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When will Bennett make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?


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2 hours ago, THE SLAMMER said:

The Case for Cornelius:

 

While most agree it’s not a matter of “if” but “when,” the former Crimson Tide linebacker has yet to make it past the semifinalist round for the game’s most prestigious honor

By ole whistlebritches@OWB_RTR Jul 13, 2018, 9:30am CDT
 

360971.jpg.0.jpg Bennett and cohort Bruce Smith formed one of the most feared pass rushing tandems of all time.

 

When one thinks back to the long and illustrious history of the linebacker position at the University of Alabama, a few names always come to mind. There was the tough and gritty, hard-hitting Lee Roy Jordan, one of Bear’s Boys. There was possibly the greatest ‘backer to play the game at any level in the legendary Derrick Thomas. There is a litany of more recent names from the Saban Era such as Dont’a Hightower, C.J. Mosley, Rolando McClain, and Courtney Upshaw. Some have made their marks on the pro ranks, while others remain works in progress.

But one former Crimson Tide linebacker who distinguished himself not only during his time at Alabama but as a prolific pro defender in the NFL is Bama’s beloved “Biscuit,” Cornelius Bennett. Bennett was easily one of the most heralded linebackers to play at the Capstone, and he parlayed that potential into a dominant career in the NFL which saw him play for a Super Bowl five times with two different teams. Bennett was a fixture on the Buffalo Bills “always a bridesmaid, never a bride” teams of the late ‘80’s and early ‘90s, when the Bills dominated the AFC but just couldn’t make it over the hump to get a Super Bowl ring.

 

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https://www.rollbamaroll.com/2018/7/13/17565710/the-case-for-cornelius-bennett-pro-football-hall-of-fame-crimson-tide-buffalo-bills-falcons-colts

 

 

 

360971.jpg.0.jpg Bennett and cohort Bruce Smith formed one of the most feared pass rushing tandems of all time.

 

When one thinks back to the long and illustrious history of the linebacker position at the University of Alabama, a few names always come to mind. There was the tough and gritty, hard-hitting Lee Roy Jordan, one of Bear’s Boys. There was possibly the greatest ‘backer to play the game at any level in the legendary Derrick Thomas. There is a litany of more recent names from the Saban Era such as Dont’a Hightower, C.J. Mosley, Rolando McClain, and Courtney Upshaw. Some have made their marks on the pro ranks, while others remain works in progress.

But one former Crimson Tide linebacker who distinguished himself not only during his time at Alabama but as a prolific pro defender in the NFL is Bama’s beloved “Biscuit,” Cornelius Bennett. Bennett was easily one of the most heralded linebackers to play at the Capstone, and he parlayed that potential into a dominant career in the NFL which saw him play for a Super Bowl five times with two different teams. Bennett was a fixture on the Buffalo Bills “always a bridesmaid, never a bride” teams of the late ‘80’s and early ‘90s, when the Bills dominated the AFC but just couldn’t make it over the hump to get a Super Bowl ring.

 

More

https://www.rollbamaroll.com/2018/7/13/17565710/the-case-for-cornelius-bennett-pro-football-hall-of-fame-crimson-tide-buffalo-bills-falcons-colts

 

 

 

 

 

Great player, but not a HOF player.

 

His chances are better than Incognito, but neither should make it.

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Pegulas are going to need to build a 400,000 capacity stadium to fit everyone on the WOF that people want.

 

It's already watered down - oh, and includes a murderer.  

 

They can't put every member of the four years' worth of good teams this team has seen on the WOF, folks.

 

As for the HOF?  Bennett will get in just like we do ... with a ticket.

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4 hours ago, MJS said:

I was expecting to see a bunch of fans posting: "Yeah! He should be in the HOF!"

 

Not the case. Interesting.

Bennett was a key player on those 90’s Bills teams. He absolutely possessed HOF talent. Unfortunately, he never was able to consistently show it. Unlike say, a Bruce Smith who early on decided he would dedicate himself to the game and delivered consistent excellence. There were plays Bennett would make that would leave you astounded. Then he might disappear for a long stretch of time. I recall a play in an AFC title game vs KC where Montana dropped back to pass and Bennett rushed him. It was a well executed screen to Marcus Allen in the flat, but Bennett wasn’t fooled. He stopped in his tracks and headed toward the waiting Allen with tremendous speed , tackling him in the backfield for a loss. The announcing team were just about at a loss for words at the display of sheer athleticism. Unfortunately for the Biscuit, his career was just a very good one, with valleys to go with the peaks. Wall of fame, yes. Not HOF worthy , though he could have been. 

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Yeah, I'm kind of surprised at how many people think Cornelius shouldn't even be in the conversation for HOF (as far as his playing career goes).

 

I'm not saying he should be a shoo in or anything, but when you think of great players, you think about them making those clutch plays at just the right moment to turn a game around.

 

And honestly, though Kelly, Hull, Thurman, and Reed were the engine that drove that team, when I think of clutch plays that turned games around in a heartbeat, I think of three players: Bruce, Tasker, and Bennett. Biscuit had a knack for making big plays at just the right time in a game. Guys can rack up a lot of stats without being great...but the great ones always come through in the clutch and Cornelius did that on a consistent basis throughout his career.

 

 

And for comparison sake:

                    Yrs      Gm   Starts    Total Tackles   Avg. Tkls/yr    Total sacks   Avg. sk/yr     Total FF  Avg. FF/yr    Total FR   Avg. FR/yr    Total INT  Avg. INT/yr 

Bennett       14       206     204          1,050                   75                    71.5               5.12               31              2.2              27              1.93                 7               .5

Urlacher      13       182     180          1,040                   80                    41.5               3.19               11              .85              15              1.15                22               2

 

Awards/Honors

Urlacher                                                     Bennett

8 Pro Bowls                                               5 Pro Bowls

Defensive Rookie of year                        All Rookie Team

1 Defensive player of year                      2 AFC Defensive player of the year

HOF All-decade team 2000s                  HOF All-decade team 1990s

4 First Team All-Pro                                 3 First Team All-Pro

7-time Defensive player of the week     7-time Defensive player of the week

1 Super Bowl appearance                       5 Super Bowl appearances

played 13 years for one team                 played 9 years for one team

 

Urlacher is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and most think Cornelius shouldn't even be in the discussion?

Edited by folz
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