rcade, i'd love to see the big cat get in too.
Just for the record: Madden coached the Raiders for 10 seasons, posting a regular season record of 103 wins, 32 losses and 7 ties. During that time, he guided the team to seven Western Division titles, including five in a row from 1972 to 1976. Under Madden's guidance, Oakland never experienced a losing season. Madden's Raiders made eight playoff appearances, including a 37-31 six-quarter AFC Divisional Playoff win over the Baltimore Colts in 1977. Perennial winners, the team never finished with fewer than 8 wins in the then-14 game season (8-4-2 in 1970, 1971). Six times in 10 seasons, Oakland recorded 10 or more victories. In 1976, the coach guided his team to a near-perfect 13-1 record to win the AFC Western Division. The success continued in the post-season with wins over New England in the divisional playoff game and a commanding 24-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. Madden and the Raiders capped the 1976 season with a 32-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. Between the 1976 and 1977 seasons, the Raiders won 17 consecutive games, one short of the then-NFL record for consecutive wins. Madden's .759 regular season winning percentage ranks as highest ever among coaches with 100 career victories. Only Hall of Fame coaches George Halas and Curly Lambeau had reached 100 career wins at an earlier age. NFL.com How funny is that?
And Tasker went to my alma mater. Go U Northwestern! Carson has said he would refuse induction, and given what I consider to be the extremely silly rule limiting the number of inductees, he won't get in, given the strong field.
Locks: Aikman Reggie White 99% Locks: Moon Monk
Being a Steelers fan I would love to see L.C. get in, but there are 9 Steelers from his era already in the hall so that might make it a little tougher. Damn those were some great teams!
I think there is a strong case for Madden, but with such a strong class this year I don't know who is going to make the cut. The current guidelines say 3 to 6 per induction. I'll admit it I am a huge Giants fan, but the repeated dissappointment with Harry making it to the final selection and just mising it for so long is maddening. -Polar
Aside from that fact that DT died at the peak of his career, there was no more dominant end in the league this side of Lawrence Taylor. Derek Thomas completely closed down his side of the line of scrimmage, and even though I hated the Chiefs, I must give props where they belong. If the powers that be don't induct DT, it would be a real tragedy.
They should let Madden in only if he agrees that during the induction ceremony he will rip apart a turkey with his gigantic paws and devour it on camera. Seriously though, Madden should be in.
Those years when John Madden coached the Raiders were the reasons I'm a Raiders fan. It was bombs away everyday! Madden used to coach all the rejects that never fit on other teams (Alzado, Toomay, Matuzak), and party animals like Ken Stabler. Only Madden could start a wide receiver, covered with "stick 'em", who ran routes that took all day, and drank a bottle of Maalox before every game (Fred Biletnikoff, Superbowl MVP). Those were some fun games in those Madden years. Would be tough to be on the panel that decides who goes in - there are many deserving finalists. Reggie White (no brainer) Harry Carson (senior vote) Art Monk (iron-man vote) Derrick Thomas (sorry to say, but Derrick gets the sympathy vote,) Troy Aikman (I got the rings vote)
You folks dissing Madden obviously missed some of the greatest football played in the 70's. Career record as coach? 103-32-3. His raider teams? None nastier. Get a clue ! (especially the ole boy who thinks Madden has something to do with the graphics quality of the video game that bears his name ) Fer cryin out loud.....
I'd love to see Steve Tasker go in on the strength of his special teams work, but I guess that's not gonna happen. While he annoys me a bit as a broadcaster, I loved it when I saw him play. /slides on Tasker jersey Squish the fish!
Since when does being a personality qualify you? posted by Atheist at 4:30 PM CST on January 11 I hope you learned something Athiest. Doesn't anyone but me still watch NFL Films presents anymore? You people are killing me. Probably don't know who Sammy Baugh or Don Hutson are either. I just think it's a shame people don't take the time to check into football's past, there are some great stories and greater personalities. The same people are the ones who think that Belicheck was the first to use the 3-4. P.S. Pat Summerall, John Madden's partner in the booth (and for my money, the best broadcaster there was) also played the game. He was a kicker when they also had to play a position on offense and defense. YES, they use to play on both sides too. Concrete Charlie? Helloooooooooooooooooo? Somebody help 'em