Ken Anderson, Ken Riley, and Lemar Parrish for HOF??

[Gregory Gall]

Just came across this article by Dr. Z who happens to be one of the 'selectors' for the HOF.

It can be found here:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writ...down/index.html

It's a long article so I pasted the important (Bengal) bits below:

Quarterbacks

There are eight of them. I have checked off three; Troy Aikman, Ken Anderson and Warren Moon...

...Anderson was underrated. He had all the skills, including great courage...

...The other five (Jim Hart, Jim Plunkett, Phil Simms, Ken Stabler and Joe Theismann) were all fine players, but historically, I feel, , just a notch below the three I've named.

Defensive backs

"I also added checkmarks to a pair of really fine and underrated (that always scores heavily with me) Bengal corners, the Rattler, Ken Riley, and Lemar Parrish."

I hope that Kenny (my all-time favourite Bengal QB) finally gets his due.

[Stripes]

I can see Kenny making it eventually, but I think Riley and Parrish will get the short end of the stick. It sucks that despite the fact that all their numbers are more than Hall of Fame caliber, because they played for such a small market, nobody knows anything about them. I hope Kenny doesn't end up getting in the same way Benny Friedmann did this year. Forgotten and unable to give his own speech.

[walshfan]

Riley should get more consideration than he has in the past....

[thefrazz]

I just don't see it with Reggie White and Aikman in it this year.

Kenny was a great QB, don't get me wrong. He deserves to be in the HoF! But in reality he isn't going to beat these 2 to get in.

[AMC]

As you can tell from my sig, I think Riley should have been in the HOF a good while ago.

Anderson also considers recognition...

[membengal]

I know a bunch of you get side-tracked with his power rankings (which are clearly the best read out there of that genre), but Zimmerman is probably the best and one of the most esteemed football writers in the business.

All of which is to say, I am thrilled to see Anderson, Riley and Parrish mentioned in his column. When Zimmerman backs guys at the HofF votes meetings, his words and arguments do carry some additional weight and the exposure will help the long term candidacy of three VERY deserving Bengals players.

Thanks for the heads up on this one.

[jjakq27]

Ken Anderson won four passing titles. Only Sammy Baugh and Steve Young, with 6 each, have more.

Ken Riley is in the top 5 in interceptions.

NFL All-Time Interceptions Leaders

1. Paul Krause - 81

2. Emlen Tunnell - 79

3. Rod Woodson - 71

4. Dick Lane - 68

5. Ken Riley - 65

6. Ronnie Lott - 63

7. Dave Brown - 62

7. Dick LeBeau - 62

9. Emmitt Thomas - 58

10. Mel Blount - 57

* List is current as of the start of the 2004 NFL season.

Isaac Curtis is also on the list this year. Here is the complete list.

http://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement...release_id=1791

[rob_justdmb]

I disagree with the thinking, but the reason Riley is not in is because he went to the Pro Bowl 0 times. I have seen writers say that if you weren't one of the 4 best players at your position, even once through your career, you are not a Hall of Fame player. The further away from Ken Riley we get, the less writers remember him and more they have to focus on things like Pro-Bowls.

[HairOnFire]

Won't happen. This is going to be as deep a HOF class as they've had in quite a while and anyone who isn't a favorite isn't getting in.

[Stripes]

the reason Riley is not in is because he went to the Pro Bowl 0 times.

I want to know how a corner can have a nine interception season and not make the Pro-Bowl. I guess this is just another case of the Palmieros (hopefully sin-steroids). If he was never thought of as dominant during his day, but 20 years after his career ended is in the top five on a list for the most recognizable statistic for a defensive back (interceptions), I think it should be a no-brainer.

[membengal]

Won't happen. This is going to be as deep a HOF class as they've had in quite a while and anyone who isn't a favorite isn't getting in.

Yeah, I am def not saying any of those will get in this year. But the process of getting into the HofF is really a cumulative process in many cases. It's important for their candidacies that Zimemrman and others push them in conversations year after year if they are ever going to make it.