Why are there only 7 true safeties enshrined in Canton? And, why are there no true safeties in the Class of 2011 NFL HOF nominees? Discuss.
I guess because safeties, for whatever reason, don't get alot of hype. Most don't put up major stats, save a few.
If I had to float a guess out there I'd say because in the past they hadn't put up big stats like the ones mentioned above because it wasn't so much a play making position as a play preventing position. I'm sure there are exceptions to that but that'd be my guess.
Will be in the HOF when his name is on the ballot. I just don't think that old time safeties got as much play or were classified as much as safeties no? Weren't you just essentially a DB back in the day? I think Reed, Sanders and Dawk all get in when their time comes.
I hope you aren't talking about Ed Reed? He was named in the NFL's top 100.. And EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THAT LIST, IS OR WILL BE IN THE HOF. Dude... Ed Reed is one of the best to play the position. Sanders may not get in,(health issues kept him from producing great #'s) and Dawkins should get in but I am not sure he will either. It is like a conspiracy against safeties.. Polamalu is a freak of nature, and he is a first ballot HOFer IMO..
Yeah I cannot imagine Ed Reed not getting in with his career numbers - I think it's generally accepted as fact.
Please pass me whatever you are smoking if you think "Fast" Eddie Reed is not a Hall of Famer. C'mon Man!!!!!!!
Agreed. Dawkins is way more likely to be passed over than Reed & Polamalu because both for the whole of their careers have been highly regarded as key members of their respective D's whilst being game changers. Not denying that Dawkins wasn't great, but he doesn't have the hype behind him to be considered a dead cert like Reed and Troy.
Bob Sanders has no shot at the Hall of Fame. Ed Reed Troy Polamalu John Lynch Brian Dawkins All four should get in at some point in my opinion. I can't see how Polamalu or Reed don't get in and Dawkins was just as critical to the Eagles defenses as Reed or Polamalu. He should get in as well.
Dawkins WAS the heart of the Eagles D and had PLENTY of hype surrounding him. He is no doubt a HOF'er, more so than Ed Reed. He might make the hall but Weapon X WAS that Eagles Defense. Look what happened after he left? They had a REAL hard time filling in that hole not only on the field but as far as his attitude and everything went as well. Trotter left, Kearse left, they all left and the D was always strong because Dawk was there.
I'm not biased and think he should get in. First name that came to mind when I read the question was Johnny Robinson of the Chiefs and this article on the topic covers him very well. Kentucky.com Bias or not, that Robinson isn't in the HOF is borderline criminal.
Definitely a position that is ignored probably to do with the 'vulture' mentality that safeties are set up more by the defensive scheme than the talent. Robinson is a great example along with Atwater, Scott, Shell, Anderson. Yea, INTs are the sexy part but in an era back then when it wasn't so pass friendly, those INTs were earned more from reading offenses with less balls in the air. Besides that, safeties like those definitely altered OC's game plans which makes their absence in the HoF even more troubling IMO...
