Tag: Hall of Fame

Steve Hutchinson joins 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

Hutchinson made seven Pro Bowls (four with the Vikings) and four All-Pro teams (three with the Vikings).

It what came as no big surprise, it was announced on Saturday night that former Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson will be part of the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

Other modern-day inductees will be safety Steve Atwater, wide receiver Isaac Bruce, running back Edgerrin James and safety Troy Polamalu.

Hutchinson played in the league from 2001-2012. He played five seasons with the Seahawks, six with the Vikings and his final season with the Titans. Hutchinson was named to the NFL’s Team of the Decade for the 2000s.

He made seven Pro Bowls (four with the Vikings) and four All-Pro teams (three with the Vikings).

This was Hutchinson’s third time being eligible to be elected into the Hall.

The enshrinement ceremony for Hutchinson and others will be on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020 from Canton, Ohio at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. That will air on NFL Network and ESPN.

News: No honors, Hall of Fame adds for Cowboys as Super Bowl LIV arrives

The Cowboys didn’t add to their Hall of Fame class, nor add any hardware from NFL Honors, but they can never be shut out the news cycle. Free agency targets, DL draft guysm Travis Frederick getting better.

It’s Super Bowl Sunday, but the Dallas Cowboys are home, chilling, just like 30 other teams not named the Kansas City Chiefs or San Francisco 49ers. The NFL Honors took place Saturday night, but as expected no Cowboys walked away with any of the awards. The Pro Football Hall of Fame also announced their five nominees to join the centennial group announced last month, and no Cowboys were among the five selected, either.

Jimmy Johnson and Charlie Waters were part of the centennial class chosen in January, though, and could lead to Dallas getting a fifth exhibition game, the Hall of Fame Game to kick off the preseason slate. So with all that activity, one would think it’d be a quiet news day for the Cowboys, but it’s never quiet with Dallas. Is head coach Mike McCarthy giving stars the cold shoulder status quo, oversight or part of a plan? Who’s on the free agent circuit who may interest the Cowboys? Could center Travis Frederick be better than ever in 2020? All this and more in Sunday’s News and Notes.

2020 NFL Free Agency: Under-the-radar players:: Pro Football Focus

When it comes to NFL free agency in 2020, the Cowboys have plenty of their own in-house issues to solve first. They have to determine just how much they’re going to pay their franchise quarterback Dak Prescott. Amari Cooper’s deal is also at the forefront as well in order to try and keep Prescott’s number one wide receiver for the next few years. There are over 25 players on the roster that need to be figured out as we approach the new NFL calendar year in March.

Pro Football Focus collaborates with Over The Cap to break down some of the biggest under-the-radar free agents to be in 2020. They referenced PFF’s Free Agent Rankings page to determine some of the potential numbers that teams will have to spend to either keep or sign potential unrestricted free agents.

–DS

Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith has not heard back from Mike McCarthy yet:: Larry Brown Sports

Since becoming head coach, McCarthy has been quite busy. He has assembled a brand new coaching staff mixed with veteran leadership, all while keeping some key components from last season. Apparently one order of business not on his to-do list was introuduce himself to the team’s star linebacker.

Smith was a guest on the Aaron Torres Sports Podcast in which he expressed his admiration for the new head coach, but has yet to speak to him.

“I’m a fan of the game, so I know all about (Mike) McCarthy and know what he brings to the table. I’m excited to be in that locker room and facility with him, to really be able to learn from a guy who’s won. I left a message and I’m waiting to hear back from him. He’s a busy guy — he’s got a lot of things going on — we’re still getting all the staff and everything situated, and I’m really looking forward to this year,” Smith said.

–DS

NFL Draft 2020: Searching for disruptors & powerhouses at DT for Cowboys in this class:: Blogging The Boys

BTB has been taking a look as to what the Cowboys might need when it comes to the 2020 NFL Draft. They have already discussed and taken a look at potential safeties and cornerbacks that would fit new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan’s scheme.

Today, they take a look at some of the big boys upfront that will be able to stop the run and potentially force some ill-advised throws which could set up much-needed takeaways in 2020.

Defensive tackle is a position the Cowboys will strongly consider this year.

–DS

Cowboys Defensive Line Could be Headed for Major Changes:: NGSC Sports

The Cowboys have 15 unrestricted free agents on defense, with five being on the defensive front. With nearly 100 million in cap space for 2020, the Cowboys will have the means to keep plenty of players, but of course, no team keeps all of their free agents. It’s just a matter now of who is seen as valuable and who’s expendable.

— ML

Cowboys center Travis Fredrick is ready to expand his tool chest with the arrival of Joe Philbin:: Dallas Morning News

Frederick came back strong in 2019 after missing all of 2018 as he battled Guillian-Barre Syndrome. He made his fifth Pro Bowl and is a Man of the Year candidate thanks to his work with his “Blocking Out Hunger” foundation.

David Moore of the Dallas Morning News talks about how Fredrick has had a few conversations with new offensive line coach Joe Philbin and how he’s willing to take in new tools that could make him an even better player.

“I’m excited because whenever you get a new coach coming in, they have new tools to teach you,” Frederick said during a promotional appearance for Sleep Number. “When you’re trying to get a project done at home and you only have a limited set of tools, you might be able to get it done but it might not be the perfect tool for the job.

“You might be using pliers on a nut instead of the ratchet. There might be a more efficient way to be doing it or a better way to be doing it, but you’ve just been doing it a different way before, so the more tools that you have, the easier it is to grab the one you’re looking for.”

— ML

Dak Prescott calls being with Cowboys a ‘blessing’, says he’s not focused on playing anywhere else:: Fox News 

The Cowboys franchise quarterback is set to be an unrestricted free agent in March. Even with continued negotiations for a long-term deal causing some bit of frustration, Prescott is still all-in on being the signal-caller in Dallas for a long time to come.

— ML

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Peyton Manning won’t have to choose between Colts and Broncos when he goes into Hall of Fame

When Peyton Manning is voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he will represent the Colts and the Broncos, not choose between them.

Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year. He’s a lock to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Broncos Wire has mentioned Manning’s looming eligibility multiple on social media and seemingly every time we do, at least one fan comments, ‘He’s going to go in as a Colt!’

That’s simply not accurate.

The NFL does not require players to pick one team to represent if they played for multiple teams during their careers. Manning won’t have to choose between going in as a Colt or a Bronco — he’ll enter Canton as a Colt and a Bronco.

Though he spent the majority of his career in Indianapolis, Manning has the same amount of Super Bowl appearances (two) and wins (one) with both Denver and the Colts.

The Broncos helped Manning win his second ring and he still lives in the Denver area and he’s helping coach up young QB Drew Lock. Manning clearly views himself as a Bronco as well as a Colt.

Two years ago, safety Brian Dawkins forgot to mention his three years in Denver during his Hall of Fame speech (he later apologized for that unintentional oversight). Former outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware won’t make the same mistake.

Ware spent the majority of his career with the Cowboys but he won a Super Bowl with the Broncos. He’ll remember Denver during his future Hall of Fame speech and he’ll be enshrined as both a Cowboy and a Bronco.

Manning and Ware have similar situations. Yes, they spent the majority of their careers outside of Denver, but winning a Super Bowl with the Broncos is a key part of their respective resumes.

Plenty of Pro Football Hall of Famers played for multiple teams.

Terrell Owens‘ Hall of Fame page lists him as a “49er, Bill, Bengal, Cowboy and Eagle.” He’s perhaps best-known for his time in San Francisco but he’s not listed simply as a 49er. Hall of Famers aren’t assigned to one team in Canton unless they only played for just one team.

So please, stop saying Manning’s going in as a Colt. He’s going in both as a Colt and as a Bronco, as he should. He’s the only starting quarterback in NFL history to win Super Bowls with two different teams.

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Sam Mills overlooked in Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020

Former New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers linebacker Sam Mills was not voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

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The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its Modern-Era Class of 2020 on Saturday, and unfortunately, late New Orleans Saints linebacker Sam Mills was left on the outside looking in. The 48-strong selection committee had a tough task with so many highly-qualified finalists, but ultimately, just five players were able to make the cut. The Hall of Fame made those inductees official in a statement:

The Modern-Era players for the Class of 2020 were just announced on stage during taping of NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special that will air nationally tonight at 8 p.m. (ET and PT) on FOX. They include safety STEVE ATWATER, wide receiver ISAAC BRUCE, guard STEVE HUTCHINSON, running back EDGERRIN JAMES, and safety TROY POLAMALU. The five newest Hall of Famers were joined on stage by the living members from the Centennial Slate.

It’s a tough break for Mills’ family, friends, and supporters. His candidacy had never reached the finalist stage before, having stalled out as a semifinalist three times over the last two decades. Mills died of cancer in 2005, so others have had to carry his torch in pursuit of recognition in the Hall of Fame. He was an early face of the expansion-franchise Carolina Panthers, and a bronze statue in his image guards Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte to this day.

However, it won’t get any easier next year. Big names like Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson will become eligible for the first time in 2021, and they’re both shoo-ins as first-ballot Hall of Famers. Here’s hoping Mills’ legacy will get the respect it deserves — it’s a shame that there isn’t a gold bust next to his old “Dome Patrol” teammate Rickey Jackson, who was inducted in 2010. At least Mills’ memory endures among his fans and those close to him.

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Edgerrin James, Steve Hutchinson inducted into Pro Football HOF

Former Seattle Seahawks guard Steve Hutchinson and running back Edgerrin James were both inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame officially announced the Modern-Era enshrinees for the Class of 2020 and two former Seattle Seahawks – guard Steve Hutchinson and running back Edgerrin James – were inducted.

Hutchinson becomes the fifth player drafted by the Seahawks to get inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining Kenny Easley, Cortez Kennedy, Walter Jones and Kevin Mawae.

Hutchinson has been a finalist the past few years, and he finally broke through and earned induction in 2020. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler and was named an All-Pro five times in an 11-year career.

He is now enshrined alongside Jones, his neighbor on the left side of Seattle’s offensive line in 2005, when running back Shaun Alexander won the MVP after rushing for 1,880 yards and 27 touchdowns.

James is of course known far more for his time with the Colts, but he did finish his playing career with the Seahawks – appearing in seven games during the 2009 season, rushing 46 times for 125 yards.

James was a four-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1999, rushing for 12,246 yards and 80 touchdowns in his career, both within the top 20 all-time.

James and Hutchinson were joined by three other players: safeties Troy Polamalu and Steve Atwater and receiver Isaac Bruce.

The Class of 2020 will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Canton, Ohio this summer.

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Twitter reacts to Isaac Bruce making it to Hall of Fame

Isaac Bruce is finally heading to Canton.

Isaac Bruce finally got the good news he’s been waiting to hear for six years on Saturday night as he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This comes in his sixth year of eligibility and his fourth year as a finalist.

The former Rams receiver caught the game-winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl XXXIV to beat the Titans 23-16. He’s the franchise’s all-time leader in yards (14,109) and receptions (942), as well as touchdown catches (84).

It was surprising that he had to wait as long as he did to get to Canton, but it’s well-deserved that he’s finally made it.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the news, celebrating his remarkable accomplishment.

John Lynch snubbed by Pro Football Hall of Fame

John Lynch is not part of the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

Broncos safety Steve Atwater is part of this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame class but fellow safety John Lynch will have to wait at least one more year to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio.

Lynch is one of just seven players in NFL history who made at least four Pro Bowls with two different teams (Buccaneers and Denver). He made the league’s All-Star Game in each of the four seasons he played with the Broncos.

During his 15-year career, Lynch totaled more than 1,000 tackles, 13 sacks, 26 interceptions and 10 forced fumbles. One of the hardest-hitting safeties of his era, Lynch now serves as the 49ers’ general manager.

Lynch was named the 2019 PFWA Executive of the Year after San Francisco advanced to Super Bowl LIV. Lynch’s 49ers will take on the Chiefs in the Super Bowl on Sunday afternoon.

A Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowler, Lynch is hoping to one day join the eight ex-Broncos already in Canton: Atwater, quarterback John Elway, running back Floyd Little, tight end Shannon Sharpe, offensive lineman Gary Zimmerman, running back Terrell Davis, cornerback Champ Bailey and late club owner Pat Bowlen.

Former defensive backs Willie Brown and Brian Dawkins are also in the Hall of Fame but they are best-known for their careers outside of Denver.

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Steelers legend Troy Polamalu named to Pro Football Hall of Fame

Troy Polamalu gets into the HOF on the first ballot.

From the moment the Pittsburgh Steelers traded up to draft then-USC safety Troy Polamalu in the first round of the 2003 NFL draft, we knew he was destined for greatness. Polamalu had one of the best careers in the history of the franchise and he was rewarded on Saturday night when he was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Despite being a heralded rookie, Polamalu didn’t get his first start with the Steelers until his sophomore season. He replaced Mike Logan in the starting lineup and never looked back. Polamalu was a living, breathing highlight reel. His level of instinctual play was unparalleled in the league which made him all-but-impossible to gameplan for.

Polamalu played all 12 of his NFL seasons with the Steelers. During that stretch he amassed 783 total tackles and 32 interceptions. But Polamalu’s game was never about piling up lots of gaudy stats. It was how timely and important his stats were. The perfect tackle on third down. Or a pass breakup to stall a drive.

Congratulations on Polamalu for such an honor. This cements his status as one of the greatest safeties in league history.

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Check out these highlights of Steve Atwater’s Hall of Fame career

Click here to watch highlights from Steve Atwater’s amazing career with the Broncos.

Denver Broncos safety Steve Atwater was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. Here are highlights from his accomplished career:

A two-time Super Bowl champion and eight-time Pro Bowler, Atwater is the eighth former Bronco to enter Canton, joining quarterback John Elway, running back Floyd Little, tight end Shannon Sharpe, offensive lineman Gary Zimmerman, running back Terrell Davis, cornerback Champ Bailey and late club owner Pat Bowlen.

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