The NFL HOF is for game changers and elite players that put fear into their opponents and are recognized as complete players.

Statistical monsters do make it to the HOF, but the vast majority of those enshrined in Canton were not monsters of the numbers. They were winners and complete players. Steve Largent, Art Monk and Michael Irvin are all members of the HOF that were not huge numbers guys, they simply won and did all aspects of their job well.

Hines has about 2 years left in him, and if he can stay on pace, he will exceed two of the names on that list: Michael Irvin and Art Monk.

Hines will be a HOFer, but much like Art Monk and Irvin, he will not be a first ballot. It took Monk 7 times and Irvin 2 times as a finalist before making it.

Hines Ward changed the way the game is played. Players fear his presence, maybe not as much as a receiver anymore, but as a complete player. That is why Hines Ward WILL be a Hall of Fame inductee within 10 years of his retirement.

Hines should go in as a FOOTBALL player, not a receiver. Blocking is part of offense, last time I checked (For those who smirk at blocking being a factor in considering his greatness). It’s like a QB. Do you really care if he runs in for a TD or passes for a TD? Oh yeah, you are probably the same people who prefer to glorify the passer rating as the big barometer of a QB’s effectiveness.

hobartbaker says:
Feb 4, 2011 3:17 PM
Send Hines to Canton. On a slow boat.

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Could you please be more xenophobic and ignorant. He has Korean blood. Somebody should ship you on a slow boat to whatever poophole your ancestors crawled out of.

As for the Rapist. He may be Ryan Leaf’s second cousin off the field but on game day he delivers. He wins sunday and he’s no doubt a hall of famer.

AND
bengalguy says:
Feb 4, 2011 3:15 PM
If there was a cheap shot crack back HOF, not only would Wines Hard be a lock…they would name the damn thing after him

Hines Ward HAS to be an awesome player! Just mention his name and the Ratbird Ravens and Bungle fans come out of the woodwork to crucify him! Where’s the love”bengulgay” and “gaymaltimore”? Hines will be getting fitted for his THIRD SUPER BOWL RING this Sunday! HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!!!!

No Chance.

Ward is going to face the same issue Sharpe and Carter are currently facing because there’s going to be a backlog of receivers. And simply saying he has more X than X HOFer isn’t going to cut it. Nor is it going to be enough to say he’s top five in X category, cause it’s not likely to last very long.

Ward is on the cusp, but that might not be enough when it’s all said and done.

Best blocker in the history of the NFL.

2 SB’s

1 SB MVP

Franchise leader in all stats

1 season away from 1000 catches and 12,000 yards

And look at the quarterbacks he caught passes from:

Cordell Stewart
Tommy Maddox
Kent Graham
Mike Tomzack
Antwan Randal El
Charlie Batch
Dennis Dixon
Byron Leftwhich
Ben Roethlisberger

There’s one real solid quarterback in that list. Hines caught something like 112 from Tommy Maddox in one season. Hines had good career numbers before Ben ever took a snap.

I’m not saying Jerry Rice wasn’t great, but how many passes did he catch from QB’s not in the Hall of Fame? Just saying for perspective.

Look at his stats, moron.

but you would consider Michael Irvin and Art Monk one of the BEST, howeve Ward has better stats than these guys. FACE!!

According to Steelers fans, anyway.

he has 81 receptions, 1,103 yards, nine touchdowns and 53 first downs.

which is 3rd most receptions, 20 yards shy of 5th most receiving yards, 4th in tds,

Add to this the fact that it’s highly likely that Hines Ward would have higher receiving totals if he had played on a team that threw the ball more in his career, and his Hall Fame credentials are very solid in my mind. I may be a homer here, but I do believe that the accomplishments and playoff numbers support it very well.

and he played in the least amount of games out of every other player in the top ten in all of those categories

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Then name 2 – 5 other receivers of his era that are more deserving. I can only think of 3 and Ward has twice as many SB rings as all of them put together:

TO
Moss
Harrison

Next in line has to be Ward.

Number 8 all time in Receptions
Number 21 all time in Yards
Number 19 all time in Tds

In two of the three categroies he’s ahead already of HOF Art Monk (who played 15 years) and Michael Irving (played 11 years).

The most physical WR in the game and he’s not HOF worthy? Wake the hell up!

Sure, he’s a cheap-shot artist and hits a lot of people when they aren’t looking, but he’s also a great wide receiver and I would welcome him on my team.

Oh, as an actual player who deserves to be considered among maybe the best 2-5 Wrs of his era? No. That’s just homer talk. The same homer talk that says Big Ben is elite.

Why isn’t it good enough that the player is considered very good and memorable? That they had a couple good skill sets – why does the jump have to be to HOF status?

Just stupid really…

He’s the best blocking receiver of all time, and no one would argue against that.

Just think about that–the best ever, and he might not get into the hall of fame.

Ward has played for 13 years, and he has 950+ receptions and possibly three rings, after this Sunday. Ward has 200 receptions more than Irvin in 1.75 more seasons.

He doesn’t have speed or size, which means he is probably one of the best route runner to ever play the game. You can’t be that slow and get open against corners without having some exceptional moves.

I’m sorry but if the Steelers win 3 super bowls, they have to have some HOFers. Everyone says no to Ben; People are saying no to Ward; it’s not like they’ll have a single offensive lineman. If they win three, some of those guys have to be Canton-bound.

Who should get in? I’m seriously asking.

There are many receivers who have taken over games and have not made it. With all due respect to Steeler fans and as good as Ward is, I just don’t consider him one of the best ALL-TIME receivers.