Vince McMahon: The "Genius"

In honor of Mr. Vincent Kennedy McMahon reaching an incredible milestone of 70, I would like to analyze the things that made him great along with things that made you scratch your head. With all of his contributions good and bad, is Vince McMahon truly a "Genius"? I would like to dive into that.

Pros:
Visionary
Pioneer
Launched Wrestling into the Mainstream
Started WrestleMania
Created the PPV Concept
Globalized Wrestling
Defeated WCW and ECW
Showcased legends like Stone Cold, The Rock, Undertaker, HBK, etc
The Creation of The Undertaker Character
Access to the library of any and every territory


Cons:
Micromanager
Kevin Dunn
Complacent Booking after winning Monday Night War
Antiquated (Out of Touch) Ideals
Criticized for "poaching" talent from other territories


Vince McMahon has his pluses and his minuses. On one hand, he engineered a revolution in television and marketing for wrestling with the rise of WrestleMania, Rock & Wrestling and the birth of PPV. On the flip side, people like to discredit McMahon because he did not naturally cultivate the stars of that Era.

Hulk Hogan:
"Hulkamania" originated during Hogan's time in the AWA, so Vince cannot take full credit for that part. However, McMahon streamlined Hogan on a level that Verne Gagne would have never showcased him. Vince put Hogan on a national and global platform like never before. Hogan reached his greatest heights within Vince's vehicle of success (WWF).

"Macho Man" Randy Savage:
Like Hulkster, "Macho Man" was a product of another territory. Savage was a star in Memphis for a number of years. Vince saw enough value in Randy to bring him into his fold to expand his vision. Some may criticize Vince for it, but the move did miracles for Savage's career. Macho Man became a legend on Vince's stage and enjoyed a highly lucrative run.

Andre The Giant:
Andre The Giant was technically a star that was a holdover from Vince McMahon, Sr. However, Vince Jr can still take a share of the credit for Andre's drawing power and exposure going into the 80's.

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper:
The Roddy Piper character was originally formed in the territories. That is where Piper first displayed his incredible skills on the mic. McMahon presented Piper with a larger stage to display how great of an entertainer that he was. I believe that "Piper's Pit" would have never worked in any other promotion but the WWF. Like the rest of his peers, Piper was a made man under Vince Jr's Administration. Along with Hogan and Andre, Piper was one of the stars of the "Rock & Wrestling" Cartoon.

I can name countless others, but these were some of the main stars that were front and center during Vince's revolution of the 80's. Vince McMahon's greatest quality at that time was his ability to strategically market his product and his stars in a larger than life fashion.

Although Vince inherited the business from his Father, he put his own creative twist on things and flipped the business around in a different direction.

Of course, we have to move into the 90's when WCW and ECW would make a rise as competition. At the helm of those promotions were Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman.

Eric Bischoff:
Bischoff gets plenty of credit for how he introduced the NWO and beat Vince McMahon for more than 80 consecutive weeks during the Monday Night Wars. He was also instrumental in introducing the Cruiserweight Division in WCW. On the other hand, Bischoff got most of that success on the backs of Vince's former stars who did not have much left in the tank. They worked for a while, but eventually their novelty started to wear off. He also kept a ceiling on the less established names, whether they were Cruiserweights or not.

Paul Heyman:
Before the Attitude Era was even thought of, Paul Heyman's ECW Brand was the red-headed stepchild that fought against both establishments of WWF and WCW. Heyman's hardcore brand of wrestling catered to a more mature, non-traditional audience who wanted to watch crazy, over the top entertainment.

Here are some of the people that Vince established into Main Event Stars after they spent years in the Mid card under WCW/ECW:


Steve Austin:

In WCW, Steve Austin was simply a very good hand in the ring on the Midcard level. Austin was a member of the Dangerous Alliance under Paul E. Dangerously at the time. He would also win the WCW TV Title, US Title and Tag Team Titles with Brian Pillman (Hollywood Blondes).

Eventually, Bischoff placed a glass ceiling on Austin's head and said that a guy with black trunks and black boots could not draw. The higher ups had no room for Steve Austin. When Austin was injured, Eric fired him over the phone as we all know by now. Austin goes to ECW to reunite with Paul Heyman.

For most of his time there, Steve cuts nothing but promos. The Stone Cold character was in its embryonic stage in ECW. Not too long from that, Stone Cold makes the jump to the WWF. First, he is given the outdated Ringmaster gimmick. Then, Vince gives him free reign to be himself. From that point, the rest of the Stone Cold Story was history. Bischoff foolishly threw Austin to the curb. Heyman planted the seed before Vince watered it for Steve Austin to grow into who he needed to be. Austin would become one of the greatest Icons that wrestling has ever seen.

Mick Foley:

Like Steve Austin, Mick Foley was an undercard guy that was underappreciated by Eric Bischoff and others at the top of the WCW Hierarchy. Eric let Mick go because he wanted to make room for Vince's nostalgia show (Hogan, Savage, etc). Foley continues his Cactus Jack run in ECW for a brief period of time before landing in Vince World (WWF) where he becomes Mankind. During his run with WWF/E, Foley would become a 3-time WWF Champion, Tag Champion along with being a Hardcore Champion. He was given a green light that was never presented before.

Chris Jericho:

Chris Jericho traveled around the world for years perfecting his craft before becoming a star in America. Chris was first discovered nationally by Paul Heyman in ECW. Jericho's matches with ECW and with Japan caught the attention of Eric Bischoff, as he swiped him away from Heyman. Chris was one of the figureheads of the Cruiserweight Division, as he was also able to show how entertaining he really was after turning heel. Jericho gained a grassroots following in the Cruiserweight world with his incredible matches with the likes of Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, etc along with his promos such as the "1,004 Holds". He would then become TV Champion. However, Jericho would become another victim of the Eric Bischoff glass ceiling as he was never able to move any higher in WCW. Chris knew that he would find greener pastures with Vince McMahon and the WWF. After his contract with WCW expired, Jericho moved up north to Titan Towers where he became a bigger star.

Under Vince McMahon, Chris Jericho was another undercard player that became a legend. Y2J would become a multi-time world champion (First Undisputed Champion), the record holder for most Intercontinental Titles along with other accolades. Chris Jericho would have never sniffed any of these same opportunities in WCW. His titles, the Podcast, Fozzy, his books, etc all came through the vehicle of the WWE.


These three men are some of the examples of Vince McMahon taking wrestlers that were undervalued and making them legends and bonafide Hall of Famers. Can you imagine Y2J wrestling guys like Goldberg and Sting, or Goldberg and Hogan for the Undisputed Title? He would get demolished. Vince saw enough in a guy like that to give him that window of opportunity.

Part of the Genius of Vince McMahon has been his ability to maximize what less established talent could do. He has also been a master of managing personalities and egos. Everyone knew that at the end of the day, Vince was the boss.

Vince would occasionally hang out with "The Boys", but they knew their place when it came to dealing with him. He would not let the wrestlers take advantage of him.

Meanwhile, a guy like Eric Bischoff let the Main Event Stars run over him. He wanted to be more like a friend than a Boss. More often than not, Hogan and Nash were his bosses.

As creative as Paul Heyman is, he was not the best when it came to business. Everyone knows the stories of Heyman's lies and his bad checks.

With all of his flaws, Vince McMahon is a Once In A Lifetime Personality and the wrestling world would not have gone as far as it did without him. Vince McMahon's imprint has been crucial to this thing we know as professional wrestling and sports entertainment.

He has left a lasting impression on me as a fan and as someone who likes to have a Vision. My life as a wrestling fan would not be the same if Vince McMahon never existed.

As much as people complain about the current product, fans would have to admit that if not for Vince McMahon we would not have shows like WrestleMania, Summerslam, etc to look forward to over the years.

Now, things will be in better hands with Triple H and Stephanie making their own significant mark. You can see it with the development of the NXT Talent rising. Vince is taking less and less of an onscreen role and all he has to do is sit back and be an advisor to them.

Mr. Vincent K. McMahon, this is for you. You are truly a Genius.

All-Time Cowboys Team

It is time once again for Football Season. As a Dallas Cowboys fan, I have pondered the idea of coming up with my All-Time Cowboys Team. Just like creating a list, forming an all-time team can require much needed time and effort as well. There have been so many great players in the history of this great franchise, and I have to come to the realization that some players that I like have to be left off of the starting lineup. It requires research. The players who have accomplished the most and have spent the most time in Dallas have the best chance of making the starting team. Sometimes, it can be like pulling teeth. When creating an all-time team, you also want to look at who can have the best chemistry.

Now, it is time to reveal my All-Time Dallas Cowboys Team:

Offense:

QB: Roger Staubach
This was a very tight race between Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman. However, I have to go with Captain Comeback as my Quarterback for an All-Time Dallas Cowboys Team. The level of Importance that Roger brings to that franchise speaks volumes. Staubach was arguably the best QB of the 70's, as he won two Super Bowls and was the starter in four appearances. Troy may hold more franchise records, but Staubach had a more consistent style of play. He had more mobility than Aikman and carried more weight for the Offense. Roger was a harder assignment for the Defense than Troy. I have always been torn between the two, but Staubach has the edge in terms of impact for the team.
Backup: Troy Aikman

RB: Emmitt Smith
What else needs to be said? Emmitt Smith was the face of the Dallas Cowboys during his generation. He was the engine for that machine to run. Smith may have had the Great Wall of Dallas as his Offensive Line, but he had the vision and skills that it took to make the most of the opportunities that were presented to him. His consistency, endurance, vision and work ethic are what made him such a driving force among the NFL. His accolades speak for themselves. All-Time Leading Rusher (18,355), four rushing titles ('91, '92, '93, '95) and winner of Super Bowl MVP. Emmitt has the most iron-clad case of any other Cowboys Running Back in History. Tony Dorsett was great, but he falls short.
Backup: Tony Dorsett

FB: Daryl Johnston
I chose "Moose" because he was the perfect fit for Emmitt Smith in the backfield during their Super Bowl dominance. The chemistry that they had together was amazing. There were others like Walt Garrison and Robert Newhouse who may have been more versatile, but Johnston had that physicality that I look for to build this Cowboys running game.
Backup: Robert Newhouse

WR: Michael Irvin
"The Playmaker" Michael Irvin was the heart of the Dallas Cowboys Dynasty of the 90's. His passion for the game helped to motivate his teammates. Michael to this day is still considered the Greatest Wide Receiver in Cowboys History as he retired as the team leader in Receptions, Receiving Yards and Touchdowns. His 750 Receptions are the most by any Cowboys Receiver. He also proved to be one of the greatest postseason Receivers ever with 100 yards in six of his 16 playoff games. In time, Dez Bryant will make a strong case as a Top 2 Dallas WR.
Backup: Dez Bryant

WR: Drew Pearson
Drew Pearson was the original 88. Bob Hayes may be in the Hall of Fame while Pearson is not, but Drew was the better choice in a standard formation of receivers. Pearson has 118 more catches than Hayes and was more synonymous as Roger Staubach's target in the 70's. Drew made very memorable clutch plays to help Dallas achieve success during that Era as he was named to the NFL All-Decade Team for the 70's. He played a huge role in the Cowboys Super Bowl run in 1977.
Backup: Tony Hill

Tight End: Jason Witten
Dallas has had a history of great Tight Ends. From Mike Ditka, Billy Joe Dupree to Jay Novacek. However, Jason Witten has rewritten the Cowboys record book for Tight Ends. Jason is the Cowboys all-time leader in Receptions with 943. He has also made 10 Pro Bowls and has to be the most respected player on the current Cowboys Roster. A place in Canton is waiting for him.
Backup: Jay Novacek

Offensive Tackle: Rayfield Wright
Rayfield Wright was the first great Offensive Linemen in Cowboys History. Wright made six straight Pro Bowls from 1971 to 1976, as he was All-Pro in three of those years. He was a major part of that first Super Bowl team. Roger Staubach can thank him for keeping him on his feet on his way to the HOF.
Backup: Mark Tuinei

Offensive Tackle: Erik Williams
Next to Rayfield Wright, I will have Erik Williams on my Offensive Line. Williams was a special player on that outstanding Offensive Line that protected Emmitt Smith like Secret Service Agents protecting the President. At one time, Williams was the best offensive left tackle in the NFL. He knew how to stand his ground, whether he was faced Reggie White or an unknown rookie. After he helped anchor the Cowboys Offense in back to back Super Bowls, Erik's career was interrupted by a car accident in 1994. However, he still made three Pro Bowls afterward.
Backup: Flozell Adams

Offensive Guard: Larry Allen
Larry Allen has to be regarded as one of, if not the most dominant guard in NFL History. When you talk about all-time great Dallas Cowboys, Larry Allen has to be in the conversation. You could very well consider him as the strongest player ever after bench pressing 700 pounds. Along with a Super Bowl Trophy, Larry made 11 Pro Bowls. He is now a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Backup: Ralph Neely

Offensive Guard: Nate Newton
Along with Williams, Nate Newton was one of the massive bricks that made the Great Wall of Dallas that protected the prolific Cowboys Offense. Newton made six Pro Bowls and two All-Pro Teams during his Career. He was an essential piece of the puzzle in the success of the Cowboys.
Backup: John Niland

Center: Mark Stepnoski
Mark Stepnoski was a very smart player. He may have lacked the size of the other linemen, but he made up for it with the way that he used leverage to open holes. That is a quality that is needed for any offensive line. Mark was part of the back to back Super Bowl wins in Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII.
Backup: Andre Gurode

Defense:

Defensive End: Ed "Too Tall" Jones
One of the most recognizable Cowboys in History for his 6'9" frame, Ed "Too Tall" Jones was a giant order of business for the Doomsday Defense in the 70's. It seems like this was the most loaded position in Dallas (Harvey Martin, Jim Jeffcoat, etc). Too Tall starts on this team because of how great he was at knocking down passes. Jones played 15 seasons with three Pro Bowl appearances.
Backup: Jim Jeffcoat

Defensive End: Harvey Martin
This was a tough selection, but I have to give the nod to Harvey. Charles Haley is more recognizable to the modern fan because he won three Super Bowls in the 90's, but his career in Dallas only lasted five seasons. Harvey Martin spent his entire 11-year Career in Dallas. Martin was a 4-time Pro Bowl Selection, Defensive Player of the Year (1977) and Co-Super Bowl MVP (XII w/Randy White).
Backup: Charles Haley

Defensive Tackle: Bob Lilly
One of the best front seven players in NFL History next to Reggie White, Lawrence Taylor, and Deacon Jones. Bob Lilly is forever known as "Mr. Cowboy". He made 11 Pro Bowls and was the anchor of the early version of the Cowboys "Doomsday Defense". Bob's pass rushing brilliance is much needed in order for any defense to be great.
Backup: La'Roi Glover

Defensive Tackle: Randy White
When Bob Lilly retired from the NFL after the 1974 Season, Randy White took over to pick up the torch that Lilly left. White was known as the "Manster" half-man, half-monster. Not only did Randy possess the necessary strength for the position, but he is also regarded for how incredibly quick he was. He even ran down an Eagles wide receiver. White made nine straight Pro Bowls from 1977 to 1985. It is only fitting that White and Lilly line up next to each other on the Defensive Line.
Backup: Jethro Pugh

Outside Linebacker: DeMarcus Ware
DeMarcus Ware has played a very significant part for the Dallas Cowboys in the Y2K Era, as he has been the best 3-4 OLB in the entire league. Traditionally, almost all other outside linebackers in Cowboys History have been 4-3 OLBs. DeMarcus has been able to redefine and reshape what it means to play Outside Linebacker for the Cowboys. During his nine-year tenure in Dallas, Ware has recorded 117 Sacks in 141 games with seven Pro Bowls. Ware's reach, cat-like speed, and reflexes create nightmares for the opposing offense.
Backup: Ken Norton, Jr.

Outside Linebacker: Chuck Howley
Chuck Howley earned first-team All-Pro honors in five straight seasons. He is also the only player in NFL History to win the Super Bowl MVP on a losing team (Super Bowl V).
Backup: Dexter Coakley

Middle Linebacker: Lee Roy Jordan
In an Era with the likes of Dick Butkus and Ray Nitschke, Lee Roy Jordan found a way to shine in his own way. He was one of the team's most outstanding performers in team history as the leader of the Cowboys linebacker corps. Jordan made five Pro Bowls, won a Super Bowl and was amazing in coverage. No better choice at Linebacker for this team than Lee Roy Jordan.
Backup: Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson

Cornerback: Mel Renfro
When you think about the greatest Cowboys Cornerbacks, Mel Renfro was in a league of his own. He made 10 Straight Pro-Bowls and was a nightmare with his coverage, whether it was short coverage or deep. Renfro enjoyed the entire run of Doomsday Dominance as he was a member of both Super Bowl teams (1971, 1977).
Backup: Kevin Smith

Cornerback: Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders was the quintessential Cornerback of his generation, and his years in Dallas were very noteworthy. Prime Time had great psychology to match with his unbelievable athleticism. Jerry Jones was highly impressed with Deion's coverage of Michael Irvin during the 1994 NFC Championship game when the 49ers kept the Cowboys from winning their third straight Super Bowl. Following that performance, Sanders was signed to the Cowboys in the offseason after his time in San Francisco came to an end. Deion was the perfect piece that Dallas needed when star Cornerback Kevin Smith went down with an injury. Neon Deion enjoyed a remarkable five-year run in Dallas, as it is considered to be the most recognizable point of his career. Sanders helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl XXX while catching 14 Interceptions during his career in Dallas. He made the Pro Bowl four out of those five seasons.
Backup: Everson Walls

Free Safety: Cliff Harris
Cliff Harris was one of the staples for the Secondary of the Cowboys Defense in the 70's. Harris made six straight Pro Bowls and was a member of both Super Bowl teams in that decade. His Coverman/Hitter Combo will create great success for this secondary.
Backup: Cornell Green

Strong Safety: Darren Woodson
Darren Woodson is the Cowboys All-Time Leader in Tackles. He was one of the most consistent defenders in team history with his physicality and competitive drive. Darren was a sharp defender, with hits similar to a linebacker. Woodson was one of the top Safeties of his generation as he won three Super Bowls while making five Pro Bowls.
Backup: Charlie Waters

Special Teams:

Kicker: Dan Bailey

Punter: Matt McBriar

Returner: Bob Hayes
For the sake of this being about all-time Cowboys, Bob Hayes gets the edge. Hayes was the fastest player in the NFL during his time, as he averaged 25.3 yards per kick return.

2016 Pro Football HOF Predictions

Congratulations to the Hall of Fame Class of 2015. This year's HOF Class was mostly made up of people who have been on the waiting list for a significant amount of time. The theme this year was "Time to come off of the waiting list".

The headliner was none other than the Bus himself Jerome Bettis. Jerome was the face of the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise throughout his tenure there. I would say that he has to be the most beloved Steeler since Mean Joe Greene. The Bus is the team's all-time leading rusher, as he has also surpassed Jim Brown on the All-Time Rushing List with 13,662. Bettis put the cherry on top of a great career by winning the Super Bowl in his final game.

Other players that I was happy to see finally get in were Charles Haley and Tim Brown. Charles won a record five Super Bowls (2 w/San Francisco, 3 w/Dallas). He was an important piece in those Super Bowl Winning Defenses. Haley recorded 100.5 Sacks during his Career along with five Pro Bowl Selections. The only thing that held him back for so many years was the political game from the Hall of Fame Voting Committee. Finally, Chuck has received his reward.

Tim Brown is the Raiders all-time leader in Receiving (1,094 Receptions, 14,394 Yards, 100 Touchdowns). During his 16 year tenure with Oakland, Brown has had 10 straight seasons of 75+ Receptions as he led the NFL in Receptions in 1997 with 104. Even Jerry Rice never had that many straight seasons of 75+ Catches. Tim was very quiet with his production during an Era that was stacked with Terrific HOF Level Wide Receivers (Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, Michael Irvin were the standouts). I think the knock against him was that he played in a time with such a deep pool of great receivers that people seemed to overlook him. Now, Brown has finally received his rightful place in Canton.

The only first Ballot Hall of Famer was Junior Seau. Junior was one of the most dominant defenders of his generation at a time with the likes of Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Derrick Thomas, and others. Seau was the foundation of the San Diego Chargers as he was the standout player during the team's only Super Bowl Appearance at Super Bowl XXIX. Seau to this day is still an institution in San Diego as he made 12 Pro Bowls, 8 First Team All-Pro Selections, won DPOY among other accolades. Junior finished his career with 1,849 Tackles and 56.5 Sacks. His life ended in tragic fashion. Seau's family accepted on his behalf.

Other names such as Bill Polian, Ron Wolf, Will Shields and Mick Tingelhoff rounded out the class of 2015.


Now, time to move on with the future. I would like to openly make my predictions on who will make next year's HOF Class. This year's class was great because these players were long overdue. However, next year's class will surpass it because of the quality of names. Plus, I don't think these players have to be on the sidelines as long as the 2015 Class did.

Certain names that come to mind will be a given while you will have your fair share that have to take some time to wait because of either off the field issues or politics.

Brett Favre:

This will be the automatic Headliner for the Class of 2016. How can he not be? Favre is the NFL All-Time Leader in Passing Yards and Second in Touchdowns. Brett was consistently great as he also won 3 Straight NFL MVP Awards along with 11 Pro Bowl Selections. He was also named the NFL Ironman with his record of Consecutive Games. Favre also led the Packers to 10 Postseasons in 12 years. Speaking of Playoffs, Favre led Green Bay to two Super Bowls as they won in SB XXXI, but lost in SB XXXII. With Number 4 at QB, Green Bay was always a threat. He also made three straight All-Pro Teams for both first and second team along with a place on the NFL 90's All-Decade Team. The only knock against Favre is that he is also the All-Time Interceptions Leader. Favre has also made headlines in very unpleasant ways. However, that won't be enough for him to be snubbed as he is a walking first-ballot selection and NFL Icon.

The Biggest Issues for the Class of 2016 will come at the Wide Receiver Position. The marquee names on the ballot are Terrell Owens and Marvin Harrison. This will be a head to head battle unlike any other HOF Class before.

Terrell Owens:

Terrell Owens was a brilliant star receiver during his time as he was one of the marquee names of his Era. In a Generation with Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison, and others, Terrell Owens carved a great career. At the time of his retirement, T.O. finished his career with 1,078 Receptions, 15,934 Yards, and 153 Touchdowns.

His receiving yards and touchdowns were good for second place behind none other than his Hall of Fame Predecessor Jerry Rice. He led the league in Touchdowns three times and made six Pro Bowls along with five First-team All-Pro Selections. He did not have the pure explosiveness of Randy Moss or the hands of Jerry Rice, but Owens was a presence that defenders felt throughout the game.

He was a physical specimen who could make spectacular plays. The biggest knock on Terrell Owens is his controversial attitude in the locker room. He burned bridges with the best teams that he played for (San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys). After his time with those teams ended in sour fashion, it was hard for any other contenders to take a chance on him. Owens finished his career quietly with teams like the Bills, Bengals and a brief stint with Seattle.

No one can deny that Terrell's numbers are worthy of First-Ballot Selection. His biggest obstacle was his attitude. The Hall of Fame Voting Committee takes that into very strong consideration. I doubt that he would have to eat his popcorn as a spectator for a long time.

Marvin Harrison:

Marvin Harrison had a stellar Career. Much like Tim Brown, Marvin was a silent weapon on the field. He was not boisterous like a Terrell Owens or others during that time, but he let his game do the talking for him. Harrison still holds the record for most receptions in a single season (143 in 2002). Without question, I still believe that he was Peyton Manning's best target. He led the NFL in Receptions and Receiving Yards twice (1999, 2002). He also led the league in Touchdown Receptions (12 in 2005).

Marvin was a very precise route runner and pass catcher as he had great timing to catch the football. What he lacked in size (6'0" 175), he made up for with his speed, ability, and IQ. Harrison made eight Pro Bowls, three First-Team All-Pro Selections, won a Super Bowl and made the NFL 200's All-Decade Team. For his career, Marvin compiled 1,102 Receptions, 14,580 Yards and 128 Touchdowns. He ranks third in Receptions, seventh in Receiving Yards, and fifth in Touchdowns.

Those numbers are fantastic, but the critics will say that he was enhanced by playing with Legendary Quarterback Peyton Manning. Voters have a habit of glossing over those stats as they like to zero in on the fact that Marvin's playoff numbers were not very spectacular. Peyton Manning can generally make anybody look great, but those balls were not catching themselves. Harrison deserves his share of the credit as well. Sometimes it seems unfair to categorize Marvin Harrison as simply a footnote of Peyton Manning's Career. Another thing that may work against Harrison could be his problems off the field involving a shooting incident.

Currently, Terrell Owens is his biggest competition. If Marvin does not make it during this time, it could be tougher for him in the future. Names like Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt along with Randy Moss will have their names coming up on the ballot later down the line.

Orlando Pace:
One of the top Offensive Linemen of the last 20 years, Orlando Pace was the glue that kept the "Greatest Show On Turf" together for the St. Louis Rams during their run of dominance. Pace was a 7-time Pro-Bowl Selection as he was on the same level as current Hall of Famers Jonathan Ogden and Walter Jones. The NFL has an infatuation with inducting Linemen, I would say more so than receivers. With that said, I don't see an issue causing Pace to miss the HOF next year.

Kevin Greene:

Charles Haley is not the only player who has been a Hall of Fame Bridesmaid for a lengthy amount of time. Kevin Greene has been on the doorstep of Canton since 1999. So far that has been 16 YEARS!!! Time and time again, he has been passed over. Out of this class, Greene is the BIGGEST longshot just like Haley was this year. For his career, Greene has 160 sacks as it is the third highest total since Sacks became an official statistic in 1982. That is good for third on the all-time list, as he is one of only five players ever to record 140 Sacks or higher (Bruce Smith, Reggie White, Chris Doleman and Michael Strahan). Those other four players are in the Hall of Fame.

Greene has been the NFL Sack Leader three times. I would not be surprised if the Voting Committee finally voted him in after being a leftover on the ballot like Haley.

Now, time to look at the Non-Player side of the HOF.

Coach:
Like the WR Position, this is the toughest race for Hall of Fame Induction. This is a race between two coaches who made significant impacts in their own way. Their accomplishments and contributions are each HOF Worthy.

Tony Dungy:

There are those who may look at Tony Dungy and say that he inherited a Colts team that had one of the best Quarterbacks of this Generation, Peyton Manning. While that is true, Dungy did inherit a poor Tampa Bay team long before moving to Indianapolis. He transformed the Bucs from doormats to contenders. Even though the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl with Jon Gruden, that was still the team that Dungy built. He just never stuck around to enjoy the rewards of that season. Meanwhile, Tony was able to ride great success with the Colts where he led the Colts to Super Bowl XLII as they defeated the Chicago Bears. Although his resume is not filled with multiple Super Bowls, Dungy's greatest advantage for induction would be his Social Impact by opening doors for other Coaches that are Minorities along with things he has done in the Community. Dungy is also credited with implementing the Tampa 2 Defense. Dungy's Career Winning Percentage is .668 in the Regular Season and .474 in the Playoffs. His Overall Record is 148-79.

Jimmy Johnson:

Unlike Tony Dungy in Indy, Jimmy Johnson inherited an awful Dallas Cowboys team when former College Roommate Jerry Jones hired him as the Head Coach in 1989. That season, Dallas went 1-15. The only game the Cowboys won that season was against the Redskins while rookie Troy Aikman was injured. From that point on, the Cowboys would look up as only the best was yet to come. In the middle of the 1989 Season, Johnson orchestrated the trade that would send Herschel Walker to Minnesota for future draft picks. Johnson knew how to build a team from the ground up and he did that through the draft. Jimmy's greatest prize was a young Running Back from Florida named Emmitt Smith. Johnson would also draft great pieces for the Offensive Line as well as the Defense as he put the pieces in place for a Dynasty. In 4 years, Dallas went from 1-15 to Super Bowl Champions with a Franchise Best 13-3. Dallas would repeat the following year before Jimmy made his exit following a clash between him and Jerry Jones. The team that won the Super Bowl with Barry Switzer as Coach had Jimmy's name written all over it. Switzer's ring has Jimmy's name on it. Johnson never had long tenures Coaching, as he was with the Cowboys for only five years. Meanwhile, Jimmy was with the Dolphins for four years as he could not duplicate the same success that he had with the Triplets. Johnson's Career Winning Percentage is 55.6% in the Regular Season and 69.2% in the Playoffs with an overall record of 89-68.


Contributor:
Eddie DeBartolo, Jr.:

This man's resume has Hall of Fame written all over it. Eddie DeBartolo, Jr was at the Head of the Niners Office during San Francisco's run of Dominance through the 80's when they won four Super Bowls. He was also there for the Niners fifth Super Bowl in the 90's. DeBartolo was the man running the ship bringing in the greatest players that the game has ever seen. From Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, Jerry Rice, Steve Young. Eddie was the decision maker to bring them into shape them into the legends that they have since become. Pound for Pound, you could match his resume next to Art Rooney and Jerry Jones. I could even say that Eddie has a better resume than Jerry Jones overall because he spent more time as an Owner. San Francisco was always a first class organization under the watch of Mr. Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. Bill Walsh, Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Steve Young, Ronnie Lott and Charles Haley are all in the HOF. DeBartolo deserves to be in there as well for his Contributions. Even Haley called for him to make it into the HOF during his speech. How can an Owner with FIVE Super Bowl Trophies not be in yet?

Those are some of my Predictions for Next Year's Hall of Fame Class.

Dear IWC: John Cena deserves your "RESPECT"

For years, John Cena has been vilified by the Internet Wrestling Community "IWC" because of how predictable his character has become. These fans have taken it upon themselves to buck the corporate trend by showering this man with boos in every town that he enters. John Cena has pretty much been Mr. Untouchable throughout his time in the Main Event. The typical Cena story is that he takes a beating, then finds his Super Powers to defeat the Evil Enemy. From Edge, Randy Orton, Batista, you name it Cena has defeated them. Those are the Lex Luthors, Brainiacs and General Zod to John Cena's Superman. Even with those victories, Cena continued to gain the heat of the IWC. Many people have accused John Cena of "burying" talent during his reign on the WWE Throne. People point to examples like Nexus, Kevin Owens, etc as stars that Cena has destroyed.

Certain established stars could not be buried by Cena after losing to him. To be "buried" is to typically be in a place where it is hard for your career to recover. Edge was not buried. CM Punk was not buried. Chris Jericho was not buried.

You cannot, and I repeat CANNOT blame everything on one person. It was not completely Cena's fault that certain people did not break through the glass ceiling. Creative has to take a large piece of that blame for the way that they book John Cena as an unstoppable force that runs through the city.

When it comes to the Nexus, John Cena even admits that he made a mistake in the way he handled that storyline. Chris Jericho and Edge called out Cena for doing things his way during their Summerslam match as his idea backfired.

In the earlier part of his Career, John Cena was naturally out to fight for his spot. Anybody else would feel the same way when they fight to climb the ladder of success as well as maintain that place in the WWE Hierarchy. In that sense, who could really blame him?


I have not had much of a problem with John Cena myself. Certain scenarios that he was placed in I did not agree with. For example, I was not a fan of him defeating Edge in a TLC Match in Toronto. In a place like that, Edge is a Legend while Cena went in as Public Enemy number 1. Other than that, Cena is not the bane of my existence.


During his time in the Main Event, John Cena has drawn comparisons to Hulk Hogan. Both portrayed a polished, American Role Model Persona (Hogan, not so much these days). Both men have been champions for a long period of time and have headlined countless WrestleManias. Cena and Hogan have also been criticized for politics.

The comparison has stopped at a certain point. The difference between them is that Cena is doing more of what Hulk Hogan has been criticized for not doing, and that is put people over.

John Cena is doing more to help up and coming talent along with wrestlers who have perfected their craft in different Indie promotions before coming to WWE for more exposure.

After years of monopolizing the WWE Title Picture, John Cena has stepped down to elevate the Mid Card with a US Championship run that is redefining the history of that title. John Cena has brought value and credibility to a title that has lacked it for a number of years.


Look at what Cena is doing to put over the wrestlers who come from NXT to the Main Roster. Sami
Zayn, and Neville. Cena put them over without having to lose. This is his time to give back to the business. Do you think that Hulk Hogan would even bother elevating talented workhorses like Mr. Perfect and Rick Rude? Clearly not.

Yet, John Cena is putting these names over on a larger platform. Look at Cena's recent feud with Kevin Owens. Even Kevin himself knows that this is the best opportunity that he has ever received during his career, because he is in the Big Leagues. Owens knew that he had to bring his A Game as a heel, because he was working with the very best in the World from the last 10 years. This has been an opportunity that Kevin knew he could not waste.

The Matches with Cena have elevated Kevin's name value. You could choose any one of their matches to name as "Match of the Year".

You could even look at the names that have already been on the Roster. During the Open Challenge, John Cena has put on wrestling clinics with names like Cesaro, Dean Ambrose, Stardust and recently Seth Rollins. John fought through a broken nose. Not to sound cliche, but Cena continues to show his dedication no matter what position he is in.

John Cena may not be a naturally fluid ring technician like a Bret Hart, Daniel Bryan, Chris Jericho, etc., but he makes up for it with his charisma and mic skills.

Cena may not be a 5 Star Match waiting to happen like Shawn Michaels, but he does not have to be that way.

Speaking of ringwork, Cena has improved by leaps and bounds. This has been considered John Cena's most successful run from a Match Quality Standpoint.

During his Career, John Cena has had multiple 4 to 5 Star Matches. Now, those matches are taking place on a more consistent basis. For the people that complain about the "Five Moves of Doom", you can see that he does much more than that.

Yet, people still find things to complain about even when you do your best to satisfy. Many of these wrestling fans are pretty, stubborn and outright snobbish as they can never be satisfied.

Cena has done a great job in helping to elevate Rusev during their feud. Those matches were fantastic as well.

John Cena has answered the bell whenever the time has come for him to rise to the occasion.

I have not been the biggest John Cena fan, but I understand his place in the company. Cena brings it from start to finish.

Traditionally, the Intercontinental Title has typically been the more valuable mid card title. These days, Cena has turned the tables.

Seth Rollins may hold the company's top Title, but John Cena is still the man to beat.

Coming up at Summerslam, Rollins and Cena will collide for the WWE World Title. This should create another interesting dynamic.

Not here from singing Cena's praises, but he could very well be the top candidate for "Wrestler of the Year" when all is said and done.

I would rather see Cena as Champion instead of watching his girlfriend break the record for longest reigning Divas Champion in WWE History. Talk about an eyesore.

For what it is worth, John Cena will continue to have value in whatever he is involved in until it is time for him to call it a career.