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Every year, new players are added to the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Debates rage on and on about who should be in, who shouldn't be in, and who will or will not be in...

Ray Lewis Among Active NFL Players Who Should Be Headed for the Hall of Fame

by Bob Cunningham (Columnist)

17

468 reads

Rankings/List

December 29, 2008


Every year, new players are added to the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Debates rage on and on about who should be in, who shouldn't be in, and who will or will not be in.

While most of the focus goes towards players already retired, I decided to take a look at some active players who will be, or could be Canton-bound.

*Players will be listed by Name, Position, Team they associate in the hall*

 

Ray Lewis - LB - Baltimore Ravens

Ray Lewis is probably the second best middle linebacker to ever play, only behind the great Dick Butkus. He is a consistent player in that Baltimore defense, and has been for a long time. He was the leader of what some would call one of the best defenses ever when he anchored that Super Bowl-winning 2000 Ravens' team. Ray Lewis instills fear into every offense and offensive coordinator unfortunate enough to have to play against him.

 

Lorenzo Neal - FB - San Diego Chargers

Lorenzo Neal is a guy who probably will not enter the Hall of Fame, but only because of the flaw in the Hall of Fame's system. As a fullback, he does not have the rushing numbers to go in as a running back, but also does not get recognized the same way as a lineman would because fullbacks generally bounce around from team to team. But the fact is Lorenzo Neal has 11 straight years of blocking for a 1,000-yard rusher. He's a hard-nosed guy who represents everything that is great about football.

 

Ed Reed - FS - Baltimore Ravens

Ed Reed is the third best safety to ever play, right behind Brian Dawkins and Ronnie Lott. Ed Reed can not only lay a hit on any receiver unfortunate enough to come across the middle, but is a ball-hawk. He may be the most opportunistic safety in the history of the league and is a highlight-reel machine. An exciting player to watch, and should see his bust in the hall.

 

Jamal Lewis - RB - Baltimore Ravens

One of a select few running backs in the league's history with 10,000 rushing yards and one of only five other players to run for more than 2,000 yards in a single season. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards in six of his last seven season and at one point owned the NFL record for rushing yards in a single game (295). If he performs consistently for the next few years he should find his way into Canton eventually.

 

Marvin Harrison - WR - Indianapolis Colts

Marvin Harrison is a no-brainer pick and should be a first-ballot guy. He has moved into second place all time in receptions with just two over 1,100. He owns the record for receptions in a season with 143 and is just shy of 130 touchdowns for his career. While he may not have the flash of a Jerry Rice or Cris Carter, he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath. Punch his ticket right now.

 

Peyton Manning - QB - Indianapolis Colts

In only 11 years, Peyton Manning has amassed over 45,000 passing yards and 333 touchdowns thrown. He has won a Super Bowl and was voted MVP in that game. He has never missed a game in his entire career and is one of the most spectacular quarterbacks to ever put on a helmet. Another sure-fire guy who will have no problem entering the Hall of Fame.

 

Fred Taylor - RB - Jacksonville Jaguars

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17 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Cody Swartz 6 months ago

    Nice to see Runyan on this list. He doesn't get a lot of credit. I don't know if he's worthy of the Hall of Fame, but he's an outstanding football player.

    Where is LT? And Moss? Champ Bailey? Richard Seymour? Orlando Pace?

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    • Dan Parzych 6 months ago

      I agree with Cody, LT and Moss should be on this list. Other than that, this is an excellent list. You did a great job at taking the time to research all of these guys. Nice work Bob!

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  2. Bryn Swartz 6 months ago

    I thought that this was a pretty good article, POTD. Here are the things I do disagree with though:

    Ed Reed is a better safety than Brian Dawkins. I hate to say it, but I just don't think people realize how good Ed Reed really is. There's never been any player in history with a nose for the ball as much as Reed.

    I would be surprised if Jamal Lewis made the Hall of Fame. For only one season was he the best running back in the NFL, maybe not even that season (2003).

    I personally feel that John Mackey and Shannon Sharpe and Mike Ditka are all better tight ends than Tony Gonzalez.

    Nobody can possibly call Tom Brady a Terry Bradshaw. Bradshaw had terrible stats and a 70.9 career passer rating. Tom Brady never throws picks and has a 92.9 career passer rating.

    I would be hard-pressed to find one guy who calls Brett Favre the greatest quarterback to ever play the game.

    Kevin Mawae is not even close to the best center ever. He is very very good but not one of the best ever.

    I don't think Donovan McNabb is a Hall of Famer. He is hurt too much. Two guys have done 30-10, though. Brady in 2007 was 50-8. And you mean highest TD-INT ratio ever, not the lowest. I get your point though, although he's actually not first. Brady is better, I know. He's first ever in interception percentage, if that's what you meant.

    Nobody can call Jon Runyan a Hall of Famer. We all love him, but he has one career Pro Bowl and he's never been the best tackle in football.

    It's an insult to not have LaDainian Tomlinson and Randy Moss. They're both in the top 5 all time in their position.

    And if you put Jamal Lewis, put Shaun Alexander.

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    • James Williamson 6 months ago

      Jamal Lewis has 10,000. That to me, is enough period. Yeah, you did forget Moss and Tomlinson and Owens. Don't forget linebacker Zach Thomas, Cornerback Ronde Barber, Kicker Adam Vinateri, Edgerrin James, Troy Polamalu, and Mike Vrabel. Oh and Rodney Harrison.

      A lot of guys that should be in there soon, but the Hall of Fame committee is bound to forget at least a half dozen.

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    • James Williamson 6 months ago

      No, my bad, you did put Owens.

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    • Bob Cunningham 6 months ago

      bryn, i think you disagreed with half of this. haha.

      but okay, time to defend my picks. here goes:

      i wont argue Ed Reed. that comes down to opinion. there's no definitive stat there.

      i think j-lew will be close

      i dont think any of those guys are better than gonzalez. i think he made people rethink the way tight ends were looked at and scouted.

      i was only saying Brady is Bradshaw in terms of the stats arent spectacular but they just win.

      i say brett favre is the best ever. montana is 2. dear god, please let me live for that.

      name me some centers who are better and we'll talk.

      and no, good sir, mcnabb is number one in TD:INT ratio. Neil O'Donnel is number 2. and you may be right about the 30-10. i think i knew that and meant to put FIRST one to do so. that i'm sure of. and i think mcnabbs numbers speak for themselves, even hurt.

      linemen are looked at on toughness, durability, and longevity... he's got all 3 nailed down, i think it's a shame if he's not in. he deserves it.

      and you're right. i forgot LT. but Moss's years in Oakland hurt him. a hall of fame guy should be able to produce no matter where he is, im convinced now that Moss is very very good, but only with a great quarterback (Culpepper - who was great in Minny, and now Brady)

      and Shaun Alexander was a product of a good offensive line, nothing more.

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    • Bryn Swartz 6 months ago

      Dwight Stephenson. Jim Otto. Mike Webster. Chuck Bednarik.

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    • Bob Cunningham 6 months ago

      ah hell.

      ya got me with Jim Otto.

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  3. Garrett Derr 6 months ago

    Nice Article man. I like the Dawkins and Runyan selections. The only thing I didnt agree with is that Winslow is better than Tony Gonzalez..also don't think McNabb deserves to be thrown in there yet.. Definately Kurt Warner though. Possibly Zach Thomas

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  4. Isaac Barrow 6 months ago

    Nice article man. Yeah Reed is amazing to watch. But Lorenzo Neal is on the Ravens. Not on SD.

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  5. Jimmy Kimmel 6 months ago

    2 more eagles David Akers and Asante Samuel

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    • Bob Cunningham 6 months ago

      i would agree with Akers but kickers dont usually make their way into the hall.

      but yes asante samuel certainly has the potential but i think putting him on this list right now would be a bit premature.

      thanks for the read.

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  6. Jimmy Kimmel 6 months ago

    Good article 5 stars

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  7. t w 6 months ago

    Why is Ben Roethlisberger not mentioned here?
    All I can think to add additionally would be Randy Moss and Kurt Warner.

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