By Nick Webster 
As we consider the results of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025 many are surprised that Eric Allen made it through as one of the four inductees.
It’s certainly been a wait – this is Allen’s second to last bite at the apple. In two years he will be moved our of the Hall's modern-era into their seniors category.
In the last year, a research partner (Peirce Conboy) and I went back to supplement Stats, Inc. passer rating data on Allen and what came out of the charting and the film study. After poring over old games he was a clear Hall of Famer to me.
Here's why:
Allen was a smooth Corner with very good instincts and hands who certainly benefitted – early in his career – from a devastating Eagles defensive line featuring Reggie White, Clyde Simmons and Jerome Brown - all All-Pros.
A 4.4 guy from Cornerback U (as I like to think of Arizona State with Mike Haynes and Louis Wright preceding Allen as lockdown Sun Devils) his speed didn’t last beyond his first few seasons, but those instincts and ball skills allowed the aging corner to continue to perform well into his thirties.
Most will remember Allen for his four touchdown returns in 1993, including a famous call by Merrill Reese on his long-winding touchdown return versus Boomer Esiason’s Jets.
But while 1993 was a fine season for Allen, it wasn’t his best. We’ve charted all but two games of Allen’s career and here are his coverage stats year-by-year.
As a rookie Allen played fairly well but was beaten, giving up more touchdowns than interceptions and posting his last above league-average rating allowed that he would have for his next six seasons. Starting in 1989 Allen ripped off a career peak to rival any. In four consecutive seasons he didn’t allow a completion percentage over 50% and had 19 Iinterceptions while giving up just 11 touchdowns.
His passer ratings bounced around between good and spectacular posting a 38.4, 63.4 and 33.9 in ’89 – ’91. Additionally, 1992 and 1993 were both strong with rating allowed of just over 60.
Allen did begin to fall off in 1994, however - his final year as an Eagle.
After three mediocre seasons in New Orleans Allen may have been perceived as having lost it, but after signing with Oakland in 1998 Allen had a spectacular season – albeit in less than a complete season – but he returned to have three more seasons around or better than league average.
The numbers say it, the film says it and the accolades say it – Eric Allen is a deserving Hall of Famer.
Here are Allen's career stats and accolades -
No qualms about Eric Allen being inducted. However, there are other corners who might never be inducted who are just as, if not more, deserving than Allen.
ReplyDeleteLemar Parrish
Louis Wright
Lester Hayes
Dave Grayson
Bobby Boyd
It's frustrating to hear about the multiple committees and "red tape" (ex. Modern-Era Players Screening Committee and the Seniors Screening Committee) which is extremely confusing. I don't understand the process which makes me think it's WAY too complicated. I hate to think this is about money, since if people don't remember some of these old players, they won't come to Canton and spend their money during induction weekend (or any days of the year). But I think that's partially true. And that's very sad.
A good list and points worth discussing. On the list, I think Louis Wright should be a Hall of Famer and I'd put him in over Allen were it up to me. I'd rank the other Parrish, Hayes Boyd, Grayson. I'd have preferred Parrish over Ken Riley were we going to induct a Bengal CB, but the voters were impressed with Rileys INT count. Of that list, the most likely to get through is probably Hayes bolstered by his gawdy 1980.
ReplyDeleteI don't love the new process - but it did do what it was designed to do and lower the size of the class. It's really not about money as the voters are still very independent from the Hall itself.
Sadly, some voters (not all) aren't willing to do - or listen to - research about players that predate them. It's no surprise that Sterling Sharpe made it through and Maxie Baughan wasn't close.
Full disclosure, I'm a big Hall advocate and happy for the four deserving inductees. Eric Allen was a great player.
DeleteHowever, to me four inductees isn't a reasonable number. Failing to elect Buddy Parker last year & Holmgren who's alive is very disheartening.
I think the percentage requirement needs thrown out the window w/ 12 inductees required each election for the next 7-10 years. They need to find a way to elect more going back to the Pre WWII seniors (the senior pool of worthy players is huge).
The modern offensive line pool is another problem. How are guys like Saturday, Mankins, Webb, Nalen, etc not seen as serious candidates.
Rod Smith is never mentioned despite being elite for nearly a decade and being undrafted.
For now it appears the small hall advocates are winning. They should review the all-time player rankings on this website and watch some film on YouTube.
Thanks for taking the time to gather all the data for a summary chart.
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of the Senior CB candidates vs Modern Eric Allen. EA slipping to seniors would have continued to muddy the waters.
Good job researching Nick and Pierce. Question I have is when a qb is throwing a ball away and it goes to Allen's general direction did you count that as a target? Also what did you do with screen passes that are thrown to receivers behind the LOS?
ReplyDeleteI am going to post a few links so its possible the spam monster might eat them up.
DeleteAn example of an overthrow that I noted, but don't count as a target so it doesn't show in the articles data would be a play like this:
1992 Week 6 - Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs
https://youtu.be/0YdZk7zKGO4?t=4907
I also didn't assign a target on a massive miss communication where a WR runs a dozen yards and a qb lobs in 30
1994 Week 8 - Houston Oilers at Philadelphia Eagles -MNF
https://youtu.be/3xFGu2blDzo?t=4733
I have all these noted so if someone REALLY believed these should be included I could go back and find them, they don't happen too often.
As for screens, for the late 80s and early 90s, the what we see today with slip screens, bubble screens weren't overly popular. So in the event I came across one, where are the LBs, was Eric a hard flats player etc, and make a call.
On the chart/pic, what does relative rating mean? I know what Def Rate is.
ReplyDelete