Overlooked by the Hall of Fame?

The folks at ColdHardFootballFacts.com have made an interesting and, as usual, well-researched pitch in favor of Ken Anderson's inclusion in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In fact, they argue that Anderson, who played from 1971-86, is the most underrated QB in NFL history. Hall of Famer Joe Namath is their choice as most overrated, a point they've argued quite well before.

Anderson hasn't been a finalist in the short time I've been on the Hall's selection committee. So I've never had to consider his case. I'm not saying I wouldn't vote for him, especially after reading CHFF's take on the issue. I also wouldn't just usher him in based on some of the key arguments CHFF makes based on individual stats.

For instance, CHFF points out that Anderson led the NFL in passer rating four times while Hall of Famers Dan Marino and Joe Montana combined to do it only three times. They also point out that Anderson led the NFL in yards per pass attempt twice while Marino and Montana did it just two times combined.

The implication is Anderson was better than Marino and Montana, although CHFF is clear in saying that's not what it means to say. The point, according to CHFF, is to prove Anderson put up Hall of Fame-caliber numbers.

I'd agree that Anderson wouldn't be out of place being discussed and voted on as a finalist. Again, I wouldn't know how I'd vote until after the discussion took place. But I will say that more goes into a Hall of Famer than individual stats.

For instance, Otto Graham's NFL stats include a 55.7 completion percentage, 88 touchdown passes, 94 interceptions and a 78.1 passer rating. But he also led his team to 10 consecutive title games, four in the AAFC and six in the NFL. He won seven titles.

We're often presented with arguments for players who should be in the Hall of Fame. Many times, it's a player who is better suited for the "Hall of Very Good." Other times, there's a good argument and a guy should be in that committee room being discussed and voted on.

Tingelhoff is the one that's probably the most intriguing. There are 35 modern-era offensive linemen in the Hall. Six of them are centers. Only three of them were All-Pro first team more times than Tingelhoff (five). And as gritty and hard-nosed as all of them were, none started more than the 240 consecutive games that Tingeloff did.

Tingelhoff didn't miss a game in 17 seasons. That includes 10 trips to the playoffs and four to the Super Bowl.