Should Art Monk be enshrined in the HOF?
IMO he's real close, but no. Peter King's case is in post 2.
The Redskins never threw 2 yard touchdown passes - they ran it in. How did they get to the 2? If Monk was not on those teams they would not have won 3 Super Bowls. He never played with a HOF quarterback and he played for a run oriented team and he still was the top pass receiver in NFL history at retirement. Being "most dangerous" is not a hall of fame quality. Consistency, excellency and championships should be.
I dunno, I guess the case can be made against him, but he gets my vote for the Hall. He was pretty great for a long time...and he did more than just catch the ball. And, I remember my friends who were 'Skins fans really loved the guy.
I think it's difficult to compare Monk's numbers to the numbers generated today. It's a different game with teams passing more frequently and the rules slanted to encourage passing.
Monk was truly a great reciever (I should say I'll always think of him as an Eagle, but that's just me ;-)), but just being great isn't enough to justify inclusion in the HOF. In fact, I'd rather go through the HOF for a few years and throw guys out than keep adding each year. Further, WR/RB/QB are heavily over represented and OL/DL/DB is under represented. I'd be much easier swayed to include one of the Hogs than Monk.
Twice he made the AP's All-Pro Team, which honors the top two receivers in football. He never made the second-team.
This is the real clincher. Being a top teir player for a long time is a great accomplishment and he ought to have a plaque or bust at FedEx field. His name should be revered by Redskins fans, and respected by others, but it's not enough for the NFL HOF. That's an honor reserved for the truly legendary players, the Jim Browns, the Ant Munoz's, the John Hannahs.
HL, bet you'll have a different take (or maybe not)
Owl_Eagle
”Unleash the Hogs of Peace.”
P.J. O'Rourke Parliament of Whores