My 5 this years

[sluggermatt15]

If I recall correctly (and my memory isn't what it once was) I nominated Hardman last year and he didn't make it past the committee to the final ballot.
Maybe this year.

Although I seem to support a lot of lost causes...

There have been a lot of solid DEs --- six since 2020

Ed 'Too Tall' Jones
Ron McDole
Bill Stanfill
Mark Gastineau
Earl Faison
Jerry Mays

Hardman would have better chance now -- maybe, anyway

Yes, they are some pretty solid ones. Many argue Gastineau should be in the PFHOF, same for Jones.

I always thought Charlie Krueger, who played alongside Hardman, was pretty good, with the "Gold Rush Defense," but he may be too short on the accolades. He also doesn't have all those unofficial sacks that Hardman recorded, either. It seems like that unit was very synergistic, they all fed off one another. There was no "super star," rather they were all solid.

[JohnTurney]

[

Yes, they are some pretty solid ones. Many argue Gastineau should be in the PFHOF, same for Jones.

yeah, with MG ... the reputation kills him. With Freeney getting in (so-so vs the run) it could have helped by at least Freeney played a long time ... Gastineau, with the issues--(juice?) quit early ... but in terms of peak performance, if people are into that, MG rates high.

[Brian wolf]

George Andrie
Bill Arnsparger -- only Bud Carson might have been better on defense
Don Doll
Jim David -- the Carroll Dale of DBs. Forced turnovers in three championship games.
Russ Washington

[rewing84]

I understand John, but Dale was very underrated. He made the most of his receptions with over 19 yrds per catch and seemed to rejuvenate Starr after McGee started to get hurt more. People forget he had a TD catch called back in the first SB, he was that clutch in their postseason, three-peat.

I get it ... and know his story, but my take is that there are lots of good players that are ahead of him. At least in my book. Others will differ I am sure, but I see him just a bit less than others, maybe in the Jimmy Orr/Garry Garrison world of players, but on a dynasty team.

As far as WR I think may be ahead of him are Rashad, Gene Washington (SF) Jim Gilliam ,etc

but that's just my view

do you mean John Gilliam

[PA Wingman]

My 5 this year;

Bill Bradley
Jim Nance
Bob Talamini
EJ Holub
Parker Hall

[Jay Z]

Ray Donaldson, C
Jim Nance, FB
Ahmad Rashad, WR
Jim Bakken, K
Joe Kopcha, G

but will support others -- these are just 5 want to make sure are on the ballot for consideration

Why?
Donaldson -- not many centers in HOVG, seems to me to be best eligible not yet in.

Nance, was MVP, etc ... top AFL FB after Gilchrist

Rashad-- "Nearly perfect WR", Fran Tarkenton said in response to Cosell calling Swann the "Practically perfect WR" and is sometimes underrated

Bakken - a tribute to Rupert Patrick who has a very high PAL number on him ... i.e. better than his peers by at least a measurable margin

Kopcha - Was All-Pro, on Willis' list as one of the top two-way players, and a member of PFRA

---

Wish had room for Rich Saul, Bobby Joe Green, Jerrel Wilson, though have seen them nominated before, I think.

GOing to vote for Charley Brock, assuming he'll get renominated ... also hoping someone will nominate Cedrick Hardman ... I think HOVG is where he fits someday

Not a big fan of Rashad. Not enough touchdowns. Had his best years on offenses that were mediocre or worse and threw a lot. I'd probably take Tony Hill, Nat Moore, Sammy White, others before Rashad. But I'm not a big fan of possession receivers.

[JohnTurney]

Not a big fan of Rashad. Not enough touchdowns. Had his best years on offenses that were mediocre or worse and threw a lot. I'd probably take Tony Hill, Nat Moore, Sammy White, others before Rashad. But I'm not a big fan of possession receivers.

Fair enough -- to each his own. I am influenced by some grades I am aware of and his skill set. But from a numbers standpoint, you make good points.

[Halas Hall]

Ray Donaldson is a home-run nominee, nicely done.

My five for 2025:

Max Montoya - Bengals / Raiders

Phil Simms - Giants

Dennis Smith - Broncos

Wayne Walker - Lions

Roger Zatkoff - Packers / Lions

(I left Raymond Clayborn, Henry Lawrence, and Bill Thompson on the cutting room floor)

[JameisBrownston]

I feel like someone nominates Phil Simms every single year, but has he ever even been on a ballot? I wonder why, he seems viable.

[Ness]

I feel like someone nominates Phil Simms every single year, but has he ever even been on a ballot? I wonder why, he seems viable.

Because he was never that good. Even for HOVG.