Many entries on this list discuss the difficulty of comparing offensive statistics from the 1960s and 1970s to today's inflated numbers. This is even more true when you look at the stars of the 1950s. Charlie Conerly, the Quarterback of the New York Giants during the 1950s, was on the final ballot multiple times but dropped off seemingly for good after 1980.

Conerly was the Giants QB throughout the 1950s and consistently ranked near the top annually in touchdown passes and quarterback rating. While those numbers would not be considered huge by today's standards, they were more than acceptable for that era. He was popular with fans and teammates and showed flashes of brilliance throughout his career.  His overall numbers of 19,486 passing yards, a TD-INT ratio of 173-167, and a role in the 1956 NFL Championship are awfully good for his era.

It is likely that had he led the NFL in more offensive categories during his career, he would have had a better shot at enshrinement. Since he was not even chosen as a semifinalist for the 2020 Centennial Class, it appears that the window for Charlie Conerly to enter Canton may have closed for good.

Len Dawson was one of the great quarterbacks in the American Football League, but a big reason he could do what he did was that Ed Budde helped him stay upright.

As the Left Guard during the first good run of the Kansas City Chiefs, Ed Budde was a punishing blocker who captained the Chiefs’ O-line.  He was a multiple-time AFL All-Star and later earned two Pro Bowl selections.  Powerful and agile, Budde helped Dawson and company win Super Bowl IV and was considered one of the best linemen in the AFL.  He has a spot in the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame, but without a previous nomination to the Football Hall of Fame, the trip from Kansas City to Canton seems long.

For a time, when James Brooks was playing, it seemed that you would hear his name being called throughout the entire game.  With his incredible versatility, it stands to reason teams used him every way they could.

James Brooks led the league in All-Purpose yards in his first two years in the league.  He excelled at Kick Returns and three times eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark rushing.  He wasn’t the biggest athlete, but he was one of the most elusive runners and used his smaller stature as a positive rather than a negative.

Brooks was a great worker, but without an All-Pro Selection on his resume, the Hall likely considers him a really good player, but not necessarily a great one.  Most NFL Running Backs wish that they could have a career that was as good as Brooks.

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.