Former Saints Player Eric Allen named to the 2025 NFL Hall of Fame (1 Viewer)

[IceHot]

Why do I get this subconscious feeling that not only will Philip Rivers not be inducted as a first-ballot HOFer, but more then likely, he still won't be in 5-6 years from now and most NFL observers, commentators, and analysts will be demanding aloud on-air why he hasn't been inducted yet? I truly believe, behind the curtain, their are still going to be some HOF writers and pollsters who will argue Rivers' resume just isn't good enough, HOF-CALIBER stats, sure but other intangibles aren't comparable to similar-type QB's with similar career arcs like Matt Ryan and even Matthew Stafford.

There's going to be some "I don't knows" when it comes time next year to discuss his overall NFL HOF legitimacy and relevancy compared to Brees, Fitzgerald, Luke Keachly, Frank Gore, Jason Witten, Maurkice Pouncey, or even Lesean McCoy.

I think Rivers is going to have a hard time making a finalist list with all the back log.

 

[2024InjuryApocalypse]

An interesting selection indeed. Folk need to remember this whenever the conversation is about the number of rings relative to other accolades when being considered for Canton. I'd have thought Allen's place in NFL history would be described with words like "solid" or "steady." I'm a bit surprised he made it all the way through the process, but remember, we've seen the bar get a little lower in recent years compared to what it was.

Allen played for the Saints when the defense and the team in general was in a state of flux. The main players of the Dome Patrol era were all gone by '95, leaving Allen as a solid player on a unit full of scrubs and never-weres (compared to who they replaced, that is). I seem to remember teams dealing with Allen by simply throwing to Jimmy Spencer's side of the field instead. I'm sure someone will find his stat line from his Pro Bowl season here and compare it and such.

Put a late-20-something Eric Allen on the Dome Patrol defense and you might well have something special. (basically switch out either Toi Cook or Vince Buck; a good move when you think about it). I tell you one thing -- he would've kept the speedy receivers who always burnt us in check!

But the late Mora/early Ditka bunch just wasn't the same.

Yeah, I mean he did make a Pro Bowl here. I get we're not going to get stoked for him the way we did when Rickey/Sam/Morten/Willie got in or when Drew/Jahri/Cam do but he's also not a case like Stabler, Campbell or Jim Taylor who were completely washed when they got here. Allen just played on 3 bad teams here.

 

[Turfie]

He's going mostly for his time with the Eagles, 34 picks in 7 years, but he also had some good years at the end with the Raiders. I always thought he mailed it in when he was with the Saints. He had 5 interceptions in his 48 games with the Saints, and then went to Oakland and had 5 in his first ten games, and 15 in his first three seasons there.

Dave Waymer had 41 interceptions in a 7 year span. Somehow only had one single probowl season. Crazy.