04:09 PM ET  02.08 | For Cris Carter to not be inducted this year (or the past two for that matter) is ridiculous.  The man had the best sideline moves of any player (past, present, possibly future) and went across the middle almost fearlessly, but neither thing should get a player into the HOF.  But the numbers don't lie; 1101 receptions, 13,899 yards receiving, 12.6 yards/reception, and 130 touchdowns.  All better numbers than Michael Irvin (except yards/reception, Irvin had a 15.9 average), better numbers than Art Monk (again except yards/reception) and Monk never had more than eight touchdowns in a season.  Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith were locks this year and I won't argue against John Randle either since he is number five all-time in sacks, but look at the other 2010 inductees.

• Russ Grimm-Guard on the "Hog" lines of the Washington Redskins.  Played 140 games over 11 seasons which is stellar for an offensive lineman.  Also appeared in four Super Bowls, helping the Redskins win three (XVII, XXII, and XXVI).  His down side is that he played in only 11 total games in 1987 and 1988 and he wasn't a consistent starter in Washington in his final five years in the league.  Was an auspicious selection to the NFL All '80s decade team.  But this is typical HOF voting because they want as many representatives from winning teams as possible.
• Rickey Jackson-Linebacker for the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers.  Recorded double-digit sacks in six seasons (all six with the Saints) and made the Pro Bowl six times.  He was a player much like that of Lawrence Taylor but without the recognition until now.  Played on Super Bowl XXIX champion 49ers team, but had only two tackles in the game and had his least productive season of his career with only 3.5 sacks.  He was a solid veteran at that point

Really what it comes down to is that Grimm maybe should've waited one more year to make the Hall.  Offensive linemen are always the best candidates for the veteran committee selections to the Hall.  Plus, I've heard arguments that you don't put two wide receivers into the Hall in the same class; same with running backs, quarterbacks, etc. But Jackson was played a lot at defensive end like Taylor and did not play the typical linebacker role.  John Randle is listed as a defensive tackle, but for the better part of his time with Minnesota lined-up at defensive end.  Randle and Jackson were hybrid players at different position but still had plenty of time at defensive end.  Plus, in two consecutive years the Hall inducted two quarterbacks in the same class; 2005 with Dan Marino and Steve Young and 2006 with Troy Aikman and Warren Moon.

The last argument I heard against Carter making the Hall of Fame is for his time with the Philadelphia Eagles.  He was a disruptive force in the locker room, was steadily bad on the field, and off the field he was a drug user.  But if all these things work against a player than why is Irvin in the Hall?  Irvin had problems off the field with drug use and questionable personal contact and continues these actions even after he retired and elected into the HOF.  Let me put it this way, if Carter had years in Philadelphia like he did in Minnesota would he have given Rice a run for the all-time receiving records?

Parting Shots
When can we see Jim Marshall make the Hall?  He was football???s Iron Man with 282 consecutive games played and 270 consecutive games started.  Both records have been broken but he still holds the record for most recovered fumbles with 30.  His lack of championships and one bad wrong-way run seem to be keeping him out of the Hall, but he is the last great "Purple People Eater" to not be inducted.