Two Bills Drive

Hall of Fame spots should go only to the truly great.

But Kelly, the Buffalo Bills quarterback, was never even considered the best at their position in his era.

How Can You Tell He’s From Western Pennsylvania?

Hearing of his selection to the Hall of Fame, Jim Kelly said, “I’m going out with my dad and brothers for shots and beers.”

Sentimentality note: In a hotel room in New Orleans, Kelly waited for word of whether he’d been selected with his father, five brothers, and his high-school coach from East Brady, Pa. Oh football gods, why did you deny this man a ring?

Enlightened Hall Politics:

TMQ praises the Canton loya jirga for taking Jim Kelly on the first ballot. That the Bills honked four straight Super Bowls should not prevent admiration for the fact that they were able to get into four straight meaning they are the only team ever to win four straight conference championships, which is the preferred emphasis in Buffalo. Buffalo never got the ring but may end up with seven in Canton from its Super Bowl team – Kelly and Marv Levy, already; Thurman Thomas and Bruce Smith, locks; Steve Tasker, Kent Hull, and Andre Reed, likely. Thus the football gods console the vanquished.

Kelly himself deserves kudos for his grasp of Hall politics. As TMQ noted a year ago, Kelly cut his career a little short, since he might have played an extra season or two, in order to become eligible in 2002, when he would have less Canton competition. Staring at Kelly’s brake lights are John Elway, Dan Marino, and Steve Young, all eligible soon and sure to monopolize Hall admission slots for quarterbacks. It was a savvy move for Kelly to make sure he got admitted before such gentlemen’s names went on the ballot.

Eleven years ago, current Patriots coach Bill Belichick capped off his run as the Giants’ defensive mastermind by working with coach Bill Parcells to shock another offensive juggernaut, the 1990 Buffalo Bills. The Giants won the closest game in Super Bowl history, surviving 20-19.

The Giants relied on a ball-control conservative offense (they held the ball for a Super Bowl-record 40 minutes, 33 seconds), leaning on the strength of Belichick’s unit, the cautious play of inexperienced starting QB Jeff Hostetler and the running of Ottis Anderson. Brady was in Hostetler’s role in February 2002, carefully watching over Weis and Belichick’s game plan. Antowain Smith provided the backfield punch for Brady, grinding out 92 yards on 18 carries.

Having one of their AFC East opponents as the reigning Super Bowl champions is the best news the Bills have received this off-season. Benefits abound on this one, folks: The Patriots will play all next season in the spotlight — getting better television slots and the like — which will make their games more exciting and toss some extra attention the way of their divisional opponents.

‘From one standpoint, we will never see his like again. He was the last quarterback to call his own plays and in this high-tech era, no coaching staff will relinquish that responsibility again. His command in the huddle was legendary.’

‘When Hall of Famers sign autographs, they often add a short reference to their class. Kelly knows his will be ‘HOF ’02.’ “It’s only fitting for me to go in as No. 2,” he says. “But today we’re No. 1, the Buffalo Bills, the fans of Buffalo and the Kelly family. Going into the Hall of Fame, we can honestly say we’re No. 1.”‘

‘"He was the ultimate football player, that’s what he was,” Butler said.’

‘I suspect Kelly was the only unanimous honoree. We’ll never know. Voting totals are not announced. Even we voters, some 36 this day, don’t know who is finally elected until the results are announced at a news conference.’

If you trade Mark Brunell, which likely available QB would you pursue as the team’s next quarterback? RJ tops list at 38% over such QBs as Jeff Blake, Charlie Batch, Ryan Leaf and Tony Banks.

‘He joined the ranks of the greatest players ever to play the game the same way he threw so many touchdown passes – with ease.’

‘Kelly played the game the way it was meant to be played, and he was one of the winningest quarterbacks ever in the process. That’s why he deserved to skate into Canton, Ohio.’

‘As it turned out, those infamous four straight Super Bowl losses are now seen in the clear light of distance as a plus, not a negative. Resilience, not a Jay Leno punch line, are what those games mean now.’

‘Among the Hall of Fame quarterbacks, Kelly ranks third in career passer rating at 84.4, trailing only Joe Montana (92.3) and Otto Graham (86.6). Only four Hall of Famers (Fran Tarkenton, Dan Fouts, Montana and Johnny Unitas) have thrown for more yards than Kelly (35,467).’

‘Columnist Bob Matthews analyzes the chances other people associated with the Buffalo Bills have of reaching the Pro Football Hall of Fame.’

‘"They had enough confidence in a quarterback from Western Pennsylvania to hand over an offense, to say, you know what, here it is, go for it — the no-huddle offense, calling all my own plays. That was their job security, but they had enough confidence in me to go out there and have fun."’