NFL Betting – 2010 NFL Hall of Fame Snubs

Without a doubt, Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith are two deserving first ballot NFL Hall of Famers.

Arguably the greatest players of all-time at their respective positions, Rice and Smith have claimed a few NFL records that seem just about as obtainable as Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak or Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game.

Jerry Rice currently holds the record for most receiving yards in an NFL career with 22,895 (over 7,000 more yards than any other player).

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In addition, his 207 total career touchdowns is a record and is still 32 more than what Emmitt Smith accumulated over arguably the most sustainable career for a running back in the NFL.

In all but one of Smith’s 15 NFL seasons, he had at least 900 rushing yards. Smith also holds the records for most rushing touchdowns (164) and rushing yards in a career (18,355).

But, with two top ten NFL players of all-time going into the Hall of Fame in 2010, there were only three spots left for the other 13 modern-era candidates.

With linebacker Rickey Jackson, offensive lineman Russ Grimm, and defensive lineman John Randle all making the cut, there were a few NFL greats left souring the Hall of Fame’s decision.

Cris Carter and Shannon Sharpe were arguably two of the best NFL greats left out of this Sunday’s 2010 Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Aside from their statistical credentials, Carter and Sharpe revolutionized how their positions were played during their exceptional NFL careers.

Cris Carter has the third most receptions in an NFL career (1,101), and ranks eighth in career receiving yardage (13,899) as well as total touchdowns (131).

Carter practically invented the term ‘possession receiver’ posting back-to-back 122 reception seasons in 1994 and 1995 and catching over 70 passes in a season 10 times with the Minnesota Vikings.

With a pair of steady hands and superb route-running ability, Carter made up for his less-than blazing speed. Raw speed was previously thought as one of the main determinants of an NFL receiver’s success. Carter changed that.

Shannon Sharpe, meanwhile, was one of the greatest receiving tight ends to ever play the game.

Amassing 815 career receptions and 10,060 yards over a 14-year career, Sharpe was proof that the tight end position could be utilized for more than just an extra blocker in the running game.

Along with Hall of Fame tight end Kellen Winslow Sr., Shannon Sharpe helped pave the way for the current generation of pass-catching tight ends.

With Carter and Sharpe excluded as inductees in the 2010 Hall of Fame Ceremony set for this Sunday, it demonstrates just how elite and sacred the Pro Football Hall of Fame fraternity is.

However, my hope is that the NFL Hall of Fame selection committee doesn’t keep these two out of Canton for another year because of what they have done to revolutionize the game of football.

For betting odds on the 2010 NFL Hall of Fame Game, go here!