Immortality on hold (warning, this will tick you off)

The thing is, Lynn Swann and John Stallworth are both in who have far less that Art Monk in terms of numbers. But since they were part of that magical Steelers dynasty, they basically get a free pass. Perhaps it's because they shined in the Super Bowl.

I think eventually Monk will get in. The article itself states that the issue simply will not go away especially with Andre Reed and Michael Irvin coming up for eligibility.

It is an outrage that Monk is not in the Hall. If I could I would have held up a "42-10" sign at Elway's induction in protest of Monk not being inducted.

I hope that the sportswriters have some secret plan to vote in Darrell and Art in the same class and they are just waiting for Darrell to become eligible.

It is an outrage that Monk is not in the Hall. If I could I would have held up a "42-10" sign at Elway's induction in protest of Monk not being inducted.

I hope that the sportswriters have some secret plan to vote in Darrell and Art in the same class and they are just waiting for Darrell to become eligible.

Interesting theory. It would be cool to have both of them inducted at the same time. However, I believe that Art Monk will get in there eventually, its just that this year's class had some really heavy hitters.

First of all, I believe Art Monk belongs in the HoF. If I had a vote, I would support him.

One thing working against him is that the voters seem to overvalue players who were on championship/playoff teams that had some "cachet". The Steelers' of the 70s were great teams but some of the players in the HoF from those teams do not measure up to the standards of players who have not been inducted. Now that Carl Eller is in the Hall, look for a big push to get Jim Marshall in there soon.

Monk's teams that appeared in 4 Super Bowls and won 3 of them had no national "presence". "The Hogs" were a local phenomenon; "The Diesel" didn't have a national following; "The Fun Bunch" was annoying back in its time even though it would hardly be considered "cutting edge" today. So Monk languishes...

Another thing working against him (and others mentioned in Ratto's column) is that the NFL HoF tries to limit the number of inductees each hear so that you rarely have an induction class of 8 or 10. The thinking is that by limiting numbers, you keep out the marginal selections. Oops, I guess that one did not work out quite right.

A third thing working against Monk is that he was never a "go to guy" for the writers/broadcasters. Monk was and is a quiet, introspective and reflective man; he had no bombast; he was not a journalist's dream. And who does the voting on HoF entry???

A fourth thing that is held against Monk is that he did not catch a lot of TD passes. Of course, those 950 or so catches did set up a lot of first downs that led to TDs scored by others, but I guess that's just a detail.

Cowboyhater, do not be surprised if Monk gets a big push the year Darrell Green is eligible. That is the kind of thing that can work with these voters because it gives them sone great storylines...

I'm going to channel the spirit of SportsCurmudgeon for a second here and ask: Who's to say Darrell Green belongs in the Hall of Fame himself?

I used to think he was a lock. A first-ballot lock no less. 20 years with one team. 17th all-time in INTs, 3 SB wins. But if it's been this hard for Monk to make it I admit I have my doubts about Green getting in, or at least easily getting in

One thing I have read repeatedly is that the HoF voters often look for "that defining moment" (ie, highlight reel) on the field during the big game. Swan and Stallworth definitely had theirs.. how many times have you seen Swan's over the shoulder catch as he's going down in against the Cowrhoids in the 1979 SB? Plenty. Monk didn't really have any of those. For that matter, neither did Steve Largent that I can remember. All I remember about him was (like Monk), he caught everything that came his way. Those two guys had very similar careers, with one major difference. Monk has rings. But Largent's in. As SportsCurmudgeon pointed out, Monk was not exactly a press friendly person and they're the ones doing the voting.

I do think the voters' need of wanting the one defining "picture perfect play" along with a career long body of consistent work is a crime. Pure unadulterated bullshit, actually. Unfortunately, I also think that if Monk had retired when his Skins career was over, he may have gotten in already. With Jerry Rice (hands down, best receiver ever) coming through at the end of Monks career and just annihilating all the records like he has, it's probably not hard to put on the blinders and compare everyone from here on out to Jerry. That is damn unfair, just like all shooting guards will always be compared to Jordan. You could be incredible, but compared to those transcendental types of players, you're not going to look like the best.

As far as DG getting in, he'll be a first ballot inductee. Hell, even Dr Z said he's a lock. I've even seem him referred to as the second greatest corner (don't dare say who was the best) to ever play the game by a HoF voter.

I'm pretty sure he has a few highlight reel performances of Mr. Green that'll get played over and over again on ESPN when he gets in!

;)

And Monk, unfortunately was never a big factor in any of the Super Bowls:

XVII: Didn't play
XVIII: Let's not even talk about this game
XXII: Overshadowed by Williams, Clark, Sanders, and Smith
XXVI: Had the first touchdown in the game overruled by instant replay

I don't agree that he didn't have an impact in SB XXVI, that TD drive where his catch was overuled he totally dominated on that drive and he had 7-113 for the game.

Monk just wasn't a flashy or sexy enough player. He did all the dirty work in Gibbs' system. He made the tough underneath catches to move the chains and he was a great blocking WR. While he didn't catch a ton of TD passes his presence in the lineup opened things up for Clark and Sanders. He will get in eventually, but it's a shame he's been shut out so far. Especially with the weak arguments (excuses) that HOF voters are giving.

When I think of Darrell Green three higlights come to mind.

1. Chasing down Toney Dorsett
2. The hurdle on the punt return against Chicago
3. Breaking up the pass in the playoffs against Minnesota

Also, let's not forget Green's character. He is MAN among men

Matty, you're right I should have worded my post differently. Clearly he was a factor. As you point out, he opened things up for Clark and Sanders. Unfortunately though I don't remember him having that defining play(s), a Mike Jones tackle, a John Taylor TD, etc.

He's sort of like J.R. Redmond (did I just compare Monk to Redmond???) But you know, a couple of years ago Brady was marching the Pats down the field, throwing often to Redmond. Vinatieri gets the credit for the game winning field goal, Brady the credit for marching the team down the field.

Those are great D. Green highlights:

I'll add the interception return for a TD in the 51-7 rout of the Rams, and the INT-TD against the Cowboys (I think it bounced off someone's foot maybe)