Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Correct it took monk 8 yrs to get into the hall

To move onto a different player

One player who looks like he could belong in the Hall of Fame based solely off of his resume (and is already in the Hall of Very Good here) is the Dolphins free safety Jake Scott.

When I look at his resume, I see five pro bowls, four all pro teams (1972 and 1975 being second team, with 1973 and 1974 being first team), 49 interceptions, and a further five in the playoffs. He also was a Super Bowl MVP, and was a part of a handful of top five defenses in his time, with both the 72 and 73 Dolphin championship teams having the best defense in the league by points.

Scott also added about 1,500 yards of returns on the side, and actually led the AFC in punt return yards in 1971.

Not sure how that necessarily compares to other Hall of Fame safeties, but that looks like someone who could belong in Canton.

At the same time though, not everything that a player does is a recorded statistic, so if there's anything to add that is related to how he played that isn't mentioned there, then feel free to share it.

I think former University of Georgia coach Vince Dooley mentioned Jake Scott was the best athlete he ever coached, and Dooley coached a lot of top players at Georgia.

SeahawkFever wrote: ↑Thu May 30, 2024 1:42 am To move onto a different player

One player who looks like he could belong in the Hall of Fame based solely off of his resume (and is already in the Hall of Very Good here) is the Dolphins free safety Jake Scott.

When I look at his resume, I see five pro bowls, four all pro teams (1972 and 1975 being second team, with 1973 and 1974 being first team), 49 interceptions, and a further five in the playoffs. He also was a Super Bowl MVP, and was a part of a handful of top five defenses in his time, with both the 72 and 73 Dolphin championship teams having the best defense in the league by points.

Scott also added about 1,500 yards of returns on the side, and actually led the AFC in punt return yards in 1971.

Not sure how that necessarily compares to other Hall of Fame safeties, but that looks like someone who could belong in Canton.

At the same time though, not everything that a player does is a recorded statistic, so if there's anything to add that is related to how he played that isn't mentioned there, then feel free to share it.

Shula didn't like him. If voters talked to him about HOF I would doubt he would not have said good things. Did they ask him? Don't know. But he would not have gone out of his way to promote (and he did do this) him. Shula was very active in promoting Stephenson, Kuech .. "his guys".

SeahawkFever wrote: ↑Thu May 30, 2024 1:42 am To move onto a different player

One player who looks like he could belong in the Hall of Fame based solely off of his resume (and is already in the Hall of Very Good here) is the Dolphins free safety Jake Scott.

When I look at his resume, I see five pro bowls, four all pro teams (1972 and 1975 being second team, with 1973 and 1974 being first team), 49 interceptions, and a further five in the playoffs. He also was a Super Bowl MVP, and was a part of a handful of top five defenses in his time, with both the 72 and 73 Dolphin championship teams having the best defense in the league by points.

Scott also added about 1,500 yards of returns on the side, and actually led the AFC in punt return yards in 1971.

Not sure how that necessarily compares to other Hall of Fame safeties, but that looks like someone who could belong in Canton.

At the same time though, not everything that a player does is a recorded statistic, so if there's anything to add that is related to how he played that isn't mentioned there, then feel free to share it.

I remember a press account of Jake Scott accepting the Super Bowl VII MVP trophy. He said, "I want to thank Billy Kilmer for making this possible."

Many don't remember that Scott started his pro career with the CFL' BC Lions in 1969 as a wide receiver. And in his final NFL season in 1978 he had 7 interceptions while playing for Washington. I think Scott and Dick Anderson are HOF worthy, but it seems that they have been cancelling each other in the Seniors ballot.

Re-ripped from the PFRA headlines!



I think Anderson and Scott were arguably the greatest safety tandem in NFL history, but I wouldn't put either guy in the HOF because they simply didn't have HOF careers. I'm not sure what actual player on those No-Name defenses is being overlooked by Canton. Those teams were extremely well-coached and had smart players who played physical and didn't make mistakes. They showed that you can have an effective defense even without an overabundance of talent, and I think Miami's success with a heavy reliance on zone defense did more to bring about the 1978 rule changes than a super-gifted CB like Mel Blount. Not every team had players like Mel Blount, but every team did have players like Mike Kolen and Curtis Johnson. Zone defense with smart, physical safeties is what brought about the offensive "drought" in the 1970s, not Mel Blount IMO.

Bryan wrote: ↑Thu May 30, 2024 9:15 pm Re-ripped from the PFRA headlines!



I think Anderson and Scott were arguably the greatest safety tandem in NFL history, but I wouldn't put either guy in the HOF because they simply didn't have HOF careers. I'm not sure what actual player on those No-Name defenses is being overlooked by Canton. Those teams were extremely well-coached and had smart players who played physical and didn't make mistakes. They showed that you can have an effective defense even without an overabundance of talent, and I think Miami's success with a heavy reliance on zone defense did more to bring about the 1978 rule changes than a super-gifted CB like Mel Blount. Not every team had players like Mel Blount, but every team did have players like Mike Kolen and Curtis Johnson. Zone defense with smart, physical safeties is what brought about the offensive "drought" in the 1970s, not Mel Blount IMO.

They weren't called the No-Name Defense for nothing.

Maybe Scott gets more traction amongst senior nominees this year. He should have been elected awhile back.

SeahawkFever ... I have been an advocate for Jake Scott and Dick Anderson for the HOF for years. Scott has a much better chance unless Anderson can be considered an injury exception like Terrell Davis or Ken Easley. When he had his injury in 1975, he was considered the best strong safety in the game and tried to hang on afterward. Scott excelled for nine years and probably could have kept playing but moved on with his life.

Bryan pointed out that they were excellent cogs in the No-Name defense but they also stood out by helping the Dolphins reach three SB games in a row, not many teams can claim that feat.
If they weren't HOF worthy in some people's opinions, then their defensive coach, Bill Arnsparger should get more credit with helping Don Shula have his great career.

Two things stood out with these safeties ...

a) They were smart as hell and gave 110% on every play. I felt a lot of HOF players didn't do that and got by on physical ability alone.

b) Both were extremely clutch in huge games, not just postseason but games that decided their division or playoff berths.

I felt either safety was more worthy than Lynch, Atwater, Butler, Harris, Easley and Dillon, and just as worthy as Polamalu, Robinson, Shell and Dawkins.