There are a lot of polarizing debates regarding the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but the one for Quarterback, Jim Plunkett, might be one of the hottest debates of all.

Truthfully, this debate is straightforward.

The vocal fans who support him in Canton point out that he is a two-time Super Bowl-winning Quarterback, the first of which saw him win MVP.

Those who don’t will say he was never chosen for a Pro Bowl, is an All-Pro, has a .500 regular-season record, and threw more Interceptions than Touchdowns.

Again, this is the easiest cut-and-dry debate, and we know the comments will be very one-sided on both sides!

In terms of notoriety, there are few on the defensive side of the ball that can match Lyle Alzado.  Known for his anger and ferocious play on the gridiron, Alzado debuted in 1971 with the Denver Broncos, and the following season he led all players in Fumble Recoveries.  Alzado played predominantly at Defensive End, and after missing most of the 1976 season due to a blown-out knee, he returned to help the Broncos and their defense reach their first Super Bowl.  A contract dispute led to his trade to the Cleveland Browns, and he later moved to the Los Angeles Raiders, where his popularity rose and he helped them win Super Bowl XVIII.

Alzado retired with 112.5 "unofficial" Sacks and was a two-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro Selection.  After his career ended, his life came to a tragic end as he was an admitted steroid abuser and believed that his PED use would cause the brain tumor that would take his life.

Nate Newton was so big that he was called the “Kitchen," in reference to the fact that he was a more massive player than William "The Refrigerator" Perry.  Newton went undrafted out of Florida A&M but found a home in the USFL, where he played two years with the Tampa Bay Bandits and earned All-USFL Honors.

Now a seasoned professional, Newton signed with the Dallas Cowboys but continued to struggle with his weight.  In his 30s, Newton was at his best, going to six Pro Bowls and earning two First Team All-Pro selections, and he was a large (literally) part of the superb O-Line that helped Emmitt Smith rush his way to the Hall of Fame.  Big Nate would win three Super Bowl Rings with the Cowboys, and we are guessing that his ring size may have been the largest one ever created.

Considering that Todd Christensen was drafted as a Running Back, it is impressive that he developed into one of the most successful Tight Ends of the 1980s. 

The transition to Tight End was not a quick one, and it was not until his fifth year in the NFL that Christensen was productive.  He would then embark on a five-year stretch that would see him set (then) records for receptions for the position.  The Raider would twice lead the league in receptions, which is still unheard of for a Tight End.  The five-time Pro Bowler may not have been the Raiders’ most explosive weapon, but he was their most consistent.

It could be imagined how many totals Todd Christensen could have put up had he learned the Tight End position earlier in his career.  Regardless, with two Super Bowl Rings and his early 80’s exploits, he has a legacy in Raiderland that few can match.

The Cardinals franchise has a long, storied history of great players.  Jay Novacek played five seasons there, but it wasn’t until he hit “Big D” that he became a star and was used to his full potential.

The early Dallas Cowboys dynasty featured a Hall of Fame offense of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin.  As good as that triumvirate was, there were many who felt that their Tight End, Jay Novacek, was just as valuable.  Utilized well in Dallas, Novacek used his soft hands and could always be counted on to deliver in short-yardage pass situations.  Cowboys fans never had to worry about that position, and for five straight years, Novacek made the Pro Bowl. 

Jay Novacek’s final game was a five-catch, one-touchdown performance in the Cowboys’ Super Bowl XXX win over Pittsburgh.  Back issues forced him out of professional football, but after six great years in Dallas, he retired happy with what he accomplished.