I really like the Dan Daley/Pro Football Chronicle '20s team - that came to my mid too - Latone is on that team
To me, the slam dunks are the ones everyone seems to mention and has been for a while - Dilweg fits imo for the '20s. The next one to sneak in at that level for me is Lewellen. I wasn't sold at first, but reading what Chris Willis has posted on PFJ and what Cliff Cristi (as recently as today!
https://www.profootballresearchers.org/ ... 5b717d478f has said, sold me. With Slater, the bio had a chance to sell me, I spent hours reading it - it was quite detailed, but didn't leave me feeling like I'd have to pencil him in at Tackle if I made my own team. He'd be in the running, but I'm more sure I'd have Dilweg and Lewellen as two of my 11 than Slater. Once you're not on the 1st 11, it doesn't mean you shouldn't be HOF, but I'd have to look at players like Youngstrom and McMillen too. And if Emerson and Wistert are first team for their era, them too.
I've been conditioned to feel limited in how many I can choose, but when I step back, its not logical. Slater has the resume to make it for other eras. He only becomes borderline for the era he's in because they've been so stingy with the '20s. So my mindset is let's just get them in the HOVG - McMillin, Sonnenberg, Doc Elliot, etc. HOF is a pipe dream.
Finally, let's not forget the main point. I may rank the finalists Dilweg, Lewellen, Wistert, Emerson, Slater - but I feel ALL 5 should have gotten in. No way a blue ribbon panel should have whiffed on 4/5 given that list of 20. Even worse, a member doubled down on the mistake and said there are no more worthy candidates based on watching film.
