What people don't realize or consider when looking at all this is the era in which people played. Look at the all-time leading WR's in terms of yards. Almost all of them retired within the last 20 years.
Great example... QB will be VERY interesting in the next ten years. You had both Mannings, Brady, Rothleisberger, Breez, Rogers all at the same time. No way on earth you can have six QB's get in the Hall from the same era.
I'd disagree on Willis. The Hall values longevity at MLB. But then again I have no idea how Urlacher made 1st ballot and Thomas still isn't in.
Yea true; With the MLB position. Most if the national sports media was more or less stating how Luke Kuechly is going to be voted in the hall of fame when he becomes eligible; When Patrick Willis retired because of obviously an injury that effected his lower body enough [Obviously] as he was known for his sideline to sideline speed. Besides that he could intercept the ball, was a team leader, had excellent football "I.Q.", besides that fact he was one of the heavy hitters, he was one of the few that could tackle Adrian Peterson one on one. The rest of the defense consists of 11 other elite athletes too but, he was one of the very few with that type of ability. He was in my opinion, the Ray Lewis for the 49ers; ****, there a play where it was Patrick Willis and a defensive back I think racing to tackle someone from the back; Patrick Willis made first contact to save a touchdown down the sideline.
Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning & especially Tom Brady are hall of fame type players no matter the era. Rodgers and the team pretty much aired it out how Aaron was the offensive coordinator after Mike McCarthy got fired; Sure he had adjust his throwing mechanics and footwork from what I remember. But Favre and his starting streak was to historic for him.. Favre too was the one who gave the record to Strahan for sacks in one season, it was reported to the media Favre intentionally ran the wrong play after Strahan I think had zero sacks prior to that b.s... Reggie White had a 21 sack season in only 12 games during the 1987 season.
Tom Brady was known as a very high football I.Q. player at Michigan & once he found the right workout and diet in the nfl, he proved he could throw the ball with the best of the best. John Elway was very similar, Elway had elite athletic ability for the qb position; If only he had a head coach like Bill Belichick.. Tom Brady was obviously the "Traditional pocket passer."
Peyton Manning had to elevate his game during the regular season and at the same time he was one of the hardest workers during the - two practice per day training camps, in between regular season games, and the managers payed more attention the the offense.. The defense had Dwight Freeney & Robert Mathis; They were two excellent pass rushers, but without a real pass rush with the defensive tackles to provide more depth.. Not every defensive player can go all out every passing down - plus when the secondary evened out the defense more, they beat the Bears in the super bowl. Besides the opening kickoff by Devin Hester who fans argue was hall of fame worthy based in his return game, and Rex Grossman completing a 4-yard touchdown pass; The Colts or Patriots were bound to win that matchup;
Dennis Green: "They are who we thought thy were; And we let them off the hook." After the "6-0" bears beat the "1-5" cardinals by a single point.