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MIAMI -- On Saturday, the Hall of Fame committee will meet to decide who will be inducted this August in ceremonies at Canton. Some decisions are rather easy. Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith are locks, but the rest of the list has many worthy candidates. From Richard Dent to Dick LeBeau to John Randle to Dermontti Dawson to Tim Brown, each candidate has a compelling argument to enter the Hall, and the committee will have its toughest time ever making a decision.
One player I feel strongly is Hall of Fame worthy is former 49ers defensive lineman Charles Haley. Haley won five Super Bowls -- two with the 49ers and three with the Cowboys -- but beyond winning more rings than any NFL player, he was greatly responsible for the winning. He was the player who got his team over the top. He was a player who made a difference in the game, the one player opponents had to block. Dwight Freeney’s ankle has gotten a ton of attention this week because he impacts the game for the Colts, and if he doesn’t play, it will make the Colts defense vulnerable. The same could be said about Haley. His impact was tremendous. When teams faced the 49ers or Cowboys, he was the player who required a specific game plan to try and slow down his ability to rush the passer.
Haley’s impact went beyond sacks, although his totals were very impressive. He played in 169 games in his career and accumulated 100 sacks, ranking 22nd on the all-time list. But sacks are not the real story about Haley’s career. He was drafted to pressure the passer and make the ball come out quickly, creating turnovers. Sacks are great, but pressuring the passer, as Freeney does, creates turnovers and alters the game. This is where Haley excelled. He played the game hard, he played with passion and he benefited from playing for an offense that could get the lead. He was always in a pass rushing mode. He was the essential cog to winning, and he turned around the fortunes of the Cowboys. He shifted the balance of power in the NFL when he was traded from the 49ers to the Cowboys and was responsible for helping to win three rings in Dallas -- as responsible as many other great Cowboys, some already in the Hall of Fame.
Haley was the kind of player opposing offenses had to prepare specifically for and had to account for on every play. The same could be said for Richard Dent, but for me, Haley’s impact and his six Super Bowl titles make him my No. 1 candidate. He was a great player, and his great play allowed his team to achieve the ultimate goal in football, which is winning the Super Bowl. Like Fred Dean before him, the 49ers would not have been able to advance the concept of the west coast offense had they not had a dominating player rushing the passer and creating turnovers that turned a 10-point lead into a 17-point win.
This list might be the toughest list ever for the committee. So many great players, but for me, winning is key, making an impact on the game is key and being a player who shifted the balance of power is essential -- all things Haley did in his career.
South Beach Super Bowl thoughts…
1. I love that Vince Lombardi’s grandson Joe, the Saints quarterbacks coach, is in the game. Here’s a very good piece from Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.
2. I hate stories from the Super Bowl where players are being ratted out for staying out late at night. This isn’t high school, and the most important night is the night before the game. We’ll probably have a few more stories like this and all of them are really meaningless.
3. It seems more and more likely that even if Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney dresses for game, his impact would be minimal. He needs to be able to plant off his ankle with power, and with the instability of a torn ligament, it’s difficult to generate power.
4. First day of finalized practice. The game plans were done last week, and this week will be three days of fine tuning. The Saints can gain extra practice time in the red zone.
5. The sun is finally out in Miami, which is a good thing, and the weather should be nice for the game. The field is plush, but it will require the right cleats to keep players in balance.
Follow me on Twitter: michaelombardi
If Freeney is a non-factor, is the rest of the Indy defense ready to step up? Check out this article from Bleacher Report to find out.
what about Freeney and Mathis swapping sides? would this work and maybe allow Freeney to push of his left instead of his right foot?
Loved seeing your article on Haley. Growing up in Dallas, people always ask me if my favorite player was Troy, Emmitt, or Michael. "None of them" is always my answer and when I say Charles Haley, it's like a bulb going off in people's heads. Nobody remembers what a force he was and how he put the Dallas D on the map until they hear his name. I hope they hear it on Saturday.
Haley definitely deserves to be in the Hall. Acquiring 5 rings says it all. Mark Schlereth named him as one of the toughest people he ever had to try to block. Here's what Schlereth says about him:
"Charles Haley. Little skinny Charles Haley. When you ran into him it was like being hit with a steel pipe. Unbelievable body leverage, and ability at impact to straighten you up. You look at him and you go, there's nothing to this guy. Man o man was he strong, I'm sure he couldn't bench his own body weight but boy did he know how to deliver. And did he know how to get you right at the point of impact. Where right where you're getting ready to hit him, he was hitting you and it hurt."
Charles Haley deserves to have ALREADY been in the Hall of Fame. It is NOT a coincidence that he has 5 rings. Look at the records of the 49ers and Cowboys without him. He changed the game when he played because he was such a force to be reckoned with.
That trade to Dallas seemed like the beginning of the end for the Niners -- both in terms of getting rid of somebody because he made the coaching staff feel threatened (unlike the way Walsh treated people like Hacksaw Reynolds, not exactly a go-along guy) and trading him to a threat. Haley was in some pretty sweet situations, but you can't deny the effect he had on his teams.
Yes, Charles Haley was an all-time great and for all the factors you listed, Lombardi, he definitely belongs. It appears everybody's getting ready on both sides for a magnificent game and that's what I expect. Keep up the good work, Lombardi!
Ask Phil Simms about Richard Dent.
Not only did Dent dominate the Giants in the '85 bear's playoff run he, and Otis Wilson, knocked him from the game when they played the Gmen on the opening Monday Night Game after the Giants Super Bowl win.
Simms said Dent and the Bear players were taunting him to come back in the game.
While both players are Hall worthy Dent was a better run defender and had more sacks. Though Dent did have Hampton and McMichael inside as tackles...and Ditka did not particularly like Dent.
Though, at the time, Ditka was about marketing Ditka....not coaching the Bears. Some things never change...
In '88 Madden said losing Dent to injury cost the Bears a bowl and that once Wilbur Marshall, another man who is Hall worthy, left for DC Dent was the Bears biggest impact player..
It should not hurt Haley but his off field freakishness will harm his chances. His locker room weirdness in San Fran and Dallas alienated many of his coaches and teammates and most likely some Hall voting writers...
Though if I was making a team I'd take Dent or Haley over Dean or Tippet who, somehow, already are in the Hall.
Expect some Saint love for Rickey Jackson...if he does not ride in with the Saints surge this year his best hope might be the seniors pool.
Ask Phil Simms about Richard Dent.
Not only did Dent dominate the Giants in the '85 bear's playoff run he, and Otis Wilson, knocked him from the game when they played the Gmen on the opening Monday Night Game after the Giants Super Bowl win.
Simms said Dent and the Bear players were taunting him to come back in the game.
While both players are Hall worthy Dent was a better run defender and had more sacks. Though Dent did have Hampton and McMichael inside as tackles...and Ditka did not particularly like Dent.
Though, at the time, Ditka was about marketing Ditka....not coaching the Bears. Some things never change...
In '88 Madden said losing Dent to injury cost the Bears a bowl and that once Wilbur Marshall, another man who is Hall worthy, left for DC Dent was the Bears biggest impact player..
It should not hurt Haley but his off field freakishness will harm his chances. His locker room weirdness in San Fran and Dallas alienated many of his coaches and teammates and most likely some Hall voting writers...
Though if I was making a team I'd take Dent or Haley over Dean or Tippet who, somehow, already are in the Hall.
Expect some Saint love for Rickey Jackson...if he does not ride in with the Saints surge this year his best hope might be the seniors pool.
Ask Phil Simms about Richard Dent.
Not only did Dent dominate the Giants in the '85 bear's playoff run he, and Otis Wilson, knocked him from the game when they played the Gmen on the opening Monday Night Game after the Giants Super Bowl win.
Simms said Dent and the Bear players were taunting him to come back in the game.
While both players are Hall worthy Dent was a better run defender and had more sacks. Though Dent did have Hampton and McMichael inside as tackles...and Ditka did not particularly like Dent.
Though, at the time, Ditka was about marketing Ditka....not coaching the Bears. Some things never change...
In '88 Madden said losing Dent to injury cost the Bears a bowl and that once Wilbur Marshall, another man who is Hall worthy, left for DC Dent was the Bears biggest impact player..
It should not hurt Haley but his off field freakishness will harm his chances. His locker room weirdness in San Fran and Dallas alienated many of his coaches and teammates and most likely some Hall voting writers...
Though if I was making a team I'd take Dent or Haley over Dean or Tippet who, somehow, already are in the Hall.
Expect some Saint love for Rickey Jackson...if he does not ride in with the Saints surge this year his best hope might be the seniors pool.
Ask Phil Simms about Richard Dent.
Not only did Dent dominate the Giants in the '85 bear's playoff run he, and Otis Wilson, knocked him from the game when they played the Gmen on the opening Monday Night Game after the Giants Super Bowl win.
Simms said Dent and the Bear players were taunting him to come back in the game.
While both players are Hall worthy Dent was a better run defender and had more sacks. Though Dent did have Hampton and McMichael inside as tackles...and Ditka did not particularly like Dent.
Though, at the time, Ditka was about marketing Ditka....not coaching the Bears. Some things never change...
In '88 Madden said losing Dent to injury cost the Bears a bowl and that once Wilbur Marshall, another man who is Hall worthy, left for DC Dent was the Bears biggest impact player..
It should not hurt Haley but his off field freakishness will harm his chances. His locker room weirdness in San Fran and Dallas alienated many of his coaches and teammates and most likely some Hall voting writers...
Though if I was making a team I'd take Dent or Haley over Dean or Tippet who, somehow, already are in the Hall.
Expect some Saint love for Rickey Jackson...if he does not ride in with the Saints surge this year his best hope might be the seniors pool.
I wrote the Bleacher Report article about the Colts defense. I just wanted to say thanks for the link, and great stuff as always.
For the record, I'd like to see Floyd Little make it to the Hall. His numbers don't stack up to today's numbers but his impact on the game deserves recognition.
Charles Haley, is he worth being in Hall of Fame, is that the question that should be asked, or should it be Why hasn't he already been inducted? The man was a great football player, made an unforgettable impact on the field with a few Dennis the Minis acts. Maybe some where a bit off the edge but nobody is perfect. All the wrong doings he did, he truly regrets to this day. Charles has changed for the good and projects himself as an admirable man. He has an attitude that just takes the room by a storm. He still is big and kinda scary looking, but is one of the kindest, gentlemen you'll ever run into.
Charles, just keep in mind, whats done is done, lets just hope these people will see your for the hundreds of things you accomplished, and not for the few wrong doings. what happens, happens, just know, like the number of rings you have, your accomplishments will only continue to inspire many individuals. Good luck Charles
Michael,
I couldn't agree more on your argument for Charles Haley. He was not only a great player, but a consumate winner. The HOF needs to recognize guys who were both great and winners, as both are equally important for the criteria of being inducted. Also I have to give you credit for pushing the labor issue tonight on Inside the NFL. Both you and Collinsworth put things into necessary perspective (namely that an uncapped year hurts their position point you made). I agree the Players have a strong case, but they also need to realize that tugging at heartstrings of the fans isn't enough and won't change the fact that they do have an uphill battle. Hopefully for the millions that love this game, cooler heads will prevail. Thanks for the great commentary and work you do daily for this website, Showtime and the NFL Metwork.
Floyd Little is up in the HoF Senior Committee and he, of all the overlooked players from lousy teams is the one who deserves to get in the HoF. When you see his stats they are not overwhelming, but Floyd was the saviour of the Denver Broncos because the team was about to move when Floyd showed up and filled the stands. Floyd Little played on a team that had 0 All-Pro choices on the OL, got the ball from a total of 27 QB's in his short 9 year career and played the 1970 season with broken bones in his back YET still led the League in rushing. Not bad for the then smallest RB to ever win the rushing title.
There is a highlight video of Floyd Little out there on the internet. Look at it and judge for yourself. Those of us old enough to remember Floyd know he is worthy and deserving of the HoF. Just ask his peers like Willie Lanier and Buck Buchanan who have previously stated that Floyd was the most overlooked player of his day.
Mike, your article first states that Haley won five Super Bowls. Then it says six later in the story. Should probably fix that.
Haley, sure he belongs along with Rice and Smith.
As for the other guys, until they put Jerry Kramer in, these guys should wait.
The only guard voted on the 50th anniversary team and has five NFL title rings.
Every great has a signature play and Kramer's was the lead block for Starr in the
Ice Bowl. He is the only member of that 50th Anniversary team not in the HOF
That ain't right
First of all Haley has proven himself as a great player,I've always been a Cowboy fan, even more when HALEY came over from rival niners. He was as big of an inpact player as D Ware has been and will become even more with the Cowboys.So what is all this B.S. on Haley not being in the HOF, if Lawrence Taylor with the Giants had a worse reputation off the field, why should'nt Charles Haley have his place with the rest of the greats that have played the game?only my oppion , people like LT don't belong there,I'm just saying ! Oh ! Remember 2 Super Bowl Rings w/ the forty-winers and 3 with THE DALLAS COWBOYS !!!!!!!!
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Feb 03, 2010
11:03 AM
Completely agree, I used to fear for Phil Simms' life when he we was coming off the edge, very intimidating player. When you can put on a 49er uniform and still be scary that's saying something.