Green, Monk among six elected to Hall of Fame

PHOENIX (AP) - It was a Hall of Fame day for the Washington Redskins, with Art Monk and Darrell Green elected to the shrine Saturday. Former commissioner Paul Tagliabue failed to get in for the second straight year.

"There's going to be a party at Redskin Park soon," Green said while talking by teleconference with Monk.

Also voted in were New England linebacker Andre Tippett, San Diego/San Francisco defensive end Fred Dean, Minnesota/Denver tackle Gary Zimmerman and senior committee choice, Kansas City cornerback Emmitt Thomas.

In his eighth year of eligibility, Monk finally was chosen. He concluded his career after the 1995 season with Philadelphia, but spent 13 years with the Redskins as one of the NFL's premier receivers. Monk held records for most consecutive games with a reception (164) and career catches (820). Both have been surpassed, but Monk didn't play in as wide-open an era on offense as many other receivers. He was one of the most consistent possession and third-down receivers in the league throughout his 14 pro seasons.

Green, one of the NFL's speediest and most skilled cornerbacks for two decades, spent his entire career (1983-2002) with the Redskins. He holds the record for consecutive seasons with an interception (19), and had 54 picks for 621 yards and six TDs. A member of the 1990s All-Decade team, Green made seven Pro Bowls.

"This is incredible. This is so special," Green said when informed of the vote. "This is out of this world. This literally transcends football, everything I have gone through to do what I was able to do. It was more than the ability to run and cover. It just goes so far beyond that."

The other player in his first year of eligibility, receiver Cris Carter, was not elected. Carter finished his 15-year career second on the career list in receptions and TD catches.

Inductions will be at the Pro Football Hall of Game in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 2.

"I looked forward to the day we are going to Canton," Green said, breaking up with emotion. "Hopefully, there are several hundred thousand hotels there, and several hundred thousand tickets."

Perhaps the most surprising outcome was Tagliabue again not getting enough support.

In his 17 years as commissioner, the NFL experienced no labor stoppages, while its revenues from TV contracts skyrocketed. There also were expansions to Jacksonville, Charlotte, Cleveland and Houston under his watch, and several teams moved into new stadiums, many of them built with public funds.

But many, including some reporters on the 44-member selection committee, found Tagliabue unapproachable and uncooperative.

Also failiing to get in were Redskins guard Russ Grimm, Buffalo Bills receiver Andre Reed, Oakland Raiders punter Ray Guy, Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar, Chicago Bears defensive end Richard Dent, Miami Dolphins guard Bob Kuechenberg, Vikings guard Randall McDaniel, and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7750854?MSNHPHMA

Kinda surprised Carter didn't get in...I continue to be flabbergasted that Randall McDaniel and Derrick Thomas are still out. And some of those old timers that still aren't in...wow.

Gonna be tough for any of them to get in next year, too, with Bruce Smith, Rod Woodson and Shannon Sharpe (who would all look to be stone cold locks) up for the first time.

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Originally Posted by Arctic Blast

Kinda surprised Carter didn't get in...I continue to be flabbergasted that Randall McDaniel and Derrick Thomas are still out. And some of those old timers that still aren't in...wow.

Gonna be tough for any of them to get in next year, too, with Bruce Smith, Rod Woodson and Shannon Sharpe (who would all look to be stone cold locks) up for the first time.

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carter might be being punished for his off field lifestyle, Thomas had a, in some people opinion, a short run of dominance, Randall McDaniel is just a shame

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Originally Posted by Wassit3

carter might be being punished for his off field lifestyle, Thomas had a, in some people opinion, a short run of dominance, Randall McDaniel is just a shame

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I disagree on Carter, seeing as he stopped drinking and turned his life around back in '91-'92. I think that with the glut of receivers coming along now with massive stats, maybe we'll see a few more guys who take a few years of eligibility (a la Art Monk this season) before they finally get in. And anyone who thinks a linebacker with over 126 career sacks and 8 all pro nominations had a short run of dominance is an idiot. Really, up until his last year, he hadn't slowed that much.

Well Monk deserved it and I was surprised about the ex-commish.

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Originally Posted by Arctic Blast

I disagree on Carter, seeing as he stopped drinking and turned his life around back in '91-'92. I think that with the glut of receivers coming along now with massive stats, maybe we'll see a few more guys who take a few years of eligibility (a la Art Monk this season) before they finally get in. And anyone who thinks a linebacker with over 126 career sacks and 8 all pro nominations had a short run of dominance is an idiot. Really, up until his last year, he hadn't slowed that much.

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oh I agree, beside I do not think a players off the field stuff should prevent what they did on it to keep them out, but that seemed to be the sentiment about Carter and Thomas an the sports show I was watching. Thomas was overall a very good Lb in my opinion.

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Originally Posted by Wassit3

oh I agree, beside I do not think a players off the field stuff should prevent what they did on it to keep them out, but that seemed to be the sentiment about Carter and Thomas an the sports show I was watching. Thomas was overall a very good Lb in my opinion.

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I concur...I don't think off field should matter, unless it's something WAAAYYYYY beyond the pale.