Congratulations to Chad Owens, S.J Green, Vince Goldsmith & Ray Jauch

[Will]

The 2024 Canadian football hall of fame inductees were announced today, and three former Argo players and one former Argo assistant coach will be inducted.

Chad Owens, of course, excited us for almost a half decade with outstanding returns and became a very good receiver once Ricky Ray arrived to town.

S.J will primarily be known as an Alouette, but he did have three straight 1,000 yard seasons with the Argos from 2017-2019 and won a Grey Cup with the team in 2017.

Vince Goldsmith is primarily known as a Roughrider, but had 12 sacks with the Argos in 1984, but only spent the one year in Toronto because of Obie's tinkering.

Ray Jauch was an offensive assistant with the Argos in 1999.

Marvin Coleman will also be inducted.

[argolio]

All worthy inductees.

[paulwoods13]

Here is my annual rant about the Hall, which is trending strongly towards rewarding longevity over actual dominance on the field.

SJ Green and Weston Dressler were both excellent receivers for more than a decade, and both surpassed 10,000 yards receiving, which I suppose makes it impossible to keep them out of the Hall. But on a per-game and per-season basis, their statistics are overshadowed by those of Darrell K. Smith, who remains outside the Hall, as well as three receivers whose careers were of similar (shortish) length to Smith's but managed to get in after long waits: Terry Greer, Merv Fernandez and David Williams.

Receptions per game: Greer 4.9, Fernandez 4.8, Dressler 4.4, Williams 4.3, Smith 4.3, Green 4.2

Receiving yards per game: Greer 83.1, Fernandez 80.6, Smith 73.6, Williams 71.3, Dressler 62.3, Green 60.1

TDs per game: Williams 0.77, Fernandez 0.69, Greer 0.57, Smith 0.46, Dressler 0.38, Green 0.35

Yards per season: Smith 1,177, Greer 1,136, Fernandez 1,115, Dressler 911, Williams 900, Green 786 (NOTE: if we excluded Green's four worst seasons, when he played only 15 games in total, his average would be 1,086)

Maximum yards in a season: Greer 2,003, Smith 1,826, Fernandez 1,727, Williams 1,468, Green 1,462, Dressler 1,206

Average gain per reception: Smith 17.3, Greer 16.9, Fernandez 16.8, Williams 16.4, Green 14.3, Dressler 14.0

DK Smith ranks ahead of both Dressler and Green in five of these six categories. He is in the same ballpark as the legendary Greer and Fernandez in four of the six categories. He is equal to or better than Williams in five of the six categories. Yet he remains outside the Hall.

Grrr. End of rant.

[AngeloV]

Here is my annual rant about the Hall, which is trending strongly towards rewarding longevity over actual dominance on the field.

SJ Green and Weston Dressler were both excellent receivers for more than a decade, and both surpassed 10,000 yards receiving, which I suppose makes it impossible to keep them out of the Hall. But on a per-game and per-season basis, their statistics are overshadowed by those of Darrell K. Smith, who remains outside the Hall, as well as three receivers whose careers were of similar (shortish) length to Smith's but managed to get in after long waits: Terry Greer, Merv Fernandez and David Williams.

Receptions per game: Greer 4.9, Fernandez 4.8, Dressler 4.4, Williams 4.3, Smith 4.3, Green 4.2

Receiving yards per game: Greer 83.1, Fernandez 80.6, Smith 73.6, Williams 71.3, Dressler 62.3, Green 60.1

TDs per game: Williams 0.77, Fernandez 0.69, Greer 0.57, Smith 0.46, Dressler 0.38, Green 0.35

Yards per season: Smith 1,177, Greer 1,136, Fernandez 1,115, Dressler 911, Williams 900, Green 786 (NOTE: if we excluded Green's four worst seasons, when he played only 15 games in total, his average would be 1,086)

Maximum yards in a season: Greer 2,003, Smith 1,826, Fernandez 1,727, Williams 1,468, Green 1,462, Dressler 1,206

Average gain per reception: Smith 17.3, Greer 16.9, Fernandez 16.8, Williams 16.4, Green 14.3, Dressler 14.0

DK Smith ranks ahead of both Dressler and Green in five of these six categories. He is in the same ballpark as the legendary Greer and Fernandez in four of the six categories. He is equal to or better than Williams in five of the six categories. Yet he remains outside the Hall.

Grrr. End of rant.

DK must have pissed off some voters in his day that still carry a grudge.

Regarding yards per season, Greer and Fernandez would rank 1-2 if you factor in they played 16 game seasons. SJ Green is very deserving. As you point out, his per season totals are much higher if you take away the seasons he wasn't playing. And longevity and consistency also do mean something. Ask Mike Gartner. He's in the hockey hall of fame, and never really was dominating in his career. Just extremely consistent.

[Will]

The first person I thought of when I saw the list of yesterday's inductees was Craig Ellis. If some of you participate on a certain Facebook group, you will know that Craig hasn't been shy in promoting his candidacy, and I knew he wasn't going to be happy that Dressler, Green and Owens were inducted.

Darrell K. Smith is, unfortunately, no longer around to advocate for his candidacy.

[Argo57]

All worthy inductees.

Chad Owens had a tremendous career despite spending time with the Grey Cup Champions from the previous century.

[argolio]

Chad Owens had a tremendous career despite spending time with the Grey Cup Champions from the previous century.

I think the 1999 champs have a real shot at another Cup in the 22nd century.

[AngeloV]

The first person I thought of when I saw the list of yesterday's inductees was Craig Ellis. If some of you participate on a certain Facebook group, you will know that .

I left that group when I suggested to Craig that he wasn't the receiver Greer was, and he as well as all his fan boys in that group went off on me. Seriously? If anyone is getting screwed it's Robert Drummond, not Craig Ellis. Ellis truly believes he is more deserving than Greer, Mervyn Fernandez and David Williams. Those guys were all game changers.

[Will]

I left that group when I suggested to Craig that he wasn't the receiver Greer was, and he as well as all his fan boys in that group went off on me. Seriously? If anyone is getting screwed it's Robert Drummond, not Craig Ellis.

I don't have a problem with Craig promoting his candidacy, but had a problem with him going after other players in the effort to boost his candidacy.

[Will]

Here is my annual rant about the Hall, which is trending strongly towards rewarding longevity over actual dominance on the field.

SJ Green and Weston Dressler were both excellent receivers for more than a decade, and both surpassed 10,000 yards receiving, which I suppose makes it impossible to keep them out of the Hall. But on a per-game and per-season basis, their statistics are overshadowed by those of Darrell K. Smith, who remains outside the Hall, as well as three receivers whose careers were of similar (shortish) length to Smith's but managed to get in after long waits: Terry Greer, Merv Fernandez and David Williams.

Receptions per game: Greer 4.9, Fernandez 4.8, Dressler 4.4, Williams 4.3, Smith 4.3, Green 4.2

Receiving yards per game: Greer 83.1, Fernandez 80.6, Smith 73.6, Williams 71.3, Dressler 62.3, Green 60.1

TDs per game: Williams 0.77, Fernandez 0.69, Greer 0.57, Smith 0.46, Dressler 0.38, Green 0.35

Yards per season: Smith 1,177, Greer 1,136, Fernandez 1,115, Dressler 911, Williams 900, Green 786 (NOTE: if we excluded Green's four worst seasons, when he played only 15 games in total, his average would be 1,086)

Maximum yards in a season: Greer 2,003, Smith 1,826, Fernandez 1,727, Williams 1,468, Green 1,462, Dressler 1,206

Average gain per reception: Smith 17.3, Greer 16.9, Fernandez 16.8, Williams 16.4, Green 14.3, Dressler 14.0

DK Smith ranks ahead of both Dressler and Green in five of these six categories. He is in the same ballpark as the legendary Greer and Fernandez in four of the six categories. He is equal to or better than Williams in five of the six categories. Yet he remains outside the Hall.

Grrr. End of rant.

I'd be interested to see where Gerald Alphin and Stephen Jones fit in these rankings.

[Argo57]

I left that group when I suggested to Craig that he wasn't the receiver Greer was, and he as well as all his fan boys in that group went off on me. Seriously? If anyone is getting screwed it's Robert Drummond, not Craig Ellis. Ellis truly believes he is more deserving than Greer, Mervyn Fernandez and David Williams. Those guys were all game changers.

Ellis is delusional if he believes this.

[Will]

I left that group when I suggested to Craig that he wasn't the receiver Greer was, and he as well as all his fan boys in that group went off on me. Seriously? If anyone is getting screwed it's Robert Drummond, not Craig Ellis. Ellis truly believes he is more deserving than Greer, Mervyn Fernandez and David Williams. Those guys were all game changers.

While I disagree with it, I can understand slightly where the admins of that site are coming from. Part of the allure of that group is to be able to interact with CFL alumni, and I suppose the admins are wanting to protect the alumni to some degree to keep them in the group and to not leave a sour taste in the mouths of any other alumni who might consider joining. In this case, they overcompensated, for instance, Williams is also a member of that group so where was his 'protection' so to speak?

[ArgoRavi]

Here is my annual rant about the Hall, which is trending strongly towards rewarding longevity over actual dominance on the field.

SJ Green and Weston Dressler were both excellent receivers for more than a decade, and both surpassed 10,000 yards receiving, which I suppose makes it impossible to keep them out of the Hall. But on a per-game and per-season basis, their statistics are overshadowed by those of Darrell K. Smith, who remains outside the Hall, as well as three receivers whose careers were of similar (shortish) length to Smith's but managed to get in after long waits: Terry Greer, Merv Fernandez and David Williams.

Receptions per game: Greer 4.9, Fernandez 4.8, Dressler 4.4, Williams 4.3, Smith 4.3, Green 4.2

Receiving yards per game: Greer 83.1, Fernandez 80.6, Smith 73.6, Williams 71.3, Dressler 62.3, Green 60.1

TDs per game: Williams 0.77, Fernandez 0.69, Greer 0.57, Smith 0.46, Dressler 0.38, Green 0.35

Yards per season: Smith 1,177, Greer 1,136, Fernandez 1,115, Dressler 911, Williams 900, Green 786 (NOTE: if we excluded Green's four worst seasons, when he played only 15 games in total, his average would be 1,086)

Maximum yards in a season: Greer 2,003, Smith 1,826, Fernandez 1,727, Williams 1,468, Green 1,462, Dressler 1,206

Average gain per reception: Smith 17.3, Greer 16.9, Fernandez 16.8, Williams 16.4, Green 14.3, Dressler 14.0

DK Smith ranks ahead of both Dressler and Green in five of these six categories. He is in the same ballpark as the legendary Greer and Fernandez in four of the six categories. He is equal to or better than Williams in five of the six categories. Yet he remains outside the Hall.

Grrr. End of rant.

There's definitely a recency bias with HOF inductions.

[ArgoGabe22]

There's definitely a recency bias with HOF inductions.

Not a huge fan of what seems to be first ballot HOFers. Not sure if they are since the CFHOF doesn't get the same media coverage as the "Pro Football" HOF. But guys like Green, Owens, Dressler all seem way too recent. And the next crop of the first year ballots will be inducted over more forgotten older players. My own head hasn't even processed if Green, Owens, and Dressler are HOFers. But as long as Kevin Glenn doesn't make it, I'll be happy. That will be the day I lose all respect to the voters.

[paulwoods13]

DK must have pissed off some voters in his day that still carry a grudge.

The CFHOF has the least transparent selection process of any Hall of Fame. We don't know who the selectors are, what criteria they use, or really anything other than who gets announced each year. IMO, if there is a grudge being carried against DK, it's related to the way his life unfolded after football. It's no secret that he got heavily into drugs. According to his brother Sherman Smith, he had cleaned up his act before cancer took him at way too young an age, but it wouldn't surprise me if his older ways are behind his failure to be inducted alongside Greer, Fernandez and Williams.

There are many other snubs, of course. Don't get me started about Leo Cahill, who despite failing to win a Grey Cup as a head coach was the greatest promoter in Cdn football history, and one of the best recruiters ever.

[ArgoGabe22]

The CFHOF has the least transparent selection process of any Hall of Fame. We don't know who the selectors are, what criteria they use, or really anything other than who gets announced each year. IMO, if there is a grudge being carried against DK, it's related to the way his life unfolded after football. It's no secret that he got heavily into drugs.

Wasn't it an open secret that they held a grudge against Hank Illesic because his friendship (perhaps his informant) with Marty York? Or is that just Marty York's own conspiracy? If so, they seemed to have finally let go of that grudge.

[ArgoRavi]

Not a huge fan of what seems to be first ballot HOFers. Not sure if they are since the CFHOF doesn't get the same media coverage as the "Pro Football" HOF. But guys like Green, Owens, Dressler all seem way too recent. And the next crop of the first year ballots will be inducted over more forgotten older players. My own head hasn't even processed if Green, Owens, and Dressler are HOFers. But as long as Kevin Glenn doesn't make it, I'll be happy. That will be the day I lose all respect to the voters.

Agreed on Glenn. Let's hope that the day never comes when he makes it in the HOF, with all due respect to him and his longevity in the league.

Wasn't it an open secret that they held a grudge against Hank Illesic because his friendship (perhaps his informant) with Marty York? Or is that just Marty York's own conspiracy? If so, they seemed to have finally let go of that grudge.

There has always been speculation about that but who knows? It took ridiculously long for Ilesic to get in though.

[paulwoods13]

Wasn't it an open secret that they held a grudge against Hank Illesic because his friendship (perhaps his informant) with Marty York? Or is that just Marty York's own conspiracy? If so, they seemed to have finally let go of that grudge.

But who are "they"? We don't even know who the selectors are now, much less back when Ilesic was not in the Hall.

[Will]

But who are "they"? We don't even know who the selectors are now, much less back when Ilesic was not in the Hall.

I have a few theories in my mind, but as you say without transparency as to the process, I'd just be spinning my wheels putting them down here.

Recall that it took Ray Guy (arguably the greatest punter in NFL history) quite awhile to get his NFL HOF induction though.

[paulwoods13]

Hank Ilesic (played 1977-1995, plus three short stints in 1998, 2001 and 2005) was inducted in 2018.

Bob Cameron (played 1977-2002) was inducted in 2010.

I can see Cameron going in first, but eight years earlier than Ilesic is ridiculous IMO. Ilesic was definitely at Cameron's level as a punter, plus he won six Grey Cups in a row, and seven in total, plus he was booming the crap out of the football when he was still in high school and riding his bike to Esks practice after school.