There are a number of ex- NFL players who belong in the "Hall of Fame." However for this fan there is just one name that comes to mind...Rickey Jackson. How this name has escaped the people who vote for these guys is beyond me. I mean sure he wasn't no Lawrence Taylor but then again who has been? He didn't play for some big market team like N.Y. but can you explain to me why is it that his sustained excellence over 15 seasons, that a level of play that puts him 10th on the NFL's all-time sacks list and second all-time in fumbles recovered, that six Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams and one Super Bowl ring, is not enough to earn enshrinement for the player who arguably is the best in Saints history?
Take for instance this weekends enshrinement of Andre Tippett, the former pass-rushing specialist who helped New England reach its first AFC championship game in the 1985 season. His two-year sack total of 35, in 1984-85, remains a league record for linebackers.
But Tippett's 100 career sacks are 28 short of tying Rickey. His 17 fumbles recovered are 11 short of Jackson's total. He missed five games because of injury in 1986; Rickey missed four because of injury in his career. One has to wonder what he has done to earn it that Jackson hasn't?
If the reason Jackson hasn't made it is because of his after playing issues then why are Michael Irving and LT there? Both these ex players after playing issues were well documented. Rickey is considerd the state of Louisianas' biggest dead beat dad. He owes roughly about $177,781.33 which is probably about equivelant to what LT and Irving spent a year on drugs.
What that makes Rickey -- if true -- is a horrible parent. But it doesn't mean he's a lesser player than he was, and off-field smudges certainly seem to have not been factors in determining a player's Hall-worthiness. The numbers he put up, the time he put in and the accolades he won haven't been received as favorably as they should have by the committee.
Maybe he got caught in the shadows of Sam Mills and Pat Swilling? It happens to often, especialy at line backer, i remember how great Carl Banks was, and he was stuck in the shadows of L.
T. and Harry Carson. I agree with you buddy, He'd have my vote.
Last edited by blue@orange on August 5th at 7:43 AM.
Shane- Looking at Ricky Jackson's career numbers, it looks like he comes pretty close but no cigar..............At least when you look at it from the numbers perspective.
Looking at the sack numbers, because along with tackles it's what defines a linebacker.
Lt was #1 in sacks when he retired in 1993 with 132.5. By 1995 when Ricky retired with 128, he had been passed by the Randy White. Which put him at #3 in all time sacks for about one year.
Since that time Bruce Smith, Kevin Green, Chris Doleman, Mike Strahan, Richard Dent, John Randle And Leslie O'Neal have passed him.
If you look at Ricky's chances as a legendary player, it becomes even more grim. Having players like Derrick Thomas, Bruce Smith, Kevin Green and Richard Dent not yet selected.
evilquacks,
What players have done after you've retired has no bearing on whether you belong in the HOF or not. What matters is the numbers you put up while a player and Rickey certainly has the stats. There are plenty of players who are in the HOF now and will be a lock for a latter date that will be enshrined and aren't half the player Rickey was.
Show me that Tippitt has better #'s and overall stats than Rickey then I'll go with your opinion.
Last edited by gambitxxx on August 5th at 2:35 PM.
yeah...gambit, If I'm not mistaken, the purpose of this article is more to ask "Why tippet and NOT Jackson" as opposed to simply arguing for Jackson...although I do think that he should be in there.
god...andre dawson...that brings me back. He was easily my favorite player back in the day. After the cubs lost to the Giants in '89 (the earthquake series) I got into a fight the next day with a kid who said "andre dawson sucks". I've since simmered down, but...I was surprised that Shawon Dunston was on the ballot (didn't make it, obviously), but Dawson wasn't...wassupwidat?
Maybe the voters remember how well Tippett played the year they went to the superbowl. Give Tippett his do, without him the pats dont make it through the playoffs in 86..
plutonium,
That's exactly right. If a player of Tippitts caliber can make it when he had only one great season as opposed to several done by Jackson...to me shows something isn't right.
evilquacks,
Tippitt was good but never great. He had one great season. Jackson however like you said one of the greats of his era. He may just become the Andre Dawson of football.
Plutonium,
I remember Dawson when he played for both Montreal and then the Cubs. Never a fan of either team though. I like the Braves and back then I was a huge Dale Murphy fan.
B@O,
You are probably right but it doesn't mean that's the right way to do it. Jackson belongs as well as the other three LB's who played with him, Mills,Johnson and Swilling. NFL network ranked them the top LB group of all time.
The perfect breakfast as I see it.
You’re sitting at the table and your son is on the cover of Wheaties, your mistress is on the cover of Playboy, and your wife is on the back of the milk carton.
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