The end of the world must be near: King voting for Monk for the Hall

[MTK]

SI.com - Writers - Monday Morning QB (cont.) - Monday November 27, 2006 10:00AM

In some ways I've been part of the problem. Even though Monk retired with the all-time receptions record, I've historically been anti-Monk for several reasons. He played 16 seasons and led his own team in receiving six times; only once was he voted first-team All-Pro. I questioned his impact on a team where the running game and Gary Clark, for many years, were the prime targets to stop by opposing defensive coordinators. I know. I watched the Giants do it nine times over four years against Washington. But last year, after a man I'd advocated got in (Harry Carson), veteran NFL writer Len Shapiro from the Washington Post e-mailed me and reminded me that everything Carson meant to the Giants, Monk meant to Washington. The leadership, the selflessness, the durable productivity ... all the same. I decided I should re-think my position.

As I made my rounds of training camps this year, I asked veteran coaches about Monk and the one word that kept coming up was "unselfish.'' His downfield blocking prowess kept coming up. His long-term numbers were almost Yastrzemski-like (one or two great years, lots of productive ones, very reliable). But when I talked to Joe Gibbs on Friday, the one thing that stood out was the body of work we don't see -- the downfield blocking, the quiet leadership, and this: Unlike his louder receiving mates Clark and Ricky Sanders, Monk, according to Gibbs, never once said he wanted the ball more. "We used him almost as a tight end a lot,'' said Gibbs, "and not only did he do it willingly, he was a great blocker for us. If he'd been a squeaky wheel, who knows how many catches Art would have had. But he cared about one thing -- the team.''

So many of the things Carson did can't be quantified. Similarly with Monk. Not only did he lead the NFL in all-time receptions when he retired, but he blocked superbly and was the most important locker-room influence on a three-time Super Bowl champion. I'm voting for him.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Oh...my...God.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

It's about time, but at least I'm happy that he's finally opened his eyes. Now, if only we can get the rest of the voters to agree with him...

[JWsleep]

WTF?!?!?! Jeeze, did someone get some nasty pcitures of the guy? Has hell frozen over? Are their flying pigs nearby? Wow.

[SmootSmack]

It's not like Gibbs hasn't been saying this all along. And why did it take until now for him to ask Gibbs what he thought? Makes me think he always intended to vote him in. He just wanted to be difficult, and more importantly, to draw attention to himself

[freddyg12]

I'm still pissed that he says "Even though Monk retired with the all-time receptions record," like that's something anyone can do!
Add to his list that MOnk was also a clutch reciever & great runner after the catch & not easy for db's to bring down at 6'3, 210.

[MonkFan4Life]

Get The *&#^ Out Of Here !!!!!

[MTK]

All along King has said that he would keep an open mind about Monk, let's at least give him credit for that. He's come through on his word.

Carson getting in was clearly the catalyst for this change of heart.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

All along King has said that he would keep an open mind about Monk, let's at least give him credit for that. He's come through on his word.

Carson getting in was clearly the catalyst for this change of heart.

Actually Matty, he was dead set against Monk for years until Shapiro called him on his BS after Carson got in. It was only this summer when he said he would have an open mind and ask around the league on his training camp tours for other opinons on Monk. A lot of credit goes to Shapiro and I'll give King credit for truly having an open mind and admitting he was wrong.. Now his other claim of 'having no more pull than anyone else in the room' should be refuted if Monk gets in this year after King publicly announced his support.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

Actually Matty, he was dead set against Monk for years until Shapiro called him on his BS after Carson got in. It was only this summer when he said he would have an open mind and ask around the league on his training camp tours for other opinons on Monk. A lot of credit goes to Shapiro and I'll give King credit for truly having an open mind and admitting he was wrong.. Now his other claim of 'having no more pull than anyone else in the room' should be refuted if Monk gets in this year after King publicly announced his support.

At least he was open to changing his mind, I doubt we would ever hear Dr. Z come out with an admission like this.

[NY_Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

All along King has said that he would keep an open mind about Monk, let's at least give him credit for that. He's come through on his word.

Carson getting in was clearly the catalyst for this change of heart.

Either that or Len Shapiro has some serious dirt on him that he doesn't want to get out....

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by NY_Skinsfan

Either that or Len Shapiro has some serious dirt on him that he doesn't want to get out....

He had pictures of King and Pastabelly bankrupting four "all you can eat" delis in one afternoon.

[SUNRA]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

All along King has said that he would keep an open mind about Monk, let's at least give him credit for that. He's come through on his word.

Carson getting in was clearly the catalyst for this change of heart.

This god damn hypocrite wants to right the wrongs of his past beef with Art Monk. It only reveals how biased and influential the New York Giants fans based media is in the NFL. From Wellington Mara to Bill Parcels they all make me sick. When and if Art Monk is chosen for the Hall of Fame he should let T.O. introduce him to remind Peter King and the rest of those hypocrites know how low the integtrity of the professional football athelete has degenerated to. Art Monk was Jerry Rice before Jerry Rice was Jerry Rice. Enough said.

[724Skinsfan]

Hmmm...mayhaps I'll have to check hotel rates in Canton sometime in the near future. As shitty as the ballot selection has been for Art, I hope he gets in and I hope he has the largest supporting crowd ever for a HOF induction ceremony.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

Hmmm...mayhaps I'll have to check hotel rates in Canton sometime in the near future. As shitty as the ballot selection has been for Art, I hope he gets in and I hope he has the largest supporting crowd ever for a HOF induction ceremony.

If he does get in I'm going to seriously consider taking that trip too.