A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. I told some of our regular visitors on Vikings Territory that I would write about my experience and report back at how amazing it all was. Unfortunately, it was during holiday season, I was visiting family, stuff came up and I just never got around to it.
Needless to say, the Hall of Fame was incredible.
Being surrounded by so much history and the legacies of so many football greats was really humbling and enriched my appreciation for the great sport of football. As an avid Vikings fan, upon entering the actual hall itself, I immediately began scouring the walls for all the Minnesota greats. Fran Tarkenton, Bud Grant, Alan Page, John Randle… I saw all of them. And while I am not lucky enough to have experienced watching [most] them while they were still playing, I stood in front of each – paying my respects.
You can’t help but be bothered by it, though. You know what I’m talking about… Vikings fans know what I’m talking about. How in the world is Cris Carter not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? How is Chris Doleman not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Well yesterday, one of those questions was addressed while the other went unanswered. Chris Doleman, Vikings defensive end great, has officially been announced as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012. He will be accompanied by center Dermontti Dawson, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, running back Curtis Martin, cornerback Jack Butler and offensive tackle Willie Roaf (notice the name “Cris Carter” is nowhere to be found in that list).
Obviously, it is awesome that Chris Doleman is receiving such a great honor. Unfortunately (at least for me anyway), the disappointment of Cris Carter being overlooked again dampers the occasion a bit. I’m sure Carter will end up in the Hall of Fame eventually – it would be an outrage if he somehow didn’t. But one has to wonder, why hasn’t it happened yet? Carter is undeniably one of the NFL’s greatest receivers of all-time. Only Jerry Rice has surpassed him in career receiving yards. Carter was never able to win a championship, but that isn’t really a reflection of his greatness. Isn’t being granted entrance into the Hall of Fame an acknowledgement of personal achievement (not to suggest that the team doesn’t matter… but you know what I mean)?
I would love to hear the reasoning behind Cris Carter being snubbed entry… again.
And guess what? It doesn’t end there…
Jared Allen, the man who fell short a half a sack behind breaking New York Giants Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record with 22 sacks, was not selected as the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. Instead, the Ravens Terrell Suggs, who totaled 14 sacks on the year, was bestowed the honor; leaving another Vikings player high-and-dry. Obviously, I’m biased here, but when comparing the stats of these two players, it seems obvious to me that Allen had the better year. Unfortunately, these awards for individual achievement tend to be majorly influenced by how well their team did – a category Allen did not fare well in.
How do you all feel? Is there any justification for Carter being denied (again) entry into the Hall of Fame? Did Suggs deserve the Defensive MVP award more then Jared Allen? Try and be objective (if you can – it’s tough) and tell us what you think in the comments.
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I understand that Suggs played for a much better team defense.. But shouldn't that just make an even stronger case for Allen?
What ever team was facing the Minnesota Vikings they knew they only had to gameplan for one single player, and yet they could still not stop him?
- When playing the ravens, there is Haloti ngata, ray lewis, ed reed, Mount cody in the middle...
And yet Suggs was no way as dominant as Jared Allen was all year .. Besides Suggs only showed up to play in some games and railled 3 sacks twice in the season, while jared allen only went 3 games without a sack
Good piece Brett. I suppose we have to be happy with one Viking, but if you asked me which of the two would have made it, I would have said Carter without the slightest hesitation. Understanding that it was before your time, I must offer that the omission of Jim Marshall is an even greater injustice. This guy strapped it on every game, every play, every year, and was a devastating presence in many of those games. Yes, he ran the wrong way after picking up a fumble once. It may be that because his name most often comes up for that play, he is not given the respect his career so obviously afforded him. Both Carter and Marshall belong in the Hall ahead of Doleman, but that said, congratulations to Chris Doleman and the Viking organization.
Well said Coach!
Jim Marshall should've been in 25 years ago. And if he was the one going in this year, that would be great. Dole deserves it, and congratulations to him!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=RASB4uIMzQc
Thanks for the input guys... Great points, Coach.
Haha! Dennis Green - "Greatest catch I've ever seen... AND I'VE SEEN EM' ALL!"
I guess CC just needs to wait his turn, but I think he was a better receiver than several of the guys who have already gotten their name called. If one of the other modern day receivers had gotten in ahead of him I would be furious, but I think he was a victim of the numbers game this year. He should certainly be the next receiver in.
They can give the award to Suggs, but Allen was clearly the defensive player of the year. For him to put up the statitistics he did with the secondary in a state of constant change throughout the year was pretty damn remarkable.
Josey Wales: To hell with them fellas. Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms.
Lone Watie: We thought about it for a long time, "Endeavor to persevere." And when we had thought about it long enough, we declared war on the Union.
It is sad. But being a Northern state MN will always be snubbed in sports except for the NHL even though our fans are loyal and awesome. Good Example is the T Wolves. They cant even keep great players with out them pouting and demanding to be traded and its really sad. I will always be a huge fan of all our MN teams. But sports has really become more self serving and allot of good players and big market media are spoiled and show lack of respect for the players that paved the way. They didn't keep stats when Alan Page and Decon Jones were rushing the passer. I was just a kid when Page got pissed about a penalty and had 3 sacks in a row pushing them from the goal line to the 50. You never forget that stuff. Stratham and Allen are great pass rushers but have nothing on Decon Jones. There is no doubt in my mind he is the real single season record holder. Nobody was counting back then.