Page 1 of 5

2022 Senior Finalist: Ken Riley vs. Chuck Howley...

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 3:45 pm
by Shrevedude
The time is upon us for the 2022 Senior Finalist to be named. It was tweeted by a member of the Dallas media, Calvin Watkins, that, while I have seen from multiple sources Ken Riley was the first runner-up behind Drew Pearson, I just learned from Watkins' tweet, which was from last year, that the 3rd runner-up was Chuck Howley.

So this would theoretically make Riley and Howley the two favorites for The Class of 2022. I would think the likely favorite is Ken Riley, since I can't imagine the PFHOF would do two Cowboys in two consecutive years, though there will always be concern from some fans over perceived "Cowboys bias" due to the franchise having arguably more worthy players who should be enshrined than other teams. However, I would imagine the fact that Howley placed third could up his chances of being chosen maybe in 3-4 years, if he does not fall out of favor. However, the Bengals have not only yet to have a senior nominee named EVER, but Anthony Munoz is the only pure Bengal even enshrined in Canton, as many of us know.

What is your opinion? Do you agree with my take on Riley? Do you feel the Hall should go ahead and induct another Cowboy for the 2nd consecutive year, despite the fact that four Cowboys have been senior inductees this century, and many within the Hall agree the Senior pool should not be a clearinghouse for any one team? Do you feel someone else should get the nomination for the senior ticket this year?

Re: 2022 Senior Finalist: Ken Riley vs. Chuck Howley...

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 4:19 pm
by Brian wolf
Though I prefer Howley, like you said, its doubtful three consecutive Cowboys will represent the seniors. The favorite I believe will be Gradishar over Riley but we will see.
Hopefully Wistert will have his chance soon as well.

Amongst Coaches, especially for 2022, the time is now for Buddy Parker ...

Re: 2022 Senior Finalist: Ken Riley vs. Chuck Howley...

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 8:51 pm
by Shrevedude
Have you heard something through the grapevine of voter whispers about Gradishar being the favorite for this year, Brian? (Or Wistert)? I am wondering if any rumors are going around right now...that is why I ask.

As for Parker, I 100% agree. Parker is the only multi-time Championship team coach remaining on the known finalists...and I read Talk of Fame stating the smart money is on him this year...I just tend to fear that the possibility of him being a name from so far back may continue to hold him out to where they go with someone more recent such as Coryell, or possibly Holmgren or Vermeil...

BTW, Brian...who do you think will be the new coach that will fill the spot on the finalist list that Flores left when he got inducted? My pick is either Clark Shaughnessy (though there has been talk of moving him to Contributors) or Marty Schottenheimer...I asked Holmgren in a letter in my "Gratitude to Greats III" project last June which coach, other than himself, he felt was most deserving of Canton...his picks were Schottenheimer and Reeves...

Re: 2022 Senior Finalist: Ken Riley vs. Chuck Howley...

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 10:36 pm
by Gary Najman
Riley has the edge since he (sadly) passed away last year, but I feel the Senior Finalist will be someone like Roger Craig (the argument for a 49ers Senior) or Phil Simms (the argument for a Giants Senior).

Re: 2022 Senior Finalist: Ken Riley vs. Chuck Howley...

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 2:06 am
by Brian wolf
On different sites, whether Talkoffamenetwork, Zoneblitz, Pro Football Journal, different fans, and commentators speculate a defensive player like Gradishar but Riley was so close last year. Of course other people like Nobis or Branch as well but I don't think another WR will get it for 2022. I think it will be a defensive player but with a rotating committee, could Riley get the spot?

Wistert should have already gone in and is a sentimental favorite.

Though I like Shaughnessy, I don't think he will get in as a Coach anytime soon, but is perfect as a contributor but another Rooney will probably make it before he does.
I am hoping that he gets into the HOVG first, to show some of the younger writers and voters how deserving he is of the HOF, whether as a contributor or even as a career assistant, if not head coach. I also believe Reeves will get more notice, especially taking his team to three SBs in a four year period before taking another team to a SB appearance.

Re: 2022 Senior Finalist: Ken Riley vs. Chuck Howley...

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 2:34 pm
by conace21
From talking with knowledgeable people (not voters), I think Gradishar has a very good chance to be the Senior nominee. He is certainly deserving. Apparently, Dr. Z used to say that his tackling numbers were overstated by the Broncos. That may be true, but his postseason honors and contemporary testimonials certainly seem to qualify him for Canton.
I don't think Gradishar is the most deserving Senior, but I think he's the deserving Senior most likely to get in. Howley may have been a little better, especially when you factor in postseason success, but, as stated before, I don't think the committee will choose another Cowboy.
There doesn't seem to be much momentum for Wistert, Ox Emerson, Lavvie Dilweg, or other worthy Super Seniors. The feeling is that they got their last shot with the Centennial Class, even though the class included 70's and 80's players like Carmichael and Covert.

Re: 2022 Senior Finalist: Ken Riley vs. Chuck Howley...

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 2:40 pm
by conace21
Teo wrote:Riley has the edge since he (sadly) passed away last year, but I feel the Senior Finalist will be someone like Roger Craig (the argument for a 49ers Senior) or Phil Simms (the argument for a Giants Senior).
With regards to Riley, he's very popular with Bengals fans, and anyone in the media who looks at the list of players with the most career interceptions. A Bengals fan said to me recently that there was a valid argument that a 52 year old team with two SB appearances should have more than one player enshrined. That assumes that the discussion for HOF worthiness should revolve around the team the candidate played for, and not just the qualifications of the player.
Riley has the statistics, but not the postseason honors for Canton. Is that enough to leapfrog him over players with 5-6 1st Team All Pro nods? The voters for those honors aren't always perfect (Riley was a consensus All Pro his final season, yet he didn't make the Pro Bowl, and this was before the PB had internet fan voting,) but John Turney wrote an article on his blog comparing the HOF cases of Riley and Lemar Parrish. To sum it up, Parrish was by all accounts a better player. Scouting reports and film watchers reports from the time confirm that the lack of postseason honors wasn't just a case of Riley being overlooked. Parrish was a better player. However, Riley was a career Bengal, and apparently a model citizen, whereas Parrish was the first of a number of Bengals stars to spar with the franchise they later were usually on offense- Carl Pickens, Corey Dillon, Carson Palmer.) The organization usually pushes for Riley, and the fan base seems to have followed suit. (That's not unique; apparently the Raiders used to push for Jim Plunkett over Kenny Stabler.)

Re: 2022 Senior Finalist: Ken Riley vs. Chuck Howley...

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 1:31 pm
by Brian wolf
According to Clark Judge at Talkoffamenetwork, the buzz he is hearing on the seniors is either Riley or Branch. Would a receiver be elected two years in a row ? I thought Gradishar was a shoo-in ...

Clark, if youre reading this, I miss commenting on the site but cant deal with Facebook ... haha

Re: 2022 Senior Finalist: Ken Riley vs. Chuck Howley...

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 2:51 pm
by rewing84
I don't think they will do a wr two years in a row I'm thinking they go defense

Re: 2022 Senior Finalist: Ken Riley vs. Chuck Howley...

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2021 12:36 am
by JohnTurney
Shrevedude wrote: I would think the likely favorite is Ken Riley
Riley likely was helped a lot last year by his position coach Dick LeBeau being the HON advisor last year...that won't happen this year

Now, does that mean Riley won't be the guy this year?

No. Riley could still be the nominee. But you'd have to think that LeBeau being in the room would push for his player and give
him a little edge.

If that did happen, and there is no way to be 100% sure, then Riley won't have that advantage this year. So the
dynamics could change.