For the reasons I posted above. Williams may have been respected by his peers.. But Neon had that 'star power' that literally changed the game. Stats are great and tangible.. but I never once believed they were the only data that determines one's place in the Hall.

Originally Posted by: Formo 

So let me try to understand the logic here.. Sanders is in because he changed how the opposition played.. but Williams and a guy like Lewis (whom physically dominated opponents) only were respected by their peers?

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 

The original argument was hype and flash got Sanders in quickly.. where as his game minus the returns on production didn't.

I had to listen to Madden and others oversell Sanders on defense.. he was great.. but wasn't a complete player on defense and without the return game (punts & KO) doesn't have any better case than others not in.

Therefore.. hype assisted Sanders into the hall.. unfairly. But like you said.. realistically it is a factor even though it is bullshit.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 

Forgive me, they might be beyond my years of watching the NFL.. But Williams/Hayes/Walls/etc are names I don't even know. If they are before my time, then I can't answer you because I've never seen them play and I'll defer that judgement to you. If they were my time, then my point stands.. Because I don't even know them or their play shows you that they weren't anywhere NEAR as feared as Neon.

Originally Posted by: Formo 

Forgive me, they might be beyond my years of watching the NFL.. But Williams/Hayes/Walls/etc are names I don't even know. If they are before my time, then I can't answer you because I've never seen them play and I'll defer that judgement to you. If they were my time, then my point stands.. Because I don't even know them or their play shows you that they weren't anywhere NEAR as feared as Neon.

Originally Posted by: Formo 

Point.. set... match.. you as a fan are feed that Sanders was the greatest ever.. a product of the hype machine. Do yourself a favor.. pop in and watch some of these guys play. I would argue that almost all of them impacted the games as much as Sanders did from the CB spot.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 

Albert Lewis was an absolute stud at corner.. he would make Woodson look like a punk in terms of jamming a receiver. Yes he was that dominate.. but he didn't have that media appeal that Sanders received because he wasn't a look at me player. Same with most on this list.. there are more.. probably a guy like Troy Vincent or Ty Law ahead of the mighty mite corners from the Browns..

The Media and the fans attraction to Sanders flash set him apart from most others on this list.. not his impact on defense. Biggest pile of garbage was the myth that Sanders took away half the field and others didn't.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 

Again.. Sanders belongs in the hall.. but not for his work as a CB alone. That was my opening point.. and this little exercise just reinforced that even more. Without his returns and flash.. by case history as noted here.. Sanders in the hall wasn't a lock.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 

But that's your responsibility to know about these players when you discuss football with us old timers. I don't know about the players that played with leather helmets, so when Wade, WPR, and that fruitcake VR (where are you Nick) speak - I don't argue with them, i listen.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 

It's ok though, Tink. Mes 'n you can still fight.

Originally Posted by: Formo 

Never believed Sanders was the best ever. He was the best in my young years of watching NFL, though.

Originally Posted by: Formo 

Not saying others didn't.. But didn't Neon take away half the field?

I came to the discussion late, so apparently missed your initial point. I'd probably agree with you there.