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Crystal Ball - FUTURE CLASSES OF THE HALL OF FAME

Today Quarterbacks, Running Backs & Receivers
Posted On: 7/30/06
Written By:  
Dev Panchwagh
FUTURE CLASSES OF THE HALL OF FAME
Every year at this time, a new class of NFL Hall of Famers is enshrined in Canton, Ohio. This year’s illustrious group includes Troy Aikman, John Madden, Harry Carson, Warren Moon, Rayfield Wright and the late Reggie White. When a new class is inducted, debates naturally arise about which players deserve consideration in the future. Out of the current players in the NFL, which players will get the chance to except their place among the greatest players to have ever played the game?
 
Without further ado, here is the sure fire Hall of Famers position-by-position:
 
(Note: This is not based on a first ballot criterion. Also, the players who are chosen would make the Pro Football Hall of Fame if they ended their careers today).
 
Quarterback
 
Brett Favre (Green Bay Packers 1991-present): Perhaps the toughest and grittiest gunslinger in the past decade, Favre’s place among the elite is secure once he leaves Green Bay for good. Short of a one-year stint in Atlanta as a backup, Favre has been a life-long commander for the green-and-yellow. Among his accomplishments in being the only player in NFL history to win the MVP award three consecutive times. He also holds the NFL’s consecutive starts record. At 36 years old, Favre will likely retire following the 2006 season. He will be remembered for being one of the fiercest competitors in the game, with the ability to throw the ball anywhere he wanted to on the field.
 
Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts 1998-present): Manning will go down as perhaps the most prepared quarterback in NFL history. He is infamous for his diligent film study and ability to manipulate defenses at the line-of-scrimmage. Every great quarterback has a signature aspect of their game that everyone remembers. For Manning, historians will remember his animated gestures before snapping the ball. Manning broke Dan Marino’s TD record for the season, throwing 49 in 2004. He also won the MVP award in 2002.
 
Tom Brady (New England Patriots 2000-present): In six short years, Brady has etched his place among the greatest winners in NFL history. He guided the most recent NFL dynasty in New England, winning two Super Bowl MVP awards during the process. Brady is the epitome of calmness in the pocket. He never gets rattled. And when the game is on the line, he plays with ice water in his veins. In the last two seasons, Brady is also starting to put up the stats. He threw for 4,110 yards last season (first in the league) and 26 TD passes (third in the league) last year.
 
Running Back
 
Curtis Martin (New England Patriots 1995-1998, New York Jets 1998-present): Never flashy, but always reliable is the best way to describe Martin’s game. The five-time Pro Bowl performer is a low-key player who quietly put up the numbers at a talent laden position. Martin isn’t the fastest back, but he has great patience, reads his blocks well and is hard to bring down in the open field. He is one of the best cutback runners in the game. In addition to being a perennial Pro Bowl performer, Martin won the rushing title in 2004 and the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 1995.
 
Marshall Faulk (Indianapolis Colts 1994-1999, St. Louis Rams 1999-present): With Faulk suffering a major knee injury which will require reconstructive surgery, there is a good chance that he will not play another snap in the NFL. In 12 seasons, Faulk has been among the most productive players at his position, both as a runner and a receiver. In fact, the former San Diego State star is the greatest receiver to play at the tailback position. Faulk’s versatility is what fueled the engine of “The Greatest Show on Turf.” In 1999, Faulk rushed for 1,000 yards and gained 1,000 yards receiving. He and Roger Craig are the only players to accomplish this feat. In addition to being a great pass catcher, Faulk is among the smartest blockers to play the game. He is also electric in the open field, using the spin and juke moves to make defenders miss.
 
Shaun Alexander (Seattle Seahawks 2000-present): Few backs have accomplished as much in such little time. In six seasons, Alexander has won a rushing title, holds the record for most touchdowns in a season and won the MVP award in 2005. He was only one yard short of winning the rushing title in 2004. Due to putting together such a dominant performance last season, Seattle rewarded Alexander with an eight-year contract extension which will allow him to finish his career with the franchise. Alexander is setting a pace that no other back has been able to accomplish. He has rushed for the most yards of any back during his five straight seasons as a starter since 2001.
 
Wide Receiver
 
Marvin Harrison (Indianapolis Colts 1996-present): Harrison will forever be linked with Manning. The duo holds the record for most touchdowns scored by a quarterback/receiver combination. On his own, Harrison holds plenty of records. He is the only player in history to have 100 catches in four straight seasons. He also is the all time leader in average catches per season, at 93. Harrison has recorded the most catches in a single season (143). He will be remembered for his precise route running and ability to defeat any type of coverage.
 
Randy Moss (Minnesota Vikings 1998-2004, Oakland Raiders 2005-present): Moss shot onto the NFL seen like no other rookie wideout before him. In his first year with Minnesota, he scored 17 TDs, gained 1,300 yards receiving and was name NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Since that season, Moss has been a prolific performer. He is the only receiver in NFL history to play more than 12 games (he played 16) while averaging over 100 yards and one touchdown per contest. Moss is a five-time Pro Bowl performer. Although his statistics have greatly tailed off in the past two seasons, he is still regarded as the most dangerous deep threat in the NFL and should continue to dominate for more years to come.
 
Terrell Owens (San Francisco 49ers 1996-2003, Philadelphia Eagles 2003-2005, Dallas Cowboys 2006-present): Antics aside, Owens has been perhaps the most dominant and complete player at his position for four years up until the 2005 season when he was suspended by the Phildelphia Eagles. Owens produced at a high level in San Francisco, but he put together his best season in Philadelphia when he helped guide the Eagles to a Super Bowl berth in 2004. Owens averaged 15.6 yards per catch and caught nine passes over 40 yards. He could have had a greater statistical output had he not suffered a broken fibula in a game against Dallas in week 15. He has made five straight Pro Bowl trips from 2000-2004. With Dallas, Owens is trying to regain his status as among the top players at the receiver position. He’s at his best after the catch, when he uses his power and speed to break tackles.

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Posted On: 7/30/06
Written By:  
Dev Panchwagh

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