Though Joe grew up loving Doug Williams, Joe isn't so sure he was a Hall of Fame quarterback.

The NFL announced recently that Doug Williams is on the preliminary ballot for the 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. The final round will be voted upon when the Super Bowl comes to Tampa in February.

eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune seems to be making a case for Williams to be among the enshrined.

Williams didn’t put up outstanding career passing numbers, but his leadership skills were extraordinary. He guided the 1979 Bucs to within one win of a Super Bowl berth in only the fourth year of the franchise and he was named a historic MVP when the 1987 Redskins rallied past Denver, becoming the first black starting QB to win a Super Bowl.

Joe’s not so sure Williams is a Hall of Famer. Joe grew up loving the Bucs, and Williams was one of Joe’s all-time favorite NFL players. Joe can still remember the time Williams, sitting on his rear end, threw a touchdown pass to a wide-open Jimmie Giles in the corner of the end zone at the old Sombrero.

Joining Williams on the same ballot are Ken Anderson, Boomer Esiason, Jim Plunkett, Phil Simms, Ken Stabler and Joe Theismann, so it’s hard to envision Williams getting past the preliminary round. Joe thinks Simms should be in the Hall and thinks it is an absolute travesty Snake Stabler isn’t already in. A case could also be made for Plunkett, as well.