Class Of 2020 Hall Of Fame???

The 2015-16 NFL season came as an ending mark for a few players that had remarkable NFL Careers. Names like Charles Woodson, Jared Allen, Marshawn Lynch, Calvin Johnson, & Peyton Manning. Players who’ve put up great numbers and were great impacts on their respective teams throughout their illustrious careers. The question is being all 1^st ballot Hall of Famers???

Peyton Manning’s case is by far the easiest case to make to be a sure 1^st ballot Hall of Famer. Even without the 4 seasons as a Bronco he would’ve been first ballot. By far one of the greatest QB’s if not THE greatest to ever play the game. He’s amassed so many records in his career it would take more than the 10 fingers and 10 toes to count them all but here I will list a few of his accomplishments:

·         2x Super Bowl Champion

·         5x NFL MVP (NFL Record)

·         Super Bowl XLI MVP

·         14x Pro Bowler

·         7x First Team All Pro

·         Career Leader in Passing Yards (71,940)

·         Career Leader in Touchdown Passes (539)

·         Tied for The Career Leader in QB Wins (186)

But his impact goes beyond the statistics he put up. The way the QB position is played has also changed due to his ability to call plays on the go and also read defenses. He is the true definition of a field general being the teams on field coach. His preparation for the game goes unmatched, watching countless hours of film to make sure he was prepared for anything thrown at him on the football field. Rather it was Zone Blitz, Cover 2, Cover 3, Man to Man, whatever the defense threw his way it just seemed like he was always thinking 2 steps ahead of the defenses he faced.

Calvin Johnson’s case to some would be up in the air because of the few 9 seasons that he played. But the numbers he put up in those 9 seasons are better than a lot of hall of famers in their first 9 seasons. Yes, longevity would help boost his case, but for his time in the league he was widely considered one of the best receivers if not THE best in the game. How his career went was very similar to another Detroit Lions legend, Hall of Famer Barry Sanders. Both had short careers, both were hampered from team success by bad teams, and in Calvin’s case being on the ONLY team in NFL history to have an 0-16 regular season (2008). His impact on the game was unmatched being 6’5 240lbs his speed, size, strength, catch radius, and leaping ability earned him the nickname Megatron. His NFL record 1,964 Receiving Yards in 2012 left him 36 yards short of becoming the first 2,000-yard receiver ever. Amassing totals of 731 Catches, 11,619 Yards, and 83 TD Catches.

For Marshawn Lynch, well his would very much be in the air, not for his on field success, but media members tend to hold grudges on players that aren’t accepted on them i.e. Charles Haley’s long wait to be a hall a famer. Marshawn’s on field prowess are no doubt hall of fame worthy but his career total numbers may not match other hall of fame Backs, but his impact on the field definitely matches. Not having 10,000 yards (9,112 Yards), only having 74 Rushing TD’s, 9 receiving, (83 total). His impact and presence felt on the field outweighs his numbers being a 2X Season Rushing TD leader, 5x Pro Bowler in 9 seasons, 2012 First Team All Pro, 2014 Second Team All Pro, and a huge part of 2 Seahawks Super Bowl appearances and XLVII Champion (Could’ve been 2-Time Champion If He Was Given the Ball at The 1 But That’s Another Story Within Itself).

Charles Woodson’s case is more clear cut Hall of Famer not as clear as Peyton Manning’s but nonetheless first ballot. He and Peyton could be even more forever linked as Woodson beat out Manning for the Heisman Trophy in 1997 and both were high selections in the 1998 NFL Draft. (Peyton 1^st Overall, Woodson 4^th Overall). Now both are retiring the same season after each playing 18 NFL seasons. Charles Woodson’s career had a fast start earning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1998 and also being named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first 4 seasons as a Raider. Also being a huge part of a Raider defense that led them to a Super Bowl XXXVII appearance. But after that his career started to be hampered by injuries in 2004 & 2005 causing the Raiders to release him. Signing with the Green Bay Packers in 2006. His First 3 seasons in Green Bay were very productive with him earning his 5^th Pro Bowl in 2008. But 2009 was a breakout year for Woodson. Earning his first and only Defensive Player of the Year Award and another Pro Bowl nod. The 2010 season also saw major production from Woodson being a big part of a reckless abandon defense that helped him capture his 1^st Super Bowl Title in a 31-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers despite him breaking his collarbone in the 1^st Half. His Next season was another Pro Bowl nod but broke a collarbone again in 2014 leading to his release by the Packers. Returning to Oakland for the final 3 years of his career earning a Pro Bowl nod in the final season of his career. Here’s a list of some of Woodson’s career accomplishments:

·         9x Pro Bowler (1998-2001, 2008-2011, 2015)

·         4x First Team All Pro (1999, 2001, 2009, 2011)

·         4x Second Team All-Pro (2000, 2008, 2012, 2015)

·         AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2009)

·         AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1998)

·         NFL’s 2000’s All-Decade Team

·         65 Career Interceptions

·         20 Sacks

·         28 Forced Fumbles

·         13 Defensive Touchdowns

Jared Allen’s career numbers and impact alone on how offenses game planned for his presence on the field and his dominant speed rush off the edge should warrant him a Hall of Fame position but will it be 1^st Ballot? Yes, he should be retiring after 11 seasons with 136.0 sacks which ties him for 9^th on the All-Time list, 57 pass deflections, 31 forced fumbles, 6 interceptions and forced 4 safeties in his career. His most productive seasons as a pro came with the Minnesota Vikings in which his 2011 season saw him collect 22 sacks falling .5 sack short of the all-time record held by Michael Strahan. Through the 2010-2011 campaigns he totaled a sack in 11 straight games which is a Viking franchise record.  Allen fell 7 votes short of a Defensive Player of the Year award in that 2011 season. His sack production is in uncanny for a guy who only spent 11 seasons in the leagues and was regarded as one of the best to ever rush the passer. He spent his career with 4 teams (Chiefs, Vikings, Bears, & Panthers) helping the Panthers reach Super Bowl 50 in his final season. Here’s a list of some of Allen’s accomplishments

·         5x Pro Bowler (2007-2009, 2011-2012)

·         4x First Team All Pro (2007-2009, 2011)

·         2x NFL Sacks Leader (2007, 2011)

·         100 Sacks Club

·         Vikings Single Season Sack Record (22 in 2011)

·         50 Greatest Vikings

·         Most Career Safeties (4)

So the question is can this group of 2015 retirees be a potential 2020 Hall of Fame Class? The answer is yes. Now rather it happens or not is a question within itself but in my opinion it should be but more chances than not it won’t be. Peyton Manning is the most definite lock, but there’s going to be questions about the group over the next 5 years that waits to be answered.