I don't think I could subscribe to the latter half of that statement.falconfan58 wrote:I would put the Packers first,since they won a Super Bowl a few years ago,and the Browns or Lions last
IMHO the Browns certainly and the Lions probably have a "more storied" history than any of the teams founded after 1961 (with the possible exception of the Miami Dolphins over the Lions).
They just haven't been good "lately" (i.e. anywhere in recent memory).
As to the OP, I think there are many factors that go into making a "Hall of Famer."
As we've discussed here before those factors include:
A. How good was a player? (Incredibly, if he is to be in the Hall)
B. For how long was he how good? (Usually a career of some length)
There is something of a trade-off between these two. A player of unique talent can be judged "Hall-worthy" even with a shorter career because they were just so exceptional (Gale Sayers is the oft-used example of this "high-peak" player). Likewise, (and in the view of some) an individual can be elevated to Hall of Fame status by a life-time of excellence in the game (perhaps Dick LeBeau is the best example of this).
Another factor to include is "innovation." Did the player (or coach) bring something new to the game or change the game in some way? Perhaps the aforementioned Larry Wilson is a good example of this as he is often credited with being the first great blitzer from the Safety position. While his play at safety was exceptional it may well this uniqueness that led to his enshrinement.
Still other factors include success of the team(s) while said player was with them and "The Eyeball Test."
Both of these are perhaps more subjective. In the first we have to decide if the player made the team better or vice-versa (and to what degree in each case). And the latter is entirely subjective: when you watched the player did he stand out as being truly exceptional? That is entirely a matter of opinion.
So, one takes all of those things into account (plus, perhaps a few others, depending on individual preferences) and tries to balance them in their mind and decide: is this a Hall of Fame player?
