OT: Ongoing debate at workplace - Is Hines Ward a future Hall of Famer?

I said no...not yet, just trying to get others opinions. thx

Not for me. Four 1,000 yard seasons but only one over 1,163. He's a very good player but has never had a season where he was a top, say, five WR in the league and has only had four very good years. He gets bonus points for consistency, blocking, toughness, etc, but he's not a HoFer if I'm voting.

I wouldn't think so.

No...Troy Brown should go before Hines Ward.

I think I would file this under the Art Monk argument....

Pretty good consistent receiver, plays tough and is a good blocker.

But name me more than one season in which he was a top 5 receiver in the league.

He will be when all is said and done. He is the all-time leading scorer and receiver for one of the greatest franchises ever, plus he won a Super Bowl MVP. Might take a while, but he'll get there and he deserves it as much as this "unbiased" crowd would want to believe he doesn't.

BadMoFo said:

and he deserves it as much as this "unbiased" crowd would want to believe he doesn't.

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If longevity and consistency gets you there you're right. But his numbers make it a tough argument for those of us who think a HoFer should be in the top 5 or so at his position for at least a portion of his career.

Good Topic.

He played on such a run heavy team his entire career that his numbers aren't going to be top five numbers. However, because he's no doubt one of, if not, the most complete wide receiver in the game, and he's a Superbowl MVP. He's not the biggest or strongest, he's not the fastest or quickest, he doesn't have the best hands in the league either. He's just solid and consistant week after week, and he's unquestionably the best blocking wide receiver the NFL has ever seen.

Bottom line? If you're a superbowl MVP and you had a good career you're getting in... I'll go as far as to say he might be a first ballot entry when the time comes, depending on who else is eligible of course.

rabthepat said:

No...Troy Brown should go before Hines Ward.

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557 catches for 6,366 yards and 31 TDs for Troy Brown and 705 catches, 8,612 yards and 64 TDs for Hines Ward. Plus Troy Brown probably won't improve on his numbers while Hines is continuing to do so and possibly can for another 2-3 years. Plus one Super Bowl MVP for Hines.

No homerism here.

No he isn't, but he's on that level right below. Maybe he gets in because he's the anti-Moss, the WR the voters love cause of his "toughness" etc..Definetely not a first ballot though.

Its crazy to think there are probably many voters who would pick Ward to be a HOFer but not Moss. Aint that something, considering the numbers aren't even in the same stratosphere.

TIMEsteelersfan said:

Good Topic.

He played on such a run heavy team his entire career that his numbers aren't going to be top five numbers. However, because he's no doubt one of, if not, the most complete wide receiver in the game, and he's a Superbowl MVP. He's not the biggest or strongest, he's not the fastest or quickest, he doesn't have the best hands in the league either. He's just solid and consistant week after week, and he's unquestionably the best blocking wide receiver the NFL has ever seen.

Bottom line? If you're a superbowl MVP and you had a good career you're getting in... I'll go as far as to say he might be a first ballot entry when the time comes, depending on who else is eligible of course.

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If nothing else, I guess this means that you aren't in the "Brady and Belichick don't belong in the Hall of Fame!111!!!" crowd.

As for Ward, my opinion is not yet. Let's see him put together 4 or 5 more excellent seasons in an offense that, while not pass-centric, certainly passes far more than it used to. I wouldn't rule him out, at this point, especially since everyone in the media loves him, but if his career ended today he would probably fall a bit short thanks to the HOF logjam that's forming at WR. Remember, Michael Irvin had a bit of difficulty getting in, and, after Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, and Tim Brown all get in, there's going to be a glut of guys like Moss, Harrison, Owens, Holt, Bruce, Ward, etc. Do they all get in?

BradyFTW! said:

If nothing else, I guess this means that you aren't in the "Brady and Belichick don't belong in the Hall of Fame!111!!!" crowd.

As for Ward, my opinion is not yet. Let's see him put together 4 or 5 more excellent seasons in an offense that, while not pass-centric, certainly passes far more than it used to. I wouldn't rule him out, at this point, especially since everyone in the media loves him, but if his career ended today he would probably fall a bit short thanks to the HOF logjam that's forming at WR. Remember, Michael Irvin had a bit of difficulty getting in, and, after Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, and Tim Brown all get in, there's going to be a glut of guys like Moss, Harrison, Owens, Holt, Bruce, Ward, etc. Do they all get in?

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I'm certainly not in that crowd. Brady and Belichick are both first ballot entries, no doubt about it. They have the resume to back it up already, and Brady's got another, what, 6 or 7 years left in the tank? Belichick's got another 10-15 years or so left in the tank. Anybody who says they don't belong in the HOF is saying that out of pure hate... there's no logic to back up that sort of mindless argument.

I think Hines gets in - not first ballot, but he'll be there. Not only were the Steelers mainly a running team through much (all?) of his career, consider who was QB for most of those seasons. Kordell Stewart, Mike Tomczak and Tommy Maddox - to me it's amazing how good his numbers are when you consider his surrounding cast and the team's offensive philosophy.

Belichick_The_Great said:

I think Hines gets in - not first ballot, but he'll be there. Not only were the Steelers mainly a running team through much (all?) of his career, consider who was QB for most of those seasons. Kordell Stewart, Mike Tomczak and Tommy Maddox - to me it's amazing how good his numbers are when you consider his surrounding cast and the team's offensive philosophy.

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Great point... not to mention we didn't have any other recieving threats because Plaxico was very medoicre in Pittsburgh. He was our only WR weapon and still put up some nice numbers against double coverage and rolling zones.

Absolutely not. Never an All-Pro, way behind a ton of WRs from this generation and no real chance to make up for it in his last years in the league. Moss, Owens, Harrison, Bruce, Holt and Jimmy Smith will go in before him, plus maybe others like Chad Johnson (who's well on his way) and a bunch of other guys who should have better numbers than him. It's doubtful that all the guys I listed will get in, and if they don't get in Hines Ward won't get anything but a pity vote.