[Herky] Howe: Hawkeyes Worthy of Hall of Fame Ballot Inclusion

[Larry Edwards]

He has been nominated but did not play enough games as a pro to justify it per the Indy Star: 
Bob Sanders 


Is Bob Sanders a Hall-of-Famer? 

No. 

Don't misunderstand. Sanders was a great football player. Indianapolis almost certainly wouldn't have a Super Bowl title without him. He belongs in the Colts' Ring of Honor. He just won't make the Hall of Fame. 

But in recognition of what he accomplished in Indy, here is his case for Canton: 

>> For a three-year stretch, Sanders was as good as any safety in NFL history. 

>> There are fewer safeties (eight) than any other non-special teams position in the Hall of Fame. 

In 2005 and '07, Sanders was first-team Associated Press All-NFL. In 2006, he played in only four regular-season games but returned for the playoffs and turned around the Colts defense, leading the team to a Super Bowl title. 


The Colts gave up 173 rushing yards per game in the 2006 regular season – including the memorable 375 in a 44-17 loss to Jacksonville in Week 14 – which was worst in the league; the team ranking 31st in allowing rushing yards averaged 145. When Sanders returned for the playoffs, that number dropped to 82.8. He also intercepted a pass in the first round and Super Bowl. 

Here is what IndyStar Colts beat writer Phil Richards said about Sanders heading into those playoffs: 



"Sanders is the defense's energizer, its fastest player, its biggest hitter and probably its surest tackler. 

"He plays with passion, and when he's out there you definitely feel his presence," linebacker Gary Brackett said. "Some of those long runs wouldn't happen without him out there knocking them down." 



In 2007, Sanders became just the third safety (after Dick Anderson and Kenny Easley) to be named AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year. 

So, Sanders was one of the top safeties in the NFL in each of three consecutive seasons, was Defensive Player of the Year and won a Super Bowl. Only two other players have done that and both will be Hall of Famers when eligible: Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed. 

But there's one problem: That's all Bob Sanders did. 

He played in a total of 17 games the rest of his career. He never played more than six in a season. 

Sanders played in 50 total games. 

The only player in the Hall of Fame with fewer games is Joe Guyon, a triple-threat halfback from the 1920s. The fewest games played by a Hall of Famer whose career was played primarily in the 1980s or after is Kellen Winslow, who appeared in 109. Even Gale Sayers appeared in 68. 

Sanders would be an excellent choice for the Colts' Ring of Honor, recognizing his key role in the franchise's only Indianapolis Super Bowl. 

But unfortunately, he couldn't stay healthy enough long enough to put together a Hall of Fame career. 


----- Original Message -----

From: "Bill Yost" <oldxbbc1 at gmail.com> 
To: herky at lists.herky.net 
Sent: Saturday, June 5, 2021 12:01:04 PM 
Subject: Re: [Herky] Howe: Hawkeyes Worthy of Hall of Fame Ballot Inclusion 

Definitely agree 

On Sat, Jun 5, 2021 at 11:55 SRINIVAS REDDY Chirra < hawkeye_fan at hotmail.com > wrote: 

<blockquote>

Unless I missed it, I am surprised to not see Bob Sanders on this list. 
Was he not an all-American or something? 


From: Herky < herky-bounces at lists.herky.net > on behalf of Larry Edwards < larryed6124 at knology.net > 
Sent: Saturday, June 5, 2021 9:08 AM 
To: herky < herky at lists.herky.net > 
Subject: [Herky] Howe: Hawkeyes Worthy of Hall of Fame Ballot Inclusion 
https://www.hawkeyenation.com/opinion/howe-hawkeyes-worthy-of-hall-of-fame-ballot-inclusion/article_b2621baa-c464-11eb-b0d8-afa08e79b5af.html 


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</blockquote>


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