NFL.com: Hall passes: Lead pipe locks and on-the-fringe players for Canton

[TheLongshot]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81871a64&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Ok, one thing that makes me scratch my head about this article is putting Steven Jackson at the end, but absolutely no mention of Portis anywhere. Personally, Portis may belong in the same category of "May come up short", but his numbers are still superior to Jackson's, especially when you consider that Jackson has missed a lot of time in his relatively young career due to injuries.

[FtheCowboys84]

I'm sure it's the longest of shots but I would love to see London on that list. He led the league in tackles for over a 10 year period.

If Samuels was still playing, he'd deserve to be on that list too. I hope to see both of them in Canton someday.

[Skins-Canes-Mounties]

If Portis regains 1st half of 2008 form and goes for over 1,100 yards this year, he will be in some conversations.

I agree with the locks, but maybe Reed is a step below. Some of the others in the lesser categories are head scratchers.

[McD5]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81871a64&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Ok, one thing that makes me scratch my head about this article is putting Steven Jackson at the end, but absolutely no mention of Portis anywhere. Personally, Portis may belong in the same category of "May come up short", but his numbers are still superior to Jackson's, especially when you consider that Jackson has missed a lot of time in his relatively young career due to injuries.

He got a ton of carries. That certainly helps.

The elephant in the room however, is that he absolutely disappears in the playoffs.

HOF players don't disappear in the big games. They carry their teams on that stage.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Damn shame when a man who should be locked deep away for a double murder is a shoe-in at 4 on that list.

Hail.

[Farbod21]

To make Canton you need to be in the top 3 or 4 at your position year in and year out for over a 10 year period.

Portis and Fletcher are good players, but are not top 3-4 every year. Samuels isnt either as in the past 10 years players like Ogden, Pace, and Jones outshined him for most of that time....

[TheLongshot]

He got a ton of carries. That certainly helps.

The elephant in the room however, is that he absolutely disappears in the playoffs.

HOF players don't disappear in the big games. They carry their teams on that stage.

And how many playoff games has Jackson played in?

[The Tris]

To make Canton you need to be in the top 3 or 4 at your position year in and year out for over a 10 year period.

Portis and Fletcher are good players, but are not top 3-4 every year. Samuels isnt either as in the past 10 years players like Ogden, Pace, and Jones outshined him for most of that time....

I'm not sure if it as black and white as needing to be top 3 for X years, but I agree completely with the premise.

Portis, Fletcher, and Samuels are are strikingly similar when their career is stacked up with their peers. While all three have been prolific, none were ever excellent when compared to other players at their position. HOF players are guys that make All-Pro Teams. Between the three of them, they have a grand total of one (1) Second Team All Pro selection (Samuels in '01).

Portis might be the closest I agree, but he needs to have a couple more 1,000 yd seasons to really make a case. He's currently 26th on the All Time Rushing chart, and should hopefully break into the top 20 with 900 yards this season. Even then, he will trail non-HOFers Martin (4th All-Time), Bettis (5th), Tomlinson (8th), Faulk (10th), James (11th), Taylor (15th), Dillion (17th) and Dunn (19th). That's quite a logjam of talent unless he can really pile up the yards the next several seasons.

All three deserve to be in the Hall of Very Good, but fall short of Canton IMO.

[MWCREDSKINS]

No way Hines Ward comes up short. We can argue he's a lot like Art Monk in that he's just a solid receiver who makes key catches rather than 50 yard bombs but I think that Super Bowl MVP makes him a definite. Intersting about McNabb but have 2 or 3 big seasons with the Redskins could get him in. I'd love to Samuels get in but considering he's going up against the likes of Ogden, Pace and Walter Jones from the same period will make it tough but Chris is a Hall of Fame person. Portis doesn't have a chance, Fletcher may be a vetrans committee guy unfortunately because he's just aconsimate Pro who does his job but unless he plays for your team you hardly hear about him.

Also how is Charles Woodson more wothy than Champ Bailey?

[HailToTheRedskins14]

Clinton Portis is a prime example of a player being overrated by his fanbase.

I wouldn't even put him into my Hall of Very Good. Hall of Fame? Hell no.

[ConnSKINS26]

Clinton Portis is a prime example of a player being overrated by his fanbase.

I wouldn't even put him into my Hall of Very Good. Hall of Fame? Hell no.

Its fair to think he's not Hall of Fame worthy, I don't either, unless he carries us to a SB in the next two years, but to think he's not "Hall of Very Good" worthy, you must not be paying attention.

[HailToTheRedskins14]

Its fair to think he's not Hall of Fame worthy, I don't either, unless he carries us to a SB in the next two years, but to think he's not "Hall of Very Good" worthy, you must not be paying attention.

I take my Hall of Very Good pretty serious. To me it's the guys that are in the conversation for HoF but don't make it. Portis, to me, is not in the HoF talk at all, period. And I'm fair, I can recognize when a case can be made for a player, but a case can't be made for Portis.



A quick aside that has nothing to do to the guy I'm replying to, does anyone else feel like fans and media want about everyone to get in. Didn't read the article but someone said Stephen Jackson was mentioned? What the hell? We don't need 10 people every year if there aren't 10 HoF worthy people every year! Wait, wait...follow the money. More people getting in the HoF = more money = cycle. HoF is prestigious. It's Sammy Baugh prestigious, not Clinton Portis and Stephen Jackson prestigious.

[The Tris]

No way Hines Ward comes up short. We can argue he's a lot like Art Monk in that he's just a solid receiver who makes key catches rather than 50 yard bombs but I think that Super Bowl MVP makes him a definite.

I think Ward is going to run into the same problem as Portis...too many other viable candidates. This is from Peter King, but a list of 1,000 catch WRs:

Player Rec. Projected Rec. (If active) Hall status
1. Jerry Rice 1,549 N/A Elected in 2010
2. Marvin Harrison 1,102 N/A Eligible in 2015
3. Cris Carter 1,101 N/A Entering 4th year of eligibility
4. Tim Brown 1,094 N/A Entering 2nd year of eligibility
5. Isaac Bruce 1,024 1,024 Not yet eligible
6. Terrell Owens 1,006 1,080 Not yet eligible
7. Andre Reed 951 N/A Entering 6th year of eligibility
8. Art Monk 940 N/A Elected in 2008
9. Randy Moss 926 1,100 Not yet eligible
10. Torry Holt 920 970 Not yet eligible
11. Hines Ward 895 1,075 Not yet eligible
12. Derrick Mason 863 950 Not yet eligible
13. Reggie Wayne 676 1,050 Not yet eligible
14. Andre Johnson 587 1,000 Not yet eligible
15. Larry Fitzgerald 523 950 Not yet eligible


That is quite a log jam as well. I think despite the SB MVP, he's going to have a tough time as all those guys wrap their careers up about the same time. Though his hardware (4x Pro Bowl, 3x 2nd All Pro, 2 SB rings, 1 SB MVP, Steelers Career Records for Receptions, Receiving Yards, & Receiving TDs) will certainly help.

[HailToTheRedskins14]

Speaking of the Hall of Fame :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORshuy-MdTk&feature=related


CHILLS BABY CHILLS! WE FINALLY DID IT! I envy anyone who was there, of which I'm sure there are some of this board. Kudos to yall for giving the man his due. CLASS! DIGNITY!



also, I love my boy Hines Ward. Nothing beats when the tough Ravens D cried about Hines hitting them too hard! A WR! Classic!

[JaimeDeCurry]

also, I love my boy Hines Ward. Nothing beats when the tough Ravens D cried about Hines hitting them too hard! A WR! Classic!

It's not that he hits too hard, it's that he hits dirty. Ward is the dirtiest player in the NFL, and that's been backed up by votes from his peers. Dude's scum.

[GhostofSparta]

also, I love my boy Hines Ward. Nothing beats when the tough Ravens D cried about Hines hitting them too hard! A WR! Classic!
It's more about HOW he hits. He blindsides guys by leading with his helmet. That's how he broke Keith Rivers' jaw, by leading with his helmet and going for the dude's head when he wasn't looking. Now I'm among those saying "Don't cry about getting blindsided because you didn't keep your head on a swivel" but going for the head while leading with the crown of yours is generally considered a cheap shot at all levels of competition.

[1972FAN]

Niether Jackson or Portis are Hall of fame rb's. Westbrook is more likely than either of them.

[SWFLSkins]

Clinton Portis is a prime example of a player being overrated by his fanbase.

I wouldn't even put him into my Hall of Very Good. Hall of Fame? Hell no.

I am sure he is devastated that he failed to make it into your "Hall of Very Good"

BTW are there tours for your Hall? :silly:

[scruffylookin]

If Clinton retired today, while his numbers through 8 seasons is fantastic, he wouldn't get into the HOF. However he has such good numbers to this point, if he just has average numbers for the next 3 to 4 seasons, he certainly would deserve consideration.

[Hunter_R]

He got a ton of carries. That certainly helps.

The elephant in the room however, is that he absolutely disappears in the playoffs.

HOF players don't disappear in the big games. They carry their teams on that stage.
He's never had a rushing title, either. It's the Hall of Fame, and not the Hall-of-Really-Good.

[scruffylookin]

Clinton Portis is a prime example of a player being overrated by his fanbase.

I wouldn't even put him into my Hall of Very Good. Hall of Fame? Hell no.

Clinton Portis is a prime example of a great player who isn't appreciated by a select few Agenda Boyz.

Seriously, have you not been watching football this past decade. Clinton is right there with the most productive backs of the previous decade. It may not be enough to get him into the Hall, but to say he hasn't been very good is laughable.

[ConnSKINS26]

Niether Jackson or Portis are Hall of fame rb's. Westbrook is more likely than either of them.

No, they probably aren't. Not at this point. Although Jackson has a long career ahead of him if he stays healthier. But Westbrook is no where close. He's been a great receiver out of the backfield, but he has less than 5,000 career rushing yards, doesn't he? Or something like that.

He's been a great player, but not HOF great, and definitely not statistically.


Clinton Portis is a prime example of a great player who isn't appreciated by a select few Agenda Boyz.

Seriously, have you not been watching football this past decade. Clinton is right there with the most productive backs of the previous decade. It may not be enough to get him into the Hall, but to say he hasn't been very good is laughable.

Exactly what I was trying to say. It is laughable, even if he isn't HOF worthy, he's still been second to basically only LT this decade. And even that, if he had scored more, would be close.

[bulldog]

McNabb is the only player on the Redskins I would say at present that has a chance to make the Hall of Fame.

It's obviously too early to project the careers of Brian Orakpo and Trent Williams, two players whose athletic talent puts them at the forefront of the organization going forward.

[ncr2h]

I would say Portis has a chance. He would need a couple of things to happen:

1. 2 more 1500 yard seasons at 4.5 ypc
2. The Redskins to do some damage in the playoffs, with him putting up a couple of 100 yd performances.

I'd say it's a long shot at this point, but if Shanahan's system somehow rejuvenates him, or 2009 was a fluke, then he has a shot.

McNabb needs similar things to happen, so it's weird that people agree that McNabb has a shot but Portis doesn't. McNabb needs 2-3 more seasons of around 3500 yards, solid TD numbers, etc. He also needs to do major damage in the playoffs. Specifically, he needs to win a super bowl.

That's about as likely as the Portis scenario, IMO.

[ConnSKINS26]

I would say Portis has a chance. He would need a couple of things to happen:

1. 2 more 1500 yard seasons at 4.5 ypc
2. The Redskins to do some damage in the playoffs, with him putting up a couple of 100 yd performances.

I'd say it's a long shot at this point, but if Shanahan's system somehow rejuvenates him, or 2009 was a fluke, then he has a shot.

McNabb needs similar things to happen, so it's weird that people agree that McNabb has a shot but Portis doesn't. McNabb needs 2-3 more seasons of around 3500 yards, solid TD numbers, etc. He also needs to do major damage in the playoffs. Specifically, he needs to win a super bowl.

That's about as likely as the Portis scenario, IMO.

I think its more likely that McNabb puts up those numbers at 33 as a QB than it is that Portis does with the number of carries he's gotten in his career.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Not a HOFer (at this point) but I think one can make a case that Portis is the greatest Redskins RB of all time.

[ConnSKINS26]

Not a HOFer (at this point) but I think one can make a case that Portis is the greatest Redskins RB of all time.

Absolutely. I'm with you on that one. Although unless he helps us to a Superbowl, I don't think we'll ever win over the older fans with this argument..

[SnyderMustGo]

It is laughable, even if he isn't HOF worthy, he's still been second to basically only LT this decade.

Durrr...... what?

Ummm, well, first of all, this is obviously wrong because the NFL Hall of Fame Selection Committee has already selected the All-Decade team for the 2000s, and Portis didn't crack the top 4.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League_2000s_All-Decade_Team
1. LT
2. Edge
3. Shaun Alexander
4. Jamal Lewis

So your argument that Portis was 2nd best is kind of wrong.

But lets go deeper and look at stats.

This Decade:

LT 12,490 yards, 138 TDs, 5 PBs, 4 1st All-Pro, 2 2nd All-Pro, MVP, All-Decade
Edge 12,246 yards, 80 TDs, 4 PBs, 2 1st All-Pro, 1 2nd All-Pro, All-Decade
Fred Taylor 11,540 yards, 60 TDs, 1 PB, 1 All-Pro
Jamal Lewis 10,607 yards, 58 TDs, 1 PB, 1 All-Pro, 1 Off POY, 1 Ring, All-Decade
Portis 9,646 yards, 73 TDs, 2x 3rd string in Pro Bowl, 0 All-Pro

That's 4 active RBs who had a better decade than Portis.

3 RBs retired in 2005 that had far superior careers to Portis and will be in ahead of him for Hall of Fame:
Curtis Martin 14,101 yards, 90 TDs, 5 PBs, 1 All-Pro
Bettis 13,662 yards, 91 TDs, 6 PBs, 3 All-Pro, Ring
Faulk 12,279 yards, 100 TDs, 7 PBs, 3 All-Pro

Tiki Barber retired in 2006, and his resume is as good if not better than Portis:
10,449 yards, 60 TDs, 3 PBs, 1 All-Pro

Also in 2006, Corey Dillon retired. By what metric could you say Portis is better than him?
Dillon 11,241, 82 TDs, 4 PBs, 1 Ring

In 2008, Shaun Alexander and Warrick Dunn retired. Can Portis claim to have better resumes than them?
Alexander 9,453 yards, 100 TDs, 3 PBs, 1 1st All-Pro, 1 2nd All-Pro, Off POY, MVP, All-Decade
Dunn 10,967 yards, 49 TDs, 3 PBs

My point is this: there's 13 RBs who are basically of this recent era of the past decade or so that have better Hall of Fame credentials than Portis. They aren't putting 14 RBs in the Hall of Fame from this era. Portis won't sniff the HoF. He's not appreciably better than guys like Thomas Jones and Ahman Green, and he has less HOF credentials than Corey Dillon, Fred Taylor, Tiki Barber, Warrick Dunn.... these guys are not HOFers either.

And that doesn't even include the guys coming up behind Portis who could put together HOF careers in the next 5 years like Steven Jackson, Adrian Peterson, MJD or Chris Johnson. And voters do consider who will be coming up in future classes.

Portis has never been a top RB in this league in any year he has played. He has been a workhorse who has played well for many years, but he is not even a starting PB or All-Pro caliber RB, much less a HOF caliber RB.

[stevemcqueen1]

Niether Jackson or Portis are Hall of fame rb's. Westbrook is more likely than either of them.

Nooo. Westbrook's numbers aren't nearly good enough. Thomlinson is probably the only one from this decade who will go unless Peterson manages to play at a high level for more than 5 or 6 seasons. Curtis Martin should probably get in too but I doubt he will. Shaun Alexander, and Edgerrin James are also guys who have a fringe chance but probably won't. Jammal Lewis was on pace to get in to but he hasn't finished his career all that well after it was derailed by going to jail. Nobody remembers how unstoppable he used to be any more. I don't think Priest Holmes had a long enough run to get in either, and he and Portis are probably the final two guys of the decade with a fringe chance of getting in.

I'm surprised the article didn't mention Steve Hutchinson in the same category as Faneca. He's got a better shot IMO than Faneca although it takes interior linemen forever to get in. I guess Orlando Pace retired so he doesn't qualify along the parameters of the article. I'm also surprised the article didn't mention Torry Holt, Jason Taylor, or Dwight Freeney.

[TheLongshot]

Not a HOFer (at this point) but I think one can make a case that Portis is the greatest Redskins RB of all time.

Well, he will be in fact after this season, more than likely, eclipsing the team rushing mark of another HOF RB.

Really tho, my argument wasn't about Portis' HOF worthyness, which is certainly has some questions right now, but why Jackson is considered to have more of a shot. IMO, Jackson would have to have some career highs in rushing in the next two years to be where Portis is right now.


Nooo. Westbrook's numbers aren't nearly good enough. Thomlinson is probably the only one from this decade who will go unless Peterson manages to play at a high level for more than 5 or 6 seasons. Curtis Martin should probably get in too but I doubt he will. Shaun Alexander, and Edgerrin James are also guys who have a fringe chance but probably won't. Jammal Lewis was on pace to get in to but he hasn't finished his career all that well after it was derailed by going to jail. Nobody remembers how unstoppable he used to be any more. I don't think Priest Holmes had a long enough run to get in either, and he and Portis are probably the final two guys of the decade with a fringe chance of getting in.

Note that this article is talking about active players who could be HOFs, not those who aren't playing anymore.

[HailinginSeattle]

Damn shame when a man who should be locked deep away for a double murder is a shoe-in at 4 on that list.

Hail.

Absurd statement. Did you witness something that you kept to yourself?
Ray Lewis is easily a Hall of Famer, no questions asked.

[HailinginSeattle]

Clinton Portis is a prime example of a player being overrated by his fanbase.

I wouldn't even put him into my Hall of Very Good. Hall of Fame? Hell no.

Overrated by his fan base? Good one. At years end, barring injury, he will be the Redskins all time leading rusher. And in how many years will he have accomplished that? Which doesn't even include his time in Denver. The Skins current all time leading rusher, Riggins, is in the Hall, correct? Correct. Point made. And I for one dismiss the whole "need a Super Bowl" to make the Hall.

[HailinginSeattle]

He's never had a rushing title, either. It's the Hall of Fame, and not the Hall-of-Really-Good.

Sooo, apparently every running back in the Hall of Fame has a rushing title? Some arguements, points being made are ridiculous.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think Clinton should be considered too much for the Hall of Fame at this point it time, but the idea of him making it, especially with possibly a few quality years left, is very possible depending on how he does moving forward.

[HailinginSeattle]

Anywho, away from Portis.

I agree with the 'Canton Bound'. If Ed Reed never played another snap I wouldn't be positive he would get in, but probably.

I think Woodson and definitely Champ are pretty solid locks to get in. Urlacher is very questionable, he better get back to where he was a few years ago in these next few years. I also don't think Steve Smith has a shot at all. If Smith gets in, no way Gary Clark shouldn't be in.

[ConnSKINS26]

Durrr...... what?

Other than this part, good post.

I guess all I can say to that is....durrr. I guess I was misinformed/mistaken.

But I will say this. With 2,000 yards yards rushing more in his career, he'll be right up there, or past, almost all of those guys. And if his career lasts 3-4 more years, even if he transitions into a change-of-pace/back-up role, he'll most certainly accumulate those yards. And TD's. Now, I don't think he'll ever come close to LT's TD numbers, but in yardage, he will end up being one of the top 3-4 RB's of his time, by the end of his career. And those numbers might be enough. Would he need a SB? Well, I hope we can get him one, just in case.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Absurd statement. Did you witness something that you kept to yourself?
Ray Lewis is easily a Hall of Famer, no questions asked.

On the field, no question.

Off the field, not so much. I guess you believe what you want to believe, and the guy, through whatever means, never served any time it's true. I wish I had that kind of financial weight and standing to make a double murder rap go away, and ultimately nothing happen to my two cohorts, but again I guess that comes down to what you believe.

As such, without getting into a redundant argument, (along the lines of asking if "you" witnessed the event back), I obviously have a different view point to you; and to me anyone that does think he's one lucky so and so who may well not be a free man if he didn't have the standing and money behind him; well, it's not that absurd a statement.

More morally for want of a better word that I said it'll be a damn shame.

But again, I guess it depends on what you personally believe; and both view points are all good man. :cheers:.

Hail.

[Sikbug]

What if the skins win two SB's or even one in the next few years, who may get in then besides mcnabb?

[Muzzah]

Fletcher wasn't even mentioned in the article. He has comparable stats to Ray Lewis. Has played less seasons than Ray Lewis. Is injured less than Ray Lewis. Doesn't get to blitz as much as Ray Lewis.

Main difference. Ray Lewis does the funky chicken dance before every game.

[jnhay]

This Decade:

LT 12,490 yards, 138 TDs, 5 PBs, 4 1st All-Pro, 2 2nd All-Pro, MVP, All-Decade
Edge 12,246 yards, 80 TDs, 4 PBs, 2 1st All-Pro, 1 2nd All-Pro, All-Decade
Fred Taylor 11,540 yards, 60 TDs, 1 PB, 1 All-Pro
Jamal Lewis 10,607 yards, 58 TDs, 1 PB, 1 All-Pro, 1 Off POY, 1 Ring, All-Decade
Portis 9,646 yards, 73 TDs, 2x 3rd string in Pro Bowl, 0 All-Pro

That's 4 active RBs who had a better decade than Portis.


Portis averages more yards per season than Lewis (who has an extra season on Portis), and obviously more touchdowns. He also averages more yards per season than Taylor, and obviously again more touchdowns. LT is the only one on that list to average more.

[SnyderMustGo]

Main difference. Ray Lewis does the funky chicken dance before every game.

Not quite.

Try this:

Main difference? (Other than Ray's superior stats in tackles, sacks, ints, and fumbles)

Ray Lewis

*** * 11× Pro Bowl selection; (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)

*** * 9× All-Pro selection (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009)

*** * Super Bowl champion (XXXV)

*** * Super Bowl XXXV MVP

*** * 2× AP NFL Defensive Player of Year (2000, 2003)

*** * 3× AFC Defensive Player Of The Year (2000, 2001, 2003)

*** * 2× NFL Alumni Linebacker Of The Year (1999, 2003)

*** * 2× All-American (1994, 1995)

*** * Record 11 Pro Bowls for an Inside/Middle Linebacker[1]

*** * NFL 2000s All-Decade Team

Fletcher?

1 Super Bowl
1 Pro Bowl as an alternate.


I think some of you are confused as to how Hall of Fame evaluation works...


I love LBF and wish we had him his whole career. But being really good is not a basis for getting in the Hall.

[ncr2h]

Portis averages more yards per season than Lewis (who has an extra season on Portis), and obviously more touchdowns. He also averages more yards per season than Taylor, and obviously again more touchdowns. LT is the only one on that list to average more.

There's no sense arguing with that guy. I typed up a long response to his "argument", but at the end of the day I think the Redskins' mediocrity has made him so bitter that he is skeptical that any of our players are actually elite. That's just speculation on my part, but that's the only reason I can think of. We have a bonafide star on our team named Clinton Portis, and it's unlikely but entirely possible that he has a HOF caliber resume by the end of his career.

Comparing him to the likes of:
Jamal Lewis (although I understand why you did it)
Fred Taylor
Corey Dillon
Warrick Dunn
MJD
Steven Jackson
Ahman Green
Thomas Jones

shows a lack of understanding of Portis' talent. With maybe 1 or 2 exceptions, the guys on the above list had 1 outstanding year, maybe 1 or 2 other very good years, and a bunch of average to above average years. Portis has had 4 very good years, with most of the rest being above average. He's consistently been a threat in this league for 7 seasons now.

Shaun Alexander and Tiki Barber I have no problem with, as I would definitely say Portis is right there with them at this moment (maybe a hair behind). Thing is, Portis is still a starter in this league, while neither of them are still playing.

Let's just agree to disagree and keep it moving.

[SnyderMustGo]

Portis averages more yards per season than Lewis (who has an extra season on Portis), and obviously more touchdowns. He also averages more yards per season than Taylor, and obviously again more touchdowns. LT is the only one on that list to average more.

And yet... Portis never was top 3 in any season in rushing. Never started a Pro Bowl. Never was All-Pro. In short, never was a top running back in any given season. Pointing to the fact he was very good for 8 years does not make him great or Hall of Fame worthy.

How does a guy who never makes All-Pro once even sniff the Hall of Fame? Never one of the best when you play but still one of the best of all time? That makes no sense.

HOF is reserved for dominant players who are viewed by the game as such.

I think the on player on our team who has a chance to be a HOFer is Orakpo if he develops and has a long career. He's an All-Pro talent that could put together a HOF career.

[heyholetsgogrant]

Close, but not confirmed

1. Randy Moss, WR, Patriots

:ols: LOL! If Randy is not a lock, than I don't know what is...What about Shields, Roaf, Pace, ogden, etc? no love for the linemen?

[GhostofSparta]

:ols: LOL! If Randy is not a lock, than I don't know what is...What about Shields, Roaf, Pace, ogden, etc? no love for the linemen?
Never has been. How long did it take Russ ****ing Grimm to get into the Hall? How many of the Hogs are in? How about that Cowboys line that blocked for Smith and Aikmen? They're not the glamor boys.

[stevemcqueen1]

And yet... Portis never was top 3 in any season in rushing. Never started a Pro Bowl. Never was All-Pro. In short, never was a top running back in any given season. Pointing to the fact he was very good for 8 years does not make him great or Hall of Fame worthy.

You set the cutoff at top 3 because he's had the fourth most yards three times in his career. The three other seasons he was healthy he was ranked 5th, 6th, and 8th.

Yards and stats are not the problem for Portis. He'll have plenty of yards and TDs by the time he retires. His problem is a lack of pro-bowls and no signature playoff performances. I personally think that pro-bowls are the stupidest way of determining a HOFer but they are used as a key part of the evaluation process.

Clinton's only chance at the hall is to have an outstanding run in the playoffs--a string of several 100 yard games, and I don't see that happening.

[JustAfan47]

CP may not get into the NFL HOF but he will be in a every good debate as to who is the best Redskins running back of all time. He is in good company with some nice backs who he does share some NFL records with.

Has averaged 108.0 yards from scrimmage per game in his career, making him one of six players in NFL history, along with Jim Brown (125.5), Barry Sanders (118.9), LaDainian Tomlinson (116.6), Walter Payton (111.9) and Marshall Faulk (108.8) to average more than 108.0 yards from scrimmage per game.

Is one of eight players in NFL history to rush for at least 1,250 yards in a season six times, joining Walter Payton (9), Barry Sanders (9), Jim Brown (7), Emmitt Smith (7), Eric Dickerson (6), Curtis Martin (6) and LaDainian Tomlinson (6). Portis, Sanders, Dickerson and Tomlinson are the only players to reach 1,250 rushing yards six times in their first seven seasons.

I'm happy with that....

[The Tris]

His problem is a lack of pro-bowls and no signature playoff performances. I personally think that pro-bowls are the stupidest way of determining a HOFer but they are used as a key part of the evaluation process.

More so, I think the problem is All-Pros. I agree, PBs are a stupid standard to determine HOF; however, All Pros are much less of a popularity contest and really do highlight the best players in the NFL at their positions.

If you are never even a 2nd team all-pro, it is hard to make a case that you deserve to be in the HOF. Look at the 27 Modern Era backs currently in Canton, everyone one of them has at least one All-Pro on their resume.

I also agree that the fastest way to overcome that is with some post-season success...and call me a hater, but when we win our next playoff game (be it this season or in the future), I don't see Portis being the MVP.

[bedlamVR]

And yet... Portis never was top 3 in any season in rushing. Never started a Pro Bowl. Never was All-Pro. In short, never was a top running back in any given season. Pointing to the fact he was very good for 8 years does not make him great or Hall of Fame worthy.

How does a guy who never makes All-Pro once even sniff the Hall of Fame? Never one of the best when you play but still one of the best of all time? That makes no sense.

HOF is reserved for dominant players who are viewed by the game as such.

I think the on player on our team who has a chance to be a HOFer is Orakpo if he develops and has a long career. He's an All-Pro talent that could put together a HOF career.

How many seasons has Terrell Owens another lock for the HoF been a leading WR or even top 3 ? There is more to winning a popularity contest than pure stats and on field performance .

I cannot see any of the current or recent Skins making the HoF and that is not a knock on them but simply a comment on the fact their are exceptional atheletes in the NFL right now .

Sammuels for example should be in the same conversation as Ogden and Pace and Jones as well as Roaf etc but he never was . The constant change and the lack of self publicity and not being on a team like the Ravens or the Steelers really hurts . OL are not sexy picks for the HoF committee ...

Portis is one of the top RBs of his generation but not THE best . I think he will turn out better stats than the likes of AP and Johnson but there is a numbers game at work here . I really fail to see the link in the article to Steve Jackson . He has been getting a whole lot of media love for a whole little production .

Moss may end up with Redskins records but never really became a dominating WR, very inconsistent and not his brother .

Cooley ... in another time he could have been one of the very best TEs in the league but the TE position has a lot of really good players starting with Gonzalez ...

On D Fletcher never caught the voters eye in previous seasons and so will retire in obscurity . In fact having made the probowl as an alternative this season he may have reached a pinicle.

No one else really stands out other than Rack and Haynesworth . (With an outside chance for Landry if he plays up to his potential at SS)

Haynesworth ? He could be a possibility if he regains his dominating form . He is regardless of what people think one of the best in this generation .

Orakopo ... not even I could after a single season anoint him as a HoFer .. time will tell but even then there are other scary DEs to be compared with right now like Ware in Dallas and he would have to have a truely exceptional career to overshadow DWare .