Predicitons for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2016

[oldecapecod11]

by Shrevedude » Thu Aug 13, 2015 10:36 am
"... As for senior candidates, the one that I really want to see get in more than anyone is Jerry Kramer, but judging from how much trouble he has had getting elected over the years (for whatever reason), that probably won't happen. It appears the consensus on the board is that Ken Stabler and Johnny Robinson may be elected, but I think, as deserving as Stabler is of the HOF, it would be a slap in the face to Stabler to elect him after his death. They should have elected him while he was alive!.."


The "Stabler 'issue'" - if it is really an issue at all - will have a couple of major impacts on the voting in the next few years.
You will likely see a concerted avoidance of the deceased. The focus will lean to "induct them while they are living."

This is not an altogether bad thing.

One need only scroll through the hall website and see the look of pride and joy on the faces of the enshrined posing with their busts.
It is something only the living can appreciate upon enshrinement.

Is it the "right" thing?
Probably not - but when has the nfl or Canton ever been concerned with doing the right thing?
They do what is economically most beneficial.

How many Lavvie Dilweg jerseys will they sell? Three? Five? A dozen?
Will an auto maker use the Al Wistert block in thier commercials? Of course not.
It is doubtful there are two hundred people in the world who can tell you who they were.

So, the old-timers - especially the real old-timers - will have to wait for that magical day when they unceremoniously dump
about 20-25 of them in a group into the building and that will be the last you ever hear of them.

They will have passed and be forgotten with the rest.

It will also lead to an even "bigger" hall as the bar will be lowered to induct borderline cases who may be nearing their end.

Does it make sense? Economically, yes! Historically, no.

But... what's the difference?
If you are going to exclude the obviously qualified, why not include the obviously questionable?

Hats: $19.99-$24.99
T-Shirts: $31.99
Jerseys: $149.99

[BD Sullivan]

Johnny Robinson's current health might work against him, since it may be worse than Gene Hickerson's was when the latter was inducted. Hickerson had to be wheeled onstage by his former HOF teammates Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell and Leroy Kelly, while his son (and former teammate Bobby Franklin) gave speeches. The main criticism of the HOF inducting him at that point was that he wasn't able to enjoy the accolades due to his deteriorating condition.

[oldecapecod11]

An good point, Brad and certainly in support of getting people in before such happens.
On the up side, there's enough Chiefs to help him along.