Steve Smith a sure lock for the HOF

[E CaT PanTHer]

In the modern era, there have been 20 WR's inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 17 of those WR's listed below have numbers that I believe will be similar to Steve Smith by the time his career is over. The players in bold are the players I'm absolutely positive Steve Smith will surpass in the next couple of years.

Steve Smith: 574 rec, 8,330 yards, 58 TD's (50 TD's receiving)

Lance Alworth: 542 rec, 10,266 yards, 85 TD's

Elroy Hirsch: 387 rec, 7029 yards, 60 TD's

James Lofton: 764 rec, 14,004 yards, 75 TD's

Tommy McDonald: 495 rec, 6410 yards, 84 TD's

Charlie Joiner: 750 rec, 12,146 yards, 65 TD's

Raymond Berry: 631 rec, 9,275 yards, 68 TD's

John Stallworth: 547 rec, 8,723 yards, 63 TD's

Charlie Taylor: 649 rec, 9,110 yards, 79 TD's

Michael Irvin: 750 rec, 11,904 yards, 65 TD's

Fred Biletnikoff: 589 rec, 8,974 yards, 76 TD's

Paul Warfield: 427 rec, 8565 yards, 85 TD's

Art Monk: 940 rec, 12,721 yards, 68 TD's

Tom Fears: 400 rec, 5397 yards, 38 TD's

Lynn Swann: 336 rec, 5462 yards, 51 TD's

Pete Pihos: 373 rec, 5619 yards, 61 TD's

Dante Lavelli: 386 rec, 6488 yards, 62 TD's

Bob Hayes: 371 rec, 7,414 yards, 71 TD's

If Steve Smith plays 4 more years in the NFL and averages 50 rec, 500 yards, and 5 TD's per season (a very reasonable assumption), his career stats will be this.

774 rec, 10,330 yards, 78 TD's, and those numbers will have surpassed all the players listed in bold. So is there any doubt Steve Smith is a sure lock for the hall of fame???? Lets put this case to rest.

[hank pimple butt]

nice post, rep for you!

[Ricky Spanish]

he better be in there, or i am going to pull a steve and punch someone in the face.

[Baschski]

I agree that he should be inducted, and his stats are/will be comparable to those inducted, but it will hurt him that he played for such a small market, low profile team like the Panthers. If we win a SB while he's here, I'd say he's a shoe-in.

[Ricky Spanish]

I agree that he should be inducted, and his stats are/will be comparable to those inducted, but it will hurt him that he played for such a small market, low profile team like the Panthers. If we win a SB while he's here, I'd say he's a shoe-in.

there are no shoe-ins, it took art monk how long to get in? that was some BS if i ever did see any. glad art is finally in though. him and Darrell Greene were two of my favorites as a kid.

[Kevin Greene]

In today's pass happy NFL he best be well past Micheal Irvin.

[E CaT PanTHer]

the only thing I'm worried about is the current WR's or the recently retired WR's who's numbers are exceptionally good. Guys like Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, Cris Carter, Marvin Harrison, Randy Moss, Terell Owens. All these guys have had amazing careers and are all sure locks for the HOF. Smitty may not be a first ballot, but he definitely does deserve to get in.

[megadeth078]

all he needs is a lombardi

[E CaT PanTHer]

all he needs is a lombardi

but I thought the HOF is strictly based on individual statistics and has nothing to do with team accomplishments??

[PantherDude]

all he needs is a lombardi

Even if he retire before getting a Lombardi, I'm sure he could still get in the HoF. Marino never won the Lombardi & he is clearly a HoF. It about your statics throughout your career, not winning a SB.

[British_Panther]

In today's pass happy NFL he best be well past Micheal Irvin.

This, WR stats have exploded with all the rules changes. You shouldn't be comparing him to who is already in, but to two other things:

1. Other WRs he'll be vying with for votes. All you need to know is this:

860 Rec, 11,438 yards, 62 TDs

Is this player going to the hall of fame?

HELL NO its Moose. I love him but he has chance. The stat bar for WRs has risen dramatically.

2. Players from other positions. Standout receivers are far more common now so seem to have less love in HOF voting than they used to. Like a poster above said, it took Art Monk a long time to get in, I don't fancy smitty's chances with much tougher competition.

Smitty's only shot of getting in is 1+ rings. 1 might be enough if he also has a superbowl MVP, otherwise I think he needs 2.

[E CaT PanTHer]

This, WR stats have exploded with all the rules changes. You shouldn't be comparing him to who is already in, but to two other things:

1. Other WRs he'll be vying with for votes. All you need to know is this:

860 Rec, 11,438 yards, 62 TDs

Is this player going to the hall of fame?

HELL NO its Moose. I love him but he has chance. The stat bar for WRs has risen dramatically.

2. Players from other positions. Standout receivers are far more common now so seem to have less love in HOF voting than they used to. Like a poster above said, it took Art Monk a long time to get in, I don't fancy smitty's chances with much tougher competition.

Smitty's only shot of getting in is 1+ rings. 1 might be enough if he also has a superbowl MVP, otherwise I think he needs 2.

Wow, I didn't know Moose's numbers were way up there. Now I'm not sure if a lombardi trophy will help Smitty at all, b/c to my knowledge, the hall of fame is strictly based on individual numbers. But the thing I am worried about most is the class of WR's that he's going to be up against when he retires. Randy Moss and Terell Owens will most likely retire around the same time Smitty does, and their numbers are far more superior. Time will tell. Smitty definitely needs to pad his stats these next 4 or 5 years, and if he does, I think he has a great shot.

He's also one of the very few WR's to average 100 yards/gm in an entire season. He also was an exceptional kick off and punt return specialist, which also gives him an edge over the other guys coming out. Time will tell, but I have confidence he will get in.

[gotsmart?]

it is difficult for WR's to get into the HoF compared to other positions, but if he remains a strong force in the years to come, he could make it.

lets all hope this matt moore thing pans out... we saw how much Smith's production increased when he took over.

[SMACKDAB]

Just goes to show you that playing on a "High Profile Team" like the Cowgirls, winning Super Bowls does for you, even though you were brought up on numerous drug charges, and still got in the HOF.(M. Irvin)

Moose has better numbers than Irvin, but no rings. Only trails by 3 TD's, and I'm sure he'll get that should he be back next year no matter where it is. Hell, Smitty only trails Irvin by 7 TD's, and sat out atleast one whole year with the broken leg, and a couple of seasons missing 2 games or so, and only around 35-3,800 or so yards behind Irvin.

Yet Moose won't be considered at all on the same level as Irvin because of who he played for, and the rings. Sorry guys...that's the facts.

Ya'll should know how this stuff is run by now....just like the pro bowl. Popularity. Not as bad as Pro Bowl voting, but along those lines you can best bet.