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Buffs in the NFL Hall of Fame

Will we see a Buff in the NFL Hall of Fame in the next 20 years?

  • Yes

    Votes: 21 61.8%

  • No

    Votes: 13 38.2%
  • Total voters
    34
BorrachoBuff

BorrachoBuff

Well-Known Member
One thing that has always bugged me as a CU fan, is the fact that there are zero Buffs in the NFL Hall of Fame. This likely won't change in the near future, but we do have some hope. I am curious what other think about our chances with the players below. Or if I am missing anybody that has a shot?

Cliff Branch - His ship has already sailed, but Cliff is probably the most deserving of any ex-Buff. Unfortunately, I am too young to remember him.

Andre Gurode - Great player and a 5-Time Pro Bowler but he is a total long-shot, but was a great Pro and very underrated in my opinion. If he had a Super Bowl ring or two, I think he would have a chance.

Nate Solder - It is very premature because he is so young. But he already has a Super Bowl ring and playing LT for Tom Brady will only benefit him. Lets hope his career continues its upward trajectory, because Nate might be our best shot for years to come.

Mason Crosby - If he can kick into his 40's, and maintain his ability then he may have as good of an argument as any other kicker.

David Bakhtiari -Like Solder, he is very young. But if he can win a ring protecting Aaron Rodgers, and extend his career then who knows.

Jimmy Smith - Long shot, but he does have a SB. He would need to stay healthy and put together some Revis-type seasons as a shutdown corner.

Paul Richardson - Given his history with injuries, very unlikely.
 
I think of whom you have stated, only Crosby MIGHT have a chance. However, kicking in Green Bay is not the best place for longevity.
 
Ended up looking back on this thread as I was looking for a place to vent about Robert Brazile making it to the Hall of Fame when Randy Gradishar still hasn't. During their careers (which mostly overlapped) one was considered significantly better than the other (Randy), though their all pro and pro bowl numbers are identical. Only one was ever the defensive player of the year (Randy). Yet, Brazile gets in and Randy doesn't. Shameful.

Now back to this thread. The list of people clearly needs to be modified, but now that Bakhtiari is rated as one of the top left tackles in football, this discussion can start to become a bit more interesting. If he plays at his current level for five or 6 more years and Green Bay manages to get another superbowl, he could have a chance. Solder doesn't really have much of a chance, though the fact that he played so long in New England may end up carrying more weight than his actual performance (Hey someone at CU hit that guy up for a big donation, will you?!?). The other guys aren't really even worthy of mention(Though if Crosby kicks till he is 45 maybe, lol).
 
Cliff definitely has an outside chance of getting voted in by the Senior committee. For what it's worth, I actually think Boyd Dowler has a decent resume. He was on the all-60s team I believe, played on SB teams, and played in GB. I doubt it will happen but Anderson was Defensive POY once and made multiple all pro teams.

Answer is no.

Fun story though about Cliff Branch that Big Al and Chad Brown shared on the radio some weeks ago when Vader passed. Apparently they used to have an alumni vs current team game, and the alumni used to show up in force. Vader apparently just manhandled one guy in one of the games, but Al wouldn't say who. He would only say the guy was a good player, but got humiliated by Vader (perhaps Steed?). Anyway, one game, Cliff Branch blew past the then-current team's corners play after play. He went by Deion Figures and Chad's roommate (forget his name) for two scores. The guy was out of the league by then, but still had the speed to abuse the young corners.
 
Crosby has a shot, but needs to play for about 8-9 more years and move up on the all-time scoring list as he's currently 35th. He averages about 122 pts/season, so if he played 8 more years, he would move into the top 5 of all time scoring, as things currently stand. However, there are 6 active kickers ahead of him on the list, so it all depends on how they fair. My guess is he'll play 4-5 more years and end up firmly in the top 10, but that won't be good enough for a Kicker.
 
Buffnik said:
It's a travesty that Cliff Branch isn't in the HOF. Hard to name a better WR in his era when considering both the regular season and playoffs. Hell, Lynn Swann is in the HOF and his numbers don't measure up to Branch's.
Click to expand...
I think he gets in next year. I read somewhere that he was one of the 3 finalists for the 2 senior committee selections for this year's class. Now that Stabler finally got in it sounds like the Raiders are going all in on Cliff getting elected. Al Davis being gone shouldn't hurt either.
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/raiders/john-madden-gives-advice-cliff-branch-hall-fame-quest
 
Last edited:
BorrachoBuff said:
One thing that has always bugged me as a CU fan, is the fact that there are zero Buffs in the NFL Hall of Fame. This likely won't change in the near future, but we do have some hope. I am curious what other think about our chances with the players below. Or if I am missing anybody that has a shot?

Cliff Branch - His ship has already sailed, but Cliff is probably the most deserving of any ex-Buff. Unfortunately, I am too young to remember him.

Andre Gurode - Great player and a 5-Time Pro Bowler but he is a total long-shot, but was a great Pro and very underrated in my opinion. If he had a Super Bowl ring or two, I think he would have a chance.

Nate Solder - It is very premature because he is so young. But he already has a Super Bowl ring and playing LT for Tom Brady will only benefit him. Lets hope his career continues its upward trajectory, because Nate might be our best shot for years to come.

Mason Crosby - If he can kick into his 40's, and maintain his ability then he may have as good of an argument as any other kicker.

David Bakhtiari -Like Solder, he is very young. But if he can win a ring protecting Aaron Rodgers, and extend his career then who knows.

Jimmy Smith - Long shot, but he does have a SB. He would need to stay healthy and put together some Revis-type seasons as a shutdown corner.

Paul Richardson - Given his history with injuries, very unlikely.
Click to expand...

I was young but can vaguely recall Branch’s electrifying kick returns in Folsom. He wasn’t a polished receiver in college - he would hone that craft in the NFL but, man, that dude could fly. World class. And during his prime in the League, he had no equal. Dominant. Should be in the Fall of Hame. Period.
 
dyemeduke said:
Fun story though about Cliff Branch that Big Al and Chad Brown shared on the radio some weeks ago when Vader passed. Apparently they used to have an alumni vs current team game, and the alumni used to show up in force. Vader apparently just manhandled one guy in one of the games, but Al wouldn't say who. He would only say the guy was a good player, but got humiliated by Vader (perhaps Steed?). Anyway, one game, Cliff Branch blew past the then-current team's corners play after play. He went by Deion Figures and Chad's roommate (forget his name) for two scores. The guy was out of the league by then, but still had the speed to abuse the young corners.
Click to expand...

I only recall Leon White (Vader) playing in one alumni game, and that was when he came in as a 5 technique for 3 plays against me. we stalemated (not beacuse I was so good, but because he was taking it easy). But Al was there a year before I was so Vader may have humiliated someone in the 1988 spring game.

The Branch story was better. He scored the first legitimate (non-gadget/non-setup) touchdown by burning his own son, Brent Branch on a 9 pattern. Blew right past him, The smack talk was rumored to be "you got you're mama's speed!" probably did burn Deon and others in that game. He was still playing in the Arena league just a season or two before.
 
Beyond Branch, I’d say Solder and Bakhtiari each have a shot if they stay healthy and productive. Both are on appropriate trajectories.
 
Bliff Cranch said:
Branch’s 1972 NCAA 10.0 in the 100m would rank top 5 all time Pac10/12 if they counted it as a conference achievement. Had he not signed a contract to play in the NFL he could have qualified for the Olympics that year. With obvious bias, I think Branch is the greatest CU athlete of all time.
Click to expand...
Jesus Christ, 10 flat is gettin it and in 1972 :eek:.
 
Bliff Cranch said:
Branch’s 1972 NCAA 10.0 in the 100m would rank top 5 all time Pac10/12 if they counted it as a conference achievement. Had he not signed a contract to play in the NFL he could have qualified for the Olympics that year. With obvious bias, I think Branch is the greatest CU athlete of all time.
Click to expand...

You just added a 21 year old to the Cliff Branch fan club.
 
dyemeduke said:
Cliff definitely has an outside chance of getting voted in by the Senior committee. For what it's worth, I actually think Boyd Dowler has a decent resume. He was on the all-60s team I believe, played on SB teams, and played in GB. I doubt it will happen but Anderson was Defensive POY once and made multiple all pro teams.

Answer is no.

Fun story though about Cliff Branch that Big Al and Chad Brown shared on the radio some weeks ago when Vader passed. Apparently they used to have an alumni vs current team game, and the alumni used to show up in force. Vader apparently just manhandled one guy in one of the games, but Al wouldn't say who. He would only say the guy was a good player, but got humiliated by Vader (perhaps Steed?). Anyway, one game, Cliff Branch blew past the then-current team's corners play after play. He went by Deion Figures and Chad's roommate (forget his name) for two scores. The guy was out of the league by then, but still had the speed to abuse the young corners.
Click to expand...


The alumni/current team game used to be the spring game. Cliff Branch kept that game viable, by himself, several years longer than it should have been.

As a bronco fan, i can emphatically endorse cb for the hof. He was a menace. He wasnt just fast, he attacked. He attacked the secondary, he attacked the ball when it was in the air, he attacked after he caught the ball. He looked dangerous trotting back to the huddle.

If you want to see how the wr position should be played, youtube super bowl xviii or xv. Cliff branch was into his 30’s, being covered by high draft picks with gaudy 40 times, and it was like a shark attack.
 
dyemeduke said:
Cliff definitely has an outside chance of getting voted in by the Senior committee. For what it's worth, I actually think Boyd Dowler has a decent resume. He was on the all-60s team I believe, played on SB teams, and played in GB. I doubt it will happen but Anderson was Defensive POY once and made multiple all pro teams.

Answer is no.

Fun story though about Cliff Branch that Big Al and Chad Brown shared on the radio some weeks ago when Vader passed. Apparently they used to have an alumni vs current team game, and the alumni used to show up in force. Vader apparently just manhandled one guy in one of the games, but Al wouldn't say who. He would only say the guy was a good player, but got humiliated by Vader (perhaps Steed?). Anyway, one game, Cliff Branch blew past the then-current team's corners play after play. He went by Deion Figures and Chad's roommate (forget his name) for two scores. The guy was out of the league by then, but still had the speed to abuse the young corners.
Click to expand...
I was at the one with Branch. He was easily the fasted, and smoothest guy on the field.
 
Watched that youtube flick...it's a travesty that Branch isn't in the Hall of Fame.
 
What about linebackers, Chad Brown, Alfred Williams, Greg Biekert? or TE Christian Fauria? Any of them get into the HOF?
 
TSchekler said:
All were solid NFL players with long careers, but not even close to the HOF.
Click to expand...

Your comment describes a lot of Buffs in the NFL. We have had a lot of guys who were solid multi-year starter, a few who even sprinkled in some pro bowls and other individual honors. We have had very few who would be looked at as the best at their position for a long stretch of years.

We have had some guys dominate on the OL for longer stretches but is seems like since OL is a position without recognized individual statistics other than games played, penalties, and sacks given up it is a big challenge to make the HOF as an OL unless a guy is fortunate enough to be on a team that wins multiple super bowls. You get a few guys like Joe Thomas who are so dominant that it doesn't matter but for a marginal guy SB rings are the difference (as noted by a number of Pittsburgh Steelers in the Hall.

Players like Chris Naole and Andre Gurode had outstanding careers but played for teams that mostly came up short. Gurode had five pro bowls and playing for the Cowboys made him better known but he still has no chance despite many considering him the best center in the league for half a decade.
 
BorrachoBuff said:
Is Aaron Rodgers reading AllBuffs? David is young, and still has a lot of football ahead of him. If he keeps this up, its a real possibility.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nf...as-hall-of-fame-potential-e2-80-99/ar-BBQSVs8
Click to expand...
Would be wonderful, but cringe worthy that a Hawkins recruit would be the first Buff in the HOF.

Although he’s just a rookie, Phillip Lindsay will be in the discussion after another 10 years of putting up the numbers he’s put up this year.
 
Nm I can't link ****

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