Come on. You can joke all you want, but there far more evidence to the contrary.

DT in year 5. Sharpe and Carter (again) this year. The selection process is a ****ing joke.

ROFL

Chill out.

I'm not your pal, guy?

Two words: Randy Gradishar.

I understand that. But I think Shields has a 50/50 shot to get in first ballot.

(THAT'S IT! Help Basileus777 along, eh?)

I'm not your guy, homey.

I'm not your homey, friend.

Yep.

Yeah, depending on the class, I could see 50/50 as being realistic. But I think it will be about the same odds for Gonzo, and both guys should be forget-about-it locks.

I think Gonzo has a better shot than Shields. Depends on how badly he smashes the record book though.

A guy who sets the all-time record for a position in nearly all categories?

Tough call, it really is if he's first ballot or not. The chances aren't as ugly as some posters like to think it is. All time receiving yards, TDs, catches for a TE? That's pretty big shit.

Also, Barry Sanders was a first ballot HOFer. And he won ONE playoff game.

Luckily the HOF committee actually looks at how good a player actually is, and not just how good of a team the guy was on for his career.

I don't really think Gonzo is questionable. I think he is automatic. He still isn't done and has broken most records.

What next, Floyd Little?

Tony just set the all-time record for receiving yards in the Pro Bowl. THE PRO BOWL! You know how many hall of famers have played in the pro bowl? A lot!

Guys like Derrick Thomas, Cris Carter, and Sharpe didn't get in on the first ballot, and they were premier players who got tons of coverage.

Shields played an anonymous condition for a mediocre team.

In a lot of ways, it's like Heisman balloting. It generally goes to the highest profile player on one of the best teams.

It took Elvin Bethea 15 years, Buck Buchanan 10+, Dan Dierdorf took 7 or 8 years despite not giving up a sack for over two years at right tackle and being a media fixture on MNF.

I think you're being wildly pessimistic about Gonzo... it's gotta be at least 60/40. He's considered a superstar, and when you get in a room one day and break down everything that he's going to accomplish, I think he's got a strong chance. As long as the presenter hammers home the fact he redefined the position and took "pass catching TE" to a new level. Although they do discriminate against TE's, but there haven't been too many as important to an offense as TG.