2025-26 NFL Thread

[CreightonWarrior]

I think he's a very good OC. It'll be interesting to see how it translates. The history of longtime assistants who don't get their first chance at a HC gig in their late 50s/early 60s isn't stellar (see: Fangio, Crennel, Culley, Marinelli).

Not everyone gets to walk into locker room with a pro bowl QB though.

[cheebs09]

Really glad the Pack didn't hire Harbaugh with the thought Monken would be joining.

[Jockey]

Belichick not a first ballot HofF???? Bad look for the Hall and NFL. They don't normally screw up, but sure did on this one.

Punishment for all the times he cheated. But unlike Clemens, Bonds, ARod, etc., he will be elected next year.

[Pakuni]

Punishment for all the times he cheated. But unlike Clemens, Bonds, ARod, etc., he will be elected next year.

PED cheats Eric Dickerson, Tony Gonzalez, Julius Peppers and Bruce Smith were all first-ballot HOFers.

This isn't about cheating. It's about a handful of writers who are salty that Belichick was mean to them.

[MU82]

PED cheats Eric Dickerson, Tony Gonzalez, Julius Peppers and Bruce Smith were all first-ballot HOFers.

This isn't about cheating. It's about a handful of writers who are salty that Belichick was mean to them.

The panel includes writers, broadcasters and retired players/executives.

https://www.profootballhof.com/hall-of-famers/selection-process/

Reports are that Bill Polian - not a writer - was the one leading the effort to make Belichick wait a year. Polian has denied it ... but he then claimed that he couldn't remember whether or not he voted for Belichick.

[Pakuni]

The panel includes writers, broadcasters and retired players/executives.

https://www.profootballhof.com/hall-of-famers/selection-process/

Reports are that Bill Polian - not a writer - was the one leading the effort to make Belichick wait a year. Polian has denied it ... but he then claimed that he couldn't remember whether or not he voted for Belichick.

So the writers just fell in line with Polian? That makes it justifiable.

Anyhow, going down the list, I count seven that aren't either current writers or got their starts as writers. So, yeah, it's about salty writers. But if it matters, we can just say salty media members.

[Jockey]

PED cheats Eric Dickerson, Tony Gonzalez, Julius Peppers and Bruce Smith were all first-ballot HOFers.

This isn't about cheating. It's about a handful of writers who are salty that Belichick was mean to them.

I didn't opine on right/wrong. Just gave the reason why.

[MU82]

So the writers just fell in line with Polian? That makes it justifiable.

Anyhow, going down the list, I count seven that aren't either current writers or got their starts as writers. So, yeah, it's about salty writers. But if it matters, we can just say salty media members.

You can say whatever you want. You can even call Polian, Dungy and Fouts salty writers if you want.

[WhiteTrash]

PED cheats Eric Dickerson, Tony Gonzalez, Julius Peppers and Bruce Smith were all first-ballot HOFers.

This isn't about cheating. It's about a handful of writers who are salty that Belichick was mean to them.

If Bill isn't 1st ballot material, then Reid may never get in. At best a 10 year wait. I don't like the guy at all, but they have devalued the HoF with this BS.

I guess thinking the HoF is that important is my fault.

[Hards Alumni]

I have no idea how the Lions plan to use Kafka.

Kafka-esquely, of course.

very Kafka-esque

Dammit, late again.

[Hards Alumni]

They wouldn't, would they?

https://x.com/DMRussini/status/2016279665824977239?s=20

You have to at least make the phone call to see if Ron Rivera is interested.

[JWags85]

If Bill isn't 1st ballot material, then Reid may never get in. At best a 10 year wait. I don't like the guy at all, but they have devalued the HoF with this BS.

I guess thinking the HoF is that important is my fault.

Reid will get in first ballot.  He's affable and liked and the most successful coach since Chuck Noll, not named BB.

At worst its a Joe Gibbs/Bill Walsh situation and he waits 2-3 years cause of the silly politics of it all.

[WhiteTrash]

Reid will get in first ballot.  He's affable and liked and the most successful coach since Chuck Noll, not named BB.

At worst its a Joe Gibbs/Bill Walsh situation and he waits 2-3 years cause of the silly politics of it all.

Andy should be 1st ballot. Too bad the HoF made their process look like a Prom Queen election and the baseball writers look like geniuses.

[MU82]

From The Athletic:

Vahe Gregorian, a columnist for The Kansas City Star, wrote that his decision not to cast a vote for Bill Belichick had nothing to do with Spygate, Deflategate or any other controversy. He instead gave his maximum allotment of votes to decades-old players who "have been long deserving of induction": running back Roger Craig, linebacker L.C. Greenwood and quarterback Ken Anderson. He thereby had to "snub" Belichick and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

Voters had two groups to evaluate: 15 modern-era players and five in a seniors category, which included Belichick, Kraft, Craig, Greenwood and Anderson. Voters could choose up to five modern-era players and one to three senior candidates.

Gregorian wrote that there is an "overwhelming" backlog of players who have not been enshrined, including "approximately 60 one-time all-decade players," the vast majority of whom might never come up in the annual five-person seniors category.

Gregorian pointed out that three of the six senior candidates who missed out on Canton in the past two years did not reappear among the following year's finalists. The implication? A candidate might only get one shot to be voted in from the senior category.

"All of that went into why I felt duty-bound to vote for the richly deserving seniors, who most likely won't ever have a hearing again as more senior candidates enter the pool and fresh cases get made for others," Gregorian wrote.

As for Belichick, Gregorian said he "is inevitable soon ... as he should be. At the risk of contradicting my own vote, really, he shouldn't even have to wait."

[Hards Alumni]

This is all made silly because hundreds of players and administrators retire each year and there are typically nine inductees maximum per year.  There will always be snubs, and without expansion of numbers a lot of guys will never see their bust in Canton.