[Saqwnht]

Ray Lewis was best player on a great defense for years... Fletcher is a good player on a shitty defense that's why his stats stand up. Lewis is Lead by example and Fletcher is more of a follower.

Somehow, we have reached this point in the Camp Confidential without mentioning the name of London Fletcher. But he's still very much in the middle of things at age 37. He ran an interception in for a touchdown during the first week of training camp. He's in the best shape of anyone in camp, as usual. They put Griffin's locker next to his because they felt Griffin could benefit from proximity to their best veteran leader, and Griffin said he knew right away the significance of the locker assignment. Fletcher said he wanted to come back to Washington in part because he wants to be there when they turn it around. If they do, his presence will of course be a big reason why.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation

[chuecafresss]

It's all a popularity contest and for some some reason (probably playing in Buffalo and Washington) Fletcher has never been as popular as guys like Lewis or Urlacher. To me Fletcher is not only the best LB of the past dozen years but very well could be the top defensive player. His stats are the same every season and like others have said I don't think his durability should be a negative.

Maybe if he killed someone or did an Old Spice commercial he'd get some recognition.

[vaalmerruutel]

Well, now bringing Derrick Brooks into the conversation, and anointing him as a Hall of Famer, can make for some interesting discussion.

Brooks played 14 seasons, had 1301 tackles, 25 interceptions, 24 forced fumbles, and 13.5 sacks. He played in and won one Super Bowl. He made 11 Pro Bowls.
Fletcher has played 14 seasons(and counting), has 1242 tackles, 18 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles, and 34 sacks. He played in two Super Bowls, and won 1. He's made 3 Pro Bowls.

What among those stats sets Brooks so far apart from Fletcher?
I'll also submit that, as an undrafted player, Fletcher's rookie season was almost exclusively spent on special teams, while first rounder Brooks was a starter from Day 1--so his real 14th year is this upcoming one. He'll likely surpass Brooks in tackles by quite a bit.

I know one when I see one. Derrick Brooks is a HOF football player. Fletcher, not so much.

[vaalmerruutel]

You know, for every one of these I can name a Packer at the same position who should easily be in ahead of them.

This one: Dave Robinson

LOOK!! OVER HERE!! THE PACKERS!!

[Saqwnht]

I know one when I see one. Derrick Brooks is a HOF football player. Fletcher, not so much.

Ah...

So, basically just gut feel, then.

[Saqwnht]

Here are arguments for:

More tackles than any other player from 2000-2009.
3 time Pro Bowler
Super Bowl Champion
14 seasons and counting
0 games lost due to injury

Arguments against:

Wasn't elected to Pro Bowl until 2009. Has only been in 3.

Tackle numbers impressive, but helped by incredible health.

[Cd9JfGHR]

No. Underrated, yes. Hall of Famer, no.

[pipitous]

Fletcher-Baker has been named a Probowl Alternate 11 times. Is that a good thing or a bad thing for his HOF case?

I like him but I don't think he's a HOFer.

[Saqwnht]

Fletcher-Baker has been named a Probowl Alternate 11 times. Is that a good thing or a bad thing for his HOF case?

I like him but I don't think he's a HOFer.

His first actual Pro-Bowl was made as an alternate as well, filling in for Vilma who didn't play due to being in the Super Bowl.

[Saqwnht]

Over the course of his career, how many linebackers have been as good or better than him?

I can only think of Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher, and both have had lost or subpar seasons in there.

Fletcher has been consistently good, but I think his chances are hurt by his two most recent choices for teams. Had he played for teams that were factors, his public image would likely be much higher...

[pipitous]

Over the course of his career, how many linebackers have been as good or better than him?

I can only think of Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher, and both have had lost or subpar seasons in there.

Fletcher has been consistently good, but I think his chances are hurt by his two most recent choices for teams. Had he played for teams that were factors, his public image would likely be much higher...

If he was playing for a contender, he may have never gotten the statistical numbers that he has -- although he did play well for the Rams when he was there.

[ssiikmuz]

Here are arguments for:

More tackles than any other player from 2000-2009.
3 time Pro Bowler
Super Bowl Champion
14 seasons and counting
0 games lost due to injury

Arguments against:

Wasn't elected to Pro Bowl until 2009. Has only been in 3.

Tackle numbers impressive, but helped by incredible health.

How is having such good health a knock on him? Thats a good thing.

For that matter what does Pro Bowl votes really mean to HOF voters anyway....perhaps a relative comparison tool between to players they are waffling on....at best.

Ultimately I think it helps to try and think like the guys who vote....five years after he retires....what will they think. Great player....great tackler....always healthy....but, meh.....not voting him in.

[avarberickibe]

My initial gut reaction is no.

From a bottom line, little to no analysis but gut feeling perspective, the guy does not have nearly enough street cred from the casual fan base to be considered.

[avarberickibe]

LT is a hof linebacker. Derrick Brooks is a hof linebacker.

London Fletcher?

[Saqwnht]

How is having such good health a knock on him? Thats a good thing.

For that matter what does Pro Bowl votes really mean to HOF voters anyway....perhaps a relative comparison tool between to players they are waffling on....at best.

Ultimately I think it helps to try and think like the guys who vote....five years after he retires....what will they think. Great player....great tackler....always healthy....but, meh.....not voting him in.

The health can be used to make an argument against his statistics...Like, yeah, he had a ton of tackles, but he played x many more games than anyone else..That type of thing.
Pro Bowl votes matter in that, for the Hall of Fame, they like to stack you up against the other players that were the best at that position during the same time frame...Not getting into Pro Bowls can be seen as him not being quite on that level.

[Saqwnht]

LT is a hof linebacker. Derrick Brooks is a hof linebacker.

London Fletcher?

Well, now bringing Derrick Brooks into the conversation, and anointing him as a Hall of Famer, can make for some interesting discussion.

Brooks played 14 seasons, had 1301 tackles, 25 interceptions, 24 forced fumbles, and 13.5 sacks. He played in and won one Super Bowl. He made 11 Pro Bowls.
Fletcher has played 14 seasons(and counting), has 1242 tackles, 18 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles, and 34 sacks. He played in two Super Bowls, and won 1. He's made 3 Pro Bowls.

What among those stats sets Brooks so far apart from Fletcher?
I'll also submit that, as an undrafted player, Fletcher's rookie season was almost exclusively spent on special teams, while first rounder Brooks was a starter from Day 1--so his real 14th year is this upcoming one. He'll likely surpass Brooks in tackles by quite a bit.

[Nubtoubrem]

Hall of fame is for stand out performers, I am not sure London Fletcher has been that type of player. Ray Lewis.... 1st ballot.... London Fletcher? Nah... Has Fletcher acheived what LT or lewis has?

[Saqwnht]

Hall of fame is for stand out performers, I am not sure London Fletcher has been that type of player. Ray Lewis.... 1st ballot.... London Fletcher? Nah... Has Fletcher acheived what LT or lewis has?

I don't think LT belongs in the conversation, really--Completely different type of player, at a completely different position.

[QzVyZbTg]

3 time pro bowl alternate who went to the game after others pulled out.

[QzVyZbTg]

You know, for every one of these I can name a Packer at the same position who should easily be in ahead of them.

This one: Dave Robinson