By Bob Mathews Democrat and Chronicle
(Sunday, February 3, 2002) -- Columnist Bob Matthews analyzes the chances other people associated with the Buffalo Bills have of reaching the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Bruce Smith: The prototype pass-rushing defensive end... . Second in career sacks (186 to Reggie White's 198) since the NFL began keeping the stat... . A No. 1 overall draft pick (1985) who lived up to his billing... . Holds NFL records for playoff sacks (14.5) and double-digit sack seasons (13)... . Two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year... . Durability and longevity other pluses... . 11 Pro Bowls. CINCH FIRST-BALLOT SELECTION.
Thurman Thomas: The best all-around running back in team history, and O.J. Simpson was the only better pure runner... . No. 9 on the NFL's all-time rushing list with 12,074 yards (the eight players ahead of him include six Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith)... . Tied for 10th all-time in yards from scrimmage... . 46 100-yard rushing games with the Bills... . Eight straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons... . League MVP in 1991... . Deserved to be MVP of Super Bowl XXV even though the Bills lost. CINCH HALL-OF-FAMER, PROBABLY IN FIRST YEAR OF ELIGIBILITY.
James Lofton: Second all-time in yards receiving (14,004) behind only Jerry Rice... . 764 career catches rank ninth... . 18.4 yards per catch second only to Don Maynard (18.7) among NFL's all-time top 20 receivers... . Very good with Bills (1989-92) after being a spectacular Green Bay Packer (1978-86)... . Among the 15 finalists on this year's Hall of Fame ballot... . TV work won't hurt his chances. PROBABLE FUTURE HALL OF FAMER.
Andre Reed: Jim Kelly's favorite target... . Third on the NFL all-time list for receptions (951) and sixth in yards receiving (13,198)... . 87 TD catches... . Solid numbers in the postseason... . Fearless over the middle with the speed to go deep... . Seven Pro Bowls. PROBABLE HALL OF FAMER, BUT MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT A FEW YEARS.
Ralph Wilson: Among the original AFL owners and still going strong after 42 years... . Of the eight original AFL owners, only he has kept his team in its originating city... . Saw his team win two straight AFL championships and go to four straight Super Bowls... . Selected by The Buffalo News as Buffalo's ''Top Sports Figure'' of the past century... . Has been called ''the conscience of the NFL'' for his input in critical league issues. HAS BEEN A FINALIST SEVERAL TIMES AND FIGURES TO EVENTUALLY BE ELECTED (HOPEFULLY IN HIS LIFETIME).
Steve Tasker: The NFL's all-time most famous special teams specialist and one of the best... . Seven Pro Bowls (MVP in 1992)... . If special teams really are one-third of the game, he deserves a bust in Canton and would be a fine representative for all the exceptional past special team players ... His heroics as a receiver late in his career should count for something... . Visibility as a CBS analyst can't hurt his cause. PROBABLY LESS THAN 50-50, BUT IF ANY NON-KICKING SPECIAL TEAMER MAKES IT, HE SHOULD BE THE ONE.
Kent Hull: One of the underrated players throughout his Buffalo career (1986-96)... . One of the top centers of his era... . Three Pro Bowls. A LONG SHOT WHO PROBABLY WON'T GET THE SUPPORT HE DESERVES.
Joe DeLamielleure: A key member of the Electric Company offensive line that opened the holes for O.J. Simpson... . Sometimes overshadowed (but not outperformed) by the more charismatic Reggie McKenzie... . Five Pro Bowls... . Has made the list of Hall of Fame nominees several times... . There are lots of Canton-caliber offensive guards and the ones who win Super Bowls get the most support. WOULD BE A WORTHY HALL OF FAMER BUT COULD BE RUNNING OUT OF CHANCES.
Cornelius Bennett: A physically gifted and very good linebacker for a long time (1987-2000) but not quite the consistent impact performer some observers expected him to be... . Five Pro Bowls. A LONG SHOT CANDIDATE WHO FIGURES TO SUFFER FROM THE PERCEPTION THAT THE SUPER BOWL BILLS WERE AN AVERAGE DEFENSIVE TEAM.
