Question of the Day: What Will Chad Ochocinco Have To Do To Make The Hall of Fame?

by Josh Kirkendall on Jul 6, 2010 10:44 AM EDT in Analysis

James Walker brings up the debate for potential Hall of Fame players in the AFC North. I know, I know. It's a slow time of year, so the discussions come from all angles. As for the Bengals, Walker suggests Chad Ochocinco.

Ochocinco already has more career receiving yards than current Hall of Famers Raymond Berry (9,725 yards), Fred Biletnikoff (8,974 yards), John Stallworth (8,723 yards) and Paul Warfield (8,565 yards). Ochocinco has seven 1,000-yard seasons in his nine-year career, displaying his consistency. At 32, Ochocinco still has several good years left, which will further improve his numbers.

It's quite possible that Chad could reach the 12,000-yard receiving mark by the end of 2011, allowing him to surpass Hall of Famers like Michael Irvin and Don Maynard. If you give him another thousand by the end of 2012, you can add Art Monk and Charlie Joiner to that list. Due to Chad's age and conditioning -- and durability -- I would expect Chad to threaten several career records.

Furthermore, only two players in NFL history have recorded 15,000 yards receiving or more (Terrell Owens is 49 yards receiving away from reaching that milestone). Chad would need to record 5,048 yards receiving. Projecting him to play another six seasons (through the age of 38), Chad would only need to average 842 yards per season. Impossible? Hardly. As a Bengals receiver? Maybe not.

On the other hand, Walker writes that the case against Chad is that "he hasn't won anything." True enough. But he has plenty of time.

So is that the answer? Is the idea of making the Hall of Fame for Chad about incredible production throughout his career? Or does he need to win the post season, ideally a Super Bowl, to make it in the Hall of Fame?

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Win the Super Bowl

Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...

by btcoop71 on Jul 6, 2010 10:51 AM EDT reply actions

Career production

You can’t withhold a player who has performed to ProBowl standards simply because his team was unable to win in the postseason. It’s a team sport but the HOF rewards individuals for special accomplishments. Otherwise they should put teams in the Hall of Fame instead of players. Besides, it is called the “Hall of Fame” not the “Hall of Champions”. Plus, I would argue that Chad is quite famous already. Jersey sales, interviews and an appearance on “Dancing with the Stars” would seem to support my claim.

by SnapCount80 on Jul 6, 2010 11:01 AM EDT reply actions

Ideally that would be the case, but it's not.

Team accomplishments factor heavily into HoF. While Chad’s got some monster numbers, I don’t believe they’re good enough to get him in without a title. Get a ring however, and I believe he’s a sure thing.

by Jaegner on Jul 6, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Didn't mean to click post just yet.

You can’t put every pro-bowler in Canton, that would be ridiculous. As such, “ProBowl standards” can’t be the only requirement. HoF induction is awarded to individuals who have had outstanding careers, and it’s hard to make an argument for somebody who in their entire career has never played on sport’s biggest stage. Not impossible, but hard.

I’m also confused as to why you’re discounting postseason success but then you go on to mention Dancing w/ the Stars.

by Jaegner on Jul 6, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

He is addressing a nontraditional meaning to the “Fame” in Hall of Fame.

by Todd G on Jul 6, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Well yeah, I understand that.

I just don’t think that Dancing w/ the Stars would ever be relevant to HoF voting. It was probably a joke but sometimes it’s hard to tell.

by Jaegner on Jul 6, 2010 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

I did not mean to imply that I agree with this interpretation of “Fame”… :)

by Todd G on Jul 6, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm hurt!

LOL!

by SnapCount80 on Jul 6, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

My Take

You make strong points, Jaegner…but I get frustrated why guys with strong numbers and lengthy careers get discounted because they “didn’t win a ring.” SnapCount makes a point that I always try to argue. Just because a guy played for a team that never won the big one doesn’t mean he wasn’t a great individual player. The HoF is about individual accomplishments, not team accomplishments.

If this aspect carried as much weight as you think it should, why don’t we just induct every last member of the 71-73 Dolphins, every dude that played for the Steelers from 74 thru 79 and any dude who was a part of the Niners 53-man roster in the 80’s. Lets not forget the 4 year run the Cowboys made in the early 90’s.

I know I’m being a bit facetious, but seriously, there are some VERY good players from the early 70’s Dolphins that can’t get into the HoF. They have not one but two rings. Why aren’t they in? Why isn’t Ken Stabler in? He’s got a ring, a great career, great numbers…several big playoff wins?? How about Jim Plunkett? He’s got 2 SB rings…respectable career numbers AND a lengthy career.

If you hear sports writers talking about the voting process it just boggles your mind. Mine anyways. What a terrible process.

by JohnCockToastin on Jul 6, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

You're right.

SnapCount is right, too. I’m not trying to argue that it’s a good process, but it is what it is and Chad will likely need a ring before he’s seriously considered. Is it right? Probably not. Is it the reality of the situation? I think so.

by Jaegner on Jul 6, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Yup

You’re right. I just loathe the fact that that’s the way it is.

by JohnCockToastin on Jul 6, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Marino did it without a ring...

So it’s possible, right? I know Chad isn’t setting insane records like Dan did, so it’s not really the same thing… but it opens the door to the possibility. Granted, when considering a player for the Hall of Fame, I am sure SuperBowl titles carry a great deal of significance. However, Chad has a fairly long history of strong performance including a few seasons where he has led the league in various WR categories. He’s been to more than one ProBowl, so he’s not a one-time-wonder. He has a proven track record. Beyond the stats, does the selection committee take into account how a player represents and grows the NFL brand? I don’t know, but I think it should. I have met people who are not Bengals fans who wear Chad’s jersey. Chad is a famous football player beyond the scope of just Bengals fans.

I understand what you mean about ProBowl standards being the only requirement. If every ProBowl selection went to the Hall of Fame, it would lessen or cheapen the significance. But do multiple ProBowl trips start to increase the significance?

I don’t know what the selection committee looks at, but I don’t think jewelry should be the determining factor when the road to the championship is so reliant upon teamwork.

For Chad, I think a lot depends on what his next few seasons hold.

by SnapCount80 on Jul 6, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

ask ken anderson

if you can be one of the best at your position and still get into the hall of fame without a ring.

RIP Slim.

by brandone on Jul 6, 2010 11:19 AM EDT reply actions

Case in Point

…on why the HoF Induction process is total B.S.

One question I have:

If Pete Johnson scores on 4th and 1 and the Bengals win that Super Bowl, Ken Anderson is suddenly a Hall of Famer??

by JohnCockToastin on Jul 6, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Chad needs a ring or 14,000 yards and 90 TDs.

14,000 yards puts him solidly in the top 10 all-time receiveing yards, 15,000 puts him top 5. Another 30 TDs, 6 per year for 5 years (he averages 8.5 per year with Carson), to move him into the top 10 would help a lot too.

Chad has the creditials now with ring. He is 34th all time in recieving yards and will move into the top 25 with a repeat of last season. He led the AFC in receiving yards 4 times. He holds the yardage marks for 2, 3, and 4 consecutive games.

He has the credetials if he has a ring. Without the ring he has work to do, but the work is very managable if he continues to play at a high level. Ken Anderson was very good, but he never won the superbowl and his career stats leaves him in the 30’s all time in passing yards and 25th in TDs. Chad will finish much higher in yards and TDs

by jim0ijk on Jul 6, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think he'll ever make it...

I think you are right, he needs a SB title or it won’t happen. All your points you make are good and tangible but what you are not accounting for is the intangible B.S. that takes place in the voting process.

Right now there is a total logjam in the induction process for WR’s. Chris Carter can’t even get in right now. Look how long it took Art Monk to get in. Shannon Sharpe (who the Hall practically considers a WR) can’t get in. You got guys like Andre Reed (13,000 yds and 87 TD’s) who are being kept out. Then you got guys that are up and coming and soon to be eligble like Marvin Harrison, Ike Bruce, Rod Smith and even active guys that will be hanging up their cleats soon that will certainly make it before Ocho – guys like TO, Moss and unfortunately Hines Ward.

The “intangible” part that I’m speaking of is that Hall has a certain dislike for Wide Receivers…and there’s AT LEAST 10 guys ahead of Chad on the totem pole. AT MOST they will only put one WR in each year. That means if Chad retired today and you consider all of the guys in front of him…he’d be waiting a long time and would have to severely cross his fingers.

Even if he racks up 14,000 and 90 I bet he still wouldn’t make it. Chris Carter has 13,899 and 130 TD’s!! …he’s on what? His third try?

by JohnCockToastin on Jul 6, 2010 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

The problem with Chad

is his consistency and his constant disappearances in big games. The two playoff games he’s been in, he’s done nothing (I know Carson was injured in the first one) and he NEVER does anything against the Steelers. He dominates in games that he’s supposed to dominate in and doesn’t step up in the big games, outside of the occasional Ravens game. The other problem is that he plays in a small market. Say what you want about the dating show and DWTS (I don’t like it, personally), but he’s marketing himself to not only make money, but probably to boost his popularity to give him a push towards Canton.

by Anthony Cosenza on Jul 6, 2010 12:29 PM EDT reply actions

That's probably the best point any of us has made...

…I think the voters consider “Big Games” as a big factor. That’s what I’ve heard from some of the voters on why they won’t vote him in. Not enough big plays in big games.

And you’re right about Ocho. He’s Gonzo in clutch situations.

by JohnCockToastin on Jul 6, 2010 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope he retires in stripes.. That's my biggest concern..

Even if he doesn’t make the HOF he’ll always be the ultimate Cincinnati Bengal in my eyes..

by JamesShively on Jul 6, 2010 2:37 PM EDT reply actions

Off topic

This has nothing to do with this post, but it is depressing watching the Hard Knocks reruns and seeing Slim talk about turning his life around. Damn.

by emeybee on Jul 6, 2010 5:21 PM EDT reply actions

Chad as a HOF

Lets not forget the great Barry Sanders who is a HOF but did not win anything in Detroit much less even get to the playoffs. Barry threaten records and was a supreme individual player that keep people watching the Lions just as Chad has done for the Bengals. Chad has brought back flair to the Bengals with all of his fun loving play and deserves to be in the Hall if he can break 12 thousand years receiving. His touchdowns are already legendary as well as his love for the game of football itself so it would be a shame for him not to make it into the Hall with or without a ring….but he does have two AFC North titles and a division sweep which I believe no team other than the Bengals have been able to do. Chad gets my vote for the Hall as a dynamic player that changed the game.

by AdmColin on Jul 7, 2010 10:08 AM EDT reply actions