Randy Moss is a Hall of Famer but could have been so much more

One reader who left some comments said Randy Moss is worth a Hall of Fame post discussion of his own. I think he’s right. I’ve been thinking about this post for awhile but that comment finally spurred me to do some research. Here’s what I found.

It will be difficult for Hall of Fame voters to deny Randy Moss a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame based on the numbers he has put up, despite controversies that have followed Moss around throughout his career.

He has made highlight reel plays and posted several amazing game logs and seasons and, through minor incident here and minor incident there, put up some fantastic numbers during the first 13 years of his career.

But an analysis of those statistics also indicates that he could have been so much more. Had Moss maintained the pace he was on the first six years of his career he very likely would have eclipsed Jerry Rice, at least statistically, as the greatest wide receiver of all time.

And frankly it wouldn’t have been close.
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Packers fans should give it up for Ted Thompson

Okay, I don’t get it, Packers fans.

Green Bay is on a tremendous roll right now having ripped through two division champions on the road despite an injury-plagued season and is a game against long-time rival Chicago away from reaching the Super Bowl.

And for the second time in four years the green and gold has reached this point, last losing to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship game on a frigid night at Lambeau Field, after Brett Favre threw a bad interception to end the season.

That was an upset loss, as Green Bay was the top seed following a 13-3 regular season in 2007. But that stuff happens. Any given Sunday, yada, yada.

How about sustained success? The team is 21-11 the past two regular seasons with two playoff appearances, and, again, the Packers are in the NFC Championship game for the second time in four seasons. Furthermore, with a lot of depth and a collection of young skill players on both sides of the ball, the team would appear destined to stay competitive well into the future.

Yet many Packers fans still can’t stand Ted Thompson. (more…)

NFL playoffs continue with divisional games

I haven’t had a very good handle on the NFC all season long. I thought the Bears were going to suck. I was wrong. I thought the 49ers were going to win the NFC West. I was wrong — although in fairness to me, there really wasn’t a team that ended up deserving to win that putrid, dreck-filled division.

Anyway, the trend continued last week. I hit the two AFC matchups, even nailing the scenario in which the Jets would beat Indy, almost to a T.

But the NFC games stymied me. But what the hell. Let’s have another go at it this week, eh? (Pointspreads via Vegas.com)

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Pro Football Hall of Fame 2011 finalists announced

The list of candidates for the 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame class has been narrowed to 15 and it includes three running backs making the cut in their first years of eligibility.

Marshall Faulk, Jerome Bettis and Curtis Martin all survived the winnowing if the list. So did multi-time finalist wide receivers Tim Brown, Cris Carter and Andre Reed, as well as tight end Shannon Sharpe.

First ballot tackle Willie Roaf and multi-time finalist center Dermontti Dawson represent offensive linemen on the list while defenders still under consideration include linemen Richard Dent, Chris Doleman, Charles Haley and Cortez Kennedy. Defensive back Deion Sanders, another first ballot candidate, rounds out the players.

Ed Sabol, founder of NFL Films, is also a finalist as a contributor.
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