Phil Simms is a two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, though many who watched his first five years of play may not have foreseen it.

Simms may have been inconsistent early in his NFL career, but something seemed to click in 1984.  It wasn’t just the influx of talent to the Giants roster, as it was at this time that Simms became their leader and found ways to win.  He wasn’t the quickest or the hardest thrower, but he became a winner, and most importantly, he had the belief and trust of his teammates; something that not every Quarterback had.  Because of the Giants’ stellar defense, many have said Simms only had to manage the game, but those who played with him always praised his high football IQ and leadership skills.

Simms has been called overrated and underrated at various times in his career.  Regardless of how he is rated, anyone with a Super Bowl Ring as a quarterback and who was at times considered in the top five has to be considered a candidate for the Football Hall of Fame.

As the first overall pick in 1984, many expected Irving Fryar to be great right away.  He wasn’t, but his career showed a slow climb to elite status, and often, you heard his number called by broadcasters on Sunday afternoons.

Irving Fryar was always a good NFL receiver, but he became a go-to Wide Receiver in his late 20’s.  It was between the ages of 29 and 35 that Fryar had his five 1,000-yard seasons, and it was also at this time that he saw his name among the league leaders in receiving categories.  Fryar holds the record for touchdown receptions from the most Quarterbacks (19), and with his emergence late in his career as a star, he rapidly climbed up the all-time statistical ranks.

As good as Irving Fryar was, he never led a major offensive category and was never named to a First Team All-Pro team.  Chances are that Fryar would have had to do that at least once to be considered a viable Hall of Fame candidate, as despite his career numbers, his name does not come up often in the Canton conversation.

The New Orleans Saints offense has been good for so long that people have forgotten that when they finally put decent teams together in the early ’90s, it was on the strength of their defense.  Pat Swilling was a big part of those squads.

Pat Swilling was an excellent pass rusher who was brilliant at rushing the passer.  As New Orleans’ resident sack superstar, he five times (and another with Detroit) achieved double-digit totals in that category.  Swilling reached his high water mark in 1991, when he led the league in Sacks and captured the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. 

Pat Swilling was one of the most tenacious defenders of all time, but despite making the playoffs often, his respective teams never made it to the second game.  Had he been able to extend more in the playoffs, it is very possible that he could have been at least a Hall of Fame Finalist at one point.  Swilling might be among the most disrespected defensive players in football, and that includes his own fanbase.

As one of the men who used to eagerly wait for the final undefeated team to lose every NFL season, Bob Kuechenberg was a staple on the famed Miami Dolphins O-Line.

As part of the Dolphins' two consecutive Super Bowl champions, Kuechenberg actually enjoyed better individual seasons after.  Although he looked like a reject from the Longest Yard Prison Team (the original movie), Kuechenberg would enter into six Pro Bowl seasons.  He made up for what he lacked in ability with guile, technique, and mistake-free football.

Kuechenberg was a finalist for eight years in a row, but in 2010, he failed to even make the Semi-Finals on the Hall of Fame ballot. Many from that legendary 72 Dolphins team are in the Hall (including a fellow lineman), and this may now work against him, as it may be felt that that group has been sufficiently recognized.  Throw in the fact that he wasn’t the most liked man by sports media, and his omission seems a little clearer.