2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists

Never thought it either since he was before my time but then I saw he had 60 TDs and considering the era he played that seemed to be more than outstanding, especially since he remains near the top of the TE list despite playing more than 35 years ago.

 

The only reason I say he's got work to do is because he only has 44 touchdowns in 10 seasons. I think he's a HOF player based on his other stats/attributes, but I could see that argument being held against him, as 4.4 touchdowns a season isn't exactly Hall worthy. Hell, Gronkowski already has 38 in three seasons. By comparison, Antonio Gates has 83, Keith Jackson had 49 in nine seasons, Ben Coates had 50 in 10 seasons, Sharpe had 62 in 14 seasons.

I think Witten needs one of four things to become a lock: 1. A big TD year (10-12). 2. Become the all-time leader in receptions for a TE. 3. Win a Super Bowl and be somewhat of a factor in the run. 4. More career TD receptions than Sharpe.

If Witten fails to reach any of those four milestones, he might still get in, but he won't be a lock as you'll have the "empty receptions" and "compiler" arguments you currently get with Tim Brown.

 

It will be interesting if Gronkowski, Graham and Gates completely skew the touchdown numbers that people expect to see from a HOF level TE.

Sharpe was the best TE in the league for a long time and he "only" had 62. Ben Coates was one of the best for awhile as well, and he "only" had 50.

 

Alas, Mizzou, I don't think Gronkowski will last long enough to do this. His playing style, as we saw this year, is an injury breeder.

 

Given his lifestyle, there's also a decent chance he'll drink/party/other himself out of the league before he gets a chance to ring up huge numbers.

 

I didn't know there were people who think Jason Witten is better than Antonio Gates.

 

Witten can stay on the field. It's hard to be great from the sideline.

 

Witten also gets points for being a very good blocker.

 

Probably, but it would be interesting to see him have more touchdowns than a no-brainer HOF choice like Sharpe after five seasons... People forget how good Ben Coates was, not that I'm suggesting he should be in Canton, but Gronkowski could easily pass him next season.

 

Production by games played

Gronk: 43 games -- 187 catches, 2,663 yards, 38 TDs
Gates: 147 games -- 642 catches, 8,321 yards, 83 TDs
Coates: 158 games -- 499 catches, 5,555 yards, 50 TDs
Witten: 159 games -- 806 catches, 8,946 yards, 44 TDs
Sharpe: 204 games -- 815 catches, 10,060 yards, 62 TDs
Gonzalez:254 games -- 1,242 catches, 14,268 yards, 103 TDs

 

Agreed.

 

Finally got around to reading up on Smith and your points are legitimate. I remembered him from the Allen era as being a piece of the puzzle but didn't realize he racked up that many career TDs.

I would hope his sexual orientation and cause of death are not strikes against him.