Jerry Jones: The Cowboys President and General Manager has really made a name for himself since taking over running the Cowboys in 1989. What Jones has been able to do to re-brand the Cowboys has been really incredible to look at. What Jones has been able to do with the Cowboys, and the NFL for that matter, has changed the way sports in general have been branded and marketed. Jones became the first owner in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in first seven years of ownership. Dallas made seven playoff appearances, six division titles and wins in Super Bowls XXVII, XVIII and XXX in Jones’ first decade of owning team, and they have advanced to postseason 13 times under Jones. Jerry Jones helped lead the franchise, as general manager, to NFC Eastern Division titles five straight seasons, from 1992 to 1996. Also Dallas won NFC East crowns in 1998, 2007, 2009, 2014 and 2016. Very strong resume for the Cowboys owner and general manager.
Kenny Easley: The Seattle Seahawks saftey is getting inducted into the hallowed halls. After seven seasons and 89 games in the Seahawks Secondary, he made a huge impact in that defense. Easley had an immediate impact in Seattle with his intimidating style on defense, developing a reputation as punishing tackler. Easley was picked as Defensive Rookie of the Year after sensational first season. That year, 1981, he recorded 3 interceptions for 155 yards and 1 TD (82-yarder vs. Browns). Defensive leader of Seahawks team that advanced to franchise’s first-ever AFC championship game in 1983. He registered 7 interceptions for 106 yards to earn AFC Defensive Player of the Year honors that same year. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1984 after recording league-high and career-best 10 interceptions including pair of pick-sixes (25 yards vs. Patriots; 58 yards vs. Chiefs). Easley was named an All-Pro for four straight seasons, he was a five time Pro Bowler, he's a member of NFL’s All-Decade Team of 1980s. In his career, Easley had 32 interceptions, 538 yards and 3 TDs, and he also had 8 career sacks and returned 26 punts for 302 yards. Those numbers are fantastic for a seven year career.
Morton Andersen: One of the greatest kickers that the NFL has ever seen. Selected by Saints in 4th round of 1982 draft, some of his numbers that Andersen put up are almost eye popping. He scored more than 90 points in 22 seasons and topped the 100-point total 14 times in career, his first 100-plus season coming in 1985, when he connected on 31 of 35 field goals, 27 extra point conversions, for 120 points, earning first of seven Pro Bowl selections. Also named All-Pro five times 1995 was one of his best years, as that year he scored a career-high 122 points, including then NFL-record for most 50-yard field goals in season with eight, December 10th, 1995, Andersen became first kicker to convert three field goals of 50 yards or longer in a single game. Andersen holds the NFL records for career points (2,544), most field goals (565), and games played (382), among other records. His 40 field goals of 50-plus yards most in NFL history at retirement. He converted 565 of 709 field goal attempts, 849 of 859 point-after-attempts Finally, Andersen led the NFC in scoring in 1992 and topped all conference kickers in most field goals in 1985, 1987, and 1995.
Jason Taylor: One of the toughest defensive ends to defend against in the league, Taylor was a terror for the opposition. He played 15 seasons in the league and was able to suit up for a grand total of 233 games, which is a very high standard for a defensive player. During his career, Taylor registered double-digit sack total in a season six times over an eight-year span (2000-07). Taylor earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year in Honors in 2006 after recording 13.5 sacks, two interceptions returned for TDs, 11 passes defensed, 10 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 62 tackles Taylor recorded more sacks than any player in NFL from 2000 to 2011. Jason finished his career with 139.5 sacks; 8 interceptions for 110 yards and 3 TDs. He was voted to six Pro Bowls, was named first-team All-Pro in 2000, 2002 and 2006 and was named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s. Like I said, the guy was a force to deal with.
Kurt Warner: For a guy who wasn't drafted into the league and came from the Arena League, Kurt Warner is getting inducted into the Hall. After 12 seasons and 124 games under center in the NFL, Warner was able to carve out a pretty good career for himself. Once he came back to the NFL in 1997, after a two year stint in the AFL, Warner's career took off. He went on to become a two-time NFL MVP (1999 and 2001) and named Super Bowl XXXIV MVP after leading Rams to victory 23-16 victory over Tennessee Titans. At the time, Warner had set Super Bowl record with 414 passing yards (it was just passed by Tom Brady). He recorded another MVP season two years later when he guided Rams back to the Super Bowl, a year in which he had a league-leading and career-high 4,830 yards and 36 touchdowns to post a 101.4 passer rating. Kurt was a four-time Pro Bowl choice, leading the NFL in average gain per attempt, three times and had the highest passer rating and led NFL in TD passes twice.
Terrell Davis: one of the more underrated running backs the game has ever had, Davis was very dependable in Denver. Over the course of seven seasons, and only 78 games, he still had a big impact on the sport of football. Davis made a big splash when he earned starting tailback position as rookie, and despite missing final two games of rookie campaign with hamstring tear, eclipsed 1,000-yard mark and added career-high 49 receptions for 367 yards. In 1998 became fourth runner in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in season (2,008) and led NFL with 21 rushing TDs en route to Denver’s second straight Super Bowl title. He had a good stretch during that time, as he set an NFL playoff record seven straight 100-yard performances spanning 1997-98 postseasons. Earned MVP honors in Super Bowl XXXII after rushing 157 yards, 3 TDs in victory over Packers In the 1998 playoffs, he rushed for franchise postseason-record 199 yards against Dolphins in divisional playoff, 167 yards vs. Jets in the championship and 102 yards in Super Bowl XXXIII victory over Falcons. Davis was a three-time All-Pro selection, finishing his career with a total of 7,607 rush yards, 60 TDs, all in just 78 career games. Added additional 1,280 yards on 169 career catches and five TD receptions. Davis was selected to three Pro Bowls and named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s.
LaDainian Tomlinson: One of the best running backs to step foot on a football field in the turn of the century, Tomlinson gets this huge honor. LT made a quick impact into the NFL, breaking into the league with 1,236 rush yards and 10 TD on the ground, to go along with 59 receptions for 367 yards. LT eclipsed 1,600-yard mark in back-to-back seasons and rushed for 1,000 yards in each of first eight NFL seasons In each of his nine seasons with the Chargers, LT had at least ten rushing touchdowns in each year. He was named NFL’s 2006 Most Valuable Player with leading-leading and career-high 1,815 yards and 28 touchdowns rushing in addition to 56 catches for 508 yards and 3 TDs to set NFL record with 31 touchdowns and 186 points in a season. LT was an All-Pro four straight seasons (2004-07) and was voted to five Pro Bowls over six-season span. During his career, Tomlinson rushed for 13,684 career yards on 3,174 carries and scored 145 rushing touchdowns. Oh yeah, he added 4,772 yards on 624 catches and 17 TD receptions. He was named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of 2000s.
There are a few big names that were left out of the Hall this year, Terrell Owens being the biggest one. He is in the top five of every major category for wide receivers in the history of the game, so it is still a tad of a surprise he's out of the hall. He has said that he doesn't need the hall to validate his career, but still I think it would be kind of nice. Think maybe his antics and ego may be what's keeping him out. Isaac Bruce, Alan Faneca, Brian Dawkins, Ty Law, John Lynch and Kevin Mawae also got snubbed on hall induction this year.
Those names that just missed out on the hall this year are still eligible for induction next year. They will have some pretty big company to go up against on next years ballot. Guys like Randy Moss, Ray Lewis, John Lynch, and Joe Jacoby are just some of the guys who could be eligable for induction next year. Congratulations to all of those going into the Hall this August.
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