PFHOF 2025: a four-man class

[sluggermatt15]

Modern HOF candidates are not my wheelhouse, but I always look at number of seasons with postseason honors first and I only count 6 for Gates. That's actually less than a lot of the players who were on this year's HOVG ballot. How was his blocking?

Gates made the Pro Bowl eight straight seasons (2004 thru 2011).

He made ridiculous highlight reel plays almost like it was normal. And he was difficult to defend. IMO one of the greatest tight ends of his era.

[JameisBrownston]

Is this the least successful seniors/coaches class ever? 1/5 is wild. Sharpe but not Holt also makes little statistical sense. Eric Allen is unexpected.

[readjack]

How about Eric Allen? Aren't there some better CBs not in the HOF? Allen is 29th in the PFJ ranking.

P.S. Jack I respect your opinion - you make a good argument on Gates, but one last thing. I hate stats (this isn't baseball after all), but Gates only had 2-3 seasons where he was around 80 catches and 1,000 yards right? Seems low to me.

I appreciate the kind words! Gates was a dominant force who could change games in the red zone, had strong yards per catch and consistently ranked among the best TEs in the league. If we're looking at 1,000 yards, 80 catches or 8 TDs, here are the top TEs since 2000:

1,000 yards
7x - Kelce (4x 1200)
4x - Gonzalez (2x 1200)
4x - Gronkowski (1x 1200)
4x - Witten
2x - GATES

80 catches
9x - Kelce (7x 90, 3x 100)
8x - Gonzalez (5x 90, 1x 100)
6x - Witten (4x 90, 1x 100)
2x - Gronkowski (1x 90)
2x - GATES

8 TDs
8x - GATES (4x 10)
6x - Gronkowski (5x 10)
6x - Gonzalez (3x 10)
5x - Kelce (3x 10)
2x - Witten

Last in 80-catch seasons but first in 8-TD seasons and second in 10-TD seasons. High impact player.

[TanksAndSpartans]

Thanks Jack and Matt. Good arguments for Gates.

What about Eric Allen given some of the CBs that aren't in. Would you guys consider him a borderline choice?

[Brian wolf]

I feel E Allen was deserving. With Ryan's feast or famine pass rush, Allen was always on an island and still delivered. The Eagles had a very intimidating defense and Allen would tackle as well, throwing clothesline tackles at Emmitt Smith! This team could have won it all but just didnt have the offensive line to keep their QBs, upright.

Even with the Raiders, Allen played well and other than Albert Lewis, Bobby Boyd and Lemar Parrish, he was one of the best corners not in the HOF, till now ...

[TanksAndSpartans]

Thanks Brian!

[JohnTurney]

Even with the Raiders, Allen played well and other than Albert Lewis, Bobby Boyd and Lemar Parrish, he was one of the best corners not in the HOF, till now ...

of those four, I'd rank Lewis ahead of Allen, Parrish, too. Allen gets in under more competitive process ... a few years ago, Lewis lost out with the old process. Parrish, in seniors, deal. Interesting how dunamics can change and underdogs can jump up.

[Brian wolf]

I feel Lewis will get in shortly but Boyd and Parrish probably wont.
Its doubtful that Abe Woodson or Louis Wright will get elected but Lester Hayes might. Dave Grayson is more known for safety play than corner but if you can do both, wouldnt he be just as deserving?

Charles Tillman and Asante Samuel forced alot of turnovers, they just dont have the accolades to get elected, considering they starred in a more pass-friendly era.

[sluggermatt15]

If you guys are mentioning Albert Lewis and Bobby Boyd for the HOF, then Jimmy Patton definitely needs to be in as well. Patton was simply incredible, and he has been overlooked for a long time.

[Brian wolf]

I agree, Slugger ... Patton should have already been voted in but there is a Giants fatigue with that era amongst even senior voters.