Browns' Joe Thomas already 1st Ballot HOFer, correct?

[74_75_78_79_]

I would imagine so. What reason would the voters have him wait?

[ChrisBabcock]

What reason would the voters have him wait?

Never playing in a playoff game. Which I would disagree with that reason but playoff success always seems to carry extra weight for HOF consideration.

[BD Sullivan]

What reason would the voters have him wait?

Never playing in a playoff game. Which I would disagree with that reason but playoff success always seems to carry extra weight for HOF consideration.

Butkus and Sayers got in with no problem.

[ChrisBabcock]

Butkus and Sayers got in with no problem.

This is true. What I'm saying is that it seems like a HOF-worthy player who is stuck on a bad team needs to be "even more great" to transcend his team's lack of playoff success. The opposite holds true too. (Lynn Swann) FWIW I do think if Joe Thomas retired right now he should be a first ballot HOFer.

[Hail Casares]

What reason would the voters have him wait?

Never playing in a playoff game. Which I would disagree with that reason but playoff success always seems to carry extra weight for HOF consideration.

Butkus and Sayers got in with no problem.

Sayers was a transcendent player at a flashy position and had maybe the best rookie season in NFL history.(IMO it is)

Butkus was the best player to ever play his position.

Plus in their era less teams made the playoffs.

Thomas doesn't really have any of those things going for him.

All that being said I think Thomas should be a first ballot HOF'er I just don't think the Butkus/Sayers mention really holds much merit.

[JohnH19]

What reason would the voters have him wait?

Uh, because he hasn't retired yet?

[74_75_78_79_]

To me, he already 'clinched' 1st Ballot-status not only already, but perhaps two years ago. 9 seasons, 9 Pro Bowls; the last 8 of those years on bad teams yet still being noticed all while being...a lineman.

However, could it be that Browns' 10-6 finish his rookie year helped to 'usher in' notice hence his continual selections? Had Browns been bad in '07, would he have been ignored which may have (if however unfairly) caused him to not start getting noticed/selected until maybe his 3rd or 4th season?

[Hail Casares]

To me, he already 'clinched' 1st Ballot-status not only already, but perhaps two years ago. 9 seasons, 9 Pro Bowls; the last 8 of those years on bad teams yet still being noticed all while being...a lineman.

However, could it be that Browns' 10-6 finish his rookie year helped to 'usher in' notice hence his continual selections? Had Browns been bad in '07, would he have been ignored which may have (if however unfairly) caused him to not start getting noticed/selected until maybe his 3rd or 4th season?

I always value All Pro selections over Pro Bowl's quite a bit FWIW just based on who does that voting.

[BD Sullivan]

Butkus and Sayers got in with no problem.

Butkus was the best player to ever play his position.

Jack Lambert says hi.

[Hail Casares]

Butkus and Sayers got in with no problem.

Butkus was the best player to ever play his position.

Jack Lambert says hi.

Hi Jack.

You're not the greatest middle linebacker ever.

Good talk.