First white corner elected to hall!

[white is right]

Roger Wehrli who routinely went under the radar every year he was up for Canton made it. I heard Clayton mention potential enshrinees and Roger wasn't mentioned. Now if only Pat Fischer could get into Canton........Edited by: white is right

 

[whiteCB]

HELL Yeah!!! Way to go Roger! I'm so happy that he got voted in. My only question though is way the heck did it take so long! Look at these amazing stats:

Roger Wehrli
Cornerback, 6-0, 190
Played: 1969-1982 St. Louis Cardinals. 14 seasons, 193 games.
Selected in first round (19th overall) of 1969 draft. ... Starter as rookie, making three interceptions and leading team in punt returns. ... In 1970 picked off career-high six passes (a feat he matched in 1975) to earn first All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. ... Led or tied for lead in interceptions for Cardinals four times. ... Maintained enough speed and savvy to play demanding position for 14 seasons. ... Registered interception in all but two seasons and amassed 40 career interceptions, two for touchdowns. ... From 1974-76, picked off 12 passes as Cardinals put together string of three straight double-digit win seasons, including back-to-back NFC East titles (1974, 1975). ... Intercepted three of Roger Staubach's passes during key 31-17 win over division rival Dallas, Dec. 7, 1975. ... In 1981, was moved to left cornerback position. ... Recovered franchise record-tying 19 fumbles during career. ... Voted to NFL's all-decade team of 1970s, was first-team All-Pro five times (1970, 1974-1977) and made Pro Bowl seven times.

 

[white is right]

HELL Yeah!!! Way to go Roger! I'm so happy that he got voted in. My only question though is way the heck did it take so long! Look at these amazing stats:

Roger Wehrli
Cornerback, 6-0, 190
Played: 1969-1982 St. Louis Cardinals. 14 seasons, 193 games.
Selected in first round (19th overall) of 1969 draft. ... Starter as rookie, making three interceptions and leading team in punt returns. ... In 1970 picked off career-high six passes (a feat he matched in 1975) to earn first All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. ... Led or tied for lead in interceptions for Cardinals four times. ... Maintained enough speed and savvy to play demanding position for 14 seasons. ... Registered interception in all but two seasons and amassed 40 career interceptions, two for touchdowns. ... From 1974-76, picked off 12 passes as Cardinals put together string of three straight double-digit win seasons, including back-to-back NFC East titles (1974, 1975). ... Intercepted three of Roger Staubach's passes during key 31-17 win over division rival Dallas, Dec. 7, 1975. ... In 1981, was moved to left cornerback position. ... Recovered franchise record-tying 19 fumbles during career. ... Voted to NFL's all-decade team of 1970s, was first-team All-Pro five times (1970, 1974-1977) and made Pro Bowl seven times.

He also played a pure cover style, back in his era many corners played a rugged style molded after NightTrain Lane and passed down to Pat Fischer.

 

[cutty]

I can't believe Pat Fischer wasn't already in the Hall. What a joke.

 

[bigunreal]

It's great that Roger Wherli finally made it, but there are lots of other deserving white players still waiting to get in. How about another great white CB, Dick LeBeau? Great safeties like Dick Anderson, Eddie Meador, Richie Pettibon, Bill Bradley and a whole lot more, still wait in vain for the jock-sniffing voters to somehow remember them. Superb linebackers like Tommy Nobis and Bill Bergey are waiting, too. All-time great offensive linemen Jerry Kramer and Mick Tingelhoff (not to mention Bob Kuchenberg and even more modern guys like Russ Grimm, Joe Jacoby and Jimbo Covert) are also waiting. Meanwhile, every overrated black player imaginable is voted in. Michael Irvin a Hall of Famer? That's completely ridiculous. His stats were pedestrian- only one season in double digit TDs in his entire career. What a joke! And how does a black TE like Charlie Sanders get voted in, while more accomplished white TEs like Jerry Smith, Todd Christiansen and Russ Francis don't? Christiansen had over 100 more career receptions and 10 more TDs than Sanders. Jerry Smith had 100 more receptions and 29 more career TDs! Francis had over 70 more career receptions and 9 more TDs. Dave Casper had over 50 more receptions and 21 more career TDs. Believe it or not, a mediocre journeyman like Kyle Brady has more career receptions and only 8 fewer TDs than Sanders. Brent Jones put up better career numbers than Sanders. Wesley Walls' numbers are unbelievable- light years ahead of Sanders. Will he ever be considered for induction? Not likely. Sanders compiled career stats comparable to pedestrian white TEs like Bob Tucker and Jay Saldi. Think either of them will ever get into the Hall? The election of Charlie Sanders is about as unjustified as can be, and might possibly be the worst induction of all time. I also checked the stats of John Mackey- who was inducted years ago. They are not much better than Sanders'- and virtually all the white TEs I mentioned had better numbers overall than him. Okay, now I'll wait for some enterprising young journalist to do the same research....

 

[sport historian]

The HOF selectors aren't excited by certain positions. This is especially true of defensive backs and offensive linemen. The selectors prefer offensive "skill position" players.

 

[Bart]

Okay, now I'll wait for some enterprising young journalist to do the same research....

Great post .When are White Americans going to wake up and smell the coffee?

 

[White Mike]

Great post bigunreal. I still can't believe Irvin got in, and I've been a Cowboys fan my whole life.

 

[cutty]

Who the hell was Charlie Sanders?!?!?! I've played and watched football, and seen about every one of those old NFL films and I never heard of this guy.


And let it not go unnoticed the Michael Irvin just got in. But we all know character issues and criminal records only matter if you're white. I'm sure they figured his 5 minute celebrations after every catch cancelled out his off field conduct.

 

[Solomon Kane]

Good News! I also see that veteran Cleveland Guard Gene Hickerson got in--another great white offensive lineman. He was a major reason Jim Brown was able to post the numbers he did.

Great Post, bigunreal, you mentioned a lot of really great white defensive backs and tight ends. Pat Fischer was great. I grew up in the DC area where he was idolized. And charlie sanders? over the great Dave Casper? ridiculous.

Next year--Andy Russell for the Hall!

 

[Bart]

Charlie Sanders: Best year highlighted.


| Year TM | G | Rec Yards Y/R TD |
+----------+-----+-------------------------+
| 1968 det | 14 | 40 533 13.3 1 |
| 1969 det | 14 | 42 656 15.6 3 |
| 1970 det | 14 | 40 544 13.6 6 |
| 1971 det | 13 | 31 502 16.2 5 |
| 1972 det | 9 | 27 416 15.4 2 |
| 1973 det | 14 | 28 433 15.5 2 |
| 1974 det | 14 | 42 532 12.7 3 |
| 1975 det | 13 | 37 486 13.1 3 |
| 1976 det | 13 | 35 545 15.6 5 |
| 1977 det | 10 | 14 170 12.1 1 |
+----------+-----+-------------------------+
| TOTAL | 128 | 336 4817 14.3 31 |



Jerry Smith: NOT Jackie Smith


+----------+-----+-------------------------+
| Year TM | G | Rec Yards Y/R TD |
+----------+-----+-------------------------+
| 1965 was | 14 | 19 257 13.5 2 |
| 1966 was | 14 | 54 686 12.7 6 |
| 1967 was | 14 | 67 849 12.7 12 |
| 1968 was | 13 | 45 626 13.9 6 |
| 1969 was | 14 | 54 682 12.6 9 |
| 1970 was | 14 | 43 575 13.4 9 |
| 1971 was | 8 | 16 227 14.2 1 |
| 1972 was | 14 | 21 353 16.8 7 |
| 1973 was | 13 | 19 215 11.3 0 |
| 1974 was | 14 | 44 554 12.6 3 |
| 1975 was | 14 | 31 391 12.6 3 |
| 1976 was | 13 | 7 75 10.7 2 |
| 1977 was | 9 | 1 6 6.0 0 |
+----------+-----+-------------------------+
| TOTAL | 168 | 421 5496 13.1 60 |



Edited by: Bart

 

[Bart]

Dave Casper:


| Year TM | G | Rec Yards Y/R TD |
+----------+-----+-------------------------+
| 1974 oak | 14 | 4 26 6.5 3 |
| 1975 oak | 14 | 5 71 14.2 1 |
| 1976 oak | 13 | 53 691 13.0 10 |
| 1977 oak | 14 | 48 584 12.2 6 |
| 1978 oak | 16 | 62 852 13.7 9 |
| 1979 oak | 15 | 57 771 13.5 3 |
| 1980 hou | 10 | 34 526 15.5 3 |
| 1980 oak | 6 | 22 270 12.3 1 |
| 1981 hou | 16 | 33 572 17.3 8 |
| 1982 hou | 9 | 36 573 15.9 6 |
| 1983 min | 10 | 13 172 13.2 0 |
| 1983 hou | 3 | 7 79 11.3 0 |
| 1984 rai | 7 | 4 29 7.2 2 |
+----------+-----+-------------------------+
| TOTAL | 147 | 378 5216 13.8 52 |


Todd Christensen:


| Year TM | G | Rec Yards Y/R TD |
+----------+-----+-------------------------+
| 1979 nyg | 1 | 0 0 0.0 0 |
| 1979 oak | 12 | 0 0 0.0 0 |
| 1980 oak | 16 | 0 0 0.0 0 |
| 1981 oak | 16 | 8 115 14.4 2 |
| 1982 rai | 9 | 42 510 12.1 4 |
| 1983 rai | 16 | 92 1247 13.6 12 |
| 1984 rai | 16 | 80 1007 12.6 7 |
| 1985 rai | 16 | 82 987 12.0 6 |
| 1986 rai | 16 | 95 1153 12.1 8 |
| 1987 rai | 12 | 47 663 14.1 2 |
| 1988 rai | 7 | 15 190 12.7 0 |
+----------+-----+-------------------------+
| TOTAL | 137 | 461 5872 12.7 41 |

 

[sport historian]

Charlie Sanders was one of those players who looked good in highlight films. He made a lot of catches leaping in the air and landing on his head. I remember a Lion-Raider game on Thanksgiving Day 1970. Sanders had two TD catches in a 28-14 victory for the Lions, both diving catches.

I hadn't thought of him as a HOF player though. The Lions were not a great passing team in those days.

 

[jaxvid]

There has been a lot in the Detroit media about Charlie Saunders. I remember him back in the day. He was a good tight end. Was he HOF quality? Who can say. The NFL changes so much over time. He certainly wasn't better then Casper or Christianson.

As sport historian mentions above he was well known for his leaping catches.

Here is what happened though. There are two former Detroit newspaper writers (now retired) on the old timers committee. They pushed for Saunders election. It was all politics like it always is with those old-timer committees.

The same thing happened with guys like Phil Rizzuto and George Kell in baseball. It's all about who you know.

Also Charlie Saunders has been closely involved with the Ford family since his retirement. Saunders has been an exemplary member of the community during his career with the Lions and after. His election is one of those "black history" month bonuses. They could have picked someone worse.

 

[white is right]

There has been a lot in the Detroit media about Charlie Saunders. I remember him back in the day. He was a good tight end. Was he HOF quality? Who can say. The NFL changes so much over time. He certainly wasn't better then Casper or Christianson.

As sport historian mentions above he was well known for his leaping catches.

Here is what happened though. There are two former Detroit newspaper writers (now retired) on the old timers committee. They pushed for Saunders election. It was all politics like it always is with those old-timer committees.

The same thing happened with guys like Phil Rizzuto and George Kell in baseball. It's all about who you know.

Also Charlie Saunders has been closely involved with the Ford family since his retirement. Saunders has been an exemplary member of the community during his career with the Lions and after. His election is one of those "black history" month bonuses. They could have picked someone worse.

It seems like if you're nominated by the veterans committee your rubber stamped into the hall. I mean how can a younger writer argue point over a guy that played a before he was born?

Edited by: white is right

 

[bigunreal]

I stand by my opinion that the election of Charlie Sanders to the Hall of Fame is quite possibly the worst induction in the history of that institution. His stats were mediocre; his yearly high in yards was 656, and he never scored more than 6 TDs in a season. That is pathetic, by any standard. Since he also played for a terrible team who never won anything in his years there, you can't make the argument that somehow he was a "winner." There are probably 40 TEs, including many blacks, who are more deserving of induction into the Hall of Fame than this guy. Any Hall of Fame that has John Mackey and Charlie Sanders in it, but not Jerry Smith, is a complete joke.

 

[whiteCB]

How about the media's angle on this whole deal with Wehrli being the 1st whiteCB elected to the HOF. If this were the first black kicker/punter going into Canton there would be all the hoopla imagined. We would hear noo-stop about how tough it was to overcome prejudices against black kickers and all that other nonsense. Yet, Wehrli being a whiteCB went through all of that crap about not being atheltic enough and dominating a position blacks have a stronghold in. If the media wants to talk about diversity and equality then Wehrli getting in should be at the top of their list. Isn't a whiteCB in the HOF diversity afterall?

 

[white is right]

How about the media's angle on this whole deal with Wehrli being the 1st whiteCB elected to the HOF. If this were the first black kicker/punter going into Canton there would be all the hoopla imagined. We would hear noo-stop about how tough it was to overcome prejudices against black kickers and all that other nonsense. Yet, Wehrli being a whiteCB went through all of that crap about not being atheltic enough and dominating a position blacks have a stronghold in. If the media wants to talk about diversity and equality then Wehrli getting in should be at the top of their list. Isn't a whiteCB in the HOF diversity afterall?

There is no angle just silence, which speaks volumes. Even loudmouth Irvin didn't comment on Wehrli's ancestry or walking on the moon. I guess even his dimwitted brain knows that PC police run ESPN.....

 

[Solomon Kane]

Wow! Looking at the comparative stats presented by Bart, its clear that Sanders does not deserve HOF status! He was merely a good, not a great player.

Bigunreal---another great white MLB to add to your list is the Redskins' Chris Hanburger.

Is he in the HOF?

 

[Don Wassall]

Some excellent posts on this thread. It's indeed a joke that Sanders is going in the Hall.


I guess I knew what I was doing when putting the '06 preview of the Cardinals together:


[url]http://www.castefootball.us/viewarticle.asp?sportID=1&te amID=17&ID=23057[/url]


. . . because anyone that does a Google search for "Roger Wehrli white cornerback" will quickly come upon Caste Football:


[url]http://www.google.com/search?q=Roger+Wehrli+white+cornerback &hl=en&start=20&sa=N [/url]

 

[Realgeorge]

Hooray for Roger Wehrli! Watched him snatch a Sonny Jurgensen errant "square-out" about 1970 and run back for TD. Also saw him pick off several in beating the Dallas Cowboys in a rare Thursday-night NFL game, also ca. 1969.

Has been said a bunch of times in CasteFootball: If White men were allowed to play Corner in the NFL, scoring would decline by 75% because of the massive increase in quality of pass defense and tackling

 

[speedster]

Ah,the annual Hall of Fame induction rant by Bigunreal.I think you're confusing Irvin's "pedestrian" numbers with Alvin Harper's.If you didn't know Dave Casper is already in the Hall.