Assessing Derrick Thomas' Hall of Fame Chances
by Chris Thorman on Jan 7, 2009 7:24 AM CST
in 2009 Offseason
11 comments
The selection process for the NFL Hall of Game begins with a 44 person Board of Selectors that votes on the candidates. The board is largely made up of sportswriters who are members of the Board for life and only can be removed from the Board by death, retirement, or resignation.
The Board consists of one media representative from each pro football city with two from New York. A 33rd member is a representative of the Pro Football Writers of America and there are 11 at-large delegates. Bob Gretz is the Kansas City Chiefs representative.
The board will vote by mail three times before they narrow the list of HOF candidates down to 15 in November. The Senior Committee then adds two candidates who finished their careers 25 or more years prior, making 17 total HOF candidates each year.
The Board meets before the Super Bowl to elect at least four and no more than seven candidates to the HOF. A candidate must get 80% of the vote (35 votes) to become a finalist.
So, what are Derrick Thomas' chances of getting into the Hall of Fame this year?
Since 2005, his first year of eligibility, Derrick Thomas was a HOF finalist and has been every year since then. This is familiar territory for Chiefs' fans to be in.
Let's take a look at the other finalists to determine DT's chances. Remember, at least four and no more than seven players will be inducted in this year's class.
Bruce Smith (1st year eligible)
Rod Woodson (1st year eligible)
Shannon Sharpe (1st year eligible)
John Randle (1st year eligible)
Dermontti Dawson (1st time finalist)
Cortez Kennedy (1st time finalist)
Claude Humphrey (Senior Committee Selection)
Bob Hayes (Senior Committee Selection)
Paul Tagliabue (Contributor)
Ralph Wilson (Contributor)
Right off the bat, I'm going to say that Bruce Smith and Shannon Sharpe make it in the Hall of Fame in their first year. Smith has the all time sack record (200) and Sharpe is near or at the top of many tight end statistical categories. Don't forget about those three Super Bowl wins too.
Also, I'm going to say that former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue gets in too. Rod Woodson is a Hall of Famer but I'm not sure about a first time inductee.
Relative to recent inductees, I think this year's class is not as strong as others that Thomas has been in. That means I think that this year may be the year that Derrick Thomas makes it into the Hall of Fame.
|
Class of 2005
|
Class of 2006
|
Class of 2007
|
Class of 2008
|
|
Benny Friedman
Dan Marino Fritz Pollard Steve Young |
Troy Aikman
Harry Carson John Madden Warren Moon Reggie White Rayfield Wright |
Gene Hickerson
Michael Irvin Bruce Matthews Charlie Sanders Thurman Thomas Roger Wehrli |
Fred Dean
Darrell Green Art Monk Emmitt Thomas Andre Tippett Gary Zimmerman |
I wouldn't be surprised if this year only four candidates were elected. The class has Hall of Famers in it for sure. Just not right at this moment. Cris Carter is a possibility, especially after looking at the current receivers in the Hall of Fame. Carter's stats and accomplishments match up with many of those guys.
Lots of room for arguments in this one. In the poll below, make sure you vote on whether or not you think DT will make it this year. Don't vote on if you think he should be in.
0 recs |
11 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
DT
Definitely has the coolest looking picture on there.
by Joel Thorman on Jan 7, 2009 9:20 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Chris Carter
made complete ass of himself last year on HBO’s Inside the NFL when he pissed, moaned and whined about not being selected. He should be slapped and told It is an “Honor bestowed upon you” to be selected, not a right, privilege or affirmative action that get you in.
We need a future defensive leader, his name is James Laurinaitis and he can be selected in round 1 of the upcoming Draft.
"But what do I know, I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"
by Lanier63 on Jan 7, 2009 9:30 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Cris Carter
What’s even worse? He said he would “pull out a gun and shoot T.O.” after something T.O. said a few weeks ago. Huge error.
Alas, off the field stuff doesn’t have anything to do with him getting elected (or else why would O.J. still be in?).
by Joel Thorman on Jan 7, 2009 9:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
that cannot figure out a way to oust a person
We need a future defensive leader, his name is James Laurinaitis and he can be selected in round 1 of the upcoming Draft.
"But what do I know, I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"
by Lanier63 on Jan 7, 2009 9:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
But then again
it’s similar to the Pete Rose situation. You have to judged for what you did playing on the field and not what you did afterwards. The HOF elected OJ for what he did on the field and that only. Rose should not be selected for his manager skills, but his playing accomplishments.
But I agree, OJ has brought a cloud over his name in Canton.
We need a future defensive leader, his name is James Laurinaitis and he can be selected in round 1 of the upcoming Draft.
"But what do I know, I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"
by Lanier63 on Jan 7, 2009 9:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My prediction
In:
Bruce Smith
Shannon Sharpe
Randall McDaniel
Derrick Thomas
Paul Tagliabue
Ralph Wilson
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Jan 7, 2009 10:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Gretz has fanned each time he's tried to get DT elected
I see no reason for him to succeed this time
The only measure of true success in the NFL is the Vince Lombardi trophy. Anything less is a rationalization.
by sm7600 on Jan 7, 2009 10:22 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
VOTE FOR A KC LEGEND
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE VOTE D THOMAS IN I MEAN WHAT DOES A PLAYER HAVE TO DO TO GET IN THE HALL A FAME ? HE HAS THE RECORDS HE WAS AT TIMES THE MOST DOMINANT PLAYER ON THE FIELD . HE HAS PRO BOWLS. I KNOW A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE THAT VOTE ARE LOOKING FOR SUPER BOWLS BUT GIVE THE GUY A BREAK GOD BLESS THIS GUYS SOUL FOR HE HAS GIVIN THE CHIEFS SO MUCH AND GAVE THE FANS SOMETHING TO CHEER FOR . IT WOULD BE SCARY TO THINK IF WE NEVER DRAFTED THIS GUY. VOTE THOMAS IN
by sexassassin on Jan 7, 2009 12:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Likely reason DT isn't in the HoF yet
The reason Derrick Thomas likely isn’t in the HoF yet is that his game is perceived to have been one-dimensional. Thomas was indeed a terrific pass rusher, but his reputation against the run and in pass coverage is not strong. The HoF voters seem to prefer LBs with more balanced skill sets for quick election. But with a “1st team AP all pro/pro bowl/all decade team” postseason profile of 2/9/90s, he’ll likely get in sooner or later.
I disagree with the article author about the depth of this class, which I’m thinking is very strong and certainly stronger than last year. Bruce Smith and Rod Woodson are as close to locks as this class has, and Thomas may or may not join them.
by bachslunch on Jan 9, 2009 2:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Not so sure I agree with all the above
In looking at this class of HoF finalists, I’m thinking it’s a stronger one that 2008 — for starters, note that Ray Guy was a finalist last year but not this year, and recently he tends to reach the finalist stage in weaker years.
Agree that Bruce Smith (8/11/80s90s) gets in this year, but think Rod Woodson (6/11/90s) will likely join him. Re Shannon Sharpe: note that no TE has ever been elected in their first year of eligibility, and given his weak reputation as a blocker, I’m not sure he’ll get in this year (though he will surely in the next couple years). Beyond that, it’s hard to say, though most any of these folks could get elected. Note that good arguments can be made for most all of them, but only 5 moderns and 2 seniors maximum can get in. There are just too many good options, and given that there have been some surprises in previous elections, there could be some here too.
Don’t see that Paul Tagliabue merits election sooner than Pete Rozelle did; the latter didn’t make it in until his 8th time as a finalist, and it’s not clear why Tags would be seen as better than Rozelle. He may get in down the road but I wonder if it will be anytime soon.
by bachslunch on Jan 9, 2009 3:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
