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Wednesday, July 16, 1997

Is Canton next for Haley and Novacek?

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Knight-Ridder Newspapers

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - During a news conference that rambled on for nearly 90 minutes, the men on the podium dismissed the question as quickly as they had many opponents during their illustrious NFL careers.

"What are your Hall of Fame chances?" Cowboys tight end Jay Novacek and defensive end Charles Haley were asked after announcing their retirement Tuesday.

Novacek answered in the matter-of-factly style for which he became famous:

"I have no idea," he said. "We'll know in a couple of decades."

Haley didn't sway from the chip-on-my-shoulder persona that drove him to become one of the game's best pass rushers.

"It's an award," Haley said. "If they feel like giving it to me, great. If not, I can't miss nothing I never had."

Still, the Hall of Fame question likely will linger for both players.

Considering their statistics and championship pedigree, Haley and Novacek seem capable of joining the seven defensive ends and four tight ends who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Novacek has made five Pro Bowl appearances and earned three Super Bowl rings in 12 seasons with the Cardinals and Cowboys. Haley also has been selected to play in five Pro Bowls and has an unprecedented five Super Bowl rings in 11 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and Cowboys.

Haley, however, seems to have a better chance of reaching the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, partly because of the five Super Bowl rings.

Cowboys scouting director Larry Lacewell said Haley was a certainty to get into the Hall of Fame. Haley, who has accumulated 97.5 sacks in his career, led his team in sacks eight times. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Lee Roy Selmon, the latest defensive end to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, had 78-1/2 career sacks and played one more season than Haley.

"I don't see how they can keep (Haley) out," Lacewell said. "Look at his sack record and then the championship teams. In addition to the five Super Bowls, he was a part of 10 division champions in 11 years. He was one of the best."

"Haley definitely has a shot," said Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987. "His sack totals are up there and he has the rings."

Though he said Novacek was deserving of a spot in the Hall of Fame, Cowboys coach Barry Switzer echoed the sentiments of Upshaw and Lacewell, who say the star tight end is handicapped by his position.

Novacek's 422 receptions for 4,630 yards and 30 touchdowns compare with some of the all-time greats. Mike Ditka, the first tight end to be selected to the Hall of Fame, had 427 receptions for 5,812 yards and 43 touchdowns. Like Novacek, Ditka made five Pro Bowl appearances.

However, only four tight ends in NFL history have made the Hall of Fame. And can Novacek do what Todd Christensen, Dave Casper and Russ Francis haven't - join Ditka, Kellen Winslow, Jackie Smith and John Mackey in the Hall of Fame?

"I'm sure Jay will be considered," Switzer said. "But center and tight end have been the most neglected positions. It's a numbers game."

Lacewell contends that Novacek's championships with the Cowboys might be a factor.

"One of the things Jay's got going for him is that he's the only tight end that has started for three Super Bowl champions," Lacewell said. "I hope they take that into consideration. He should be there."

Former Cowboys president Tex Schramm said Novacek's lack of success at the beginning of his NFL career might also be a question mark. Novacek put up the bulk of his best numbers during his last seven seasons with the Cowboys and didn't make a big impact during his first five seasons with the Cardinals.

"I loved him as a player," Schramm said. "And there is no question about his contributions. But speaking realistically, he may have needed more (success at the start) for the Hall of Fame."

"When you come into the game you strive to be an All-Pro," Upshaw said. "Then you want to be a part of championship team. Then you want to end up in the Hall of Fame. You want to end up of there to show you completed it. There is nothing else you can win."

(c) 1997, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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