HOF finalists announced

[ice grillin you]

longevity means nothing in regards to the hall....unless you are great for a long time

monk wasnt known as some sort of big game player

he played in three superbowls and in two of them he had a single catch...and hes never had a superbowl touchdown

he really only had two great playoffs games and both came in losses

monk was a very good player not a great one...and very good players dont belong in the hall

[BigEd76]

Somewhat surprised that Tagliabue didn't make it, but it's a decent list...

[Fan_Since_64]

The renewal of the annual battle regarding Art Monk's qualifications for the Hall of Fame got me thinking that I've never run across a comparison of HOF receivers. So, being the football geek that I am  , I put together the following list which includes all HOF wide receivers (including early offensive ends who were used more or less like modern WRs, and excluding tight ends).

The ranks that are included in the career stats are those that they held at the time of their retirement (as best I could determine in some cases, and with a > sign where they can't have been higher than a certain rank, and may have been much lower), not current ranks. As always, I want to be fair to the older players who didn't benefit from the liberalized rules that opened up the passing game after 1978 and inflated pass receiving totals significantly, and who played during shorter seasons.

IGY had brought up post-season statistics, and unfortunately I have no way of gathering those numbers that isn't ridiculously time consuming.


Lance Alworth – 11 seasons (136 G). All-Pro - 7. AFL All-Star - 7. Led league in pass receptions - 3. Led league in receiving yardage - 3. Led league in receiving TDs – 3. Career stats and ranks – 542 rec. (4), 10,266 yds. (2), 18.9 avg., 85 TD (3). 50+ receptions – 7. 1000+ yards – 7. 10+ TDs – 5.

Raymond Berry – 13 seasons (154 G). All-Pro – 6. Pro Bowl – 5. Led league in pass receptions – 3. Led league in receiving yardage – 3. Led league in receiving TDs – 2. Career stats and ranks – 631 rec. (1), 9275 yds. (2), 14.7 avg., 68 TD (>3). 50+ receptions – 7. 1000+ yards – 1. 10+ TDs – 2.

Fred Biletnikoff – 14 seasons (190 G). All-Pro – 6. AFL All-Star/Pro Bowl – 6. Led AFC in pass receptions – 2. Led AFC in receiving yardage – 0. Led AFC in receiving TDs – 0. Career stats and ranks – 589 rec. (4), 8974 yds. (5), 15.2 avg., 76 TD (6). 50+ receptions – 4. 1000+ yards – 1. 10+ TDs – 1.

Tom Fears – 9 seasons (87 G). All-Pro – 5. Pro Bowl – 1. Led league in pass receptions – 3. Led league in receiving yardage – 1. Led league in receiving TDs – 1. Career stats and ranks – 400 rec. (2), 5397 yds. (-), 13.5 avg., 38 TD (-). 50+ receptions – 3. 1000+ yards – 2. 10+ TDs – 0.

Elroy (Crazylegs) Hirsch – 9 seasons (103 G). All-Pro – 4. Pro Bowl – 3. Led league in pass receptions – 1. Led league in receiving yardage – 1. Led league in receiving TDs – 1. Career stats and ranks – 343 rec. (>3), 6299 yds. (2), 18.4 avg., 53 TD (3). 50+ receptions – 2. 1000+ yards – 1. 10+ TDs – 1.

Don Hutson – 11 seasons (116 G). All-Pro – 11. Pro Bowl – didn't exist yet. Led league in pass receptions – 8. Led league in receiving yardage – 7. Led league in receiving TDs – 9. Career stats and ranks – 488 rec. (1), 7991 yds. (1), 16.4 avg., 99 TD (1, by far). 50+ receptions – 3. 1000+ yards – 1. 10+ TDs – 3.

Michael Irvin – 12 seasons (159 G). All-Pro – 3. Pro Bowl – 5. Led NFC in pass receptions – 1. Led NFC in receiving yardage – 1. Led NFC in receiving TDs – 0. Career stats and ranks – 750 rec. (10), 11,904 yds. (9), 15.9 avg., 65 TD (>13). 50+ receptions – 8. 1000+ yards – 7. 10+ TDs – 1.

Charlie Joiner – 18 seasons (239 G). All-Pro – 2. Pro Bowl – 3. Led AFC in pass receptions – 0. Led AFC in receiving yardage – 0. Led AFC in receiving TDs – 0. Career stats and ranks – 750 rec. (1), 12,146 yds. (1), 16.2 avg., 65 TD (>9). 50+ receptions – 7. 1000+ yards – 4. 10+ TDs – 0.

Steve Largent – 14 seasons (200 G). All-Pro – 8. Pro Bowl – 7. Led AFC in pass receptions – 1. Led AFC in receiving yardage – 2. Led AFC in receiving TDs – 1. Career stats and ranks – 819 rec. (1), 13,089 yds. (1), 16.0 avg., 100 TD (1). 50+ receptions – 10. 1000+ yards – 8. 10+ TDs – 3.

James Lofton – 16 seasons (233 G). All-Pro – 6. Pro Bowl – 8. Led conference in pass receptions – 0. Led conference in receiving yardage – 1. Led conference in receiving TDs – 0. Career stats and ranks – 764 rec. (3), 14,004 yds. (1), 18.3 avg., 75 TD (>6). 50+ receptions – 9. 1000+ yards – 6. 10+ TDs – 0.

Don Maynard – 15 seasons (186 G). All-Pro – 5. AFL All-Star – 4. Led league in pass receptions – 0. Led league in receiving yardage – 1. Led league in receiving TDs – 1. Career stats and ranks – 633 rec. (1), 11,834 yds. (1), 18.7 avg., 88 TD (2). 50+ receptions – 5. 1000+ yards – 5. 10+ TDs – 3.

Tommy McDonald – 12 seasons (152 G). All-Pro – 4. Pro Bowl – 6. Led league in pass receptions – 0. Led league in receiving yardage – 1. Led league in receiving TDs – 2. Career stats and ranks – 495 rec. (6), 8410 yds. (5), 17.0 avg., 84 TD (2). 50+ receptions – 4. 1000+ yards – 3. 10+ TDs – 4.

Wayne Millner – 7 seasons (76 G). All-Pro – 2. Pro Bowl – didn't exist yet. Led league in pass receptions – 0. Led league in receiving yardage – 0. Led league in receiving TDs – 0. Career stats and ranks – 124 rec. (-), 1578 yds. (-), 12.7 avg., 12 TD (-). 50+ receptions – 0. 1000+ yards – 0. 10+ TDs – 0.

Bobby Mitchell – 11 seasons (148 G – primarily a RB, first 4 seasons). All-Pro – 5. Pro Bowl – 4. Led league in pass receptions – 1. Led league in receiving yardage – 2. Led league in receiving TDs – 1. Career stats and ranks – 521 rec. (4), 7954 yds. (>7), 15.3 avg., 65 TD (>4). 50+ receptions – 6. 1000+ yards – 2. 10+ TDs – 2.

Pete Pihos – 9 seasons (107 G). All-Pro – 8. Pro Bowl – 6 (The first 6 Pro Bowls). Led league in pass receptions – 3. Led league in receiving yardage – 2. Led league in receiving TDs – 1. Career stats and ranks – 373 rec. (3), 5619 yds. (>1), 15.1 avg., 61 TDs (>3). 50+ receptions – 3. 1000+ yards – 1. 10+ TDs – 3.

John Stallworth – 14 seasons (165 G). All-Pro – 2. Pro Bowl – 4. Led AFC in pass receptions – 0. Led AFC in receiving yardage – 1. Led AFC in receiving TDs – 0. Career stats and ranks – 537 rec. (15), 8723 yds. (12), 16.2 avg., 63 TD (>11). 50+ receptions – 4. 1000+ yards – 3. 10+ TDs – 1.

Lynn Swann – 9 seasons (115 G). All-Pro – 3. Pro Bowl – 2. Led AFC in pass receptions – 0. Led AFC in receiving yardage – 0. Led AFC in receiving TDs – 1. Career stats and ranks – 336 rec. (>20), 5462 yds. (>20), 16.3 avg., 51 TD (>15). 50+ receptions – 2. 1000+ yards – 0. 10+ TDs – 2.

Charley Taylor – 13 seasons (165 G – primarily a RB, first 2 seasons). All-Pro – 10. Pro Bowl – 8. Led league in pass receptions – 2. Led league in receiving yardage – 0. Led league in receiving TDs – 0. Career stats and ranks – 649 rec. (1), 9110 yds. (4), 14.0 avg., 79 TD (5). 50+ receptions – 7. 1000+ yards – 1. 10+ TDs – 1.

Paul Warfield – 13 seasons (157 G). All-Pro – 8. Pro Bowl – 8. Led league in pass receptions – 0. Led league in receiving yardage – 0. Led league in receiving TDs – 3. Career stats and ranks – 427 rec. (18), 8565 yds. (6), 20.1 avg., 85 TD (4). 50+ receptions – 2. 1000+ yards – 1. 10+ TDs – 4.

And now I present.....

Art Monk – 16 seasons (224 G). All-Pro – 3. Pro Bowl – 3. Led NFC in pass receptions – 1. Led NFC in receiving yardage – 0. Led NFC in receiving TDs – 0. Career stats and ranks – 940 rec. (2), 12,721 yds. (4), 13.5 avg., 68 TD (>12). 50+ receptions – 9. 1000+ yards – 5. 10+ TDs – 0.

And for those who might be wondering about this future inductee:

Jerry Rice – 20 seasons (303 G). All-Pro – 12. Pro Bowl – 12. Led conference in pass receiving – 3. Led conference in receiving yardage – 6. Led conference in receiving TDs – 6. Career stats and ranks – 1549 rec. (1), 22,895 yds. (1), 14.8 avg., 197 TD (1). 50+ receptions – 17. 1000+ yards – 14. 10+ TDs – 9.

A few observations -

Charlie Joiner looks to me to be the the HOF WR most comparable to Monk - a guy who put up consistent, if not great numbers, over a long career and retired with significant totals.

Don Hutson was certainly the Jerry Rice of the 1930s and 40s...or rather, Jerry Rice was the modern Don Hutson.

Wayne Millner played during the single platoon era, and I sure hope he was a terrific defensive player, because his pass receiving totals are nothing special even by the standards of the period he played in.

Eagles fans can take justifiable pride in the accomplishments of Tommy McDonald and Pete Pihos. 

[Diomedes]

all hail FS'64

[MURP]

I say we join up with Art Monk and start a huge campaign for him to get in the HOF............................ as an Eagle.  And when he gets in we all point and laugh at the taterskin fans. 

The slogan is:

6 catches, 114 yards, Eagle 4 life. 

[ice grillin you]

my campaign is to start a 'i hope art monk gets AIDS and dies' movement

[MDS]

i want chris t. jones in the hall of fame before monk

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

my campaign is to start a 'i hope art monk gets AIDS and dies' movement

I'm learning the hard way this year that people no longer die of AIDS.  Just ask Magic and Mr. Louganis.

[shorebird]

monk does not deserve in he was a very good wr who had a couple great years...he was not a great wr tho

He was a consistently top notch player who came up big in big games, played forever at a high level and never let his team down while winning 3(?) superbowls.

Lynn Swan and John Stallworth are in the Hall. Monk should be in the Hall.

igy, I don't know how old you are, but I can't imagine any Eagle fan who saw Monk play and doesn't think he should be in the hall of fame.

At one point in his career, he was the nfl's all time leader in receptions and yards if I'm not mistaken. He made a lot of avg. qb's look great. He was 'ole reliable' to those qb's. The man was money. It was no coincedence that the Skins won three SB's with qb's like Thiesman and Rypien.

He didn't demand the spotlight like a lot of recievers that came after him so he didn't get much press. He was greatly respected by teammates and peers.  I always thought the taterskins gave him the shaft when he retired.

[Rome]

Excuse me while I projectile vomit...

'This was worth the wait,' Irvin says
By Ashley Fox
Inquirer Staff Writer

MIAMI - Jerry Jones had to stop and compose himself. Tears were in his eyes. The Dallas Cowboys owner couldn't shake the image of Michael Irvin in an ambulance, leaving Veterans Stadium, his career over.

And the wide receiver was upbeat. Not happy, but OK.

Yesterday, Irvin was happier than he has been in a long, long time. After two brutally disappointing years of being left out of the club, Irvin got the call he has yearned for: He was selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2007.

Entering the Hall with Irvin in August will be running back Thurman Thomas, offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, tight end Charlie Sanders, guard Gene Hickerson, and cornerback Roger Wehrli. Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, guard Russ Grimm, and wide receiver Art Monk did not make it past the first cut.

Tagliabue, whose selection was the subject of a long debate, retired last year, and it was argued by some on the selection board that his final stamp on the league has yet to be determined.

The 40-year-old Irvin is all too familiar with Hall of Fame disappointment. The former Cowboys receiver was crushed two years ago when he was not selected the first time he was eligible. Irvin said that he wanted the "validation" that came with being a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Then, last year, he was devastated that he didn't get in with his longtime playing companion, quarterback Troy Aikman.

But, as Irvin's mother pointed out to him, everything happens for a reason, and Irvin's wait meant that he got the news when the Super Bowl was in his hometown. He went to high school in Fort Lauderdale and played in college at Miami.

It was sweet.

"It really is a great feeling," a giddy Irvin said. "It really is. And it matters. It really does... . This was worth the wait."

Jones was in the audience yesterday, with Aikman and Norv Turner, among others, to offer Irvin support. A member of the NFL's all-decade team of the 1990s, Irvin finished his 12-year career with 750 catches for 11,904 yards and 65 touchdowns.

"Every week, I felt he was special," Jones said yesterday. "He got hit in Philadelphia, got in an ambulance and couldn't move. He's special."

Jones paused to compose himself. "He got in that ambulance, and I remember how optimistic and gracious he was."

Irvin was loathed in Philadelphia. He was loved by his teammates, even though he often was in the news for his legal entanglements. It is part of his package.

He pleaded no contest in 1996 to cocaine possession and was arrested in 2000 on drug possession charges that eventually were dropped.

"I think maybe some of that is why he hasn't gotten in until now," Aikman said.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be Aug. 5 in Canton, Ohio.

[QB Eagles]

igy, I don't know how old you are, but I can't imagine any Eagle fan who saw Monk play and doesn't think he should be in the hall of fame.

I'm an Eagle fan, I saw Monk play, and I'm the most tireless advocate on this forum against the enshrinement of Monk. In fact, as near as I can tell, this growing feeling that everyone has about Monk "belonging" in the Hall of Fame "of course" seems to be the effect of sentimental Skin fan propaganda wearing more and more people down as time goes on.

No way does he belong alongside Jerry Rice, Steve Largent, and James Lofton -- all receivers from the same era who were undeniably much greater than Monk. Immediately following his era we have Tim Brown, Cris Carter, Marvin Harrison, and Randy Moss -- also all greater than Monk.

Here's the most pertinent comparison for Art Monk:

Art Monk – 16 seasons (224 G). All-Pro – 3. Pro Bowl – 3. Led NFC in pass receptions – 1. Led NFC in receiving yardage – 0. Led NFC in receiving TDs – 0. Career stats and ranks – 940 rec. (2), 12,721 yds. (4), 13.5 avg., 68 TD (>12). 50+ receptions – 9. 1000+ yards – 5. 10+ TDs – 0

Andre Reed – 16 seasons (227 G). All-Pro – ? (don't know where to find the stat - '64 help me out). Pro Bowl – 7. Led AFC in pass receptions – 1. Led AFC in receiving yardage – 1. Led AFC in receiving TDs – 0. Career stats and ranks – 951 rec. (3 - was #2 before his garbage last season on the Skins), 13,198 yds. (4), 13.9 avg., 87 TD (6). 50+ receptions – 13. 1000+ yards – 4. 10+ TDs – 1

Oh yeah and Reed did that with a HOF RB sucking up touches for 12 years and another HOF WR alongside him for 4. He was also the key performer in the greatest comeback in NFL history and ranks very close to the top in receptions and yards in the Super Bowl (and not behind Monk, who was only a factor in one of the four Super Bowls his team went to). Kelly and Reed had the NFL record for completions by a tandem until broken recently by Manning and Harrison.

Monk was a possession receiver who rarely led his own team in receiving stats in any given year. He was a very good player who is a nice guy. He isn't a Hall of Famer.

[QB Eagles]

Prediction for next year:

Cris Carter, Darrell Green, Paul Tagliabue, Derrick Thomas, + seniors.

Tags might have to wait until the last labor agreement clears the Nov. '08 out clause without being torn back open. If so, that could open the door for former Eagles Art Monk or Richard Dent, though I personally think Andre Reed and Russ Grimm are more deserving.

By the way, doesn't it seem much clearer now that Randall and Eric Allen have an extremely uphill climb to get into the HOF? Sad but true. This year and next year provide a brief window of relatively crappy first-year classes. In 2009 things get very tough again for non-first year guys, like last year.

[Rome]

Neither Allen nor Randall belong in the Hall of Fame.  The Hall is supposed to house only the very best who played at their position and although Cunningham did have an MVP season, there were about 1/2 dozen quarterbacks playing during his era that were head and shoulders better than him.

Montana, Marino, Jim Kelly, John Elway, Warren Moon & Steve Young are Hall of Famers.  Randall isn't.

Allen was one of the best cornerbacks playing in the league at the time but his credentials don't warrant a Hall admission.

[rjs246]

I don't think Carter gets in on the first ballot. Just a hunch. I have nothing to back that up. Unlike Monk getting into the Hall, which should be a no-brainer.

[QB Eagles]

Jerry Rice holds every receiving record. With the notable exception of yards, Carter is basically second in everything.