This is why I don't waste my time screwing around with mock drafts.

The Houston Texans signed Mario Williams in advance of the NFL draft last night, setting themselves up to be the most savvy or stupid team of the modern draft era. In doing so, they passed up Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush, the most explosive player in college football in the last 20 years whose incredible speed and moves had scouts comparing him to Marshall Faulk and Gale Sayers. Heady company to be sure.

You have to give the Texans credit for testicular fortitude though. Either Super Mario had better be the second coming of Reggie White or Deacon Jones - or Reggie B. had better fall horribly flat on his face. That is almost the only way you can justify this pick, right?

The case for Williams: You had the 31^st ranked defense in the NFL. You're switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4. There is a DE available whom scouts are comparing to Julius Peppers. Mario Williams fits the bill. He's a wrecking crew that can almost immediately push your D into the Top half of the league. Moreover, he'll play every down, you aren't sure that Reggie Bush can. After all, you have David Carr, a solid QB who has played behind awful offensive lines. You signed a Pro Bowl wideout in Eric Moulds, who would go nicely with Andre Johnson, who seemed as affected by the general malaise as Carr. Do remember that Domanick Davis is a 1,100 yard back behind this sorry excuse for an O-line line. Give him a better offensive scheme, which coach Gary Kubiak should provide and what can he do then? Who needs to pay big bucks for a back that can't carry the ball 20 times a game, who isn't even on the field on short yardage?

       

The case for Bush: Back in 1983, the Houston Rockets had the 1^st and 3^rd pick in the NBA draft. The first pick was a no-brainer, Ralph Sampson of Virginia. With the 3^rd, the Rockets felt the pressure - tons of it - to take a hometown boy from University of Houston, Clyde Drexler. Bill Fitch had other ideas. A defensive minded small forward from Louisville caught his eye nice fella named Rodney McCray. And the Rockets drafted Rodney Mac. And he was a solid, hardworking forward for over a decade in the NBA.

Alas, Rodney was no Clyde. Drexler finally wound up with Houston in 1995, just in time to help them win their second consecutive title. But imagine a Houston team with Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde, and a healthy Ralph in the second half of the 1980s. Bling bling baby. 

The Texans drafted Rodney McCray in cleats.They went safe. Why take Michael Jordan when you have Clyde already? Except that Domanick Davis isn't that good.

Hey, I know Reggie Bush carried the ball 20 times just twice in a game his career. I know he goes 200 pounds. I know he doesn't move the pile.

No, what Reggie Bush does is that he moves the ball. In huge chunks at a pop. I've heard wonderful things about Mario Williams, but no one - I mean no-body has claimed that this guy reminded them of Bruce Smith. Or Deacon Jones. When is the last time that a college player was ranked this high and compared to Gayle Sayers, and did not deliver? Exactly.

Overall, this works for both men. New Orleans with the second pick has the ability to trade out to a team that could use Bush (and the list is longer than one might think), and that team is likely to have a solid offensive line. The worst thing for Reggie is to play for a bad team and a bad line that will give him few creases. Bush in a Raider, Eagle, or Bronco uniform? Think Tony Dorsett with the Cowboys. Would he have had as much success had he started his career in Seattle or Tampa Bay? And remember, Dallas had their Domanick Davis, a nice solid running back named Robert Newhouse.

Of course, things get really interesting if New Orleans takes him, especially given that they have a gimpy Deuce McAllister and holes elsewhere. More than anything, Reggie needs to be with a coach who has offensive imagination. Is that present in Nawlins? Sean Payton does have experience with Tiki Barber (a similar style back) in New York. But if you buy the hype, Bush is a level beyond Tiki.

And if you think today is strange, what happens if the Saints pass on Reggie for D'Brickashaw Ferguson? Or take Matt Leinart? Even though the Jets have issues elsewhere, can they pass on Bush? If they do, will the Titans deviate from drafting Vince Young or Matt Leinart? Hard to believe, but possible. Expect one other player to free fall out of the Top 10.

All because the Texans went safe. Good luck.

I'll admit that I did not see much of Mario Williams. However, I saw a ton of Reggie Bush. If Pete Carroll played him at wide receiver, he'd been All-American. He has the fluid moves of Gale Sayers, and no one - NO ONE hit him flush. He takes kicks back to the house.

Every time Reggie carries the ball, it was like Gale himself said once, "18 inches - that's all I need". Get Reggie to the second level, and you might as well get the extra point team up. If Mario racks up 11-15 sacks a year, and Reggie winds up being Blair Thomas, then the Texans win big.

Now, who REALLY believes that?

The 2005-06 NBA season started with a marquee coach taking over a young team in transition (I know, it's rebuilding, rebuilding is such a dirty word you know?), featuring a star player with whom our marquee coach had previously clashed. Smart money had a blowup occurring by January, but with the coach getting the team to the postseason.

That Phil Jackson, something else isn't he...oh, you thought I was talking about Larry Brown? Yeah, so did I.

Peeps, I have to get this off my chest before we move on to teams actually doing something this season:

Larry Brown is overrated.

Yes, I said it.

Overrated. Repeat after me, New York Yankee-style:

O-verrr-Rated!

Clap clap clap clap!

I know the conventional wisdom had Larry (also known as Coach Right Way) as one of the all-time greats, especially after the Pistons spanked the Lakers in the 2004 finals. I was one of them. With the benefit of hindsight, we know a few things - that the Pistons were much better than we all thought, and that the Shaq-Kobe feud had torched team chemistry beyond all repair, with Karl Malone's injury being the final straw.

But after two straight trips to the Finals, LB was known as the guy who wanted his team to play The Right Way. What we all should have asked was why didn't anyone ask is Greg Popovich, Rick Adelman, or Phil Jackson if they coached The Right Way - especially after Pop outcoached Larry last year in the Finals? Is it possible that the "Right Way" talk went to his head?

Well, the results are in. It's ugly, and I mean Chris Kaman ugly. The Knicks were a 33 win team last year, and they'd have to run the table to get to 27 this year (I'm thinking 23 wins tops).

Worse, they have no freakin' excuse.

Isiah Thomas may have his weaknesses - ok - a LOT of weaknesses as a GM, but he's brought in solid young talent with Channing Frye, Eddie Curry, and James Robinson to go with Trevor Ariza and David Lee.  Stephon Marbury has more issues than the New York Times, but only The Big O has averaged 20+ pp and 8 assists as Stephon has done. Throw in Quinton Richardson and Jamal Crawford and .500 should have been a lock.

Instead we get the unholy mess that is the Knicks, and now Brown recently whined that the players are "tuning him out". Brother Larry, human beings have an annoying tendency to do that when they constantly get barraged with noise. Note to Coach RightWay, when you constantly run down your players in the press, it becomes noise. Isn't it telling that Brown has gotten little public support from anyone? Even given Marbury's obvious problems playing team ball?

Does Kevin Garnett really want to come into this zoo?

Out here on the Left Coast, Phil Jackson gets mixed reviews, but you don't hear him and Kobe killing each other. Granted, the Lakers have fewer youngsters than the Knicks, but Smush Parker (who wasn't even in the league last year) and Kwame Brown have made solid strides this season - especially Kwame in the last month since Chris Mihm was injured.

Kwame Brown? The same Kwame who was sent home by the Wizards last year - even when they lost his replacement to injury in the playoffs? Lamar Odom is finally playing three good games in a row. The Lakers look like they'll win 44-45 games - in a tougher conference - and will almost certainly make the playoffs.

Kobe is getting along publicly with Phil, AFTER Phil hammers him in a book. (I grant you that if Coach allows you to put up 35 shots a game, you shouldn't have a problem getting along with anyone.) Yet even the most ardent Kobe-basher has to concede that Kobe has made more of a committment to team ball, even while scoring a pace unseen since Jordan in 1987.

Meanwhile, Coach RightWay and Starbury have gone to the mattresses. No surprise, Larry Brown hasn't met a point guard he ever got along with. No surprise, since Larry was trashing Marbury at the Olympics. This is the same guy who couldn't appreciate Mark Jackson (only Number Two on the all-time assist list) until he traded him away, and then had to trade back to get him. Which coach would you rather have?

Given LB's history, the Knicks will almost certainly rebound. Somehow, Thomas will move Marbury or Francis (although if a superstar doesn't come back in the deal, they shouldn't do it), and Brown will feel safer. The young players will mature, and Larry will be the hero.

But not to this writer.

Honestly, I'm hoping Step and Right Way stay together. Life has been boring since Kobe and Shaq have made up (kindasorta). A good blood feud is necessary in sports. And the potential of Stephon going Sprewell on Little Larry is just too good to pass up.

Meanwhile, a maturing Laker team is peaking going into the post-season.

Score a big one for the Zen Master.

February is here.

Black History Month.

Yes, THAT month.

This is for Whites, Asians, Hispanics, Martians; our history is yours. Join us in celebration and reflection.

This is the American history we all should have learned.

Be glad that for 28 days, you can get an idea of just how much you've missed out on.

Morgan Freeman was right - you can't limit my history by simply calling it "black".

Morgan was wrong too. We the people - black and white - need The Month until it becomes part of The History.

As much as some people would like it to be, sports will never be an escape from The Month.

Get real.

You can't have The Month without sports.

Sports has always made and caught snapshots of black history.

Of American History.

Of black and white.

Justice denied, deferred, and eventually (in some cases) delivered.

It is Paul Robeson making Walter Camp's first All-America team.

It is Moses Fleetwood Walker and Bud Fowler, the inventor of the shin guard.

It is Jack Johnson, White Hopes, and The Mann Act.

Joe Lewis and Max Schmeling...Jesse Owens and Adolph Hitler.

   

Joe Lewis and Max Schmeling again.

And it's Josh, Satch, Judy, Cool Papa. Buck and Double Duty.

...and not forgetting Etta Manley and Gus Greenlee.

It is Jackie Robinson batting lead off for the modern Civil/Human Rights Movement.

See Jackie hit that ball.

    

See Jackie steal home, still black and proud.

It is Pee Wee Reese with his arm around Jackie...

...and Doby, Mays, Clemente, and Bullet Bob Gibson in Game 7.

Althea Gibson winning Wimbledon...Wilma Rudolph outrunning Jim Crow.

It's Cassius Clay and Malcolm X.

Muhammad Ali, what's your name?

 

It's not crossing the line when you got no quarrel with them Vietcong...with Bill Russell, Lew Alcindor and Jim Brown having your back.

It's Jack Johnson all over again...

... and Big Daddy Lattin posterizing Rupp's Runts.

"Alcinder Rule" my eye.

... Black AFL All-Stars making a stand by taking a Walk.

... Wilt versus Russell, Bob Hayes running an eight-six...

... Tommie Smith and John Carlos, and The Power of Two.

  

... Curt Flood deciding his destiny was his to own...

... and Hank The Hammer taking Al Downing, The Babe, and racists deep, downtown and waaaay back.

Black History is all that. And we ain't done...

It's Doctor J taking off from the foul line in Denver.

...and Doug Williams, quarterBLACK, going deep on Denver.

...Arthur Ashe speaking softly, swinging a big racket. Touching the world.

  

It's Being Like Mike. Wearing The Shoes with Mars...

...Big John Thompson taking the towel off his shoulder for Prop 48.

         

...Tubby Smith cutting the nets in The House That Rupp built.

And John Chaney still teaches at 5am.

It's Art Shell and Tony Dungy and Dennis Green and Marvin Lewis...

...and James Harris to Doug Williams to Warren Moon...

...Magic Johnson doing to HIV what he did to the Celtics.

...Magic, Jim Brown and Bernie Casey and Keyshawn Johnson giving back to their communities and giving hope.

 

It's Zina Garrison then...

... and Venus and Serena Williams now

...Cheryl Swoopes and Lisa Leslie.

    

The Fab Five and A.I. and The Tribe Called Quest.

It's Barry Bonds chasing The Hammer,

and Bob Johnson and his Bobcats - and Shelia Johnson and her Mystics.

   

And on the shoulders of Lee Elder and Charlie Sifford, there stands Tiger Woods.

Even if Tiger isn't always sure of the black part.

...and the beat goes on...from blues to bee-bop...from fusion to funk,and soul to hip-hop...

This is American history, not limited by a month. Unbounded by a color.

Made by Americans of proud African ancestory, for all Americans.

This lesson will continue until no longer necessary.

This is your history.

And now you know.

A number one overall pick.

A tenth-round selection.

A guy who went to Canada to play quarterback for six years because one look at his skin made teams think "defensive back".

Toss in a running back that had a chip on his shoulder because he was picked number 40 in the draft, an offensive lineman who was cut by two different teams before finding his All-Pro niche in Miami. A converted center who went on to be a dominating guard.

The roads to the Hall of Fame are many, and later today the NFL will announce their Hall Of Fame selections. 15 finalists. Anywhere from four to seven players and contributors will be selected. For some unknown reason, no one from the NFL called me and asked to submit a ballot. The nerve of some people.

So here is my look at the following finalists: Reggie White, Troy Aikman, Warren Moon, Thurman Thomas, Derrick Thomas, Harry Carson, L.C. Greenwood, Claude Humphrey, Russ Grimm, Bob Kuechenberg, Michael Irvin, Art Monk, Gary Zimmerman, John Madden, and Rayfield Wright. The last two are special selections from the Veteran's Committee.

      

The 15 finalists all make a great case for enshrinement. Some of this group is stone cold locks. Others make a very strong case, but perhaps not this year. Here are my picks:

The Locks

Reggie White - The late, great Minster of Defense might have been the best two-way lineman who ever played the game. An absolute beast against the run, also racked up 190 sacks in his career, as I pointed out in an earlier article. Had 21 sacks in 12 games in 1987, a record average of 1.75 sacks a game for the season. 124 of his sacks came in his 121 games with the Eagles. Had 10+ sacks in nine consecutive seasons, another NFL record. Whether lining up at tackle or defensive end, Reggie ruled. 13-time All-Pro, and 13 Pro Bowls as well. Added intangible: Reggie's signing with Green Bay was a huge turning point for that franchiese in the free agency era. The conventional wisdom held that premiere black players would never go to Green Bay, which previously had all of the appeal of Siberia in January.

Why he is a lock: You are kidding aren't you? His bust was cast sometime during the early 1990s while he was still active. The only real regret is that this is a posthumous honor.

Troy Aikman - Won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys, which will get you in the Hall even if you ran the wishbone. As it happened Troy could throw pretty well too. Six Pro Bowls and 3 All-Pro selections attest to that. This was an offense that really centered on Emmitt Smith (in my opinion the true heart and soul of those Cowboy teams), but when the Cowboys put it up, Aikman was as accurate as they came. Career 61.7 percent passer. Try this stat: 41 times, Aikman completed 70 percent of his passes (minimum of 20 attempts) in a game.

I'll be honest, his career numbers pale compared to many of his contemporaries, and I feel that when the Cowboys were no longer able to dominate on the ground, Aikman wasn't a player would could put the 'Boys on his back and carry them.

Nevertheless, he was the trigger man on the winningest team of the 1990s (Aikman had a record 90 wins in the decade).

Why he is a lock: Which part of "Three Time Super Bowl Champion" didn't you get? The man is a lock. Just don't ask me to rate him in the top-15 of all time quarterbacks.

Thurman Thomas - I have a soft spot for Houston football players, especially ones I saw play in high school. "Thermal" was the key to the Bills K-Gun offense along with QB Jim Kelly. Led the NFL in total offense a record four consecutive seasons. Ran for more yardage in the 1990s than anyone not named Emmitt Smith or Barry Sanders. Five consecutive All-Pro selections, and should have been named MVP of Super Bowl XXV. Who cares that he was on the losing team of the closest Super Bowl ever? With career totals of 12,074 yards rushing and over 400 receptions. Besides Thomas, only Marcus Allen and Walter Payton are members of the 10,000 yard/400 catch club. Played in four Super Bowls, and is the all-time playoff record holder for touchdowns and points. He was drafted in the second round after a stellar college career at Oklahoma State (Barry Sanders sat behind him for two years), and used that snub as fuel. Sometimes, he seemed to never get over it, but can you argue with performance?

Why he is a lock: Thomas was a rare talent as double-threat runner/receiver with a high level of production.

Got to put them in...

Harry Carson - In an earlier article, I noted that Harry Carson was one of the greatest players not to be in a Hall Of Fame in his sport. The heart and soul of those great Giant defenses, the signal-caller for the best linebacking corps of the decade, Carson made 9 Pro Bowls, and six times made the All-NFL first or second team. Respected football analyst Paul Zimmerman calls Carson, "The best short yardage and goal line linebacker who ever played." As solid in pass coverage as he was against the run, Carson maintained a high level for his entire 13 year career. Stirred a controversy last year when he told the Hall Of Fame to take him off the ballot and leave him alone. I love his style.

Chances - I think he probably helped himself last year with his comments. Harry should have been in years ago, and is probably wondering, "What in the hell happened to that advantage I was supposed to get from playing in New York?" He's on Dr. Midnight's ballot, and I give him a 75-25 chance of being in this year.

 

Warren Moon - He didn't throw his first NFL pass until he was almost 28 years old. Coming out of U-Dub, scouts saw the strong arm, the mobility, and thought, "There goes a safety...". So off Moon went to the Edmonton Eskimos, where he won five titles in six seasons. Moon reminds me of the great black baseball players of the 1930's and 40's who spent their best years in the Negro Leagues, then got a late start in the so-called majors and dominated.

Even now, some scouts from the late 1970s will say that he would have been drafted as a quarterback. Sure you did. Moon and Steve Young are the two most underrated quarterbacks in NFL history.

Consider that despite the late start, he finished his career third all-time in attempts, completions, and yardage, and fourth in touchdown passes. If he had had those six years in the NFL instead of Canada, Dan Marino (and everyone else) would be chasing Moon in the record books.

As it happens, over his 23 seasons in two leagues, Moon threw for 70,325 yards and 425 touchdowns. But let's just stick to the NFL numbers no? His 527 yards in a 1990 game versus Kansas City is second in NFL history, and the most since the AFL-NFL merger. A record eight straight Pro Bowls, and nine total (the last appearance an MVP one at 40!). 49 300-yard games in his career, only behind Marino and Dan Fouts. Nearly 50,000 NFL passing yards and 292 touchdown passes. Strictly on an aesthetic level, Moon threw the prettiest, most effortless ball ever.

Chances - I say he is a lock. However some critics have tried to diminish his numbers as a product of his offense (overrated nonsense), and the fact that his teams never went to a Super Bowl (didn't stop Dan Fouts and Sonny Jurgensen to name two) will hurt him in the eyes of some. Rate him as an 85% chance of induction this year.

Claude Humphrey - I'm always on the lookout for guys who were overlooked by the general public. Humphrey is already forgotten by many, but this was one of the great pass rushers of all-time. In an earlier blog on great pass rushers, I left him off my list as well. Shame on me.

Part of the problem is that most of his best years were on some bad - really bad - Atlanta Falcon teams. Yet he still had 122 career sacks in 14 seasons, and he missed all of one season due to an injury. In his second-to-last season, he had 14.5 sacks for the Eagles, helping them reach the Super Bowl. Seven times he was selected to the All-Pro team, all while with Atlanta. In the 13 seasons he played, he led his team in sacks nine of those seasons.

Chances - Playing on mostly mediocre teams, where opponents could scheme him out of a game plan without penalty, he still averaged nearly 9.5 sacks a season. L.C. Greenwood played in the same era and did not approach his pass rushing numbers (although Atlanta was usually bad enough where Humphrey probably got considerably more snaps to sack a passer). Humphrey gets my vote, but I think his chances are 30% of getting in this year.

John Madden -  I have more on Big John in my earlier column on the Top 10 players/coaches not in the Hall Of Fame. Madden has the highest winning percentage (an incredible .739) in NFL history for coaches with 100+ wins. I can't ignore a raw number that impressive, and let us not forget that the Raiders played in seven conference championship games during his tenure. Six times, the Raiders fell to the eventual Super Bowl champions, including twice each to the great Steeler and Dolphin dynasties.

Chances - Being a Senior's selection is a great booster. Big John is in on my ballot. My regret is that I have to sacrifice a spot for a player, and an offensive lineman paid for that. Another factoid I heard driving yesterday:

Madden's record against 10 other Hall Of Fame coaches? 33-12-1. Not bad at all...

In case you haven't noticed by now. I've got seven on my ballot: Aikman, T. Thomas, White, Moon, Madden, Humphries, and Carson. The dance card is full.

With deep regrets, here are the guys who have to "Wait 'til Next Year:

Michael Irvin - Ironic that his nickname "The Playmaker", while being accurate, also eerily recalls the short-lived and controversial TV show on that Other Sports Network. Irvin certainly was a magnet for off the field drama, but on the field, he was a beast. Specialized in pushing off and shielding defenders from the ball. Worked the deep routes, short routes and everything in between. Averaged an outstanding 15.9 yards a catch in his career.

      

There is a temptation to compare Irvin to Art Monk because of their size, but Irvin was faster and more explosive, and an equally tenacious blocker. Despite playing in a run-oriented offense, and having his career end early due to a neck injury, Irvin still put up impressive numbers with 750 catches in 12 seasons, despite losing most of two seasons to injury. Five Pro Bowls, three Super Bowl rings as part of the "The Trinity" (Irvin, Aikman, and Smith), and 47 100 yard receiving games.

Chances - Most years, an absolute lock. But given his occasional off-field issues, including the incident that got him in hot water a month ago, he may get bumped for a year especially given the depth of the candidates this year. He gets in next year on my ballot, but only because I have no room for him this year. I think Da Hall selects him this year at the expense of Moon and Grimm.

Derrick Thomas - I suggest you read my Great Pass Rushers blog for more stats on Derrick. Another nominee that will sadly be a posthumous one, Derrick was a devastating edge rusher who still had some good football left in him when an auto accident paralyzed him and eventually ended his life far too early. Based on his body of work, while impressive, I can't put him in ahead of someone as deserving (and long-suffering) as Harry Carson, who was a steadier player who was a shutdown defender against the run, an area while DT was sometimes indifferent to.

Bob Kuechenberg - It pains me to say nice things about anyone who went to Notre Dame. But how can I not sing the praises about a player who got cut twice, played semipro ball for seven games (and only got paid for two of them) before getting signed by the team where he found fame? Miami signed a free agent salesman. They got a six-time Pro Bowler who was durable, tough, and versatile enough to be named an All-Pro at two different positions in the same season. In 1978 he spilt the season between guard and tackle. He made the Pro Bowl at guard and was named All-AFC at tackle. Was a key part of the Dolphins' offensive line that set an NFL record for rushing yardage in 1972, and made three straight Super Bowl appearances.

Chances - Great story, great player. Not enough offensive linemen get in as far as I'm concerned. But, the competition is a bit too stiff this year. I count three locks (White, Aikman, and T. Thomas), and at least one of the senior's selections will make it. The Hall Of Fame almost never takes more than four to five selections, and even with me maxing out my seven slots, I can't fit him in. This year.

     

Art Monk - Like Chris Noth on "Sex in the City", "Big" is usually the adjective that is used to describe Art Monk. And in his case, no Hollywood embellishment is needed. 6-3 and a solid 210 pounds, Monk was the prototype of a trend away from small, quick receivers to the type of player who could muscle through jam coverage and go across the middle and operate between the hashmarks. Caught an NFL record 940 passes at the time of his retirement. Set a single season record of 106 catches, both marks have been surpassed since. As tough blocking as he was going over the middle. As devoid of ego as they come. Twice made All-Pro, and selected to three Pro Bowls.

Chances - Not all that good. I know, I rated him as highly deserving previously, but when going into the "Upon Further Review" mode, Art Monk has some flaws that put him behind some of his peers. While he has three Super Bowl rings, which should count for something, his lack of a downfield game and only three Pro Bowls in a long career will hurt him. Career average of just 13.5 yards a catch (Irvin averaged 15.9 by comparison), and never scored in double figures in touchdowns. My feeling is that Art will need some help from the Senior's Committee down the road if he doesn't get voted in within the next 3-5 years.

Russ Grimm - Oink oink baby. The last thing a hapless defender often saw in the 1980's was number 66 pulling on the famed Washington "Counter Gap". Russ Grimm and Joe Jacoby were the Gene Upshaw and Art Shell of the 1980's - in other words, a utterly devastating left side on offense. Grimm was a charter member of "The Hogs", the premiere offensive line of the 1980's. When the Hogs ran left it was behind Grimm and Jacoby. In the clutch, Washington went left, and usually they got the job done. Grimm's excellence was rewarded with four straight Pro Bowls and All-Pro selections. He topped it off by being voted to the All-Decade Team of the 1980s.

Chances - Grimm is worthy. But more worthy than Gary Zimmerman, who was first or second team All-NFL eight times? You can't beat the marketing edge that being A Hog gives you. But fairness says that Russ waits another year or two.

Rayfield Wright - My earlier version of this post did not have my views on Rayfield. My apologies, because the "Big Cat" was hard to miss. An anchor of the Cowboys offensive line for fourteen years, he was the only Cowboy to have played in the Ice Bowl and also play on all five Super Bowl teams of the 1970s. Six straight All-Pro selections, six Pro Bowls, and he made the All-Decade Team of the 1970s.

Chances - In my mind, if you make an All-Decade team, you should be in the Hall. That denotes a high level of play for an extended period of time. The Senior's tag certainly helps. And he clearly has been overlooked. I do NOT believe in this silly "anti-Cowboy bias" talk that has been going around - and note that Wright just entered the Cowboys Ring Of Honor two years ago. Clearly, he hadn't been getting the love for a while. Having said all of that, Wright should get in. The question is, will there been enough room in this year's very impressive class?

L.C. Greenwood - I don't what it is, but "L.C." just sounds like a bad-ass football name. I don't know about the rest of y'all, but I'm running FAR away from a 6'6" man named L.C. you know? And for 13 seasons, many NFL offenses tried. Most of them didn't make out too well. Ask Fran Tarkenton!

Few defensive lines in NFL history could approach the tandem of Greenwood and Joe Greene. Only 74.5 sacks in his career, but he had to share with teammates on probably the greatest defense in NFL history. Tremendous big game performer with two sacks, three batted down passes and a safety in SB IX, and three sacks in SB X. Twice an All-Pro, five times an All-AFC performer.

Chances - Strong performer, but not quite in a class with some of his peers. We've also seen darn near every teammate and ballboy of his on the Steelers teams of the 70's inducted already. That tends to work against you after a while. 

Oh and the gold shoes? "Queer Eye for the All-Pro" can't be far away...

Gary Zimmerman - Eight Pro Bowl selections for an outstanding offensive guard who made All-Pro with Minnesota and Denver. Even by offensive line standards, he flew under the radar. This is one reason why he will not make it in this year. I rate him as a lock within five years. It should be sooner, but Russ Grimm and Bruce Matthews (when eligible) will get press ahead of Gary.

Tuesday, the baseball Hall Of Fame finally voted in closer extraordinaire Bruce Sutter. In the opinion of this fan, it was way overdue.

300 saves. Career ERA of 2.83, and that included three seasons at the end of his career when an injured Sutter had an ERA of well over 4. Most of all, he had the Unhittable Pitch.

Sutter pioneered the split-fingered fastball that was so good, you wondered if it would be outlawed. Sutter is the first pure closer to be voted into the Hall - finally. Now the The Pro Football Hall Of Fame has annouced its finalists. I had to start looking at all of the players on the outside looking in. So across football, basketball, and baseball, here are my Top 10 Players who should be in the Hall Of Fame:

1. Jim Rice - Jim Ed was simply the most dominating hitter in the AL from 1975-1985. His 1977 season of .315 average, league leading 46 bombs and 139 RBI (did we mention 213 hits and a league-leading 15 triples?) is one for the ages, even by today's heightened standards. 406 total bases one season, perennial Top 5 MVP selection. Not a media-friendly guy; and that certainly hurt his chances for a while, although many of his former detractors have rallied to his cause. Rice also was hurt in the voting because he did not age as gracefully as some of his peers. He had his last good season at 33, and by the time he was 36 he was done, resulting in him finishing just shy of 400 homers, and having his career batting average drop under .300. He clearly belongs in the Hall, although I suspect he might be hurt by some stars such as Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken, and Mark McGwire becoming eligible soon.

      

2. Rich "Goose" Gossage - As far as I'm concerned, The Goose was the most intimidating closer who ever lived. Goose pitched back in a time where real men threw two, three, even four innings for a save. Three times in his career he pitched over 130 innings in relief. Three times had an ERA of under 2.00 In 1981, had an ERA of 0.77 He clearly hung around way past his prime (his last 'big' season as a closer was 1986, but he pitched until 1994) but why should that hurt his Hall of Fame stock? Gossage was still effective late in his career in any case. If we really believe that a strong bullpen is an essential component to a championship club, then honoring the best closer over a ten year period (1975-85) is a no-brainer.

3. Albert Belle - Man I love stirring the pot... heh heh heh  But bear with me:

Albert played 10 full seasons, 1991-2000. He averaged nearly 38 homers and 120 RBI during that period with a 297 average. Finished in the Top 10 of the MVP 4 times, five Silver Sluggers. His OPS (on-base plus slugging pct.) was in the top seven 5 times in six years. Six times did he finish in the top five in homers. You get the idea. Even if you consider this an era of inflated numbers, he was still among the very best hitters of his era.

Now for the reality check - Albert was and is considered far too miserable a human being to get in the Hall any time soon. It will probably take the Veteran's Committee (and a Presidental pardon) to get Belle in.

4. Dominique Wilkins - Forget the nine All-Star selections. Forget the five appearances on the All-NBA First or Second Team (in an era where his peers were Larry Bird, Bernard King, Marques Johnson, Alex English, and James Worthy).

The man retired number seven on the all-time NBA scoring list. The seventh best home run hitter all-time at the time of Nique's retirement was Reggie Jackson. Currently it's Mark McGwire, sandwiched between Frank Robinson and Harmon Killebrew. Can you imagine any of those players not making the Hall? Yes, even McGwire. The NFL's 7^th all-time leader in touchdowns? Walter Payton. Every inactive player within screaming distance of Payton is in the Hall, except for the recently retired Tim Brown. So what excuse do we have for not having Jacques Dominique Wilkins in the Hall?  Buzzard's Luck may be part of the problem: Nique's best ball came when the Celtics and Sixers were the road blocks (Exhibit A: 1988 Conference Semis: Nique goes 19-23 from the floor for 47 points in Game 7 - at the Boston Garden. But Bird goes for 20 in the fourth, and Boston escapes with a two point win.). Once Boston faded, the Pistons and Bulls were there. Why penalize the man for that?

The Human Highlight Film not only carried his team for over a decade, he did something that hasn't been done since - he made Atlanta care about hoops.

6. Dennis Johnson - Dennis Johnson couldn't shoot straight, wasn't a pure point guard or shooting guard. All he did was ball like a champion. Nine times a member of the All-Defensive first or second team. Not that you needed that to know how good he was on D. Despite giving up five inches to Magic Johnson, DJ was the only guard strong enough and smart enough to make Magic work to bring the ball up the court on a regular basis. No one else could make Magic bring the ball up with his back to the defender. Let us not forget two All-NBA selections, five All-Star games, and a Finals MVP.

And for all of his shakiness with the J, DJ was deadly with the game on the line. And Larry Bird called Johnson, "The best teammate I ever played with."

Induct him already please! (And I'm a Lakers fan!)

6. Chet "The Jet" Walker - Wilt Chamberlain called him the greatest one on one player he ever played with. He scored over 18,000 points in an NBA career that still had mileage on it when he quit at 33 (having averaged 19 points a game for the Bulls that season). Was he a winner? The Bulls made the playoffs every year he was there, and crashed in the seasons before and after he left. He attempted to sue the Bulls for anti-trust violations (as they wouldn't release or trade him, nor would they renegotiate his contract), and lost. You wonder if that has had an impact on his Hall chances. Seven All-Star selections, career averages of 18 points and 7 boards a game at the small forward spot certainly doesn't hurt. And did I mention that he was the starting "3" on the greatest squad in NBA history, the 1968 Sixers?

 

7. Harry Carson - Harry's biggest problem is that he played alongside possibly the best linebacker (and clearly the best outside linebacker) who ever lived in Lawrence Taylor, yet it was Harry who was the heart and soul of those Giants' defenses of the late 70's and through the 1980's. Tough, smart, and nasty, but always under control, and classy off the field, Harry has been shafted repeatedly by the Hall. Last year, he had a justified "Shawshank Moment" (I call it that because it reminded me of Morgan Freeman's heartfelt blast at the parole board after 40 years) - Carson publically told the Hall, in effect, "Don't even bother me anymore".

Like Morgan, expect Harry to finally get his ticket punched to the Hall.

8. Art Monk - At the time of his retirement, he had a record 940 receptions. Yes, I know there were a lot of 10 yard hitch routes. Big deal. He moved the chains by using his size over the middle and on the "dirty work" patterns, which enabled Gary Clark, Charlie Brown, Ricky Sanders, et al to get open deep. Always a reliable target for Joe Theisman, Doug Williams, or Mark Rypien. Monk was no prima donna, as he also was one of the best blocking wideouts of his time, and if he had an ego, it was checked at the door.

Just the type of player that the media loves, but then doesn't want to reward. What are we waiting for?

9. Bert Blyleven - Besides being the owner of one of Chris Berman's best nicknames, Bert won 287 games, many of those with some really bad teams, which somewhat explains his so-so winning percentage of .534 (Nolan Ryan's was .524 by comparison).

While only winning 20 games once, his career ERA was a very good 3.30 (the league average during his career was 3.91). Eight times, he struck out 200 or more batters, many with a curve considered one of the very best in the game. Ten times he finished in the Top 10 in ERA, and was a regular among the league leaders in K's and SO/BB ratio. Baseball-reference.com lists the most similar pitchers as Hall Of Famers Don Sutton, Steve Carlton, and Gaylord Perry.

I admit, it took some time to think of him as being in the class, but the numbers make a good case for him.

10. John Madden - Boom! I throw a coach in. But Big John's numbers made you say WHAP! Long before he became an announcer, years before he became The Man behind Madden 2006 (or 1994 if you still held on to your Sega Genesis like I have), all Madden did was win games. 112 of them in 10 seasons.

In fact his 112-39-7 record is the best in Raider history. His winning percentage of .739 in all games trails only Vince Lombardi's .750 among coaches with 100+ wins. His regular season percentage is .750, and that is the best ever for any coach. Madden also has an NFL title, winning Super Bowl IX in 1976. What may be lost in this is that Madden's teams played in five consecutive AFC Title games from 1973-77. Overall, the Madden years had the Raiders in seven conference/league title games. That's a lot of knocking on the door when you consider that they played in the same era as the Steeler and Dolphin juggernauts.

The NFL Senior's committee has him as nominee. It should have never come to that.