Devin Hester’s election - Did it water things down?

[Brian wolf]

there was this though by many (that some still hold to this day) that his election would "open the floodgate" for other KR/PR or even other non-kicking/punting ST players...I never shared that view and since his election we have not seen much movement forward for any other KR/PR even though a case can be made for some

I feel the opposite ... his election closes the door on other returner candidates. Especially deserving players like Brian Mitchell, Billy Johnson, Rick Upchurch, Darren Sproles, Josh Cribbs, Mel Gray, Eric Metcalf, Abe Woodson, Timmy Brown, Lemar Parrish, even Corradelle Patterson, who has the most kickoff return TDs ...

[readjack]

there was this though by many (that some still hold to this day) that his election would "open the floodgate" for other KR/PR or even other non-kicking/punting ST players...I never shared that view and since his election we have not seen much movement forward for any other KR/PR even though a case can be made for some

I feel the opposite ... his election closes the door on other returner candidates. Especially deserving players like Brian Mitchell, Billy Johnson, Rick Upchurch, Darren Sproles, Josh Cribbs, Mel Gray, Eric Metcalf, Abe Woodson, Timmy Brown, Lemar Parrish, even Corradelle Patterson, who has the most kickoff return TDs ...

I would love to see more special teamers get real consideration for Canton. I don't think Hester's election closed or opened the door. He's a one-of-one who has very little to do with other players.

Hester isn't just the only pure returner to make the Hall — he's the only one to even make the semis, meaning he's the only one who voters have ever discussed.

[Brian wolf]

The voters are lazy, Jack ... they cant even vote in Belichick when he is eligible. Hester was their excuse to shut the door on any other returner. Thats why I was hoping Patterson would run back another kickoff for a TD these last two years --just to have everyone reevaluate his chances at the HOF, which like Hester, didnt translate as a full-time wide receiver.

[readjack]

The voters are lazy, Jack ... they cant even vote in Belichick when he is eligible. Hester was their excuse to shut the door on any other returner. Thats why I was hoping Patterson would run back another kickoff for a TD these last two years --just to have everyone reevaluate his chances at the HOF, which like Hester, didnt translate as a full-time wide receiver.

Patterson was one of my absolute favorite Bears, and he did something that no one has done in their career let alone in one season: he was AP All Pro in 2019 as both a returner and a core special teamer.

That said, Patterson is very different from Hester, because he is not a complete returner. He is only a kick returner. He has just one career punt return for nine yards. Hester has more kick return TOUCHDOWNS than Patterson has punt return YARDS.

I would like to see voters first bring White Shoes into the room, seeing as he was on the 75th anniversary team and the 100th anniversary team. They should give Brian Mitchell a look, the all-time combined KR/PR yards leader. I personally would like to see them look at Abe Woodson for both his DB play and returning. Rick Upchurch, Dante Hall, Josh Cribbs and Patterson — they all should get a fair look.

[Brian wolf]

Thanks Jack ... yes, very surprised Patterson wasnt used more on punt returns? He also seemed to lose favor his last two seasons under Arthur Smith, though injuries probably did him in.

Its too bad that teams after the Chargers mostly used Darren Sproles as a third-down receiver, rather than letting him have more carries. Like Mitchell, he was under-utilized as a runner but both should get elected for all purpose ability. Sproles helped Rivers and Brees immensely as a receiver.

Like Woodson, Lemar Parrish should also get elected for defensive play that was overshadowed by great special teams.

[PaulPFHOF]

In the future there may be more KR/PR elected, was just making point that Hester did not open flood gates for more (just as Guy did not for punters)..but at least now and looking like into the future, we are getting modern classes of 3-4 players, and with a deep pool of candidates each year -more added as first ballot contenders-seems even harder for any ST to get elected when each final ballot will have up to 15 offense or defense players, all decade team, MVPs, multiple all pro selections etc...already fighting for 3-4 slots.