Topic: Art Monk and Cris Carter

Both men deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. Thank you for finally seeing the light re Monk (it takes integrity to seek new info and admit being wrong – although shame on you for taking so long). I write to point out how Cris Carter actually lends support to Art Monk’s candidacy.

One of the (silly) criticisms about Monk was that although he was great, for many years he was not the best receiver on his own team. Cris Carter, similarly, had to share the spotlight with better receivers in Minnesota. At the start, Anthony Carter was the most dangerous receiver on the Vikings. At the end, Randy Moss was the guy other teams worried most about. No one would argue this detracts from Cris’ legacy or Hall of Fame worthiness.

Art Monk shared the spotlight with pro-bowler Charlie Brown early (Monk was the better all-around receiver, Brown the dangerous deep threat) and later with Gary Clark (a guy whose stats for 5-6 years were close to Jerry Rice during his prime). But Monk helped make Brown and Clark the threats they were and was the key posession receiver, blocker, mentor and all-around core guy that made Gibbs’ good teams great. 4 superbowls and 3 Lombardi trophies prove it.

I would note that Marvin Harrison continuing his career with a now superior Reggie Wayne is no shame. In basketball, David Robinson will likely be a Hall of Famer, although Tim Duncan was the dominant big man in the years when Robinson won his NBA championships. The list goes on.

The point is that Monk and Carter are extremely similar receivers in ability, size and character and had a lot in common in their careers. If Carter played a decade earlier on Gibbs’ teams with Brown and Clark and with Joe Gibbs asking him to block and play utility roles at times for the good of the team, he would probably have had a career stat-line like Monk and a few less pro bowls. Had Monk played a decade later in Minnesota’s in-a-dome, pass-heavy offense, he probably would have had the extra catches, pro bowls and TDs that Carter had.

It pains me to see a guy like Monk stuck on the outside waiting for his Hall of Fame day. It pains me more because he is too classy to complain and his coaches and team-mates are too classy to campaign agressively for him. And, my god, what a repulsive message to football fans and young men everywhere seeking role-models for you voters to elect Michael Irvin to the Hall before Monk. A true disgrace for the HOF voters and NFL in every way.

Now that you have joined the good side of the force, I hope this perspective helps. Let’s elect both Monk and Carter on the next ballot.