Name: Jason Witten will reach Canton ... but not as a first-ballot choice; here's why
Brand: si.com
SKU: si-com-485
Availability: OnlineOnly

critic

Jason Witten will reach Canton ... but not as a first-ballot choice; here's why

preview

September 13, 2022When tight end Jason Witten retired last week he was described as “a future Hall of Famer...” which he will be. But he was also described as a “first-ballot” Hall of Famer … which he may not be.And should not.That’s not because Witten isn’t Canton worthy. He is. But the frenzy to turn receivers and tight ends with inflated numbers and Pro Bowl mentions into first-ballot Hall of Famers is out of control.&nbsp;Consider, for instance, that of the past 20 modern-era inductees, nine – or 45 percent – have been first-ballot choices. Included are the 2018-19 classes where six first-ballot candidates were among the 10 modern-era inductees. Not included is 2017 where pass rusher Jason Taylor, a second-team all-decade pick, was a first-ballot Gold Jacket.That surprised everyone, including Taylor. Which begs the question: What, then, is the definition of a first-ballot Hall of Famer? Our Ron Borges, a Hall-of-Fame voter the past 18 years, has the perfect answer: Anyone you present to the Hall’s board of selectors by saying his name … then sitting down.Nothing more. Nothing less.When former voter Ira Miller presented Joe Montana, he simply said, “Joe Montana.” Then he took a seat. There was no discussion. Nor should there have been. Fast-forward to two weeks ago when Mike Chappell of Indianapolis followed the same script in presenting Peyton Manning.He said his name, then clammed up.You cannot do that with Jason Witten. You want to hear why he’s Hall-of-Fame worthy. More to the point, you want to hear why he should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when tight ends like, say, Kellen Winslow waited three years, Mike Ditka 12 and John Mackey 15.Yeah, I know, Witten was named to 11 Pro Bowls and was a four-time All-Pro, including two first-team selections. He also ranks second among tight ends in career receptions, fourth among all receivers in that department and once had a Dallas-record 18 receptions in one contest. Furthermore, he played in more games (271) than any tight end in NFL history. But of the top 20 reception leaders of all time, guess how many didn’t play in the past 20 years? One. Art Monk. Otherwise known as No. 20. Of the top 20 career yardage leaders, three weren’t playing in the 21st century – beginning with James Lofton at No. 12. And career TDs? Same beginning, with no pre-millennial until you get to No. 9 where Steve Largent is tied with Tim Brown and No. 11 with the incomparable Don Hutson.That's another way of saying we're in an era where numbers, numbers, numbers proliferate.Jason Witten is tied for 38th with 74 career TDs and is 19th with 13,406 yards. Both are exemplary. But neither guarantees him entry as a first-ball Hall of Famer.“Bob Costas once told me there is extra cachet to being a first-ballot Hall of Famer in any sport,” said historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal. “Essentially, it removes all doubt that a player is the best of the best.“When it comes to Witten, he’s Hall-of-Fame worthy. But he does not show that ‘extra cachet’ a first-ballot Hall of Famer needs. In his case, his numbers look good, but they came in a pass-happy era. And, when examined, they show a few flaws. His 74 touchdowns out of 1,228 catches, for instance, is only six percent. Now compare that to Antonio Gates, whose 112 catches were 12 percent of his receptions, and you see what I mean.”What I think I like most about Witten’s resume is that he was always there. As one coach put it, there’s more to a player than ability. There’s availability. Witten had both. In 17 seasons, he missed one …one … game, and that happened in his rookie season when he broke his jaw and had three plates inserted to help the healing.So he was tough. He was productive. And he was reliable.All that points in the right direction. But how do you make someone a first-ballot choice who wasn’t an all-decade choice – first or second team? Guard Alan Faneca is one of this year’s Hall-of-Fame finalists, and he was a nine-time Pro Bowler, eight-time All-Pro, first-team all-decade member and Super Bowl winner.This is his sixth year as a candidate.If Faneca were anything but a guard or center we’d be pushing him as first-ballot material. But he’s not. So he waits. I guess my question is: When Alan Faneca dominates his position as he did, why must he wait six years and Jason Witten – who never reached a Super Bowl and produced one TD in eight playoff games – be pushed immediately?Answer: He shouldn’t.Jason Witten was a marvelous player, and he will reach Canton. He should. But, puh-leeze, let’s pump the brakes on this “first-ballot Hall-of-Famer” talk. It should be reserved for the few. The proud. The Joe Montanas and Jim Browns.Loading…See MoreCLOSECLOSECLOSECLOSE

September 13, 2022When tight end Jason Witten retired last week he was described as “a future Hall of Famer...” which he will be. But he was also described as a “first-ballot” Hall of Famer … which he may not be.And should not.That’s not because Witten isn’t Canton worthy. He is. But the frenzy to turn receivers and tight ends with inflated numbers and Pro Bowl mentions into first-ballot Hall of Famers is out of control.&nbsp;Consider, for instance, that of the past 20 modern-era inductees, nine – or 45 percent – have been first-ballot choices. Included are the 2018-19 classes where six...

public

Clark Judge

Sports Illustrated, SI.com provides sports news, expert analysis, highlights, stats and scores for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football, soccer, and more.

Jason Witten will reach Canton ... but not as a first-ballot choice; here's why

No article scores yet.

CRITIC REVIEWS

PUBLIC REVIEWS