This has to be the year..Tasker semifinalist for HoF

[Spiderweb]

I truly admired Tasker as a player, yet I believe the best special teams player during his era was his very own teammate, Mark Pike.

[Wizard]

I love Steve Tasker. He was my favorite Bills player during that late 80s and 90s run. 

 

While I think he was great and was the most versatile special teams player of his era undoubtedly, I have a hard time mentioning him as an "all time great."

 

I admit I am one of those guys that wants to make the Hall smaller by kicking out good and really good players already in.

 

If you are going to put people in, then maybe there is a tier system.

 

Tier 1 Bills- Bruce Smith

Tier 2-Thurman Thomas, Jim Kelly, Andre Reed

Tier 3-Steve Tasker

[Sandhill Mike]

On 11/24/2021 at 2:24 PM, NoHuddleKelly12 said:

Straight up 💰every week…

https://youtu.be/27C3auKS3Zo

 

 

Watched the whole thing!  Some great memories and a solid reminder that Tasker was a special player, and I echo Hall of Fame special.

 

Blocked punts, amazing tackles, ball hawking, and I always enjoyed seeing him catch passes.

 

Old football is great... those clips also reminded me of a lot of great announcers that I really miss.

 

Edited December 30, 2021 by Sandhill Mike

[BoccesOnTransit]

Can you tell the story of the NFL without mentioning Steve Tasker? (no)

[Nextmanup]

John Clayton was asked (yet again) about this several weeks ago, and he is a guy who has a vote for the HOF and knows all the politics/discussion going on in those circles.

 

He just doesn't see Tasker getting into the HOF.

 

 

[Greg S]

Just now, Nextmanup said:

John Clayton was asked (yet again) about this several weeks ago, and he is a guy who has a vote for the HOF and knows all the politics/discussion going on in those circles.

 

He just doesn't see Tasker getting into the HOF.

 

 

 

When former Raiders punter Ray Guy made it a few years back I think that opened the door for players who mostly made their mark on special teams. I think Tasker will get in and hopefully its this year.

[Nextmanup]

On 11/24/2021 at 2:14 PM, Let's Go Buffalo said:

I know I've commented on this before, but Steve Tasker was a human missile wearing a helmet! I've always felt that he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. He was the best at his position for many years, and Hall of Fame coaches have admitted to game planning around him on Special Teams. I wished that he had been utilized more as a wide receiver, because he would have probably already been inducted by now in my opinion. 

Tasker was a really solid wide receiver, when he actually saw some game time.

 

I think of him as the Wes Welker type of slot receiver, who would have caught the ball for 10 million yards if Tom Brady was throwing him the ball in the modern game.

He was fast, quick and shifty, and had good hands.

 

Also surprisingly stout and well put together for a little guy.

 

I remember him scoring a TD one time and doing a flip to celebrate in the end zone, such was the extent of his natural athletic ability.

 

 

 

[Saxum]

The difference between Tasker and some of the other small WRs who were frequently on special teams was he was a good tackler and would be tackling guys moving at full speed solo.

 

 

[auburnbillsbacker]

I know Hester is a finalist.  Does that hurt Tasker's chances? 

[WotAGuy]

3 minutes ago, auburnbillsbacker said:

I know Hester is a finalist.  Does that hurt Tasker's chances? 

I think so.  Hard to see two special teams guys making this cut. 

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

On 11/24/2021 at 2:54 PM, Yobogoya! said:

Tasker would really benefit by a little campaigning if someone in the media took up his cause, but he should be in regardless.

 

The best ever in the history of football to play special teams should be getting enshrined before the 22nd best ever wide receiver. 

Isn’t one of the Gaugan’s (Mark or Bob) the Bills HOF presenter after Larry Felser’s passing?   How many times can you,are the same presentation?  At some point, there’s got to be a weaker class that Tasker should make. 

[Mat68]

3 hours ago, Wizard said:

I love Steve Tasker. He was my favorite Bills player during that late 80s and 90s run. 

 

While I think he was great and was the most versatile special teams player of his era undoubtedly, I have a hard time mentioning him as an "all time great."

 

I admit I am one of those guys that wants to make the Hall smaller by kicking out good and really good players already in.

 

If you are going to put people in, then maybe there is a tier system.

 

Tier 1 Bills- Bruce Smith

Tier 2-Thurman Thomas, Jim Kelly, Andre Reed

Tier 3-Steve Tasker

The Hall of Fame is also a living  record of the history of football.  Tasker caused multiple rule changes.  The specialist/special teamer included in the probowl and now All pro teams was due to Tasker.  Football was different back than.  You cant tell me today or 10 years ago tasker wouldnt be a productive slot wr like Beasley/Welker/ Edleman.  Buffalo doesn’t go to 4 Superbowls without Tasker.  

Edited December 30, 2021 by Mat68

[Big Turk]

Nope... didn't make it.

 

[Nextmanup]

29 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

Nope... didn't make it.

 

Yep, the list is out and he's not on it.

 

To listen to John Clayton talk about it, there is not enough raw horsepower behind him among the voters.

 

It's a shame! 

 

 

The 2022 modern-era player finalists with their positions, years and teams, as announced on NFL Network:

 

Jared Allen, DE – 2004-2007 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-2015 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers

 

Willie Anderson, OT -- 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens

 

Ronde Barber, DB – 1997-2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 

Tony Boselli, T -- 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2002 Houston Texans (injured reserve)

 

LeRoy Butler, S -- 1990-2001 Green Bay Packers

 

Devin Hester, PR/KR/WR -- 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-2015 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens, 2016 Seattle Seahawks

 

Torry Holt, WR -- 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars

 

Andre Johnson, WR -- 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans

 

Sam Mills, LB -- 1986-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-97 Carolina Panthers

 

Richard Seymour, DE/DT -- 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-2012 Oakland Raiders

 

Zach Thomas, LB -- 1996-2007 Miami Dolphins, 2008 Dallas Cowboys

 

DeMarcus Ware, LB -- 2005-2013 Dallas Cowboys, 2014-2016 Denver Broncos

 

Reggie Wayne, WR -- 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts

 

Patrick Willis, LB -- 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers

 

Bryant Young, DE/DT -- 1994-2007 San Francisco 49ers

[RaoulDuke79]

Kind of like the RnR HOF this is a popularity contest and a farce. NFL HOF has a bit more credibility, but not by much.

[Buddo]

TBH, that's a pretty poor list.

 

Tasker had more direct impact on games than a lot of those guys.

 

If the HOF is truly about celebrating the whole game, then it needs to find space for the likes of Tasker - and not as an afterthought.

[Boatdrinks]

Devin Hester made the list, so that could be a good sign for Tasker in the future. Many voters just won’t check the ballot for a guy that was a part time player. Could signal a shift in thinking, although Heater did score TDs. Ultimately I don’t think Hester makes the HOF and it’s a long shot for Tasker as well. 

[QLBillsFan]

4 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

John Clayton was asked (yet again) about this several weeks ago, and he is a guy who has a vote for the HOF and knows all the politics/discussion going on in those circles.

 

He just doesn't see Tasker getting into the HOF.

 

 

I heard JC as well. He was very very dismissive of ST’s chances. Essentially based on snap count vs regular players. Many players become eligible in the current era of increased stats. It unfortunately doesn’t look good for ST anytime soon.

[HalftimeAdjustment]

Hester should not make it based on their standard of not ST players.

[Mat68]

1 hour ago, HalftimeAdjustment said:

Hester should not make it based on their standard of not ST players.

Cant put in Hester without Tasker imo.  Though different, before Tasker there was not a guy on your team who made the roster just for teams.  
 

Think about Twain Jones.  He is a solid special teamer.  Played 2 maybe 3 teams mainly for special teams.  Buffalo a very good special teams.  He is light years away from Tasker.  Block kicks, returns, forced fumbles you name it.  I bet Tasker has more tds in formation than Hester.