This weekend as I watched the induction of the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I took a trip down memory lane with other viewers to remember the storied careers of these legends. In doing this personally, though, I have a bit of a problem since I didn’t really know much about any of their careers. In fact, as a Dallas Cowboys fan, I learned to view some of their careers with a bit of disdain, but in hindsight I can actually appreciate the accomplishments of even a couple of Washington Redskins.

Team loyalty aside, I tried to take a look at each of these players with a word association game. I thought of what I knew about each player, what I had read or seen about each player (thank you wikipedia), and wrote the first words or thoughts that came to mind. Hopefully this will be a worthy tribute to the Class of 2008.

Fred Dean - DE

Fearless, Relentless

Fred Dean was a foreshadowing of what was to come in the NFL … and what every defense needed - a fearless, relentless pass rusher. He was the fore runner of LT, Charles Haley, Shawn Merriman, and DeMarcus Ware. When Dean was on the field, your team had to account for him.

Everyone remembers the 1982 NFC Championship game (following the 1981 season) when the 49er’s dethroned the perennial champion Cowboys to begin a dynasty of their own. People usually think of “The Catch,” Dwight Clark’s memorable grab of the game winning Montana pass. However, to casually quote Jerry Jones (90’s reference to Charles Haley), the 49ers “couldn’t even sniff a Super Bowl” until the arrival of Dean. Dean was a force that caused the Cowboys to alter their game plan that day, though many do not remember his contribution.

The 49ers rode Dean as they established their dynasty of the 80’s. Dean was a force to be reckoned with every game. Not only was Dean credited as being the final piece of a dynasty but was also considered the one San Diego let “get away.”  I wonder how far the “Air Coryell” Chargers of the early 80’s may have gone if they had kept Dean on their roster…

Darrell Green - CB

Speed, Class

As hard as it may be for me to admit, Darrell Green was amazing. I mean, how many great athletes can even play corner in the NFL, and Darrell did it in his forties! He was a display of discipline, intelligence, ability, and speed rolled into one. Darrell made a difference as he helped propel the Redskins to four NFC Championship games and three Super bowls, winning two (XXII; XXVI).

Green’s speed was legendary. I am sure he was the fastest man on the field during almost every game he played during his career. However, speed alone does not provide the credentials to play corner. Green was disciplined, coachable and consistent. He was a technician and an intelligent player. More importantly, he was durable. He was able to age and maintain his skill in a violent game. Think about it- he covered Drew Pearson and Michael Irvin, and his career outlasted both of them.

Green’s game was also a game of class. His son introduced him as a “Man of God.” It seems that Green lived his faith with his family, on the field and in public.

Art Monk - WR

Unheralded

Art Monk was a great but quiet receiver for the Washington Redskins. I chose the word, “unheralded” to summarize his career. Last year (2007) I thought something was wrong when Michael Irvin was inducted into the Hall, because I had wondered for years when Monk would be inducted. Monk held virtually every receiving record for the Redskins during their Gibbs heyday, and was certainly HOF material. I thought surely Monk would go in before Irvin even had a chance. When Irvin was inducted in 2007, I was sure the hall voters would quickly realize their mistake and place Monk in the HOF soon.

Monk came into the game quite heralded - the 2nd receiver selected, 20th overall pick in 1980. He was a prototype receiver - part of the new class of bigger stronger receivers that now dominate the game. He was a trendsetter; A big receiver who demonstrated the skill and precision of someone smaller.

I think Monk was unheralded because he simply and quietly did his job and did it very well. He didn’t routinely celebrate first downs (ala Irvin), or make a big show, though he might let loose with “The Fun Bunch, or even the “Smurfs” occasionally. Monk was not interested in self promotion. He seemed to be a throwback before that was cool. The Gibbs Redskins of the 80’s and 90’s won Super Bowls with three different QBs - Theisman, Williams and Rypien. The constant was Art Monk.

Emmitt Thomas - CB

Old School

Watching the video of Emmitt Thomas during his HOF induction I was thinking “Old School.” My mind wandered to years of watching classic NFL Film productions of a bygone era. I remembered watching video of K. C. HOF coach Hank Stram miked-up and strutting on the sideline during Super Bowl IV -”Sixty-five toss power trap, it ought to bust wide open, boys,” and when it worked he cheered, “Sixty-five toss power trap, ha ha ha, yeah!” Thanks to NFL Films, I remember seeing QB Len Dawson’s graceful drop into the “moving” pocket and his precision passing. I don’t remember seeing anything about Emmitt Thomas.

Emmitt Thomas was old school and played on an old school team, the Kansas City Chiefs of the 60’s and 70’s. Thomas was a vital member of the Chiefs, who were a dominant team of the era. He played in 2 Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl IV.

Fans may remember 65 Toss Power Trap, but the secret to the KC win in Super Bowl IV was defense. The Chiefs did it with typical ingredients of success - A ferocious pass rush and a shut down corner named Emmitt Thomas. Thomas had the ability to lock up an opponent’s receiver and take him out of the game. The Chief’s defense smothered the mighty Vikings offence as the Chief’s won 23-7.

However, one game or one season does not qualify a player for the HOF. I believe Thomas’ play in the Championship season demonstrated his ability during his overall career. Thomas was a consistent shut down corner before the term was coined. He was a HOF player who consistently played at a HOF level.

Andre Tippett - LB

Overshadowed

Andre Tippett was overshadowed. He played linebacker during the era of LT…. Lawrence Taylor. While Lawrence Taylor received the Manhattan publicity on and off the field, Tippet was overshadowed in the smaller market of New England. Non -Patriot fans (like myself) may not even remember his career, but thanks to the HOF, his legacy has been resurrected.

Tippett played on one Championship team, when the 1985 Patriots won the AFC Championship to advance to the Super Bowl, only to be mauled by the Bears. …not one of the Patriots better games. Most of Tippet’s career was played with average Patriot teams, yet he excelled, producing HOF numbers. When you compare his statistics to Taylor’s they are quite similar. Taylor may have a slight edge, but remember he was surrounded by a Super Bowl championship caliber defense most of his career. Tippet didn’t have that luxury, but produced similar numbers. Tippett’s career was remembered by his former coach this way. “Andre Tippett was an impact player who consistently played at a level that set him apart. Accounting for him limited what an offense could do. He made quarterbacks nervous….and rightly so.” - Raymond Berry, former Patriots head coach and Hall of Fame wide receiver.

When Tippet retired, he held Patriot records for 100 career sacks, 18.5 sacks in a season, and 17 opponents fumbles recovered. Thank you HOF for preserving his legacy.

Gary Zimmerman - T

Anchor

I love seeing an O-lineman getting his due. These guys are some of the biggest, smartest and toughest players on the football field, yet they often play in obscurity. This is illustrated when you try look at an offensive lineman’s statistics, and all you see is the number of games played. How do you chart pancake blocks, adjustments to stunting DEs, blitz pickups, and downfield blocks on smaller, faster DBs? You chart them with team success. A team cannot be successful without stellar play in the o-line.

Zimmerman was an anchor. He was a superstar playing an obscure position. He was a star player that only football purists would even notice, and that is what I love. I love to see the lineman’s skill on a running play or as they work together as a unit to pick up a stunt. The skill and precision of the o-line is definitely Madden stuff - “boom!”

Zimmerman was an anchor because he elevated the level of the teams for which he played. He led Steve Young to success and notoriety with the LA Express of the USFL. He was on a Vikings team that made it to the NFC Championship game with Wade Wilson at QB, having defeated the 49ers during their glory days to get there. He also anchored the Bronco’s offensive line during their first SB victory. Zimmerman paved the way for Terrell Davis’ emergence as the Bronco’s heart and soul. Championships may be won with defense, but success is spelled o-f-f-e-n-s-i-v-e l-i-n-e.

Gary Zimmerman earned his HOF recognition, but I believe his induction validates the play of every lineman who has ever fought in the trenches.

Congratulations to the HOF Class of 2008!