So, last week was the Pro Football (read: NFL) Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and Hall of Fame game. Inducted this year were Redskins Art Monk and Darrell Green, coach and player Emmitt Thomas, Patriot Andre Tippett, Viking/Bronco Gary Zimmerman, and probably the original pass rush specialist Fred Dean.
But, as it seems like every year, there were players who many felt should have gotten in, but didn’t. Topping this years list for most people was wide receiver Cris Carter–who many felt was only made to wait so Monk could get in before him (despite Carter being better than Monk or Michael Irvin, who was somehow inducted last year in his first year of eligibility).
However, at the top of my Hall of Fame Snub List–for the second year in a row–was Viking guard Randall McDaniel.
McDaniel was a first round pick of the Vikings in 1988 out of Arizona State. He stepped into the lineup almost immediately, starting 15 of 16 games his rookie season, and in his second season started a string of 12 consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. His third season started a string of nine consecutive All-Pro selections (seven first team, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com), and the probably the only reason he wasn’t on both the NFL 1980’s All Decade Team and the 1990’s All Decade Team (Zimmerman was the only player on both teams) was due to his being drafted so late in the 80’s.
McDaniel was also known for his strange stance, in which his left foot was dropped back with his ankle almost touching the ground, which he developed in the result of a knee injury in his second season, and for moving into the Vikings backfield in goal line situations (although from my memory, they only handed him the ball twice, and threw to him once–either an incompletion or it was called back–although he did finally score with the Buccaneers in 2000).
Also of note was that after missing two games in his second season, he did not miss a game in his career–from 1990 to 2001 he started 202 consecutive games. Even more impressive, in that time frame, he didn’t even miss a practive. Hell, I remember reading at one point during his time in Minnesota that he went something like three seasons without missing a blocking assignment on a play.
And, to top it off, he wasn’t an attention hungry star–he did his job, kept his mouth shut, and led the team by example, rather than through the media.
That he didn’t make the Hall of Fame in 2007, his first year of eligibility, was shocking. That he didn’t even make the finalists list should have been the biggest sign to date that the selection process is SEVERELY flawed. That he didn’t make the cut again in 2008 is just further proof of that–although at least he made the finalists list in 2008. If he doesn’t make it in 2009, they might as well close the damn place.
The card of McDaniel selected for the week is his 2000 Bowman Reserve Pro Bowl Jerseys card. It is #PBRM in the set, and has a “book value” of $15. I got mine for considerably less on eBay, as he is one of the few football players that I do tend to collect.
I couldn’t agree more. There are always players who are snubbed and these conversations come up every year around Hall of Fame voting time. But this year was ridiculous! The fact that Fred Dean and Andre Tippet made the Hall is an absolute joke with guys like Carter and McDaniel eligable. Also there is no way Irvin should have been voted in on his first try. This is the Hall of Fame where individual achievements are recognized, who cares how many Championships you won if your idividual stats dont add up then you shouldnt get in! Carter and McDaniel will certainly get in but it would be a shame if either of them had to wait as long as Art Monk did.
HOF cares too much about Championships. McDaniel should be in. Hopefully he doesn’t take as long as Tom Mack did. Carter should be in too. Please add Randy Gradishar to that list as well. It’ll be interesting to see if Tim Brown gets in before Cris Carter.
Yep, McDaniel should have been a first ballot inductee. I would have put Monk in before Irvin too. Monk didn’t have quite the team that Irvin had to work with. The Redskins were good but look at all the weapons that the Cowboys had while Michael was there.
Yes McDaniel and Carter should and will be in the Hall soon. But there aresnubs that may never get in. Here is a list:
1 Randy Gradishar LB
2 Ray Guy P
3 Coy Bacon DE
4 Stanley Morgan WR
5 Phil Simms QB
6 Jerry Kramer G
7 Chris Doleman DE
8 Lester Hayes CB
You are talking about snubbs! How about John Randle, Russ Grim, Shannon Sharpe, and Cortez Kennedy. Cortez Kennedy was one of the best players in the NFL even though his team was a complete joke. John Randle was a pass rushing fiend. He was known for decking quarterbacks. Shannon Sharpe defined the H-back or tight end because of his ability to run routes, create mismatches among linebackers and defensive backs and block on the move. Russ Grimm was one of the best offensive lineman to ever play the game. We won 3 rings with the Washington Redskins and was one of the many reasons along with Jeff Jacoby why those hogs were able to run the football with mediocre running backs. ANd do not forget about Gary Kouchenberg. HE was an anchor on the offensive line during the 72 and 73 Miami Dolphin teams that won back to back championships.And do not forget about Andre Reed who will hopefully get into the Hall of Fame someday because he belongs there because of his game-breaking ability and big-play capability.
Butler – Randle and Sharpe will almost certainly get in–not sure Randle was a first ballot guy, and there has never been a TE that made it first ballot, so Sharpe not making it wasn’t a huge shock. Grim and Kennedy are still borderline guys in my eyes–I know a lot of people think Kennedy should be in, but I think he waits a few years at least. Grim I’m not sure will make it.
I believe Bob Kuechenbirg of the Dolphins missed out on his last year of eligibility–to make it now, the senior committee will have to nominate him.
I’ve always been a Reed fan, but I think his numbers compared to contemporaries might be hurting him–he only had four 1,000+ yard seasons, and no All-Pro selections that I see. At a minimum, he’ll be waiting until Brown, Carter and maybe a couple others are in.
If you’re interested in more Hall of Fame talk, I suggest another site I help run–http://www.zoneblitz.com. We had some great HOF discussion there last year, and there is already talk of who will be in the 2010 class.