Awesome news...he definitely belongs there but he's also one of those "fringe HOF players" that's not a sure thing. Definitely wish him luck!

 

My five picks are

Steve Hutchinson
Zach Thomas
Troy Polamalu
Issac Bruce
Edgerrin James

 

How many get inducted out of that list? I can only see Atwater, possibly Wayne who would run Zach close.

Good luck Zach. All the best, you deserve to be in there.

 

Kevin Mawae got the ball rolling during his speech last year.

 

I will riot if he doesn't finally make it this season

 

If a 7 time pro bowler doesn’t get into the HoF, I don’t know who does.

You deserve it Zach!!!

 

For my money, best LB to ever play the game, because he had considerably less physical attributes than guys like Lewis, Urlacher, Seau, etc. but is right there in the conversation with them due to head, heart and hustle.

 

Didn't hear it. Did he give Zach an endorsement of sorts?

 

When I saw the list came out it was the 1st thing I looked for, to see if he was on it. He certainly deserves to be in it, 5 Time All Pro. I don't think guys with that kind of cred DON'T get in!

 

https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/kevin-mawae-zach-thomas-should-be-in-the-hall-of-fame

“Zach Thomas was my nemesis,” Mawae said about three-quarters into his 27-minute Hall of Fame speech. “My first year with the Jets before my first game we played against each other, (Coach) Bill Parcells told me in front of my entire team, ‘If you don’t block Thomas, we won’t win the game,’ and for the next 16 matchups I never forgot that.

“Zach was one of, if not the smartest player I ever faced. He loved the game, had fun when he played and brought the best out of me. When people ask me who’s not in the Hall of Fame and that I think should be here, it’s an easy one for me: number 54 from the Miami Dolphins.”

 

Pretty strong. I don't normally watch the induction ceremonies nor do I pay much attention to them. Sorry I missed that now.

Thanks for that!

 

Would love to see him get in...richly deserved.

 

Holt, Bruce, James, Faneca and Hutchinson are all deserving of consideration as well IMO

 

Looking at the list of nominees...I find it so incredibly difficult to believe that some of the "seniors" aren't already in the HoF...

Dick Anderson?
Roger Craig?
Drew Pearson?
LC Greenwood?
Jim Plunkett?

 

The voters will have a tough time - from that list, I could easily vote in 5 just from the defensive side of the ball. Polamalu is a lock, so that leaves 4 openings for a lot of deserving players.

 

Five players can get in from the 15 on the finalist list. That doesn't mean that five will, but that's usually what happens. So Zach essentially has a 1 in 3 chance now. If I were to choose five from this list, they would be:

Zach Thomas
Troy Polamalu
Reggie Wayne
Steve Hutchinson
John Lynch

 

It's a tough list because a lot of them are similar in ability and none are head and shoulders above the others.

For example I'd probably say Holt and Bruce were both better WR than Wayne, but it's so close I can't even argue you putting him there.

I'm borderline on Lynch though. He was always a top safety to me, but I never considered him a HOF type player.

 

With the WRs, it really comes down to personal preference and subjectivity. Wayne played almost his entire career with Peyton, so he has that built in advantage, but I just love his skillset, professionalism and character. And he's of course tenth all time in rec yards.

Lynch was certainly 5th of 5 on my personal list. Interesting guy, since he did basically nothing his first three seasons before Tony Dungy got there. But from 96-03, he was elite in that defense, and then also a really good player in Denver for four years afterwards. Again, subjectivity. He's the type of player that I love at SS, and for me, the mould for that position during his career.

 

Oh trust me I'm not trying to downplay Lynch. He was a great player and I'd have taken him on our defense in a heartbeat.

How I feel about him is probably how other teams fans feel about Zach honestly. Knowing he was an elite player but unsure if he was HOF level.

 

I guess I just can't understand how people could look at someone like Urlacher or Lewis and see them as clearly better than Zach. Take away the media hype, and they all had very similar careers.

 

Oh trust me as a Dolphin fan, I feel that 100% too.

I just know on the whole he doesnt get the same respect.

 

The guy who knocks on doors to let inductees know they are in the Hall just came out on set and let Bill Cowher know he's in. Pretty cool moment, always respected Cowher and his teams. He did things right. Congrats Coach.

Just one more week and we'll be seeing #54 on TV.

 

Lewis - off the field issues aside - was the gold standard for his era. Didn't hurt that he got a ring and had a stellar postseason. Urlacher is the better comp imo. Excellent statistical careers without a ring or extensive post-season action.

 

I didn't feel that Lewis' play was better than Zach's. I just didn't, both with the stats or the subjectives.

 

But, Lewis did dances and was obnoxious. So he will get more attention.

 

And there goes JJ. Jimmy Johnson just got the news on live TV too! Kinda like the HOF doing that to the coaches. Congrats to one of my favorite coaches. Wish he could have brought us a championship but even so.

The hair is going to be immortal now!!!

 

Snubbed again.

SMH...

 

The 15 members of the Centennial Class are separate from the ones being voted on in a few weeks. This was a one time extra addition for the league's 100th season. Zach is still up for this year.

 

Its good for Jimmy, but also oviously unusual for a coach to get in so long after he's been retired. Its now been twenty whole seasons since he last coached a game.

 

Darn, that makes me feel old. It sure doesn't feel like 20 years...

 

This is going to be the longest 5 days of my LIFE!!!

 

THAT makes you feel old?!?

 

I would love to see him get in, my gut feeling is there will be disappointment.

 

I think you may be right sadly. Listening to John Clayton today, Zach was an after thought for him. Specifically mentioned the fact that this is his first time up while there are players like Steve Atwater who have been up numerous times.
To me it looks like Polamalu and Hutchinson are in. The WRs are going to lose votes to the competition, Bruce should win that. Leaves two spots for Zach.Boselli and Sam Mills at 16 and 18 yrs of eligibility are going to pull some votes, but they may be relegated to Senior league at this point. Reggie Wayne could get in first time up too.
Zach beat the odds his whole career so I still believe! I'm rocking his jersey all weekend, hoping and praying. #54 for life!

 

Zach didn't get in. If only he was a piece of ****, he would be in.

 

Edgerrin James in before Zach.

lol.

 

That’s horse crap.

 

Insert profanity filtered tirade here. Edgerin James? Really? He wasn't even in the top 10 of that group.

Time to start a fight. I'm going to find the list of voters and post it here. Start emailing these *******s until they break.

I'm going to drink now. See ya'll tomorrow.

 

I want Zach in but I still love Edgerin