See it pretty similarily 4 or 5/8 for me with nos on Curtis, Montoya and Johnson/Ocho Cinco. For me the most deserving is a tossup between Ken Anderson and Parrish. Both are among the most deserving senior candidates on their side of their ball IMO.Brian wolf wrote:Bengals fans have had enough. Cheap organization, too many losing seasons, bad decades, Mike Brown you say?
Nope, not enough Bengals players in the Hall Of Fame ...
They plan to rally/protest in July, though I doubt it will do much good.
Paul Brown was shrewd enough to get back into the NFL fold by using the AFL, and the future merger he knew was coming, to bring forth quickly, a new expansion team in the Bengals, though he probably didnt respect the AFL teams enough, as his team got hammered in 1968-69, while he insisted on playing young talent, a move that paid dividends the first year of the merger in 1970, as his young team won a surprise, divisional title. His teams were very competitive in the 70s and 80s but once he stepped down and followed the dreadful, NFL nepotism bandwagon by letting his son own and control the team, mediocrity became a way of life for Bengals fans that deserved better ...
Now, they have to relive somewhat, glory from the past by demanding that more players make the HOF and though their argument is legitimate, it would be better if the team was sold to better owners, or -surprise- to the fans themselves, ala Packers, who could-would do whatever it takes to produce a consistent winner. For some reason, the fans are focusing on eight deserved players, Ken Anderson, Ken Riley, Lemarr Parrish, Isaac Curtis, Max Montoya, Willie Anderson, Chad Johnson and Corey Dillon, while hoping the voters and committees will be more sympathetic in the future, which is curious since Riley was almost voted in as a senior candidate, recently.
I think six of the eight Bengals have cases, though I would replace Curtis and Johnson with Krumrie and Bergey but it will be interesting to see if this rally/protest could at least help Dillon, Riley again or Willie Anderson in future voting.
For me, Parrish should be the next senior Bengal voted in but I have no problem with Ken Anderson or Riley. Had Curtis not had his later injuries or Mike Reid not retired soon to music/songwriting, they would already be voted in by now instead of the team having just one elected member in Munoz ...
I would also have Parrish over Riley but feel both should make it. Thing with Riley is I think he'll be breaking the 0 pro bowl glass ceiling but if it has to be someone it should be him. I recall there being a few DB's with a lot of picks and not a lot of honors and I'm curious how Riley's election will effect their cases.
In terms of the regular process I feel much worse about Dillons chances as this year suggests they value guys like Fred Taylor and Eddie George more. I don't see the HOF inducting either and this not bode well for Dillons chances. I personally have Dillon as the best non HOF RB of that cluster drafted in the 90s but it does not seem the voters agree.
Most teams fans will think the HOF is biased against their team even seen some Patriots fans complain forgetting most of their HOF'ers aren't eligible yet. I feel the voters would get that from everyone. But the Bengal fans do have as much a reason to feel that way as anyone. I don't think the average fan would be aware just how close Riley is to induction though(or maybe they are aware and they are trying to get him over the finish line specifically?) Interesting thought though is with Willie Anderson and Whitworth likely the next 2 regular process HOFers they'd already be up to 3 HOF tackles.