, 53 TDs, 4PB, 3 AP (93-98)

Neither is Jerry Rice. Don't perfectly overlap. The other player is never mentioned for HOF (nor should he be), but had a very similar career derailed with injuries, but he didn't retire right away. Career TDs are very close.

You wouldn't get too much pushback from me if Herman Moore was enshrined. I do think there are slight differences between him and S. Sharpe.

S. Sharpe had 4 peak years; H. Moore had 3 peak years.

S. Sharpe had 65 TDs in 7 years; H. Moore had 62 TDs in 12 years.

Either way, no complaints if Moore gets in. Remember, Sharpe didn't get in until 30 years after he retired. Moore retired in 2002, so we'll talk in 2032.

[Scottish Punk]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

You wouldn't get too much pushback from me if Herman Moore was enshrined. I do think there are slight differences between him and S. Sharpe.

S. Sharpe had 4 peak years; H. Moore had 3 peak years.

S. Sharpe had 65 TDs in 7 years; H. Moore had 62 TDs in 12 years.

Either way, no complaints if Moore gets in. Remember, Sharpe didn't get in until 30 years after he retired. Moore retired in 2002, so we'll talk in 2032.

I do think Sharpe is the better player. Moore didn't have an explosive 18 TD season. Having an MVP QB helps in that respect. I don't even count is last two years, he never really touched the field. We didn't get to see the decline part of Sharpe's career. I suspect he would have put up a couple more good seasons to pull away in career numbers. My point was more that Moore had a similar big peak and injuries that ended is career pretty quick. He always seem forgotten among the Sharpe, Irivin, Rice talk when he was right there in production. I do have some bias of course, but I have always looked at Sharpe and Moore as kind of the same. I do not think Moore deserves or will ever be in the HOF. He is in the Lions Ring of Honor to mark his great career with the Lions.

[49erRCCollector]

Originally Posted by Grid

No, I am not sure. I was just supporting another members comment. Clearly you are biased. And I do agree Rice was the WR GOAT. No debate there.

But 1989-1993. Rice and Sharpe were both 1st team All Pro. So you'd be silly to say that weren't at least on the same level.

The big difference? Rice had Montana & Bill Walsh. Sharpe had Majkowski & Infante

I was only reflecting on the comment that Sharpe was the "best" over a 5 year span.

I guess I am biased, but my bias is also supported by facts. And of course, having Montana/Young helped. This was the Seifert era, largely, though.

[2010GBPackers]

Originally Posted by Scottish Punk

I do think Sharpe is the better player. Moore didn't have an explosive 18 TD season. Having an MVP QB helps in that respect. I don't even count is last two years, he never really touched the field. We didn't get to see the decline part of Sharpe's career. I suspect he would have put up a couple more good seasons to pull away in career numbers. My point was more that Moore had a similar big peak and injuries that ended is career pretty quick. He always seem forgotten among the Sharpe, Irivin, Rice talk when he was right there in production. I do have some bias of course, but I have always looked at Sharpe and Moore as kind of the same. I do not think Moore deserves or will ever be in the HOF. He is in the Lions Ring of Honor to mark his great career with the Lions.

He may well get in, man. That'd be awesome for the Lions. I'd like to see Lomas Brown get in, too.

You brought up another relevant point in regards to S. Sharpe, which is favorable to him - he literally retired (injury) at the peak, peak of his career. There's a mystique to not being able to see what may have been.

[49erRCCollector]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

He may well get in, man. That'd be awesome for the Lions. I'd like to see Lomas Brown get in, too.

You brought up another relevant point in regards to S. Sharpe, which is favorable to him - he literally retired (injury) at the peak, peak of his career. There's a mystique to not being able to see what may have been.

Lomas Brown gets forgotten outside of Detroit, which is a shame.

My lasting memory was how pissed Lions fans were when he left for AZ.