Holmgren on Sharpe, Craig: 'Two of Best Players I've Ever Been Around'

(EDITOR’S NOTE: To listen to the Mike Holmgren interview, click on the following link: Megaphone)

When the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s seniors committee meets Tuesday to elect three finalists for the Class of 2024, former Green Bay wide receiver Sterling Sharpe will be one of the favorites. But running back Roger Craig, one of the 12 candidates under consideration, will not.

The reason? We asked someone who might know.

That would be former coach Mike Holmgren, who coached both and was a guest on a recent “Eye Test for Two” podcast. Holmgren was one of the Hall's top finishers in last week’s coach/contributor countdown. So he has credibility on the subject.

And what he knows is that he firmly believes Sharpe and Craig should be enshrined in Canton.

“Those are two of the best players I’ve ever been around at their positions,” he said.

He began by talking of Sharpe, a premier player when Holmgren took over the Packers as head coach in 1992. In seven seasons, the wide receiver was a three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler who three times led the league in catches, twice led it in receiving TDs, once led it in receiving yards and five times had 1,100 yards or more .

Then his career was cut short by a neck injury.

“He was the star,” said Holmgren, “one of the few bright spots in Green Bay when I went in there. I had the privilege of being around and coaching Jerry Rice, who is acknowledged to be the best receiver ever … and Sterling would be no. 2. I mean, he’s right up there had a neck injury not ended his career early. 

"We went in there, and we were still finding our way, and he caught 100 balls with a young quarterback. He could do anything he wanted, and I’m surprised he hasn’t gone in sooner.”

Gone in? Sharpe has never been a Hall-of-Fame finalist … at any level.

Then there’s Craig, one of the star players on 49ers’ teams that dominated the 1980s – winning four Super Bowl in nine years. Two starters from that offense are in Canton – Rice and Joe Montana – and Rice was there for only two Lombardi Trophies. There must be someone else … right? There is.

Roger Craig.

“Roger was perfect for the Bill Walsh system of offense,” said Holmgren, an assistant with the 49ers, (1986-91)“ because he was a great runner, yet he was a great pass receiver. He could catch a lot of balls and do all sorts of things. So, in your offense – screens, swing passes, down the field, anything – he could do that.

“As far as a combination of that back; he never really had to come out of the game. If you wanted to do something, Roger was the guy. I think he is well deserving (of Hall-of-Fame consideration), and I hope he gets in. He should get in.”

Tell that to voters. Craig was a modern-era finalist once … in 2010. Ten years later, he was a finalist for the Centennial Class of 2020. He failed to make the final cut each time and isn’t considered one of the frontrunners in Tuesday’s election.

Holmgren doesn’t understand it.

“He should be in,” he said. “The only thing I can think of (for his exclusion) is (that) Roger was quietly great. You didn’t read about him in the newspaper. He didn’t do something weird. And his name didn’t pop up all the time. He was just everything you wanted as a football player, and he performed. His numbers show that.

“Look it, there are a lot of great players … and there are a lot of great players who never get in the Hall of Fame. But he is absolutely deserving of this. And I hope it happens.”

That is what you’d expect to hear from a teammate or coach. But what about a voter? Holmgren isn’t one. But if he were to appeal to those who are, he was asked, what would he say about the former star running back?

“I would just say that in all my years (in the NFL),” he answered, “and I was 17 years as a head coach and 25 years in the league that, when I think about it, he was the best back I ever coached. He was the best guy I’ve ever had, and I had Shaun Alexander (in Seattle).”

Alexander was a former league MVP, three-time All-Pro and all-decade choice who ran for at least 1,100 yards in each of five consecutive seasons (including a league-best 1,880 in 2005) and set a then-NFL record with 28 rushing TDs in 2005.

He has never been a Hall-of-Fame finalist or semifinalist.

“Shaun was a great, great runner,” said Holmgren, “(but) could not pass block and was an average receiver. With Roger, you check all the boxes.

“If I had a chance to talk to the committee, that’s what I’d say: He should have a chance to go in for these reasons. Why he’s not in? I don’t understand it. I don’t know what goes on behind closed doors in those meetings. But he should be in.”