Ness wrote:L.C. Greenwood wrote:IWhen was Bob Griese ever the best QB in his career? Like Hines Ward, he was among the elite, and that's what the HOF is about. Ward also changed the game with his blocking excellence, and was a stellar postseason player. On top of everything else, and the receiving leader for a storied franchise, that will eventually be sufficient.
Griese was a first team All Pro twice. So he was at least thought to be by the media. You let someone like Ward in, it just opens the door for so many players that were never considered the best at their position in the NFL at any one point in their career. Like Fred Taylor. Or Rod Smith. Or Joe Flacco.
And Ward didn't change the NFL with his blocking. He was a good blocker sure, but he didn't do anything that no one hadn't thought of in the last 50 plus years in the NFL. It's kind of like saying that that Cris Carter changed the NFL with his hands. No, he just had good hands. And the franchise he plays for should be irrelevant.
From 2001-03 Ward was easily among the elite at his position, and we can't suddenly discount his other strong years. Keep in mind, Ward did not play with a HOF-caliber QB until 2004, and that's always a factor in these discussions. Even Lance Alworth played with a good QB like John Hadl, while Ward was catching passes from Kordell Stewart. Rod Smith took years to contribute in a meaningful way to the Broncos, so that held down his numbers. Smith never was a SB MVP, either. Fred Taylor never won anything with the Jags, but Joe Flacco is still in his early 30s. Put Ward on indoors with the pass happy Colts for his entire career, and there's no doubt his numbers zoom upward.
Hines Ward changed the NFL with his blocking excellence, NFL Films chronicled this fact, and they're a very objective source. Prior to Ward, there were good blocking WRs, but he took it to another level, and blocking by the WR position became much more recognized during his career. Ward's blocking helped a HOF back, and his receiving talents helped power a two time SB champ, and a contender for years. The Steelers had many nationally televised games during those years, and the evidence is on tape. You almost never saw an iso of Ward getting blown up on a block, because it happened so rarely.
And franchises matter, because of comparisons with other HOF players and the level of success for that team. Even though Ward played in a more pass-friendly era, the resume is just too strong, and he was a better postseason player and TD maker than many other receivers already enshrined.
It's going to happen, the overall qualifications are there. Signature moments, changed the NFL, key player on a winning organization, and career passing king for a storied franchise.