What can we fans do to help Darren Woodson get in the Hall of Fame?

by AustonianAggie on Nov 28, 2009 12:17 AM CST

We Dallas fans, excepting the very young, know and lover Darren Woodson. Per Wikipedia

"During his career he was elected to five Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro three times by the AP. He was a member of all three Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl champion teams of the 1990s. He was described in Sports Illustrated as "one of the hardest hitters in the NFL.""

Problem is, Mr Woodson played in an era where safeties were entirely eclipsed in fame by the 2 wonderful Cornerbacks of that era. Ever since Ed Reed and Roy Williams were taken in the 1st round, safeties have increased in stature. I am confident the relevance of Darren Woodson brought those players to the 1st round.

As close following Dallas fans we know what he brought to that position. How can we increase the general conversation about Darren Woodson so that he's not marginalized or totally washed over when his time comes?

He has one intrinsic advantage, he's on TV. That is immense. His historical legacy can always be brought to the forefront. But as members of a new era in media, I think we BTB fans can do more.

For example, the Giants D has fallen apart this year. Writers say its all about "want to" but thats hog wash. It's all about an excellent safety being injured for the Giants. By emphasizing that the Giants outstanding safety is hurt when we critically analyze whats happend to the Giants, we emphasize the value of great safety play. Given how often Dallas played great D in the 1990s, we re-enforce the role Darren Woodson played in that.

Often the contributions of great safeties are marginalized, much the way Guards and Centers are. What ways do y'all think we could continue to bring up Darren Woodson and what he did, in relationship to the way the NFL is now? Changing the way a position is played is the surest way to make the HOF. Woodson brough Corner skills and LB hitting, and made those talents a necessity to delineate the elite players at Safety.

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Comments

I am with you

Let’s get Cliff Harris in there also

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey

by Seanrude on Nov 28, 2009 6:41 AM CST reply actions

I swear

once I get the cash to get an authentic customized jersey, it’s going to be a #28 jersey with Woodson on the back.

by Dub_TC on Nov 28, 2009 8:49 AM CST reply actions

You've inspired me.

That’s who I want next too!

I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles...

by Aaron Novinger on Dec 1, 2009 8:24 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah Cliff Harris deserves to get in there first

as for Woodson, we all know and loved what he did and represented. It hurt the team and defense so much when he was forced to retire.

That said, his last few years were devoid of any honors and his interception totals were quite low. Compared to Harris, who retired at the top of his game, was named to the All-70s team, had decent stats and was a leader of the Doomsday Defense II. I’m just sayin’…gonna be tough for Woodson to ever get into the NFL HOF. Plus we all know that Jerry needs to put him in the Ring of Honor first.

Kind of odd that with the very solid, championship calibre defense the Cowboys had from 1992-1996, the only one who is a surefire HOFer is Deion Sanders. And probably Charles Haley.

by DavidH22 on Nov 28, 2009 10:13 AM CST reply actions

and Deion wasn't even there from 92-94

by AustonianAggie on Nov 28, 2009 10:52 AM CST up reply actions

In truth James Washington probably should have won Super Bowl XXVII MVP

instead of Emmitt…if he had, that would have made 5 Cowboys defensive MVPs in Super Bowls. Kind of interesting…

by DavidH22 on Nov 28, 2009 11:25 AM CST up reply actions

Hard to believe that defense was so solid

under three different defensive coordinators, too.

by DavidH22 on Nov 28, 2009 11:26 AM CST up reply actions

Tell the HOF voters

that Woodson and Harris played for the Steelers and they’re in for sure. The amount of Steelers from the 70s team compared to the amount from the Cowboys in the HOF is a crying shame.

How bout dem Frogs!!!!

by DIRE WOLF on Nov 28, 2009 1:03 PM CST reply actions

+1

by Fernie67 on Nov 28, 2009 3:15 PM CST up reply actions

Is Darren eligible this year or next year?

Because if he is this year, he didn’t even make the 25 semifinalists.

by mhuff13 on Nov 28, 2009 1:59 PM CST reply actions

I'm still waiting for Drew Pearson.

by Fernie67 on Nov 28, 2009 3:21 PM CST reply actions

+1

How bout dem Frogs!!!!

by DIRE WOLF on Nov 28, 2009 3:47 PM CST up reply actions

+1000

"Out of need springs desire, and out of desire springs the energy and the will to win."

by DaveTroll on Nov 28, 2009 9:17 PM CST up reply actions

HOF voters don't want a lot of Cowboys in the HOF

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Nov 28, 2009 7:46 PM CST reply actions

I see that the 25 HOF semifinalists were announced today

If course Emmitt and Jerry Rice are shoo-ins…but I was intrigued by a name further down the list – Cliff Branch. I always thought Branch and Drew Pearson were rather similar in terms of their careers and legacies. They played around the same time (early 70s to early 80s), both had classic playoff moments and comparable career stats. Branch did have about 20 more TDs and was known more of a big-play receiver, but the former 4th round pick also played alongside two other HOF receivers, Fred Biletnikoff and Dave Caspar. Meanwhile, the undrafted Pearson did play with talented teammates (Billy Joe Dupree and Tony Hill come to mind) but none of those players are in the HOF. Is it fair for the Raiders to have all three receivers from that ear in Canton? I mean, geez…

I’m glad to see that Branch is getting some love from Canton, but has Pearson ever even been considered for the NFL HOF like this? He may have been but I don’t know. If Branch is starting to get noticved, then Pearson damn well better as well. If anyone knows Pearson’s history with the HIF, let me know. Thanks.

by DavidH22 on Nov 28, 2009 10:07 PM CST reply actions

I could not agree more with your post.

Just look at how dramatically different a team the steelers are when Polamalu is not in the game. He is a very big part of why that defense is number 1. Just imagine how good this team could be with Woodson playing FS out there again.

Woodson is a Hall of Famer!

by I'm a Cowboy Babe on Nov 28, 2009 11:11 PM CST reply actions

He was also good on special teams

covered kicks as a starter quite a bit as I recall.

I loved Woody, but I’m not sure if he is Canton material. The big problem is that the Hall is overrepresented with QB/RB/WR. OL and DB are shafted.

I’ve always thought Chuck Howley should be in, and I know Dr. Z agreed.

by I_miss_Switzer on Nov 28, 2009 11:33 PM CST reply actions

I'd love to see it..

But it seems when it comes to defensive backs in the HOF there are 2 criteria that can make it happen…

1. Crazy Numbers – if someone is way way out ahead of the curve with their career numbers and managed to play successfully for more than a handful of years they can be inducted (this is not specific to DBs)

2. Be the leader of a “famous” defense…70s steelers..a few of the bears teams..etc etc..

Firstly..Woody’s numbers were never out of this world..and really leveled off as his career continued. Though we all know he was a leader and a real play-maker for an excellent defense if you never saw him play and just looked at his numbers…you certainly wouldn’t get a real impression on what a great player he was.

Second.. though the Cowboys’ D was certainly good enough to win 3 SB rings it is rarely mentioned as one of those famed defenses… 85 Bears, Steel Curtain, Doomsday, etc etc. Also..while Cowboys fans know very clearly that Woody was a GREAT player I just don’t believe the mass of HOF voters would call him the “leader” of that defense..though he probably was in actuality.

I love Woody, he is one of my all time favorite players and I was more than a little upset when retirement came a’knockin but I don’t think he will ever be a HOFer. As someone else pointed out he should certainly be in the Ring of Honor though..without any question.

Cliff Harris seems like a bit more reasonable but it’s always hard to predict how the voters see things..

by SDTrueblue on Nov 29, 2009 1:56 AM CST reply actions

We could pressure Jerry Jones to put him in the RoH.

Same with Drew Pearson. That at least brings some honorific attention to them that could get amplified with Woodson’s national media gig. Of course Howley and Harris are already in the Ring and not the Hall. Until all four are inducted Canton will be guilty of a travesty of justice.

by krl97a on Nov 29, 2009 11:29 PM CST reply actions

It is absolutely crazy that Pearson is not in the Ring of Honor

by DavidH22 on Nov 30, 2009 11:19 AM CST up reply actions

Pearson and Jerry got into some kind of pissing match

back in the early 90s about logo rights or something I really can’t remember,but I think that’s why Pearson isn’t in the HOF. That’s the story Pearson told in an interview on GAG. Kinda chicken sh!t of Jerry if you ask me.

How bout dem Frogs!!!!

by DIRE WOLF on Nov 30, 2009 11:16 AM CST reply actions