Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
The NFL is mourning the loss of Hall of Fame former defensive lineman Chris Doleman, who died Tuesday night at the age of 58 after a battle with cancer.
The NFL is mourning the loss of Hall of Fame former defensive lineman Chris Doleman, who died Tuesday night at the age of 58 after a battle with cancer.
Is this the year former Seattle Seahawks running back Edgerrin James gets inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
There are two former Seattle Seahawks among the 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame: guard Steve Hutchinson and running back Edgerrin James.
Both James and Hutchinson hope to be among the five candidates chosen for the Hall of Fame class of 2020, but a very competitive group of first time candidates and a solid group of returners will make it challenging to break through this year.
Led by Troy Polamalu, this year’s Hall of Fame finalists also include receivers Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce and Reggie Wayne, safeties Leroy Butler, John Lynch and Steve Atwater, linebacker Zach Thomas and tackle Tony Boselli, among others.
James is one of many Hall of Famers to finish out their careers in the Emerald City. He played in seven games with Seattle in 2009, rushing 46 times for 125 yards before calling it a career at age 31.
James was a four-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1999, his rookie season, when he lead the league in carries, rushing yards and total touchdowns.
He finished his career with 12,246 rushing yards, 13th all-time, along with 80 career rushing touchdowns.
James’ numbers are comparable to numerous other Hall of Fame running backs, making him appear on paper as a worthy candidate, but he has yet to see much support for enshrinement.
With a crowded ballot this year and only five spots available – four if you assume Polamalu will get one – will James sneak his way into Canton this year, or will he have to keep waiting?
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Former Miami Dolphins great Jason Taylor has vouched for an offensive lineman up for induction into the 2020 Hall of Fame.
When Miami Dolphins pass rusher Jason Taylor got the call to Canton, one of the fun subplots was seeing dreaded rival Tom Brady write the Canton voters a letter vouching for Taylor’s candidacy. It worked. Taylor would go on to become a first ballot Hall of Famer in 2017 and now he’s looking to pay it forward.
Taylor penned a memo to the Hall of Fame voters to make a case for Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Tony Boselli to join the 2020 class this weekend — the class will be announced on Saturday ahead of Super Bowl LIV.
To the 48-person selection committee for the @ProFootballHOF, I hope you take the time to watch/read/hear why @TonyBoselli deserves a place in Canton.
From competitors to peers, & the film 🎥, always 1 consensus: "there definitely needs to be room for Tony in it." @JasonTaylor pic.twitter.com/vzmGMeUANA
— Tad Dickman (@TDickman89) January 28, 2020
Boselli wasn’t around for a long time — he only played 6 full seasons and less than a quarter of a 7th — but his dominance was well established and, as Taylor would tell you, Boselli was an absolute terror up front.
The Jaguars made Boselli the #2 overall selection of the 1995 draft — their first in team history. He didn’t disappoint. Jacksonville made two conference championship games in their first five seasons, all with a healthy Boselli anchoring the offensive line for QB Mark Brunell. Jason Taylor and Boselli met twice on the gridiron, first in 1998 and then again in the postseason in early 2000 — the Jaguars won both contests and Taylor failed to log a sack in either showing.
Two matchups was enough to leave a lasting impression on Taylor, who was very clear with the voters.
“There definitely needs to be room (in Canton) for Tony in it.”
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Roger Clemens missed out on the Hall of Fame class in 2020 but is it time that the former Texas Longhorn get in?
Just a week ago the newest class for the National Baseball Hall of Fame was announced. The class of 2020 includes former New York Yankee Derek Jeter and former Colorado Rockies, Montreal Expos and St Louis Cardinals first baseman and right fielder Larry Walker. One name that just missed the class was former teammate of Jeter and former Texas Longhorns great Roger Clemens.
Clemens finished fourth among the candidates receiving 60.7% of the votes, the required threshold is 75%. Each year since 2014, Clemens has been gaining votes that started with just 35.4% and continued to grow until this past year at 60.7%. Under voting rules, Clemens has until 2022 to receive the necessary number for induction or he comes off the ballot for writers. It then moves to a committee that would meet in 2024.
The controversy surrounding Roger Clemens induction stems around the BALCO investigation that stated that Clemens received performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) from trainer Brian McNamee. Baseball purist believe that Clemens doesn’t deserve to be in the Hall of Fame based on this investigation. Clemens never admitted to taking steroids and had he admitted one would think the case against him in the Hall of Fame wouldn’t be as strong.
Given the era that Clemens played in, it seemed to be common place for players using steroids. While it is no excuse, given how Clemens performed before the accusations of PEDs, he deserves his opportunity to shine and be inducted. For the former Longhorn, 2021 just might be his best chance given how voters have been delivering their votes in recent years. It is hard to deny what Clemens accomplished on the mound and for that it is time to make it right.
Roger Clemens Accomplishments
Broncos legend Steve Atwater helped Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis improve as a player when he arrived in Denver.
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Former Broncos safety Steve Atwater is among 15 modern-era finalists for the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. The class of 2020 will be announced on Saturday.
Atwater is best-known as a hard-hitting, play-making safety who was a key member of Denver’s defense from 1989-1998. Atwater also played a role in improving the team’s offense — he helped groom running back Terrell Davis.
“When I came to the Broncos as a rookie, I remember Steve helping me out,” Davis said in a recent interview with the team’s website. “In training camp, if he would see something that I was doing, or if I was tipping off the defense to a run, whether it was my stance, my alignment . . .
“[He would say], ‘I knew you guys were running this play because you were, instead of being over the gap, you were over the tackle.’ So he allowed me to do some self-evaluating and kind of get his perspective from defense.”
Davis is Denver’s all-time leader in rushing yards (7,607) and rushing touchdowns (60). He was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Atwater deserves to join Davis in Canton this year.
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Is this the year former Seattle Seahawks guard Steve Hutchinson finally gets inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
There are two former Seattle Seahawks among the 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame: guard Steve Hutchinson and running back Edgerrin James.
Both James and Hutchinson hope to be among the five candidates chosen for the Hall of Fame class of 2020, but a very competitive group of first time candidates and a solid group of returners will make it challenging to break through this year.
Led by Troy Polamalu, this year’s Hall of Fame finalists also include receivers Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce and Reggie Wayne, safeties Leroy Butler, John Lynch and Steve Atwater, linebacker Zach Thomas and tackle Tony Boselli, among others.
Hutchinson is Seattle’s best chance at gaining an inductee this year, and really the only one who would count as James only played seven games with the Seahawks in the 2009 season.
Hutchinson was a seven-time Pro Bowler and was named an All-Pro five times in his illustrious career – which spanned 11 seasons and three different teams.
Hutch as part of the elite offensive line that also featured Walter Jones to his left, a group that allowed Shaun Alexander to win MVP in 2005.
Although Hutchinson’s departure from Seattle rubbed many the wrong way, his legacy is among the greatest linemen in franchise history, and he deserves a spot in Canton.
The ballot is crowded again this year, but Hutchinson has been a finalist before and it might finally be the year he breaks through the top five and finds himself in the Hall of Fame.
What do you think?
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Sam Darnold has a long career still ahead, but he’d love to finish it where he was drafted and become a New York legend.
Sam Darnold just finished his second season with the Jets, but he already wants to follow Eli Manning’s lead and retire in New York.
“Eli’s had a heck of a career,” Darnold told SNY on Sunday, two days after Manning officially retired. “Hopefully that’s me one day.”
Darnold never played against Manning in the regular season — they faced off twice in the preseason — but he understands the legacy Manning leaves behind in New York after 16 seasons with the Giants. Manning delivered two Super Bowls to New York during his career and held a then-NFL record for most consecutive starts (210). Though there were ups and downs throughout his career, Manning cemented himself as a New York sports icon over his long career.
Darnold obviously has a long road ahead before he can be compared to Manning. The two-year pro has only played 26 games in his career, has yet to play in the postseason and has a few issues that need to be resolved. Darnold appears to have the makings of a great quarterback, though, and it’s encouraging for him to already be thinking about finishing his career in New York.
If the Jets want Darnold to have as long of and as successful of a career as Manning, they’ll need to build a better team around him. The past two seasons, Darnold’s only gone 11-15 with some horrid performances under his belt. This offseason will be critical for Darnold’s development and will hinge primarily on general manager Joe Douglas’ ability to bring in offensive line help and a few other offensive weapons to give Darnold the tools to succeed.
There is a path for Darnold to stake his claim as a New York legend among players like Manning, former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and former Jets great Joe Namath, but it’s only just beginning and certainly can’t be traveled alone.
Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre endorsed former Seattle Seahawks guard Steve Hutchinson for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
On February 1, 2020, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will choose five modern-era players from the 15-man ballot to elect into the class of 2020.
Of those 15 remaining players, two of them – running back Edgerrin James and guard Steve Hutchinson – played with the Seattle Seahawks.
Hutchinson has been a finalist a handful of times, and most believe this is the year he will finally get his bust in Canton.
Among those believers is Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, who played with Hutchinson for two years in Minnesota from 2009-2010.
Favre jumped on Twitter to voice his support for Hutch, calling him the best guard he’s ever played with and stating that he never gave up a sack or a pressure during their time as teammates.
Strongly believe Steve Hutchinson should join us in the Hall. I had the pleasure of playing 2 years with Hutch and he never gave up a sack nor a pressure. Best Guard I’ve played with as he was tough, smart and durable. #PFHOF20 @ProFootballHOF
— Brett Favre (@BrettFavre) January 26, 2020
Hutchinson was a seven time Pro Bowler and a five time All-Pro in a career that spanned from 2001-2012. He spent the first five seasons of his career in a Seahawks uniform, helping to form one of the best left sides of an offensive line in NFL history alongside Hall of Famer Walter Jones.
With a strong group of finalists, including James, Troy Polamalu, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce and Leroy Butler, it will be hard to limit the group to just five. However, Hutchinson’s career accolades are enough for him to reach the Hall, and 2020 might be his year.
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