Getting Ronde Barber And The Hall Of Fame
May 14th, 2013
Yesterday, “TKras,” Tom Krasniqi of WDAE-AM 620, lassoed Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Ira Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune for a few words on Ronde Barber and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Kaufman made no secret he is in Barber’s corner, but he also cautioned Bucs fans who are of the belief that Barber will be inducted in his first year of eligibility in 2018.
“Look, [John] Lynch didn’t get in the room [final ballot] last year; he didn’t make it, he made it to the semifinals,” Kaufman said. “Only four defensive backs who retired in the past 25 years have gotten in. I think he eventually gets in. But to say he’s a slam dunk [is irresponsible]. That class of 2018 is shaping up as a tough one. Ray Lewis certainly, Randy Moss if he doesn’t play again, and some other big boys that will be eligible — [Brian] Urlacher if he doesn’t get picked up. There is quality people in that group. I’m just trying to apply a little perspective and I am getting beat up.”
What complicates matters is only five players can be elected each year (and up to two additional players nominated by an old timers committee). As Kaufman pointed out when Krasniqi busted his chops for the Hall of Fame voters not electing Michael Strahan this year, “Who would you take out then, Jonathan Ogden? Bill Parcells? Cris Carter? Warren Sapp? Larry Allen?”
To hear the full interview, click on the button below.
May 14th, 2013 at 4:19 pm
He’s right. He’s not a first ballot guy. Let’s not let our fandom get in the way of objectivity. He will get in though. Eventually. Sometime in the 2020’s..
May 14th, 2013 at 4:25 pm
Repost made by me from another thread:
So far, it looks to be:
Scott Fujita
Jason Hanson
John Kasay
Nate Kaeding
Shawne Merriman
Donald Driver
Ray Lewis
Ronde
Looking at that list, I see one slam dunk, and two maybes (Ronde and Hanson). I was just taking a look at other HoF years coming up, and there is going to be some non first years that they will be going up against as well. I did not realize this, but Kurt Warner, Walter Jones, Derrick Brooks, Isaac Bruce, Kevin Mawae, Zack Thomas and Junior Seau all retired the same year…how many of those guys get “caught up” in a down year like this? In 2011, there was Favre. Last year was Hines Ward, Ladainian Tomlinson, Ricky Williams, Jason Taylor, and Torry Holt.
Realistically, I think both Lynch and Ronde are going to have a long road to hoe, based on looking at the people that did not get in this year, and those that are coming up soon. Wish em the best of luck, but this list really emphasizes how hard getting into the HoF really is.
May 14th, 2013 at 4:26 pm
The issue with the HOF is, the league has changed, LBs are no longer the center pieces of a defense, it’s shifting towards the guys who actually have to cover these monster receivers, you can have a solid front 4 and 4-5 solid DBs and 3 mediocre LBs and have a top 10 defense, you try doing that by switching the DBs for LBs and you get the Bucs defense from the last few seasons. DBs are becoming the true center pieces of a top defense, and the Hall and the writers are gong to have to catch up with this new generation of football.
May 14th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
I think playing on a Super Bowl winner should count for more than it does. Carter was a great receiver but never won a championship. I would have chosen Strahan before him. I’m more concerned about getting Brooks in the HOF now than Barber but Ronde after that.
May 14th, 2013 at 6:00 pm
Brooks will be a first ballot I assume
May 15th, 2013 at 9:57 am
Still don’t understand why strahan didn’t make it…
May 15th, 2013 at 9:57 am
And if sapp was first ballot then brooks is a shoe-in