As Always, Sports Media Prove Incapable Of Making Simple Decisions

I can never take Sports Hall of Fames too seriously for as long as media members are the ones to elect their members. The only way to make it objective is to take the ballwashing writers out of it.

Otherwise, you'll be stuck with jokes like the one that happened today: former Patriots running back Curtis Martin was one of five elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame while former Pats head coach Bill Parcells didn't make the cut.

It was Martin's second year of eligibility while it was Parcells' first. The good news for Parcells is that he'll still be in Canton, Ohio this August to present his former star Jets running back (Martin).

The four other guys to join Martin in the Class of 2012 are Jack Butler (Steelers cornerback), Dermontti Dawson (Steelers center), defensive end Chris Doleman, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy (Seahawks) and offensive tackle Willie Roaf.

Martin was New England's third-round pick out of Pitt in 1995. He was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowler his first two seasons in Foxborough. After three seasons with the Pats, he signed with the Jets as a restricted free agent. In return, New England received first (running back Robert Edwards) and third round (fullback Chris Floyd) in return for Martin.

Yikes, what an awful move especially considering that Edwards' career basically ended thanks to a freak injury playing flag football at the Pro Bowl after his rookie year. It seems so old school to see a fullback picked in the third round but I digress.

Martin made the Pro Bowl three times in New York (1998, 2001, 2004) while Parcells coached the Patriots from 1993-1996 (bolting right after they lost Super Bowl 31 to the Packers) and the Jets from 1997-1999.

On top of everything, Toni Braxton's former main squeeze was a true professional, well spoken and responsible which made him much easier to root for. I have no doubt that Parcells' introduction and Martin's speeches will be awesome. I look forward to listening to both while I wear my Pats footie pajamas and Sack the Pack cut-off t-shirt.

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Bill Parcells & Curtis Martin Among 15 NFL Hall Of Fame Finalists For Class Of 2012

Some good news for longtime New England Patriots fans as former running back Curtis Martin and head coach Bill Parcells were among the 15 finalists for induction into the NFL Hall of Fame.

Look at this picture of the two of them that I found using a quick Google images search. It looks like its from 30 years ago. The crazy thing is that as you can tell, Parcells was the Jets coach at the time so it was the late 1990s.

This is the Tuna's first chance to get in (and I guarantee that he will) while Martin was previously eligible but didn't make the cut.

Martin is still the best running back on the Patriots that I've seen in my lifetime in terms of career span, ie. more than Corey Dillon's couple of great years. Martin was a professional on some good Patriots teams, including the one that made it to the 1997 Super Bowl against the Green Bay Packers. Seeing him go to the Jets, joining Parcells, was one of the toughest periods in recent franchise history.

Like most great coaches, Parcells was an egomaniac and he eventually clashed with Patriots owner Robert Kraft and escaped to the Jets for more control of the team (the famous groceries quotes). If it's any consolation, he's the second best coach in team history behind his former protege, Bill Belichick.

Voting for the 2012 Hall of Fame inductees takes place on Saturday, February 4 in Indianapolis (site of this season's Super Bowl). Let's hope that New England is in town, making this weekend extra special. If Martin gets in, can Tony Braxton introduce him?

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