Andy Piascik wrote:John, Les Richter and John Henry Johnson are lousy Hall of Famers, just two more of many mind-boggling Senior selections made all the worse considering they were picked over Dilweg, Wistert, Barwegen, Emerson and many of the others we talk about here all the time. A few years ago, John Turney stated that he thought Tom Fears and Elroy Hirsch were undeserving, which caught my eye given that John is a Rams fan and I long thought they were slam dunks. I put a lot of weight on all-pro honors and found that John raised a good point, as both are quite light in that area for Hall of Famers.
Jack Butler was a very questionable choice I didn't support and yet another lost opportunity to elect one of the many Seniors who are more deserving.
Dante Lavelli is borderline, in my opinion. He has more all-pro honors than Fears and Hirsch but a chunk of his honors came when pro football was divided between two leagues that didn't play each other (which is also true of Fears). Still, I can't see having only two HOF WRs - Pihos and Speedie - in the period between Hutson and Berry and I don't support Benton and Kavanaugh and am not enthusiastic about Howton or Billy Wilson. I might agree that Howton is more deserving than some combination of Fears, Hirsch and Lavelli but I don't think that is a reason to elect him.
I'm troubled by Doak Walker as a HOFer. He certainly packed a good amount of all-pro honors into a short 6-year career. The question I've long had is, Why was he named first team all-pro in some of those seasons? There is much we can never know about why the coaches, players, scouts, writers, etc., voted the way they did 70 years ago and questioning their selections opens a big can of worms. But as versatile as Walker was, there are several seasons when he was a first team all-pro where I don't see production that warrants it. Was it carryover from a great college career that included a Heisman? Did Joe Perry, John Henry Johnson and Dan Towler lose votes to Walker that they should have gotten because there were people who wouldn't vote for black players over Walker and his All-American (that is, white) image? I don't know but I don't see Walker's career as a Hall of Fame one.
Andy, thanks for the reply - I'm enjoying the discussion. I had 3/7.
Les Richter: I'm not familiar with his career.
John Henry Johnson: I had never thought much about him until the fantasy draft a few years ago. John T. was really happy to get him and considered him the best at his position. The draft is here:
https://www.si.com/specials/mmqb-nfl-al ... sults.html. From what I recall it was blocking that elevated him in John's view.
Tom Fears: 1/3 I guessed right on.
Elroy Hirsch: 1/3 I guessed right on. Some people say he made the HOF on the strength of one great season.
Jack Butler: I'm not familiar with his career.
Dante Lavelli: I thought of him as well, but I was thinking you wouldn't have him. I'd be fine with both Howton and Wilson in the HOF. I think WR is a tough position for this era.
Doak Walker: I think because of Dr. Z (although I can't find the quote) I'd heard years ago Walker wasn't a good choice. To play devil's advocate though, he does stand out in the video I've seen. He always seems be making a play as a runner, receiver, passer on the HB option, kick returner, and kicker. I get he didn't dominate in one area, but he was very versatile. I'm fine with him being in.