OT - If Ben retires should he make the HOF?

[TinhWoodhead]

he was a locked even several years ago

 

[archstanton543]

Ben Watson? No way. Fine player but not HoF worthy.

 

[Nikolai]

First, and I hate to say this, but he has a better chance to make it because he's a Steeler

But he's got two rings, and played pretty well, even if not great. The thing is that he had the misfortune of sharing the spotlight with Brady, Manning, Brees, and Rodgers. Plunkett sorta suffered the same misfortune, playing alongside Staubach, Bradshaw, Tarkenton (albeit his twilight years), Theismann, Fouts, and later in his career in the shadow of Montana.

Ben will get in, but it won't be first ballot.

 

[IllegalContact]

bordeline at best....def not 1st ballot

 

[chasa]

you cant make 3 superbowls as starting qb and not make the hall.

 

[The Gr8est]

Since IMO, the HOF has been allowing in a bunch of good, but not truly gr8 players, then Ben gets in easily.

 

[patsfan13]

Is there any qb with 2 superbowl wins NOT in the hall?

So ya. Case closed

Jim Plunkett.

 

[Bill Lee]

But he already did!

Ben Coates played in 142 games over nine seasons as a Patriot with 105 starts. Entering the 2010 season, Coates was third all-time in team history in receptions (490), fourth in receiving yards (5,471) and second in receiving touchdowns (50) – all tops among tight ends in Patriots annals. In 1994, Coates set a single-season record for receptions by a tight end with 96 (now tied for third) and still holds the franchise record for receptions by a tight end. He also led the team in touchdown receptions for six straight seasons between 1993 and 1998 and led the team in overall receptions five times. Coates was named to the Patriots Team of the Century in 2000 and ranks in the top 10 all time among NFL tight ends in career receptions, yards and touchdowns. Coates was Drew Bledsoe’s go-to receiver throughout his career and became a fan favorite for his dependability, toughness and performance. Coates finished his career with the Baltimore Ravens where he was part of the 2000 Super Bowl championship team. He was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2008.

Patriots Hall of Fame

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think Roeth deserves to be in there. 2X SB Champ. Has the stats. Won a lot of games.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

He's not retiring. The mediots were pointing out yesterday that not only does he forgo the tens of millions he's still owed, but he has to write a check for 18 big ones to the Steelers if he just quits.

But, to answer the question, maybe not first ballot, but Yes. He's been a major presence at QB for years and has two rings. Plus, I think that people are starting to figure out that he's been doing it with a weak HC who is now struggling to be a cheerleader while still controlling the locker room, which is probably why he cultivates such a "tough guy" image.

 

[The Boston Patriot]

Yes, easily.

 

[mikejd]

I personally don't think of him as one. But I believe that he'll get in easily. Eli Manning, who more or less stinks, will probably make it too.

 

[Clonamery]

No, tainted by Deflategate.

Aren't we all?

Ben is in, one leg or two, because he played for the Steelers. He had good years, he had meh years but he has 2 championships and played for America's other team (sorry, John Mara).

 

[SEA_Pat]

I find it oddly disconcerting to think about this...have never feared the Steelers in any game for so long now I almost feel pity for them. Then I meet a fan or two and that's the end of that feeling. Roethlisberger seems to get a pass for character issues in the discussion so far, so I am assuming we're not going to be including that as a criteria for membership. Which I'm okay with, football is particularly a place where one is going to find many dubious sorts with major issues.

I would note that I find it frustrating that so much emphasis is placed on "Rings" when each "Ring" is very different. I find it hard to penalize Jim Kelly given his sustained run of excellence for example. Did he cause Scotty Norwood to shank the kick? If that kick goes through, does that somehow elevate Jim Kelly's status for some reason? He got them to that point in the game win or lose and took them to four consecutive SBs, something I don't think anyone else has ever done.

Similarly I find it absurd that we provide Ben with some exalted status because he won 2 where others won 1 or none, given that one of those "wins" was the result of one of the most poorly referee'd games in history and he played like Marc "Stop me before I kill again" Wilson. His making it to three games is the most impressive accomplishment in my opinion. Similar to the Bills discussion someone referenced in another thread, anyone who thinks "4-0" beats "4-2" in Super Bowls deserves to have their commenting privileges removed. Why is Montana rewarded for losing earlier in the playoffs to worse teams?

I'm sure someone somewhere has built a "HOF Scale" where one can put points for different things and then compare players at the same positions. I believe Brees and Rodgers are at the same level, great players who have some significant accomplishments, but are nowhere near the pantheon and unless they somehow go on a 2-3 year run of SBs will never get there. The pantheon includes only two players from the last 20 years and we all know who they are.

P.S. While I was hoping for Brady-Rodgers just to shut up the incessant brown-nosing of Saint Aaron the Athletic Wonder Who Makes Passes Nobody in the History of Mankind Can Make, in retrospect I'm pleased that he's played to form and choked before the Big Game as usual just to watch all the commentators be forced to swallow their over-effusive praise. It's a team game, and a QB is so much more than a "gunslinger". The "athletes" ALWAYS lose to the cerebral QBs whose recognition, decision-making and calmness under pressure are what separate them from the mortals.

 

[zoostation]

YES .....first ballot

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Hes not retiring this year, clearly a favre esque move knowing ben and his crave for attention.

Big douche is a hof'er though whenever he does retire.

 

[neuronet]

Yes.

And add a poll.

 

[RecoveringCowboy]

I personally don't think of him as one. But I believe that he'll get in easily. Eli Manning, who more or less stinks, will probably make it too.

I'm skeptical on Eli. Still don't understand how he can be so mediocre and still win two SBs. Ben is definitely better than Eli.

 

[italian pat patriot]

yes, no doubt imho

 

[Ethanga62890]

He's a Steeler. So he gets auto bid. The fact that Tommy nobis isn't in is an absolute travesty.