[alex83]

ex Titans and Oilers Offensive Lineman Bruce Matthews has been named as one of 17 finalists to the Hall of Fame, now i got the chance to see Bruce for a few years when i started watching football as he came to the end of his career but ive always been wondering what makes an offensive lineman good enough to be in the HOF, especially as a single player and not part of a unit? i mean some argue that it is one of the most important jobs on the field but doesnt get the credit it deserves because the stats at the end of the season might not show a last minute sack or an INT to end the game or a fumble recover return like their slightly more athletic cousins on the other side of the line might get.

and maybe you guys could share your memories of Bruce with me as im still a little guy and the only time i will be able to tell stories of Hall Of Famers i watched is when i talk about how i watched Eddie George and Vince Young during their playing days. i mean i always hear people talking about what a great player he was and i believe he is one of a few player who had his number retired by the Titans, so just what made this O Lineman so great?

[Lefty Noob]

Bruce and Clay were the models of consistancy and longevity in the NFL; especially Bruce. If I recall correctly, didn't he make the Pro Bowl as a guard, tackle and center, all? He's the very definition of a Hall of Fame offensive lineman, and I bet he's an easy first ballot enshrinee.

[alex83]

yeah he did but only as a guard and centre, i was reading his stats and he made the Pro Bowl 14 times in a 19 season career as well as being named an All Pro starter 9 times and All AFC 12 times. i think the one thing i enjoyed most about reading about Bruce Matthews is that he is a real old school player, by that i mean that he was playing the game for just playing the game and he had a loyalty to the Oilers/Titans organistation because im sure he could have go to numerous 'big teams' if he wanted to, but he played every single game of his 19 year carrer with the titans and oilers and now a days you dont see a lot of that, most players up and leave teams for a bigger salary or better chance to go to the super bowl but Matthews stuck it out with the Titans and Oilers through bad and good, he sounds like a real franchise great

[Tennessee Titans News]

Bruce Matthews had played in more NFL games than any positional player in league history when he retired after 19 seasons with the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans. And he's no cinch for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first opportunity. Hall of Famer Mike Munchak has been teasing his friend and former teammate over the past few months.

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[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Bruce and Clay were the models of consistancy and longevity in the NFL; especially Bruce. If I recall correctly, didn't he make the Pro Bowl as a guard, tackle and center, all? He's the very definition of a Hall of Fame offensive lineman, and I bet he's an easy first ballot enshrinee.

Bruce sure...but Clay???...I am not sold on Clay as a HOFer

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Bruce sure...but Clay???...I am not sold on Clay as a HOFer

Sorry, wasn't suggesting Clay as an HOFer... just that the two of them played forever. Bruce is a lock in my view though, basically because he could play any position on the line and do it well. Talented and versatile.

[Notorious C.L.E.]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Bruce sure...but Clay???...I am not sold on Clay as a HOFer

If Harry Carson is a Hall of Famer, then Clay Matthews should get serious consideration at the very least. Not a slight on Carson, but Matthews was just as good.

[Lefty Noob]

Bruce Matthews was indeed named to the Hall of Fame today. According to the Associated Press, "Matthews, the only player in his first year of eligibility, spent 19 seasons with the Oilers/Titans franchise, playing more games than any positional player in NFL history when he retired in 2001. He did it as a guard, tackle and center. Matthews never missed a game because of injury."

[alex83]

i think the bigger question should be, was there ever any doubt that a player of Matthews caliber was going to be denyed entry into the HOF? i mean in that short statement there was comments and stats listed that most players can only ever dream of..never missing a game...playing all across the Offensive Line..playing the second most games in NFL history (behind Jerry Rice of course)...being named to the Pro Bowl 14 times in 19 season...i mean the guy was a true NFL player no doubt about it, he should be a player that the next generation aspire to be like because i personally cannot see a fault in his playing career or anything you would say "nah he made a bad decision there" etc

[Tennessee Titans News]

Bruce Matthews would have chosen a different path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But the road from the University of Southern California to Houston with a late detour through Tennessee nevertheless got him where he wanted to be. On Saturday, the offensive lineman became likely the last of the Houston Oilers and the first of the renamed Tennessee Titans to be elected.

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