Zach Thomas has been the most popular Dolphin pretty much since Marino
left. Ricky Williams was big right up to when he ditched the team last
year.
If you go to a Dolphin game (not that you'd want to) or a Dolphin bar
to watch the games, you will likely see many Zach Thomas jerseys.
No real big surprise. He's been the most consistent and often best
player on defense on the team since his rookie season. Plus, he's White.
Obviously this matters unconsciously (or consciously) to many fans.
Zach could very conceivably have a legitimate shot at the HOF.
However, no one should ever underestimate the importance of winning. Winning consistently.
Unless you are a real freak say like Dick Butkus, a guy needs to win often. Be known as on one of the better teams.
Since the Dolphins are inept and look to be so for at least the near
future, Thomas will be stuck making a hell of a lot of tackles and
making Pro-Bowl on a crappy team.
I say as long as he does not get injured to cut his career short, a few
more seasons of pro-bowl caliber play should give Zach a better than
50/50 shot at HOF.
John Lynch I actually see about 60-70% already there. He's respected in
the media and an overall classy guy, never been in any trouble (except
a couple of hit fines) and has a Super Bowl ring where he was a key
part of that team.
Also a consistent player at pro-bowl level and a fan favorite in both Tampa and Denver.
If he can continue to pad his stats with a few more INTs' and tackles I say Yes for Lynch.
As for Urlacher, Shockey, Heap? way too early but Brian U looks like
pretty much like the real deal. Barring major injuries I see him in the
elite class of LBs' of all time.
Amazing talent and intensity. The prototypical kick ass football player.
Can't you imagine this guy on a Panzer somewhere back in the day? Nice name Urlacher.
Gannon? no sorry. If he was in Oakland earlier instead of wasting some
of his young years with KC and with white hater Dennis Green in Minn,
perhaps he would have had elite numbers for a longer stretch. A Super
Bowl wouldn't have hurt either.
Remember about being on a winner.
Tom Brady I say probably. Patriots are winners with that system. It is
actually conceivable they win another one with Brady soon.
Brady maybe needs to shine a bit more in the regaulr season, put up a
few huge games. Maybe a memorable comeback in the playoffs or
something. But I see Brady as in his prime right now and his prime
looks pretty damn good.
Peyton Manning of course. A Hall lock because when he is done he may be considered in the top 5 of all time.
Alstott? In his first couple of seasons I would have said he has a
chance. But he kind of tailed off after his first 4-5 years. Tampa
didn't push him enough especially after they got speedy Warrick Dunn
and became better at passing.
Funny - Alstott was the best White RB since John Riggins but the better Tampa Bay got, the less important he became.
Alstott would have to all of sudden revert back to his numbers from his
early years and have a few pro-bowl seasons to have any realistic
chance.
Brooking is one hell of a linebacker and Atlanta is getting a major
push by the NFL top brass to market Vick (Atlanta is on MNF 3 times
this year -all at home). So if Brooking can make a few plays that stick
in fans minds (like say crushing Donovan McNabb) and/or win a Super
Bowl, perhaps.
Favre yes.
How about Bryce Paup? I know he retired, but he was one of the most
donminating defenders for a few years there. No one ever mentions him.
Todd Saurbrunn could maybe make it as a Punter.
Chris Gardocki as a kicker.
He has lots of points.
I'm still upset Dan Hampton never made the HOF.