Skipsterx Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 My argument is this: Tasker is considered the special special teamer ever by the majority of pundits out there. There aren't really any stats to keep track of special teamers other than tackles and return yardage and much like anO ineman often take the shaft when it comes to this sort of thing. Jerry Rice best WR ever- look at the stats he's in Bruce Smith - best De and holds the sack record- look at the stats he's in Dan Marino, Peyton Manning when its his time, there's a long list Steve Tasker- best special teamer ever but nothing on paper to back it up- sorry can't help ya Andre was a great reciever most certainly and I hope gets in someday I'm more upset that Tasker doesn't come close to getting in. Sure, his "position" was wide reciever and his stats as WR don't compare but his role on the team was a special teamer but he doesn't get the consideration largely due to the lack of stats although he is widely considered the best ever special teamer. This is just one mans opinion so feel free to sling poop and flame away but intelligent arguments are always welcome as there may me a side I haven't seen and I enjoy being edumacated. Please excuse my poor typing and sentence structure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBlood Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 I agree that Tasker is the greatest Special Teamer of all time. Its a little hypocritical when the talking heads at ESPN and NFL Network always say that speicial teams is just as important as O and D. That its the third phase of the game yet when they are asked about Tasker they all say.... special teamers arent on the field enough..... idiots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincec Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Tasker was a great special teams player, but special teams only players just don't get into the hall. They don't play enough downs and there hasn't been one yet who has made anywhere near the impact that a regular offensive or defense player has over the course of his career. Consider the impact that Jim Kelly or Bruce Smith had on games versus what Tasker could do with only maybe 10 plays total. I'd like to see Reed get in as the last member of the Buffalo Super Bowl teams but I think it's unlikely. There are just so many great WR who are not yet in the hall. I think that successful WRs are viewed more a products of passing systems, great quarterbacks and rules changes in coverage so you really have to stand out to make it. Jimmy Johnson once said that Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith are a great players, Michael Irvin is a great player when he has Troy Aikman. I think that sums up many voters thinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsWatch Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 It is no surprise that I support Tasker going into the hall. I think he helped revolution special teams and that the NFL had to change rules due to his play helps demonstrate it. Regarding Andre he was great but he burned some bridges (he had a venomous conversation with a sports writer after he left Buffalo) which will make getting the 80% vote though. If he could have been more productive in latter part of career he could have gotten over magic number of 1000 receptions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ans4e64 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 I'd like to see Tasker in, period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 It is no surprise that I support Tasker going into the hall. I think he helped revolution special teams and that the NFL had to change rules due to his play helps demonstrate it. Regarding Andre he was great but he burned some bridges (he had a venomous conversation with a sports writer after he left Buffalo) which will make getting the 80% vote though. If he could have been more productive in latter part of career he could have gotten over magic number of 1000 receptions. Reed was 2nd in the NFL in career receptions at one point -- behind only Jerry Rice. How can that not be considered an HoF lock? http://sportstalkbuzz.com/tag/jerry-rice/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 I agree that Tasker is the greatest Special Teamer of all time. Tasker may have been the best punt coverage player of all time but he is FAR from the greatest Special Teamer of all time. Kickers and punters count as special teamers too and they have a lot more impact on a game than a gunner on punt coverage. There are a lot of special teamers who deserve the HOF before Tasker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipsterx Posted February 1, 2009 Author Share Posted February 1, 2009 Tasker was a great special teams player, but special teams only players just don't get into the hall. They don't play enough downs and there hasn't been one yet who has made anywhere near the impact that a regular offensive or defense player has over the course of his career. Consider the impact that Jim Kelly or Bruce Smith had on games versus what Tasker could do with only maybe 10 plays total. I'd like to see Reed get in as the last member of the Buffalo Super Bowl teams but I think it's unlikely. There are just so many great WR who are not yet in the hall. I think that successful WRs are viewed more a products of passing systems, great quarterbacks and rules changes in coverage so you really have to stand out to make it. Jimmy Johnson once said that Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith are a great players, Michael Irvin is a great player when he has Troy Aikman. I think that sums up many voters thinking. I never considered playing time when I was formulating my opinion. I agree somewhat, he wasn't an every down player like jim or Bruce and so many others although his phase of the game isn't on the field to run as many plays as offense or defense but is considered 1/3'rd of the game and he exelled evrytime. In his aspect of the game he made a tremendous impact and I believe his play helped to elevate the importance of special teams that we see today- not to take anything away from the coaches he was fortunate to play for. How many kickers` are in the hall? I'm too lazy to look it up. Shouldn't Jason Elam get in first ballot although he didn't have as many snaps as Elway? He has stats to back him up too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipsterx Posted February 1, 2009 Author Share Posted February 1, 2009 kickers and punters are looked upon as kickers and punters - gunners etc.. are considered special teamers if considered at all. Again, no separate stats to back up the argument Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsWatch Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Reed was 2nd in the NFL in career receptions at one point -- behind only Jerry Rice. How can that not be considered an HoF lock? Andre is viewed by many sports writers as proliferate receiver but not a dominating one who can take over games. If you look at stats that he had a maximum of 90 catches a year - how many WRs have had more than 90 catches in a game? Over 120 WRs have. That is just one sample how sports writers dissect his career with many of them now not seeing him in his prime. Very, very good for a long time but not great for multiple seasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Andre is viewed by many sports writers as proliferate receiver but not a dominating one who can take over games. If you look at stats that he had a maximum of 90 catches a year - how many WRs have had more than 90 catches in a game? Over 120 WRs have. That is just one sample how sports writers dissect his career with many of them now not seeing him in his prime. Very, very good for a long time but not great for multiple seasons. I don't think any receivers have had more than 90 catches in a game... Seriously though, how many receivers had over 90 catches in a year before the year 2000? I know that number is very high nowadays, but I don't believe it happened very frequently in Reed's era. Reed had 90 in one year and 88 in another -- and in his season with 88 receptions, he was playing with another HoF receiver, James Lofton. Speaking of Lofton - he never had more than 71 receptions in a season... Reed also showed he could dominate a game when needed -- Comeback, anyone? There's just no way that Reed shouldn't be in the HoF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincec Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Andre is viewed by many sports writers as proliferate receiver but not a dominating one who can take over games. If you look at stats that he had a maximum of 90 catches a year - how many WRs have had more than 90 catches in a game? Over 120 WRs have. That is just one sample how sports writers dissect his career with many of them now not seeing him in his prime. Very, very good for a long time but not great for multiple seasons. I think you mean 90 catches in a season. 90 catches in a game probably would get you into the hall! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincec Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 I never considered playing time when I was formulating my opinion. I agree somewhat, he wasn't an every down player like jim or Bruce and so many others although his phase of the game isn't on the field to run as many plays as offense or defense but is considered 1/3'rd of the game and he exelled evrytime. In his aspect of the game he made a tremendous impact and I believe his play helped to elevate the importance of special teams that we see today- not to take anything away from the coaches he was fortunate to play for. How many kickers` are in the hall? I'm too lazy to look it up. Shouldn't Jason Elam get in first ballot although he didn't have as many snaps as Elway? He has stats to back him up too. As far as I know there is 1 kicker in the hall of fame, Jan Stenerud, and no punters. There are 247 members... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipsterx Posted February 1, 2009 Author Share Posted February 1, 2009 As far as I know there is 1 kicker in the hall of fame, Jan Stenerud, and no punters. There are 247 members... I knew it was a something pathetic like that but I didn't realize it was that pathetic. So do we say the HOF is to celebrate the more popular stat orientated/glam positions or is it simply that offense and defensive players are on the field more so therefore contribute more.Of course o-line players have often been overlooked and they get more snaps than most RB's and the like. With that thought- the HOF mainly celebrates the high profile players and often ignores the less stat oriented positions regardless of contribution to the game- what does it matter anyway. Certainly there are great lineman in the hall but to bring it back to Tasker, guys like him are overlooked and ignored mainly due to the lack of stats kept for the position to parade around in front of the voters. His lack of snaps is due because of position not talent just like a kicker/punter. That shouldn't detract from considering their contribution but rather more consideration should be given to the contribution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsWatch Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 I don't think any receivers have had more than 90 catches in a game... Seriously though, how many receivers had over 90 catches in a year before the year 2000? I know that number is very high nowadays, but I don't believe it happened very frequently in Reed's era. Reed had 90 in one year and 88 in another -- and in his season with 88 receptions, he was playing with another HoF receiver, James Lofton. We have had this discussion before on the board. At top of my head I can remember Lionel Taylor from old AFL Broncos, Johny Morris from the Bears, Art Monk of the Red$kins and Todd Christenson (sp?) of the Raiders. How long did it take Art Monk to get in? I think it will take as many tries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiderweb Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Tasker was truly an outstanding Special Teams gunner, yet let us not forget who was probably the best "big" man Special Teamer. That was Mark Pike, who could never find a full time position as DE, or as an LB, yet on Special Teams, he ( to this poster) was the Bill's best Special Teamer. He often took on the wedge and yet still made the tackle. While Tasker (as a gunner) got the press and the glory, Mark Pike went on to be the all-time NFL leader in tackles. This is not meant to diminish what Tasker achieved, but only to point out that he may not have actually been our best Special Teams player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPicc2114 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 You will see rice and tim brown in there before Andre Reed even has a chance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsCelticsAngelsBama Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Reed was 2nd in the NFL in career receptions at one point -- behind only Jerry Rice. How can that not be considered an HoF lock? http://sportstalkbuzz.com/tag/jerry-rice/ Preach it brother !!! Without the drafting of Andre Reed, I say we may not make any SuperBowls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 It is no surprise that I support Tasker going into the hall. I think he helped revolution special teams and that the NFL had to change rules due to his play helps demonstrate it. Regarding Andre he was great but he burned some bridges (he had a venomous conversation with a sports writer after he left Buffalo) which will make getting the 80% vote though. If he could have been more productive in latter part of career he could have gotten over magic number of 1000 receptions. What rules were changed regarding Tasker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Art Monk of the Red$kins and Todd Christenson (sp?) of the Raiders. How long did it take Art Monk to get in? I think it will take as many tries. Everyone thought that was a travesty as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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