COLTS

Polian: T.O., Randy Moss are not Hall of Famers

Scott Horner
scott.horner@indystar.com
FILE -- Bill Polian, who spent 14 years as general manager of the Indianapolis Colts, makes his way off the field after being inducted into the Colts Ring of Honor on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. Polian becomes the 13th member added to the Colts Ring of Honor.

Bill Polian knows Pro Football Hall of Famers. Polian is a Hall of Famer. So his opinion carries weight.

Polian, the former player personnel boss of the Indianapolis Colts, says receivers Terrell Owens and Randy Moss are not Hall of Famers.

"I take neither," Polian told Clark Judge for the Talk of Fame Sports Network.

On Owens: "T.O.’s situation, T.O.’s temperament, his ability to contribute to the team was well known up front. He was going to be a problem. We did not want to deal with problem children."

On Moss: "Every year in Indianapolis, we said the following: ‘The price of admission is 100 percent effort all the time in everything we do.’ Well, how can we take Randy Moss when we make that statement? It’s that simple."

If statistics are the determining factor in Hall of Fame eligibility, both receivers have them: Owens had 1,078 career receptions, 15,934 yards and 153 touchdowns. Moss had 982 catches for 15,292 yards and 156 TDs.

Owens has been passed over two years in a row. Moss will be eligible in 2018.

So what's holding them back?

Polian on Owens: "What did Owens do that made his teams better? He put up a lot of numbers. Bill (Parcells) said that he was a disruptive force. Jerry (Jones), who’s probably one of the most easy-going people when it comes to disruptive guys, got rid of him. I’ve gotten texts from people in Philadelphia responding to the campaign saying, ‘This guy was a cancer and destroyed our football team.’ How does that square with the Hall of Fame?"

Polian on Moss: "You certainly wouldn’t call (Moss’ attitude) any harbinger or example of what you want in a football player other than when he decided to play. ‘I play when I play.’ I don’t buy it.”

Polian thinks both will eventually be voted in. But he doesn't have to like it.

"I think they will, unfortunately in my view,” said Polian, “because whether you like it or not. these ‘electoral campaigns’ have a way of swinging people. In my view, and I said this publicly last year, I think the Hall of Fames are for people who make their teams better, not who detract from them."

Owens responds: