Players From Your School or Conference (Possible HOF'ers)

[J-State 86-90]

Players From Your School or Conference in the NFL That has the Best Chance Of Making NFL HOF?

From Jackson State I would say Jimmy Smith has the best shot with Robert Brazile with an outside shot. From the Conference I think Aneas Williams from Southern U, I think should be a lock, Michael Straham from Texas Southern if he ends his career strong. I'm sure they are others so What do you guys think? And of course Jerry Rice!!!!!!!

[Mr. C]

Some players from SoCon schools I'd vote for (if I had a vote) would include: Dexter Coakley, Appalachian State LB (only two-time Buchanan Award winner and a three-time Pro Bowler with the Dallas Cowboys), Adrian Peterson, Georgia Southern FB (the best I-AA runner ever in my opinion), Matt Stevens, Appalachian State CB (probably the best CB in I-AA during his era, would have loved to have seen him play in the NFL with two healthy knees), Tracy Ham, Georgia Southern QB (two I-AA championships before the Eagles entered the SoCon), Randy Moss, Marshall WR (the most dominating I-AA player I've seen). From before my time in I-AA, ASU LB Dino Hackett and RB John Settle should be considered. They both made tremendous marks in I-AA and also in the NFL as All-Pro players (though Settle's career was cut short by a knee injury). Among coaches, its a farce that you can have Hall of Fame guidelines that don't allow Erk Russell to be inducted. He's right up there with Roy Kidd, Tubby Raymond and Jim Tressel in my mind.

WR Terrell Owens was as talented as anyone, but really didn't post big numbers on a surprisingly bad UTC team.

[Sly Fox]

I think he meant the Pro Football Hall of Fame, C.

[Mr. C]

It was an easy mistake to make, because almost NO I-AA players would have a shot at the NFL Hall of Fame. Few I-A players ever make it. Maybe Michael Strahan of Texas Southern and of course Jerry Rice of Mississippi Valley State. But the NFL Hall of Fame is one of the toughest to get into. Jimmy Smith? Give me a break. There are plenty of better receivers through the years than Smith that are not in there now. There are plenty of current receivers that are better than Smith. Williams would be a outside chance, considering his career. Robert Brazile, absolutely no chance. Randy Moss and Terrell Owens had the talent to do it, but their off-field activities have overshadowed their talent.

[J-State 86-90]

It was an easy mistake to make, because almost NO I-AA players would have a shot at the NFL Hall of Fame. Few I-A players ever make it. Maybe Michael Strahan of Texas Southern and of course Jerry Rice of Mississippi Valley State. But the NFL Hall of Fame is one of the toughest to get into. Jimmy Smith? Give me a break. There are plenty of better receivers through the years than Smith that are not in there now. There are plenty of current receivers that are better than Smith. Williams would be a outside chance, considering his career. Robert Brazile, absolutely no chance. Randy Moss and Terrell Owens had the talent to do it, but their off-field activities have overshadowed their talent.

Plenty of receivers? I don't think so! 862 career receptions, 12287 yards, 68 Td's all of which are in the top 10 in NFL history, with the first 3 years of his career lost to broken leg and ruptured apendix. Plenty?
Here is the NFL all time receivers list as of today where are the plenty? 7th in receptions, 12th in yardage and 12th in TD's


Pro Football Hall of Fame Top 20 - Leading Lifetime Receivers
(At the Start of the 2006 NFL Season)

Rank Player League Yrs. No. Yards Avg. TD
1 (1) Jerry Rice NFL 20 1,549 22,895 14.8 197
2 (2) Cris Carter NFL 16 1,101 13,899 12.6 130
3 (3) Tim Brown NFL 17 1,094 14,934 13.7 100
4 (4) Andre Reed NFL 16 951 13,198 13.9 87
5 (5) Art Monk NFL 16 940 12,721 13.5 68
6 (7) MARVIN HARRISON NFL 10 927 12,331 13.3 110
7 (12) JIMMY SMITH NFL 12 862 12,287 14.3 67
8 (6) Irving Fryar NFL 17 851 12,785 15.0 84
9 (8) Larry Centers NFL 14 827 6,797 8.2 28
10 (15) KEENAN McCARDELL NFL 14 825 10,680 12.9 62
11 (9) Steve Largent * NFL 14 819 13,089 16.0 100
12 (10) Shannon Sharpe NFL 14 815 10,060 12.3 62
13 (11) Henry Ellard NFL 16 814 13,777 16.9 65
14 (13) ISAAC BRUCE NFL 12 813 12,278 15.1 77
15 (20) ROD SMITH NFL 11 797 10,877 13.6 65
16 (19) MARSHALL FAULK NFL 12 767 6,875 9.0 36
17 (14) James Lofton * NFL 16 764 14,004 18.3 75
18T (16T) Charlie Joiner * AFL-NFL 18 750 12,146 16.2 65
18T (16T) Michael Irvin NFL 12 750 11,904 15.9 65
20 (–) KEYSHAWN JOHNSON NFL 10 744 9,756 13.1 60

[seantaylor]

It was an easy mistake to make, because almost NO I-AA players would have a shot at the NFL Hall of Fame. Few I-A players ever make it. Maybe Michael Strahan of Texas Southern and of course Jerry Rice of Mississippi Valley State. But the NFL Hall of Fame is one of the toughest to get into. Jimmy Smith? Give me a break. There are plenty of better receivers through the years than Smith that are not in there now. There are plenty of current receivers that are better than Smith. Williams would be a outside chance, considering his career. Robert Brazile, absolutely no chance. Randy Moss and Terrell Owens had the talent to do it, but their off-field activities have overshadowed their talent.


Both of those guys are first ballot hall of fame unanimous locks. Doesn't get much easier to pick. Also, Michael Strahan, Adam Vinateri, Jerry Rice, Shannon Sharpe and Rodney Harrison will be locks.

[Mr. C]

Both of those guys are first ballot hall of fame unanimous locks. Doesn't get much easier to pick. Also, Michael Strahan, Adam Vinateri, Jerry Rice, Shannon Sharpe and Rodney Harrison will be locks.
Shannon Sharpe will probably eventually get in, with Rodney Harrison also having a good chance. Adam Vinateri didn't play I-AA ball. His school (South Dakota State) was D-II when he was there.

[Mr. C]

Plenty of receivers? I don't think so! 862 career receptions, 12287 yards, 68 Td's all of which are in the top 10 in NFL history, with the first 3 years of his career lost to broken leg and ruptured apendix. Plenty?
Here is the NFL all time receivers list as of today where are the plenty? 7th in receptions, 12th in yardage and 12th in TD's


Pro Football Hall of Fame Top 20 - Leading Lifetime Receivers
(At the Start of the 2006 NFL Season)

Rank Player League Yrs. No. Yards Avg. TD
1 (1) Jerry Rice NFL 20 1,549 22,895 14.8 197
2 (2) Cris Carter NFL 16 1,101 13,899 12.6 130
3 (3) Tim Brown NFL 17 1,094 14,934 13.7 100
4 (4) Andre Reed NFL 16 951 13,198 13.9 87
5 (5) Art Monk NFL 16 940 12,721 13.5 68
6 (7) MARVIN HARRISON NFL 10 927 12,331 13.3 110
7 (12) JIMMY SMITH NFL 12 862 12,287 14.3 67
8 (6) Irving Fryar NFL 17 851 12,785 15.0 84
9 (8) Larry Centers NFL 14 827 6,797 8.2 28
10 (15) KEENAN McCARDELL NFL 14 825 10,680 12.9 62
11 (9) Steve Largent * NFL 14 819 13,089 16.0 100
12 (10) Shannon Sharpe NFL 14 815 10,060 12.3 62
13 (11) Henry Ellard NFL 16 814 13,777 16.9 65
14 (13) ISAAC BRUCE NFL 12 813 12,278 15.1 77
15 (20) ROD SMITH NFL 11 797 10,877 13.6 65
16 (19) MARSHALL FAULK NFL 12 767 6,875 9.0 36
17 (14) James Lofton * NFL 16 764 14,004 18.3 75
18T (16T) Charlie Joiner * AFL-NFL 18 750 12,146 16.2 65
18T (16T) Michael Irvin NFL 12 750 11,904 15.9 65
20 (–) KEYSHAWN JOHNSON NFL 10 744 9,756 13.1 60
And how many of the top 20 do you think will get into the Hall of Fame (a handful are already in)? Beyond Rice, Carter, Faulk and probably Sharpe, I don't think you could say any of them are shoe-ins, though Harrison, Reed and Monk probably make it. Henry Ellard was a contemporary and acquantance of mine when we both attended Fresno State, but I don't think Ellard makes the cut. It's about more than numbers. Smith is hurt by the fact that his team has never done much. He hasn't had a lot of chances to show his stuff in the post-season. No knock on Smith. I just know how extremely tough it is to get in.

[Mr. C]

There is no way that Owens and Moss are "locks" for the Hall of Fame. Just look at the fact that the committee passed on Michael Irvin this season. Owens and Moss, despite their abilities, have off-field issues that will keep some people from voting for them and there is also the perception that both have not gotten the most out of their tremendous skills. I doubt that either of them ever gets in.

[seantaylor]

There is no way that Owens and Moss are "locks" for the Hall of Fame. Just look at the fact that the committee passed on Michael Irvin this season. Owens and Moss, despite their abilities, have off-field issues that will keep some people from voting for them and there is also the perception that both have not gotten the most out of their tremendous skills. I doubt that either of them ever gets in.

Thats crazy. They are both still young, and when their careers are over they will easily be #2 and #3 in TD's and yards all time. Locks.

[AmsterBison]

Well, Adam Vinatieri from South Dakota State will make it. That's not fair because they already have Jim Langer in there already.

[catbob]

There is no way that Owens and Moss are "locks" for the Hall of Fame. Just look at the fact that the committee passed on Michael Irvin this season. Owens and Moss, despite their abilities, have off-field issues that will keep some people from voting for them and there is also the perception that both have not gotten the most out of their tremendous skills. I doubt that either of them ever gets in.

You don't think Isaac Bruce goes?

[I-AA Fan]

Both of those guys are first ballot hall of fame unanimous locks. Doesn't get much easier to pick. Also, Michael Strahan, Adam Vinateri, Jerry Rice, Shannon Sharpe and Rodney Harrison will be locks.

Owens will eventually go ...Moss will not go. Now his long-time counterpart ... Carter (not I-AA) ...there is a HOF candidate.

[Tribe4SF]

Brian Westbrook may have a shot by the time he's done. Darren Sharper would be a long-shot, but he's getting up there in career ints. Depends how long he plays.

[Mr. C]

Thats crazy. They are both still young, and when their careers are over they will easily be #2 and #3 in TD's and yards all time. Locks.
You obviously do not know how the NFL Hall of Fame system works. As great as O.J. Simpson was (one of the top two or three RBs of all time), he would not be elected, if he were up for the process now. Michael Irvin should be a lock in terms of his career, but he was snubbed last year. It may be crazy, but neither Moss or Owens will get in, IMO.

[Mr. C]

Brian Westbrook may have a shot by the time he's done. Darren Sharper would be a long-shot, but he's getting up there in career ints. Depends how long he plays.
Absolutely no chance for either in the NFL Hall of Fame.

[Mr. C]

You don't think Isaac Bruce goes?
I'd say Bruce is a long shot at best.

[OL FU]

Some players from SoCon schools I'd vote for (if I had a vote) would include: Dexter Coakley, Appalachian State LB (only two-time Buchanan Award winner and a three-time Pro Bowler with the Dallas Cowboys), Adrian Peterson, Georgia Southern FB (the best I-AA runner ever in my opinion), Matt Stevens, Appalachian State CB (probably the best CB in I-AA during his era, would have loved to have seen him play in the NFL with two healthy knees), Tracy Ham, Georgia Southern QB (two I-AA championships before the Eagles entered the SoCon), Randy Moss, Marshall WR (the most dominating I-AA player I've seen). From before my time in I-AA, ASU LB Dino Hackett and RB John Settle should be considered. They both made tremendous marks in I-AA and also in the NFL as All-Pro players (though Settle's career was cut short by a knee injury). Among coaches, its a farce that you can have Hall of Fame guidelines that don't allow Erk Russell to be inducted. He's right up there with Roy Kidd, Tubby Raymond and Jim Tressel in my mind.

WR Terrell Owens was as talented as anyone, but really didn't post big numbers on a surprisingly bad UTC team.

What keeps Erk out of the College Hall?

[Brad82]

Steve Furness,Brian Forster and Tom Ehrhardt from Rhody.

[seantaylor]

You obviously do not know how the NFL Hall of Fame system works. As great as O.J. Simpson was (one of the top two or three RBs of all time), he would not be elected, if he were up for the process now. Michael Irvin should be a lock in terms of his career, but he was snubbed last year. It may be crazy, but neither Moss or Owens will get in, IMO.

His numbers will be nowhere near TO and Moss's when they are done. Art Monk should be in the HOF. An absolute joke that he is not.

[arranger101]

SCSU's Harry Carson...just got in!

[MACHIAVELLI]

From THE ICON Albert Lewis and Everson Walls to add to the 4 we already have in the NFL HOF.

[Mr. C]

His numbers will be nowhere near TO and Moss's when they are done. Art Monk should be in the HOF. An absolute joke that he is not.
I agree totally about Monk. He should be in there. But that's what I mean about just how tough it is to get in. When you talk about Michael Irvin, you are talking about more than numbers. He was one of three key players on the team of the 1990s. A lot of these guys being mentioned, like Jimmy Smith, have no team success to get them in. This isn't like baseball, where 500 homers, 300 wins, or 3000 hits gets you in. There are a lot of receivers with less numbers than Irvin or Monk that are in. Pro football values championships more in determining Hall of Fame stuff than baseball does.

[Mr. C]

From THE ICON Albert Lewis and Everson Walls to add to the 4 we already have in the NFL HOF.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but neither one is going to get in. Great players, each, but not the type of players who are picked to the Hall of Fame.

[Mr. C]

What keeps Erk out of the College Hall?
Apparently there are some DUMB rules in the College Hall that say you have to coach 10 years to get in. Erk coached eight at Georgia Southern. The rule ought to be changed. If Pat "Tie" Dye of Auburn and Don Nehlan of West Virginia are voted in, Russell should be a shoe-in. He did FAR MORE than either of those good, but not great coaches did. And Dye allowed Auburn to get put on probation under his watch as well.

[Mr. C]

SCSU's Harry Carson...just got in!
Harry Carson was a great pick. What a combination of linebackers between him and Lawrence Taylor for the New York Giants. Did you get to watch him play for South Carolina State?

[Sly Fox]

For the record, there is no such thing as the NFL Hall of Fame. Its the Pro Football Hall of fame and their standards are lower than Cooperstown.

[blueballs]

Harry Carson was a great pick. What a combination of linebackers between him and Lawrence Taylor for the New York Giants. Did you get to watch him play for South Carolina State?

Don't forget Carl Banks... he was a man too.

[Go...gate]

You obviously do not know how the NFL Hall of Fame system works. As great as O.J. Simpson was (one of the top two or three RBs of all time), he would not be elected, if he were up for the process now. Michael Irvin should be a lock in terms of his career, but he was snubbed last year. It may be crazy, but neither Moss or Owens will get in, IMO.

Not to mention Jerry Kramer from Sand Point, Idaho, arguably one of the greatest NFL guards ever.

[J-State 86-90]

I agree totally about Monk. He should be in there. But that's what I mean about just how tough it is to get in. When you talk about Michael Irvin, you are talking about more than numbers. He was one of three key players on the team of the 1990s. A lot of these guys being mentioned, like Jimmy Smith, have no team success to get them in. This isn't like baseball, where 500 homers, 300 wins, or 3000 hits gets you in. There are a lot of receivers with less numbers than Irvin or Monk that are in. Pro football values championships more in determining Hall of Fame stuff than baseball does.

Mr. C, Jimmy could have very well padded his numbers this year to climb into the 5 by leapfrogging Monk and Reed to claim top 5 honors. But he chose to hang up the cleats and do the family thing. When making moves like this many greats consult with the powers to be ie... voters for certain elite organizations to gauge their potential status as one of the all time greats. He made this choice with degree of confidence he would be rewarded with post career acolades based on his performance on the field. Surely he will not be politicing for admittance. BTW Jimmy's #'s were put up in a 9 year span not 12, his first 3 years were a wash because of injuries (broken leg and apendicitis)

[blueballs]

Mr. C, Jimmy could have very well padded his numbers this year to climb into the 5 by leapfrogging Monk and Reed to claim top 5 honors. But he chose to hang up the cleats and do the family thing. When making moves like this many greats consult with the powers to be ie... voters for certain elite organizations to gauge their potential status as one of the all time greats. He made this choice with degree of confidence he would be rewarded with post career acolades based on his performance on the field. Surely he will not be politicing for admittance. BTW Jimmy's #'s were put up in a 9 year span not 12, his first 3 years were a wash because of injuries (broken leg and apendicitis)

...and he did it on an expansion team too- started from scratch and put up those type of numbers. There was a 5-7 year period when he was as good as anybody in the league.

[Mr. C]

But when you ask people who are the all-time greats at WR, how many people think of Jimmy Smith? I'm not saying he isn't worthy, just that he faces an uphill battle to get in.

[Mr. C]

For the record, there is no such thing as the NFL Hall of Fame. Its the Pro Football Hall of fame and their standards are lower than Cooperstown.
Picky, picky. You don't get in if you don't play in the NFL these days. And no, their standards are quite a bit tougher than the baseball hall of fame.

[Mr. C]

Not to mention Jerry Kramer from Sand Point, Idaho, arguably one of the greatest NFL guards ever.
Jerry Kramer is one of the biggest oversights. A lot of people didn't vote for him because they thought he was a media creation from his books, instead of one of the game's best-ever linemen.

[blueballs]

But when you ask people who are the all-time greats at WR, how many people think of Jimmy Smith? I'm not saying he isn't worthy, just that he faces an uphill battle to get in.

Agreed 100%.

Heck, if Thurman Thomas didn't get in this past year (yes I'm biased because he and Patty are friends of mine- but he is in the top 5 all time in rushing yardage and won MVP) Smith has absolutely no chance.

[J-State 86-90]

But when you ask people who are the all-time greats at WR, how many people think of Jimmy Smith? I'm not saying he isn't worthy, just that he faces an uphill battle to get in.

The same question could be asked of LB's and would Harry Carson be in the top 10-15? I would say no but there he is with bronze statue and all! His superbowl ring plays a big part as well.

[Mr. Tiger]

But when you ask people who are the all-time greats at WR, how many people think of Jimmy Smith? I'm not saying he isn't worthy, just that he faces an uphill battle to get in.

I think he gets in. But I understand what you are saying. It is always a battle for those players not on high-profile teams because many people forget just how good they were.

[nmatsen]

Kurt Warner, Bryce Paup.

[nmatsen]

You don't think Isaac Bruce goes?

Does MSU have any HOFers other than Jan Stenerud?

[atlGAmocs]

Kurt Warner, Bryce Paup.

Warner has no chance. His peak was too short and he doesn't have the sustained excellence of a HOF QB. I don't think voters will put in another Joe Namath (the most undeserving of all players in the HOF) Warner is a great story, just not a HOF one.

[nmatsen]

Warner has no chance. His peak was too short and he doesn't have the sustained excellence of a HOF QB. I don't think voters will put in another Joe Namath (the most undeserving of all players in the HOF) Warner is a great story, just not a HOF one.

Right or wrong as it may be any player with a Regular Season MVP trophy, a Super Bowl Trophy and a Super Bowl MVP trophy with at least a five year career is a lock. I am not saying that I agree with it but it would be obsurd if someone with those credentials was not in the Hall.

[Canyoncat]

Does MSU have any HOFers other than Jan Stenerud?

I believe that Stenerud is the only HOF from MSU. Also, I do not see anyothers that are currently playing or from the past that will get in. The best from MSU in the last 15 years as been Cory Widmer who played LB fo the Giants and he had a pretty good career. There was also John Borchardt who play OL for the Seattle Seahawks back in the 80's. Currently there is Joey Thomas for the Saints (and who know's how he'll do after getting run out of Green Bay) and some free agents floating around. Lulay and Jeff Bolton for Seattle and Rick Gatewood for the Raiders.