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(01-21-2019 08:38 AM)dannyb73 Wrote:  I don't think Edelman has any prayer at the HOF. You don't get the HOF for being in the playoffs year after year and building stats that way. He would have to be one of the top WR in the NFL year after year, which he just isn't. He has been a solid contributor for the GOAT but honestly, nothing more than that.

So I realize this will be the argument against Edelman in the HOF, but it's a little disappointing to hear from a Kent fan. I honestly feel Edelman has been one of the most under appreciated players in recent memory. The "You don't get the HOF for being in the playoffs year after year" argument irks the eff out of me every time I hear it because it implies he's just been along for the ride rather than being an integral part of their success.

In the post season he's averaging 6.2 catches per game and 78.4 yards from scrimmage. Gronk gets 5 catches per game and 71.7 yards per game. Welker averaged 7.7 catches and 80 scrimmage yards in the 4 postseasons he played with Brady. However, if you take out his first 5 games (3 seasons) where Edelman didn't have much of a role in the offense, over his last 12 playoff games he's averaging 8 catches per game and 103.9 scrimmage yards per game.

To put this in perspective a bit, here's some of the all time greats in the playoffs:
- Jerry Rice: 5.2 catches per game, 78.9 total yards per game, 29 games
- Michael Irvin: 5.4 catches per game, 65.6 total yards per game, 16 games
- Reggie Wayne: 4.4 catches per game, 59.7 total yards per game, 21 games
- Andre Reed: 4.0 catches per game, 59.8 total yards per game, 21 games
- Edelman: 6.2 catches per game, 78.4 total yards per game, 17 games

So I guess all these guys just built stats by making the playoffs a lot...

He's also averaging 11.9 yards per punt return in the playoffs. That's a pretty big deal for starting field position.

The Isaac Bruce comparison is completely missing the point. Edelman's argument centers around him being an elite postseason receiver, elite punt returner, and an integral part of a dynasty. Bruce's teams only won 1 SB and only advanced past the first round twice and he wasn't a returner. If you want to look solely at regular season receiving numbers, then yes, I agree, Edelman has no chance. I'm certainly not saying he's a lock, but he should be a candidate at the least and has one of the more interesting arguments that I've seen.

Some better comparisons for Edelman are Lynn Swann, Cliff Branch, and Hines Ward. Swann is in the HOF, Ward isn't yet, but is a borderline candidate, and Branch didn't make the HOF but some consider him to be a big snub so he was at least a candidate. They were all key parts of dynasty teams. So let's compare them.

Swann:
Regular Season: 336 receptions, 5534 total yards, 61 punt returns, 12.1 return avg
Post Season: 16 Games, 48 receptions, 924 total yards, 12 punt returns, 7.7 return avg
Superlatives: 4 x Champion, 3 x Pro Bowl, 1 x All Pro, one of the most iconic catches in NFL history

Branch:
Regular Season: 501 receptions, 8755 total yards, only was a returner as a rookie.
Post Season: 22 Games, 73 receptions, 1289 total yards
Superlatives: 3 x Champion, 4 x Pro Bowl, 3 x All Pro

Ward:
Regular Season: 1000 receptions, 12511 total yards, only returned 8 kicks and 1 punt in his career.
Post Season: 18 Games, 88 receptions, 1212 total yards
Superlatives: 2 x Champion, 4 x Pro Bowl, known as a great blocker

Edelman:
Regular Season: 499 receptions, 5754 total yards, 177 punt returns, 11.2 return avg
Post Season: 17 games 105 receptions, 1332 total yards, 37 punt returns, 11.9 return avg
Superlatives: 2 x Champion, one of the most iconic catches in NFL history, hasn't turned 33 yet

It's worth noting that Swann's and Branch's numbers are indicative of the era they played in, but Edelman's regular season numbers will end up well past Swann's numbers at least.