Sapp In, Lynch Out Of Hall Of Fame Finals
January 11th, 2013
Warren Sapp is one step closer to entering the Hall of Fame in 2013. The list of 17 finalists was announced this morning and Sapp, in his first year of eligibility, made the cut. The panel of Hall voters meets the day before the Super Bowl to select up to five modern-era nominees.
Sapp’s got a tough road, with Michael Strahan, Charles Haley, Jerome Bettis, Larry Allen, Bill Parcells and Jonathan Ogden on the finals ballot. (Here’s the full list.)
The Tampa Bay area’s lone voter, Tampa Tribune writer eye-RAH! Kaufman, also dubbed “The Custodian of Canton” by national radio host Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, will present the case for Sapp before his colleagues.
John Lynch, also in his first year of eligibility, was a semifinalist, but Lynch didn’t make the finals. Bruising former Broncos safety Steve Atwater also was a semifinalist but was iced out of the finals. It’s a tough road for safeties and it could take Lynch years to get in, if he gets in at all.
Those hoping Ronde Barber gets in the Hall one day should keep an eye on former Cardinals and Rams great Aeneas Williams. He’s a finalist for the second consecutive year. Over a 14-year career, Williams made seven Pro Bowls as a cornerback (two more than Barber) and one Pro Bowl as a safety. He’s also got more career interceptions than Barber.
Joe’s not saying Williams is better than Barber, but how the voters treat Williams could indicate how Barber’s eventual process might go.
January 11th, 2013 at 12:49 pm
Not a shocker but Lynch will get there eventually. Shame they couldn’t go in at the same time.
January 11th, 2013 at 12:55 pm
No way on EARTH…the writers allow Sapp in on the 1st Ballot (these miserable, fat, know-it-all’s hold grudges like NO OTHER!!!!!!!!!)
January 11th, 2013 at 1:16 pm
After looking at that list, it will be a crime if Sapp doesn’t get in on his first try. He is by FAR the best in the group, with the exception to strahan. The hall would absolutely loss all credibility in my book if that were to happen. On another note, this is Cris Carters best chance to get in yet. I’ll be stunned if Tim Brown gets in before Carter.
January 11th, 2013 at 1:16 pm
Pretty harsh Mr. Gay Lisp. Sapp doing nothing in Oakland for most of his time there won’t help him.
January 11th, 2013 at 1:59 pm
How many sacks did A. Williams have for his career? Did he break the 15 sacks mark? With Barber having 29 for a career so far he will get in on his first ballot. Can’t wait to see Sapp in his corn rows bust in Canton. Lynch will make it in due time.
January 11th, 2013 at 2:21 pm
Lynch isn’t going to get in. Sapp is a maybe because his antics likely have not endeared him to voters. Only #55 and Ronde are locks forthe HOF.
January 11th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Mr. Derrick Brooks gets in next year…before Sapp & Lynch.
January 11th, 2013 at 2:41 pm
Sapp vote will be unanimous.
January 11th, 2013 at 2:58 pm
Kiffin to Cowboys… what a bad day in Buc history. Good news for Dallas though. This should give their D a big boost.
January 11th, 2013 at 2:59 pm
Noooooooooo monte don’t go to the cowboys damn. We miss you!!!
January 11th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
Sapp should be a first Ballot HOF for his talent and the fact he basically redefined the tackle position. However, I have heard even from people within the media that his was extremely difficult to work with to put it nicely. I was at a Bar-B-Q with a certain reporter that covered the BUCS during that time and he said all the BUCS were extremely nice and friendly but that Sapp was an a$$hole.
January 11th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
I know this is off topic but Monte is now the Cowboys D-Coord. I love Monte but dam I hope they fail miserably next season.
January 11th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
Congrats Monte ! Good luck, they have a lot of talent on defense for sure.
Not sure if Sapp will be first ballot. Hof’er…….
January 11th, 2013 at 3:04 pm
If Sapp is elected they better put extra security around the bust of his likeness, or it will get lost.
January 11th, 2013 at 3:09 pm
Looking at that classic Buc defense of the late 90’s to mid 00’s and this is what I project for HOF prospects:
Derrick Brooks: 1st ballot, living legend, class act, best LB I ever saw play the game of football (with Ray Lewis either tied for number one with Brooks or at number two and no one else is close to those two IMO).
Warren Sapp: should be 1st ballot might not be due more to his antics as opposed to a strong first class. Sapp was the premier DT in the NFL and the best in the business for basically his entire prime. All future DT’s are viewed as possible ‘next Warren Sapp’ material, and even the very elite prospects like Suh or McCoy seem to possess only a few of the many skills that Sapp displayed on the football team. Possibly the most important Buc player on defense, even though Brooks is the greatest Buc of all-time.
Ronde Barber: Has one of a kind statistical output, is still playing at a more than above average level even after switching to safety. Responsible for the greatest Buc play of all-time (McNabb pick six to close the Vet, as if you guys needed the reminder), classy high character player. He probably won’t be first ballot, unless he continues to be an impact player for another season or two, but I think the voters will eventually vote Ronde in to the HOF, but he might be on a ballot or three before it happens. He’s a first ballot guy in my book, for what it’s worth.
John Lynch: Hard hitter, tough, key to the Tampa 2 rising from elite to legendary status, countless Pro Bowls, classy high character player. I think John Lynch should have a place in the HOF, but I think he’ll be on the ballot for several years before making it in. As much as it pains me, he probably isn’t a first ballot guy (I can’t even write that sentence without including ‘probably’).
Simeon Rice: The true MVP of the Super Bowl win, at his peak, a terror as a pass rusher who was also solid against the run. Unique personality, both a skilled and tough player, I’m not sure if Rice ever makes it into the HOF, although I feel he belongs. He might be the type of player who is eventually voted in as a part of the senior committee.
Five guys on that defense who are all valid HOF players. Man, was that defense special, I’m happy to have been able to watch them from the very beginning.
January 11th, 2013 at 6:38 pm
I watched my copy of Americas Games 2002 Buccaneers last nights brought tears to my eyes bahahaha. Man those were the days.
Sapp makes it
An as far as not producing in oakland in 2006 the year before he retired he has double digit sacks. I’d say thats producing
January 11th, 2013 at 7:11 pm
To this day I still don’t understand why Sapp is considered to have been such a great player, check his stats, he was good, maybe even very good for a couple of years, but never great in my opinion.
Derrick Brooks was Great.
January 11th, 2013 at 7:13 pm
Not great???? Hahahahaha I guess that all of the NFL world is wrong…
His greatness is not only measured purely on sacks.
January 11th, 2013 at 7:26 pm
Not great???? Hahahahaha I guess that all of the NFL world is wrong…
His greatness is not only measured purely on sacks.
I guess that’s why I stated it was my opinion, and I stand by it.
January 11th, 2013 at 7:31 pm
That’s fine and i stated mine…
January 11th, 2013 at 7:47 pm
“That’s fine and i stated mine…”
Right on man.
So what are your feelings about Dave Pear?
😉
January 11th, 2013 at 8:19 pm
Seems like a man that hates the game
January 11th, 2013 at 8:23 pm
sapp is the man.
January 11th, 2013 at 9:27 pm
Sapp was and is a f****IIg beast,I SEEN HIM SINGLE HANDEDLY take out Steve Young and JERRY RICE on consecutive plays,he played like a f***ing man ,the way youre supposed to play football,and any of u bitches who want to look outside of football are not minding youre own business just like the little byatcchhhesss thatr you always have been.My kudos to finest football player in my time frame…
January 12th, 2013 at 4:12 am
Barber has something Aneas Williams did not have…a Superbowl ring…
January 12th, 2013 at 9:17 am
Sapp revolutionized the DT position. Teams have been trying to emulate his success and trying to get someone like him to no avail. He was a once in a lifetime player. He must get in on the first try.
January 13th, 2013 at 11:09 pm
For those who are saying Big 99 is not a first ballot HOFamer, you guys are nuts! Almost 100 sacks as a Dt?!?! Come on Buc fans, id give my left nut to have sapp to be in his prime all over again with mccoy. Greatest DT of all time
January 13th, 2013 at 11:10 pm
” put a jersey on!”