November 9, 2007
Paul "Dr Z" Zimmerman blocks Ken Stabler from the Hall of Fame
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The Pro Football Hall of Fame is a shrine dedicated to the best players to play the game of football. Ken "Snake" Stabler was a player who was best known for coming though in in the end when the game is on the line. Dr Z apparently has issues with certain aspects of The Snake's legacy, but it should be his play on the field that determines whether a player is worthy of induction.
In his article on SI.com Dr Z writes:
In his prime, while it lasted, he was very accurate. Then he became consistently inaccurate. His teammates wondered why. That's as far as I'll take this one. A few years ago, the person presenting him at the enshrinement meeting mentioned how he had "always been cooperative with the media." My hand shot up as if it were on a spring, and I reminded this ninny about how the Snake invited Bob Padecky of the Sacramento Bee down to the Redneck Riviera to do some offseason interviewing. And when Padecky showed up, all of a sudden Kenny's buddies on the Mobile PD found some drugs that had been planted in the writer's car, and off he went to the joint. For a night. Then he was released with no charges filed. Yeah, Kenny will make it. After I'm morto.
Now lets look at the Snake's numbers for his career:
184 games 2270 completions 3793 attempts 59.8 percentage 194 touchdowns 222 interceptions
Compared to today's NFL 59.8% does not look Hall of Fame worthy, but in The Snake's day defensive backs could bump, hit, trample, and otherwise molest receivers until the ball was in the air. There was no five yard chuck rule like there is today.
To provide a comparison let's take a look at fellow Crimson Tide Alum and Hall of Fame member Joe Namath's career statistics.
140 Games 1886 completions 3762 attempts 50.1 percentage 173 touchdowns and 222 interceptions.
The Snake played in more games had 9.8% better completion percentage 21 more touchdowns and the same number of interceptions as Broadway Joe, but he is not accurate enough to be in the Hall of Fame?
Both Broadway Joe and The Snake were both known for their larger than life off field partying. Broadway Joe had the advantage of playing in the media spotlight, while The Snake played in Oakland which is considered by many to be the second class city in its own area.
Since its established that the Snake's statistics are better than his contemporary who is enshrined in the Hall, Dr Z must be holding a grudge about the story he told about his media comrade who had a practical joke played on him. A personal grudge does not seem like a good reason to keep a deserving candidate out of the Hall of Fame.
Broadway Joe's defining moment was his guarantee of victory in Super Bowl III. The Snake played in several of the most memorable games in NFL history:
The Immaculate Deception: Ken Stabler scored the only legitimate touchdown of that game to give the Raiders the lead late, before Franco Harris caught the ball off of Frency Fuqua to score the touchdown that was awarded due to lack of adequate crowd control.
The Sea of Hands: Ken Stabler threw the ball into the "Sea of Hands" where it was caught by Clarence Davis to give the Raiders a victory over the defending champion Dolphins.
The Holy Roller: Ken Stabler fumbled the ball forward which was ultimately recovered by Dave Casper for a game winning touchdown over division rival San Diego.
The Ghost to the Post: Ken Stabler led the Raiders to the game winning score in the second overtime by throwing the ball to Dave "The Ghost" Casper when he was running a post pattern.
Ken Stabler has the credentials to be in the Hall of Fame, it is a shame that a petty personal grudge from a sports writer is keeping him out.
Discussion
12 Comments on "Paul "Dr Z" Zimmerman blocks Ken Stabler from the Hall of Fame"
#1
Posted by Thomas C, November 10, 2007 6:44 AM
How can one writer keep a qualified person out of the Hall. The Snake played in some of the NFL's most memorable games ever! Look at the win loss % between Snake and Broadway Joe! Snake kicks his butt! Get over the past and let the Snake slither in where he belongs with the rest of NFL History! Snake deserves to be in the hall. It did not hamper Lawrence Taylor, or Michael Irving both drug addicts! Snake was never involved in that! Dr. Z get real!
#2
Posted by JollyRoger, November 10, 2007 9:22 AM
I always suspected that the whole 'Padecky incident' was at the root of Stabler's inability to crack the Hall. I never expected anyone to so blatantly and brazenly admit as much, though. It really is a travesty when the personal feelings influence such matters. It reminds me of the 1995 American League MVP, given to Mo Vaughn, despite Albert Belle's numbers being superior across the board AND his team finishing ahead of Vaughn's. You don't think it had anything to do with the fact that Belle openly despised the media, do you? It's just petty and unprofessional. Getting back to the Snake, I've always held that the biggest reason he should be in the HOF is this: Is it possible to discuss the best quarterbacks of his era without mentioning his name? Answer: an emphatic NO! In the NFC you had Staubach and Tarkenton, in the AFC you had Bradshaw, Griese and the Snake.That should count for something, in my opinion.
#3
Posted by Thomas, November 11, 2007 8:44 PM
I wouldn't go as far as saying Griese was one of the best of that era. In the AFC, from 1973-1979, the most feared quarterbacks in the 4th quarter were Bradshaw and Stabler. In the NFL as a whole, it would be Stabler, Staubach, and Bradshaw and then everyone else. Frankly, Dr Z. can't get over his man-love for Ken Anderson. Honestly, I think that Stabler is going to have to wait for Z to snuff it because I really do not think there is anyone else that thinks Stabler should not be in the Hall besides Z and his voice carries weight.
#4
Posted by JollyRoger, November 17, 2007 9:18 AM
As someone who wasn't just alive but was a football fan in the early 70s, Thomas my friend (if you're out there), trust me: Tarkenton and Griese were in the discussion, just as surely as they are now in the Hall. And I'm saying that as a lifelong, dyed-in-the silver-and-black-wool Raider fan.
It would appear that the Snake's best (only?) hope might be the veterans' committee. I'm not sure how it works, exactly, but I hope they see fit to right this particular wrong.
#5
Posted by Diamond Dave, December 19, 2007 3:09 PM
As a lifelong Raiders and Stabler fan, I'll admit I'm biased on the HOF for Stabler issue, which doesn't make him any less worthy. Consider this: The HOF Selection Committee selects an All-Decade team, after each decade of play is completed. Through the All-Decade team of the 90's, all but two of the eligible selected QBs are in the HOF. The exceptions? Cecil Isbell of the 30's and Ken Stabler of the 70's. Stabler's fellow 70's selections, Terry Bradshaw and Roger Staubach, were both inducted in their first year of eligibility.
#6
Posted by duquette was correct, December 26, 2007 2:40 PM
growing up in the seventies i had 2 teams i rooted for, living in chicago, naturally, the bears....and since the bears only made the playoffs in 1977 during the decade (a quick exit at the hands of the cowboys by the way) i knew i could always look forward to seeing the raiders (led by the snake) play and play well in the playoffs....i always dreamt of the raiders trading stabler to my hometown team.....kenny deserves induction....zimmerman can't even get 50% of his weekly picks right in si.....he's not that bright...
#7
Posted by Blackjhaart, January 17, 2008 5:54 AM
That this a$$ clown Dr. Z even has a say is totally retarted. Snake deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Period. Stats don't tell the entire story - although Stablers stats exceed most of his contemporaries. You don't compare a guy from the 70's to today's players. The game is totally different. I believe Stabler would have Tom Brady numbers if he was 28 years old in 2008. Another reason why I don't read Gaysports Illustrated!
#8
Posted by Mike, May 28, 2008 9:21 AM
Dr. Z has always had a thing against the Raiders. I know that I am a Raiders fan and I sound like the usual Raiders fan who is complaining about the media. However, after Tim Brown retired "DR. Z" reported that he wouldn't vote for Brown because he dropped too many passes! The last time I checked he is the third best reciever in terms of receptions of all time. I guess if TImmy didn't "DROP" so many passes then he would be the all-time leader. Dr. Z doesn't know diddly.
#10
Posted by Scotty L, August 2, 2008 5:00 PM
Zimmerman represents everything wrong with the HOF voting.
He is an elitest voter. Stats are overated because you can not compare today's to yesterday.
Everyone knows Stabler was a charismatic QB and a big time winner.
Zimmerman does not get it and is a shame to the real Hall of Fame.
#11
Posted by Marcus L, September 30, 2008 12:06 AM
Here's one simple reason he probably does.. an NFL record of 96-49-1 for a winning percentage of .661
The closest QB's in wins?
Moon 102
Kelly 101
Krieg 98
Bledsoe 98
STABLER 96
Simms 95
Young, Starr, Dawson, Aikman 94
All hall of famers except Krieg and Bledsoe who both should be and Stabler's pct. is higher than all of them, even Steve Young.
So who has a better Winning Percentage?
Daryle Lamonica - .784
#12
Posted by dave, November 27, 2008 8:52 AM
Ken Stabler was the most accurate passer to this day that i have ever seen. He completed well over 60 pct of his passes in the 7 step drop era. And the RAIDERS HAD A VERTICAL PASSING OFFENSE.And nobody you wanted with the ball late in the game more than the Snake he was as cool as they come. If you asked opposing coaches in 70's who they feared the most it would be the Snake..........
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