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The Pro Football Hall of Fame celebrated it’s 50th anniversary this weekend, and this year’s class of enshrinees was truly star-studded. The seven men to be inducted this year were Cris Carter, Warren Sapp, Bill Parcells, Larry Allen, Jonathan Ogden, Dave Robinson and Curley Culp.
The two players that struck me as the easiest to compare from the Class of 2013 are Allen and Ogden. Both were two of the best offensive lineman in the NFL during their era, with their careers ending the same year (2007) and largely overlapping. Allen’s career started with the Dallas Cowboys in 1994, and Ogden arrived as the first-ever draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 1996.
Both Allen and Ogden clearly deserve their place in Canton, Ohio, but was one a better player than the other? Let’s take a closer look.
Awards, Accolades and Other Noteworthy Accomplishments
Pro Bowl Selections: Allen-11, Ogden-11
Super Bowl Rings: one each (Allen-Super Bowl XXX, Ogden Super Bowl XXXV)
Seasons and Games Played: Allen, 14 seasons-203 games, Ogden-12 seasons, 177 games
NFL All-Decade Teams: Allen-1990′s and 2000′s, Ogden-2000′s
If versatility is a critical factor in this debate, Allen gets the nod over Ogden. Ogden played left tackle every year of his career after his rookie season, while Allen played every position except center and earned Pro Bowl selections as a left guard and a right guard as well as after his only season as a left tackle (1998).
Final Analysis
Depending on your perspective, and perhaps team allegiance, both Allen and Ogden can win this debate. But I give the slight nod to Ogden, since he played what has become one of the most important positions on the field as the NFL has turned into a passing league in recent years.
I got a brief glimpse into the personality of both Ogden and Allen during the Enshrinees’ Roundtable on Sunday. Both are not only Hall of Fame players, but Hall of Fame men as well.
Brad Berreman is a contributing writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradberreman24.
