A little time has passed and my thoughts a little clearer from last week's Super Bowl. This group leading the 2019 Hall of Fame NFL class is one that is more defensive oriented. Four defensive backs got in along with a tight end and center.
Ed Reed seemed like an obvious choice. In 12 years, he intercepted quarterbacks over 60 times. He was a hard hitting safety who made plays when needed. Nine times to the Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl make him first ballot. Champ Bailey and Ty Law had their own ways of success. Both had a knack for making tackles and each culminating 15 years in the league. Bailey was the type of guy to get 60 to 80 tackles in a season. Law was able to make key plays. His Super Bowl touchdown in the 2001 season was a big moment. He was due at some point, especially considering there are barely any Hall of Fame players for the Belichick-Brady era, which is truly embarrassing.
Converting a offensive guy to defensive can work sometimes. To do that on a pro level immediately is tough. I don't know if being in the AFL hurt Johnny Robinson but for what he did is astounding for his era. He was a running back at first and then switched to defense after two years. The offensive stats aren't bad, but his defensive is rather strong with the eight Pro Bowls and four championships. More interceptions than Bailey and Law. How did this guy not get in earlier?
I don't even need to explain Tony Gonzalez. He was THE tight end. Anywhere from 800 to 1000 yards a year is more than enough. So many Pro Bowls and efforts. That's considering the number of quarterbacks Kansas City had and their run heavy play (Marcus Allen, Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson) over the years. Last of the players is Kevin Mawae. There isn't anything flashy, but to be able to block for Chris Warren, Curtis Martin, and the 2000 yard season of Chris Johnson, that's special. He was instrumental to ground games and did a lot more damage once he went to the Jets. Out of the players, they seem deserving. Not sure how I feel about Law and maybe Mawae, but oh well.
The next two are interesting but worthy picks. First is Pat Bowlen. Since 1984, the Denver Broncos have been one of the premiere teams in the NFL. They rarely have losing seasons. Three Super Bowls, smothering defenses, and phenomenal running backs make him one of the great owners. Lastly is Gil Brandt. While he was part of several teams, his time with the Dallas Cowboys was important. As vice president of player personnel, he helped Tom Landry and the general managers in getting players and winning two Super Bowls in one of the legendary runs for the franchise. Even though he was let go in the massive firings led by Jerry Jones in 1989, that doesn't mean his legacy was horrible. It paved the way for how low tiered Dallas became America's Team.
Next year will be interesting.
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