Big Blue Huddle

Quote from: LennG on September 21, 2024, 12:14:07 PMTook Harry Carson several ballots before he got in and Harry was a way better player than Eli. But this is a weak class and as I said, Eli is far and away the best QB of this class.

What do people really remember about Eli, not some of his erratic plays, erratic games, and several losing seasons, no they remember the two magnificent drives to win 2 Super Bowls, that will get him in. PLUS, to get to those Super Bols, Eli had to win all those playoff games on the road where we were not favored to win any of them.
Just a money QB when we needed him to be. First round HOFer.

Well said Lenn.

And it wasn't just the two Super Bowl runs. That's the narrative detractors like to put out there. He was a clutch fourth quarter QB throughout his career. 44 times he turned a deficit into a lead in the fourth quarter (or OT). Only one QB (Brees) did that more times in NFL history, and it was only one more with 45 times versus Eli's 44.

Eli had his share of bad games and some sloppy seasons. But he's going to be remembered for playing at his absolute best when the stakes were the highest. His iron man status is also a huge feather in his cap and part of the case for him to be in. To basically have never missed a single game due to injury in a 14 year career is absolutely incredible. Nowadays in sports like the NBA you have players taking a quarter of the season off perfectly healthy, and that's a much less dangerous sport.

Eli has also conducted himself with absolute class and humility throughout his career, and he has been a great ambassador for the league.

He will waltz into Canton, and he most definitely deserves it.

Quote from: kartanoman on September 21, 2024, 10:20:02 AMBut, for the record, Jim Plunkett, a QB I thoroughly enjoyed watching lead the Raiders to wins over the Eagles and Redskins, did not win MVP in either Super Bowl he played in. Rod Martin was the MVP in Super Bowl XV with his two INTs and, as you mentioned, Marcus Allen was the MVP in Super Bowl XVIII with his dazzling running performance.

I have to demur on this correction.  Plunkett DID get the MVP for SB XV.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_Most_Valuable_Player_Award

End of the day, he was never the best, but he did what everyone plays this game for. twice. against the BEST. His stats (yes probably due to longevity), are pretty much all time top 10. He made some of the most memorable plays in super bowl history. He might be the toughest qb in history -the beating he took against the 49ers in 2011 was like nothing i've ever seen. and all he did was keep making plays.

His pedigree, his accomplishments, his overall positive image.. i think he gets in easy.

Quote from: AZGiantFan on September 21, 2024, 12:26:34 PMI have to demur on this correction.  Plunkett DID get the MVP for SB XV.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_Most_Valuable_Player_Award

Thank you for setting me straight on this one. I remember the old NFL Films highlight of this one, with John Facenda narrating, where he was mentioning Martin's extraordinary accomplishments on the day. But, in looking back at the records, you are correct and I apologize to Mr. Plunkett whom I've always admired and enjoyed watching him play as he resurrected his career with the Raiders.

For the record, I hope he, too, gets his day in the sun with a selection into the HoF one day.

Thank you, again!

Peace!

Everyone has mentioned Eli beating Brady twice. I hate it when people say one QB beat another. No! The QBs play against the opposing defense, not the opposing QB.

Eli won two SBs against arguably one of the greatest defensive minds in football. To me, THAT is the huge factor that is least talked about. Belichick has been known to shut down opposing QBs with ease.  Eli stood strong on the biggest stage against one of the best in history.

Quote from: coggs on September 20, 2024, 09:00:31 PMI would not vote for him to get in, but I know he eventually will.

Sums up my thoughts exactly

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on September 21, 2024, 12:20:15 PMWell said Lenn.

And it wasn't just the two Super Bowl runs. That's the narrative detractors like to put out there. He was a clutch fourth quarter QB throughout his career. 44 times he turned a deficit into a lead in the fourth quarter (or OT). Only one QB (Brees) did that more times in NFL history, and it was only one more with 45 times versus Eli's 44.

Eli had his share of bad games and some sloppy seasons. But he's going to be remembered for playing at his absolute best when the stakes were the highest. His iron man status is also a huge feather in his cap and part of the case for him to be in. To basically have never missed a single game due to injury in a 14 year career is absolutely incredible. Nowadays in sports like the NBA you have players taking a quarter of the season off perfectly healthy, and that's a much less dangerous sport.

Eli has also conducted himself with absolute class and humility throughout his career, and he has been a great ambassador for the league.

He will waltz into Canton, and he most definitely deserves it.

When you win in NY in the big spot on the grand stage - it is different. It just is.

And when u fail in NY in the big spot it also gets magnified.

Eli won and excelled in the big spot and he is also still relevant and popular in today's NFL. Al of this will help him get in quickly.

I only hope the NFL is "smart" enough to have Tom Brady deliver the happy news. That would be epic

Think he should be in as first ballot but perception becomes reality and it will probably happen at some point.

Quote from: Trench on September 22, 2024, 09:16:45 PMWhen you win in NY in the big spot on the grand stage - it is different. It just is.

And when u fail in NY in the big spot it also gets magnified.

Eli won and excelled in the big spot and he is also still relevant and popular in today's NFL. Al of this will help him get in quickly.

I only hope the NFL is "smart" enough to have Tom Brady deliver the happy news. That would be epic

Maybe in NY but outside of this media market no one gives a hoot when the Giants fail. It's been happing regularly for 12 seasons now and it barely registers on grand national stand. You'll see with the lead up to TNF. 2 1-2 teams square off but one team will get 90% over the attention.

This point may have little to do with the HOF but the point is there is no "wining in NYC" benefit for getting for induction. After all Simms is never in the conversation.

Maybe the 2nd time
But for People who only write
He won 2 superbowls but wasn't amazing besides that
Well that all that matters
Plus remember he has to drive them down each time to win