I was having this discussion yesterday with a friend who gave me a list of about 20+ players who he thinks will be 1st ballot hall of famers. His list included people like Ed Reed, Brian Urlacher, Marvin Harrison, T.O, Randy Moss to give a flavor of what he thinks.

IMO, there are very few currently active first ballot hall of famers, IMO, these being:

Brett Favre
Tom Brady
Peyton Manning
Ray Lewis
I can't think of anyone else who will be a first ballot HOFer, although the likes of Champ Bailey and LDT would have a shot I guess.

so, does anyone have any names to add to my list? Are my requirements too tight? In my view a first ballot hall of famer should be one of the top 3-5 all time at his position or have some other reason to get in (e.g. Favre I don't rate as one of the 5 best QBs of all time, but his consecutive game streak and all the records he owns means he must be a lock, plus he was league MVP etc etc).

 

Originally Posted by brentley72

Brett Favre
Tom Brady
Peyton Manning
Ray Lewis
Champ Bailey
LT (prob)
Also I think Larry Fitzgerald by the time he's done (i have faith)

EDIT: prob Randy Moss

Agree that Firzgerald is on track, as is Adrian Peterson, however it's too early to say for sure whether they will. With the 4 guys I listed if their careers ended today I think they go to the HOF 1st ballot.

agreed Marvin Harrison is definitely first ballot...Go look up the recieving record books and see how often Marvin on there...

TO is also a definite first ballot...same thing he's all over the record books.

Hmm just thought of another one not yet mentioned:

Tony Gonzalez?

walter jones. O-lineman for the seahawks currently. lock for first ballot hof

Who are we missing on defense at the moment? Gotta be more than 1 first ballot HOF playing D.

how do Derrick Brooks and Urlacher rank at this point? Ty Law has to at least be in the discussion. Champ Bailey is definitely in there. Any D-linemen we are forgetting?

Adam Venitari?

Alan Fanaca for sure

 

Originally Posted by Bob Futon

Keep in mind that it's WAY easier for NFL HOFs to get in than baseball HOF.

That being said:
QB
Favre
Brady
Manning
RB
No current first ballot guys
WR
Randy moss (anyone not including him on the list needs to take a look at all time rankings)
Marvin Harrison (ditto)
T.O. (has the numbers but his primadonnaness is worse than Moss but he still makes it in)
Offensive Line
Orlando Pace has to be up there at this point, right?

I don't have time to look up defense but in regards to Ed Reed keep in mind how few safeties are currently in there. Ray Lewis is prob a lock and i'm sure i'm forgetting a few people.

Vinateri also has to get some talk as a first ball HOF even though he's a kicker, right?

LDT is definitely the guy I spent the longest in and I don't think he had enough great seasons to get in first ballot. I think he gets in on the 2nd or 3rd time but currently the drop in his numbers the last few years along with the fact he's never even made a super bowl (relevant whether you like it or not) doesn't have him make the cut. That being said if LDT gets healthy again and puts up 1-2 more pro bowl seasons I think he's first tier.

Edgerrin James
-Pro Bowls 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005
AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year 1999
- James led the league in rushing during his rookie and sophomore season. He's currently the record holder for most total yards from scrimmage per game in a regular season career.
- James is currently first in career rushing yards among active players.

Going 1st ballot IMO

Imagine if Edge didn't mess up his ACL in 2001! If he was healthy in 02 and 03...OMG the numbers :(

Time to show off my blatant Pittsburgh homerism. I think Polamalu - assuming he stays healthy - is a first ballot hall of famer. The Steelers have an elite defense every year, and he is what makes the Steelers' D tick. He makes the pro bowl every year. I have never seen a safety so skilled in coverage, blitzing, and run support. He can do it all.

I think Hines Ward also gets in, but not on the first ballot. His numbers are not as strong as Holt and Ocho Cinco, but I think he gets in for other reasons: he is maybe the best blocking WR ever, he won a Super Bowl MVP, and he passed Lynn Swann and John Stallworth to become the leading receiver in Steelers history. He certainly would not be the first guy to get in for reasons besides just his stats.

Dick LeBeau should also be in the HOF.

Also, LOL at people swinging on Edgerrin's nuts while never mentioning Shaun Alexander.

Alexander has played 1 less season than Edgerrin, but has 30 TDs more than him, a higher YPC, and for a short time was the most productive RB in the league.

Is Alexander a first ballot guy? HELL NO. Neither is Edgerrin.

 

Originally Posted by Bob Futon

I think runnings backs are tough to pinpoint because a lot of guys have 5 great years and then do nothing/get run down.

Who are some of the best RBs not in the hall? I mean rember Terrell Davis? that guy helped win 2 super bowls and had some great years but then tanked.

obv Curtis Martin will be in there soon so you can't count him.

The more I think about it the more of not even sure if Edge is a HOF despite his 5 good years. I'd have to say the comparison on other guys not in.

Very good point. RBs definitely have the shortest NFL careers of any position. It is definitely tough to figure out where they fit in.

Marshall Faulk is a first ballot type of guy. Edgerrin James is not. No fuckin way.

I loved me some Priest Holmes, but he's another one. He had 3 or 4 awesome years, but that's it. Also, his replacement put up identical numbers the following year, so I have to discount his actual productivity and instead attribute it to the system.

QB Kurt Warner

What do you think about LT then BGX?