Who's the next Eagle in the Hall of Fame?
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Who's the next Eagle in the Hall of Fame?
Prior to the Andy Reid era, the Eagles historically didn't have much success, as anyone who has searched for the team's Vince Lombardi trophy collection would know. This weekend's Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies are simply another reminder.
The Eagles have the fewest primary contributing players of any NFC East team and fewer than every NFL team in existence prior to the American Football League (AFL) in 1960. And even some of the newer teams have zipped past the Eagles' list of seven.
The Eagles fall behind Washington (16), New York (15), and Dallas (11), though the team has seen three primary inductees since 1998: Tommy McDonald, Bob Brown, and Reggie White. Chuck Bednarik, Sonny Jurgensen, Pete Pihos and Steve Van Buren are the other Eagle Hall of Famers.
Here are the questions: who's next, and will any of White's contemporaries join him in the Hall? Only "primary contributors" count in the tally, so previous finalists such as Cris Carter (Minnesota) and Claude Humphrey (Atlanta) don't add to the total.
A sure bet is Brian Dawkins, a nine-time Pro Bowl safety and six-time All Pro who retired after 16 seasons and will be eligible for election in 2017.
Will someone else get there first? Eric Allen and Randall Cunningham have both been eligible since 2007, but haven't advanced far enough in the process. Allen was a six-time Pro Bowl pick who finished with 54 career interceptions. Cunningham was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and the NFL MVP in 1990.
And then there's Donovan McNabb. The Hall candidacy of the six-time Pro Bowl pick and NFC Player of the Year in 2004 could keep talk radio talking for weeks on end. Most would consider him the Eagles' all-time best quarterback, but does that make him Hall-worthy?
The Eagle who truly got left out is one for the old-timers: Al Wistert. An 8-time All Pro and captain of the Eagles title teams in '48 and '49, he was named to the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team and is in the College Football Hall of Fame. It would take a Seniors Committee nomination at this point.
Another guy who stands an excellent chance: Reid himself. But since he's not a player, his addition wouldn't help the team's total here.
What are your thoughts?
The way his career ended I don't think there's much of a push for McNabb to be inducted in the Hall. It's not really much of a debate anymore.— soulman386-
- The problem with Dawkins viability for the HOF is that the HOF has very few safeties as members. So essentially it comes down the the probability of the HOF taking in safeties.— beegal99
- Donowhine McNagg? In the Hall of Fame? For what? HA HA! NEVER! B-Dawk will DEFINITELY make it though! Randall? As much as I liked him, alas, he's a 'no' too! Eric Allen? He should! GO EAGLES!— Panthro2011
- A title that is impressive and lame at the same time...best Eagles QB lately.— 2ndNlong
- Completely agree with you beegal. But as the NFL has become a passing game and with the oversight of elite WR's being inducted maybe the guys defending them will gain greater focus by the hall.— Phillies1120
- If Michael Vick wins a Super Bowl as an Eagle and Donovan McNabb will never even consider for the HOF. This argument lacks connection, yet McNabb's claim to any shot at the HOF is his consistent effort to get the Eagles into Super Bowl contention. If Vick leads this team to a trophy, he will be a legend in Philly and 5 will be permanently paved over like the Vet.— 1st and goal
- I always liked McNabb, but agreed it was time to move on when they traded him, and think back with luke warm affection on his time here (lots of success, but didn't win the big one). That said, don't think he deserves to be in the HOF. I think it takes a very special player to be inducted without a super bowl on his resume. McNabb was a great player for a lot of years for us, but he was not one of those few truly special players
I say this , too, with a level head rather than the unwarranted hatred that accompanies many people's comments about him.
— JTR - What about Bill Bradley, Bill Bergey and Harold Carmichael?— jimphilly
- McNabb in the Hall? What a joke that is.
I love that in his profile, it always states he was a six-time Pro Bowl pick. To be sure, tow of those six happened to be when those voted in pulled out of the game and McNabb was nominated to fill in. One of those times, he was the 3rd QB in line behind the two voted in but because all others bailed on the game, he go=t to go.
The guy was very good for a very short time in his career. And that was it.
Eric Allen has a stronger case and Dawk is a shoo-in.— advantasux - Dawkins is no sure thing, there isn't such a thing as a sure thing HOF safety. McNabb won't get to Canton, Allen doesn't get in either. Reid might but it will take a superbowl ring. The Reid generation of Eagles, good but not great and it takes greatness to make the hall of fame.— pking222
- Dawkins may be a Philly favorite, but he's not making it into the Hall of Fame as a Safety. There aren't to many safeties who have made it into the Hall of Fame who has stellar numbers and Dawkin Numbers playing in Philly are not that impressive.
Brian Dawkin is not the Dion Sanders of Safeties.— Dexter - Dawkin is a good guy in all, but Brian Dawkin is no Ronnie Lott nor a Woodson, both the central pieces of defenses who are Super Bowl winners.
You guys hang No.20 in the Ring and be happy with that.
Pking222, I agree 100% with you.
I like Dawkin, but I do no see a case for the Hall of Fame.— Dexter - Wow, tough crowd on Dawkins. I see your point about safeties and the troubles they have getting into the Hall, but let me stoke the flames a little then. If not Dawkins then, who's next? The current Eagles team is young (most everybody) or still has something to prove (Vick, Asomugha). Could be a longggg cold drought.— John Roach
- Word for Mr Roach. You have to save stories about McNabb for really slow sports news days, because they always will get a rise and response from the readers. As for McNabb in the HOF. No way. His performance the last 2 years and constant harping in the media about mistreatment lowered his candidacy. I think Eric Allen should make it in as the next Eagle. Dawkins could squeak in down the line a few years because of the respect people have for him.— watsonmr
