Ed Reed, Hall of Fame?

[J-man]

ESPN did this article on 4 potential AFC North players who could potentially make the Hall of Fame. Repping the Ravens was Ed: http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/14214/afc-north-hall-of-fame-debate

Personally, as of now, I dont think he will make it. He is definitely the best ball hawk of his time, but the stats arent too HOF-ish, and ringless also hurts. Now if he can have another productive season or two (say 7-9 interceptions each) then I think he will have the stats then (he'll break 50 ints, possibly 60).

What do you think? Is Reed HOF worthy? Or is he just in the Ring of Honor, number retired, etc?

[FlaccoFlicker]

it's hard to say the Raven fan in me says hell yeah,but like you said the numbers might not be enough,not having a ring I don't feel is a big deal but I would love to see Reed in the Hall

[MKdave]

Reed'll make it. Probably first ballot. 46 picks in 8 years is something special. Plus, he played his part along with Brian Dawkins in redefining the safety position. All those return yards and TDs should give him an extra push if he needs it aswell.

[GTRavens]

Stats aren't an issue, interceptions were much more common back in the day. He's a lock.

[TreTheRaven]

If Reed doesn't make it, I'll cry. I don't see how he can't. James is right by saying a Superbowl ring would definitely seal the deal but even if he doesn't, how can you not vote Reed in?

To me, he's easily one of the top 10 most fascinating athletes in the world today.

[Ed_Reed20]

Reed is definitely Hall-of-Fame-worthy in my book. Not only has he helped redefine the safety position but I can't think of many defensive players in NFL history who have made as many big plays as Ed.

The 50-interception plateau looks nice and so would a Super Bowl ring but even if Ed doesn't get either, I still believe he's put together a HOF résumé.

[darklight1216]

It seems like it's time for some stats.

Only nine players have ever topped 1,000 yards on interception returns. Six of them are in the Hall of Fame: Emlen Tunnell, Lem Barney, Paul Krause, Rod Woodson, Herb Adderley, Dick Lane. The other three are Deion Sanders, Darren Sharper, and Ed Reed.

He is the first person in NFL history to return an interception, punt, blocked punt and fumble for a touchdown.

He boasts the two longest INT returns for TDs in history.

He has seven interceptions in seven career postseason games. (Best ratio in NFL history, I believe and tied for third all time)

He is tied with Tom Flynne for most blocked punts returned for touchdowns. (According to Wiki)

[emcdonald0]

[quote name='GTRavens' date='05 July 2010 - 06:47 PM' timestamp='1278370048' post='429609']
Stats aren't an issue, interceptions were much more common back in the day. He's a lock.
[/quote]

Really? I would have thought interceptions were less common back in the day due to the league being run heavy, but then again I wasn't around back in the day

[XxSizzleXx]

I remember someone posting some interception stats one time and I think Reed averaged the highest interceptions per game ratio of all time. I think Reed is HOF worthy and if he collects a ring that will make his case.

[Rav'n Maniac]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='05 July 2010 - 06:41 PM' timestamp='1278373287' post='429626']
It seems like it's time for some stats.

Only nine players have ever topped 1,000 yards on interception returns. Six of them are in the Hall of Fame: Emlen Tunnell, Lem Barney, Paul Krause, Rod Woodson, Herb Adderley, Dick Lane. The other three are Deion Sanders, Darren Sharper, and Ed Reed.

He is the first person in NFL history to return an interception, punt, blocked punt and fumble for a touchdown.

He boasts the two longest INT returns for TDs in history.

He has seven interceptions in seven career postseason games. (Best ratio in NFL history, I believe and tied for third all time)

He is tied with Tom Flynne for most blocked punts returned for touchdowns. (According to Wiki)
[/quote]
By these stats, he should be a lock. Thanks for researching them. But, it still has to come down to the sports writers and that little guy from Cleveland will dis anything having to do with grandpa Arts' former team.

[ed.s52]

Really? I'm sure most people would list Reed in the top 5 all-time safeties, and even Steeler fans would have to put him top 10.

I just am slightly confused as to way they didn't mention Ray in the article. Maybe he is just to obvious?

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='ed.s52' date='05 July 2010 - 11:15 PM' timestamp='1278386140' post='429673']
Really? I'm sure most people would list Reed in the top 5 all-time safeties, and even Steeler fans would have to put him top 10.

I just am slightly confused as to way they didn't mention Ray in the article. Maybe he is just to obvious?
[/quote]

Your idea is spot on. Ray is just considered a lock 5 years after he stops playing. Ed is a lock in my book. The only debatable point there is when. First ballot?

The real Hall of Fame question for me is Derrick Mason. I think his career is getting into that territory and I'd love to see him tack on a couple more good years to put him into 'eventual' HOF status. 14,500 all-purpose yards and 60 TD's isn't too shabby.

[ed.s52]

If D-Mase doesn't make it it is a crime. He has carried our offense for years now, and even with inconsistent play at QB he has put up formidable numbers. If he doesn't get in it will be because he isn't too well known.

I would understand him not making first ballot, but once a weaker HOF class arrives I will cry if he isn't in there.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='ed.s52' date='05 July 2010 - 11:49 PM' timestamp='1278388198' post='429679']
If D-Mase doesn't make it it is a crime. He has carried our offense for years now, and even with inconsistent play at QB he has put up formidable numbers. If he doesn't get in it will be because he isn't too well known.

I would understand him not making first ballot, but once a weaker HOF class arrives I will cry if he isn't in there.
[/quote]

Recent Inductee Michael Irvin has 6 more TD's and around 800-ish more yards than Mase, and that's not including return yards. If Mason clears Irvin in receiving yards and TD's, he needs to be a lock.

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='Zhamtao' date='05 July 2010 - 10:18 PM' timestamp='1278389908' post='429688']
Recent Inductee Michael Irvin has 6 more TD's and around 800-ish more yards than Mase, and that's not including return yards. If Mason clears Irvin in receiving yards and TD's, he needs to be a lock.
[/quote]

Don't be so sure as Irvin has a couple of shiny rings and D-Mase has none. In the end most of the time it's about the championships, in all sports and not just football.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' date='06 July 2010 - 12:25 AM' timestamp='1278390306' post='429690']
Don't be so sure as Irvin has a couple of shiny rings and D-Mase has none. In the end most of the time it's about the championships, in all sports and not just football.
[/quote]

I said he needs to be (in my opinion), not that he will be. I am mildly disgusted that great players get overlooked because their team didn't win the big one. It is the way it is, but I don't agree with it. It makes me have the same feeling I get when I watch World Cup soccer referees screw things up.

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='Zhamtao' date='05 July 2010 - 10:27 PM' timestamp='1278390475' post='429691']
I said he needs to be (in my opinion), not that he will be. I am mildly disgusted that great players get overlooked because their team didn't win the big one. It is the way it is, but I don't agree with it. It makes me have the same feeling I get when I watch World Cup soccer referees screw things up.
[/quote]

Agreed as there are many many players in all sports who aren't in the HOF that should be. D-Mase needs to win that big one though, if he doesn't have a ring then people have something to debate about, but if he wins a championship then what can they say.

[Ed_Reed20]

Mason will have a LONG wait if he ever does get in. The voting committee has a problem voting in WRs and there's already a considerable list of guys who are waiting to get in(Tim Brown, Cris Carter etc.) and even more who'll retire in a few years(Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Torry Holt, Donald Driver, Hines Ward etc.). You also have other fringe guys like Isaac Bruce and Joe Horn.

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='05 July 2010 - 10:48 PM' timestamp='1278391690' post='429697']
Mason will have a LONG wait if he ever does get in. The voting committee has a problem voting in WRs and there's already a considerable list of guys who are waiting to get in(Tim Brown, Cris Carter etc.) and even more who'll retire in a few years(Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Torry Holt, Donald Driver, Hines Ward etc.). You also have other fringe guys like Isaac Bruce and Joe Horn.
[/quote]

Oye so the voting committe don't take kindly to wideouts heh.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' date='06 July 2010 - 12:54 AM' timestamp='1278392088' post='429699']
Oye so the voting committe don't take kindly to wideouts heh.
[/quote]

Yep. Art Monk had to wait forever too.

[ed.s52]

Issac Bruce a fringe guy? Seriously? Just based on stats he should be a first ballot HOF. 2nd all time in receiving yards, over 1,000 receptions, and over 90 TD's. A lock for the Hall.

[Ravenmore74]

According to Wiki the ball and his jersey are all ready in HOF of the interception when he broke his own record.
Any player that breaks his own top of the chart record belongs in HOF that is my opinion.
I believe any QB in the league will tell you that, this Safety belongs in hof.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='ed.s52' date='05 July 2010 - 11:15 PM' timestamp='1278386140' post='429673']
Really? I'm sure most people would list Reed in the top 5 all-time safeties, and even Steeler fans would have to put him top 10.

I just am slightly confused as to way they didn't mention Ray in the article. [b]Maybe he is just to obvious?[/b]
[/quote]
That's probably it. With Ed Reed you can say this is why he should make it, this is why he might not. With Ray it's like "He'll be a Hall of Famer. The end."

I would be absolutely shocked if Mason made it into the Hall of Fame, ring or no ring.

[Runnin Raven]

Man, I didn't even think this would be up for debate.

[MIkepoly]

Hands down the best that ever done it..[i][/i]

[Reddawn36]

Ed Reed will definitely be in the HoF even if he were to retire today....

Idk why individual performances need superbowl rings.... there is no way a single player can carry a team to the big game.... and the team has to be very solid - good at just about every position to win it..... as far as I see it.... Safety is only responsible for what happens in the secondary on defense

stat wise, it isn't so much about his total numbers... but more of his total numbers compared with the years he's played.... and not to mention how QB's and OC's have to game plan away from reed...

if People honestly consider Troy P a guaranteed HoF (and I'm somewhat one of those people).... then Reed is just about a guaranteed first ballot

[FerrariFan87]

Reed is a HOF lock, even if he retired before this season... he's got more than enough INTs, Return Yards and TDs not to mention his playoff success, despite the absence of a ring.

[beasy2487]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' date='06 July 2010 - 12:54 AM' timestamp='1278392088' post='429699']
Oye so the voting committe don't take kindly to wideouts heh.
[/quote]

We can thank the Steelers and Lynn Swan for the hurdles wideouts have to jump to get in the Hall these days. Dude's stats are pathetic.. PATHETIC (5462 yards in 9 years.. REALLY?!), but he got in off 2 catches and because of that the HOF committee has made it damn near impossible for wideouts to get in. By the Lynn Swan rule, David Tyree should be in the Hall right now. *grumbles*

[GTRavens]

[quote name='emcdonald0' date='05 July 2010 - 07:49 PM' timestamp='1278377367' post='429643']
Really? I would have thought interceptions were less common back in the day due to the league being run heavy, but then again I wasn't around back in the day
[/quote]

They ran the ball more, but passing was a LOT less efficient.

[JohnnyBoy8102]

Just a small tidbit guys:

Ed Reed has been a 6 time Associated Press All-Pro Selection. ONLY Ronnie Lott and Willie Wood have more total All-Pro selections (7 a piece) at the safety position. They are 2 HOF players.

Also, Since the 1970 MFL/AFL Merger Ronnie Lott is the only Safety to have more All-Pro Selections than Reed.

I think with Ed's 6 pro bowls, 6 AP All Pro Selections, his statistics, playoff performance, and the general perception by fellow players and coaches as the premier playmaker in the secondary for near a decade makes him a lock for Canton.