Congratulations To Redskins' Receiver Art Monk And Others

'08 Hall Of Fame Class

It was the Redskins' day on Saturday as Washington legends Darrell Green and Art Monk headlined the list of 2008's Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Here's a look at the full class.

Player	NFL team(s)
CB Darrell Green	Redskins
WR Art Monk	Redskins, Jets, Eagles
LB Andre Tippett	Patriots
DE Fred Dean	Chargers, 49ers
OT Gary Zimmerman	Vikings, Broncos
CB Emmitt Thomas	Chiefs

It was a Hall of Fame day for the Washington Redskins, with Art Monk and Darrell Green elected to the shrine Saturday. Former commissioner Paul Tagliabue failed to get in for the second straight year.

"There's going to be a party at Redskin Park soon," Green said while talking by teleconference with Monk.

Also voted in were New England linebacker Andre Tippett, San Diego/San Francisco defensive end Fred Dean, Minnesota/Denver tackle Gary Zimmerman and senior committee choice, Kansas City cornerback Emmitt Thomas.

In his eighth year of eligibility, Monk finally was chosen. He concluded his career after the 1995 season with Philadelphia, but spent 13 years with the Redskins as one of the NFL's premier receivers. Monk held records for most consecutive games with a reception (164) and career catches (820). Both have been surpassed, but Monk didn't play in as wide-open an era on offense as many other receivers. He was one of the most consistent possession and third-down receivers in the league throughout his 14 pro seasons.

Green, one of the NFL's speediest and most skilled cornerbacks for two decades, spent his entire career (1983-2002) with the Redskins. He holds the record for consecutive seasons with an interception (19), and had 54 picks for 621 yards and six TDs. A member of the 1990s All-Decade team, Green made seven Pro Bowls.

"This is incredible. This is so special," Green said when informed of the vote. "This is out of this world. This literally transcends football, everything I have gone through to do what I was able to do. It was more than the ability to run and cover. It just goes so far beyond that."

One of the NFL's all-time best defensive backs, the Redskins' Darrell Green was rewarded for a standout NFL career by being named to the 2008 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

The other player in his first year of eligibility, receiver Cris Carter, was not elected. Carter finished his 15-year career second on the career list in receptions and TD catches.

Inductions will be at the Pro Football Hall of Game in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 2.

"I looked forward to the day we are going to Canton," Green said, breaking up with emotion. "Hopefully, there are several hundred thousand hotels there, and several hundred thousand tickets."

Perhaps the most surprising outcome was Tagliabue again not getting enough support.

Also failiing to get in were Redskins guard Russ Grimm, Buffalo Bills receiver Andre Reed, Oakland Raiders punter Ray Guy, Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar, Chicago Bears defensive end Richard Dent, Miami Dolphins guard Bob Kuechenberg, Vikings guard Randall McDaniel, and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas.

Senior committee nominee Marshall Goldberg was not elected, either.

In-Depth Wild Card Weekend Preview

Jaguars	Category	Steelers	Reason
check	Offense		Both teams want to run the ball, but the Jaguars have more of an identity. They are a running team, period.
	Defense	check	Both are strong here, but a healthy Troy Polamalu allows Pittsburgh to make more big plays.
	Special teams	check	The Steelers are better equipped to handle the footing if there are bad weather and field conditions issues at Heinz Field.
check	Coaching		Jack Del Rio has the experience of being in the playoffs. In addition, he also has his team playing better right now.
check	Intangibles		The Jaguars have finally manufactured enough big plays in the passing game in the absence of Jimmy Smith.
check	Wild card		Jags' ability to get Maurice Jones-Drew the ball in space will cause trouble for the Steelers' LBs.

Overall: Jaguars
The Jags are among the few teams that match up well physically vs. Steelers.

Redskins	Category	Seahawks	Reason
	Offense	check	This team has gotten comfortable becoming one-dimensional with Matt Hasselbeck and the receivers.
check	Defense		The front 7 has been pretty strong most of the year, but now the secondary is making more plays.
check	Special teams		Antwaan Randle El has a history of making big plays in the playoffs.
check	Coaching		Mike Holmgren is used to the big stage, but Joe Gibbs has his team on a roll right now.
	Intangibles	check	As Tony Romo learned, Seattle can be a hard place for a visitor this time of year.
	Wild card	check	Shaun Alexander is just two years removed from league MVP and is capable of a big game.

Overall: Redskins

This game will not be the kiss of death for the Redskins.

Titans	Category	Chargers	Reason
	Offense	check	The players and coaching staff have finally come to the realization that LT must keep getting the ball.
	Defense	check	The Chargers have picked up their pass rush in the past four games, and the run defense now looks like it did last year.
	Special teams	check	Darren Sproles gives the Chargers one of the most explosive return games in the league.
check	Coaching		Jeff Fisher gets as much out of players as any coach, and he will have them ready for a physical football game.
	Intangibles	check	We'll finally get to see how much of a difference it makes not having Marty Schottenheimer.
	Wild card	check	Philip Rivers gets to prove he'll be a benefit and not a hindrance in a key situation.

Overall: Chargers

Albert Haynesworth is not 100 percent, and the Titans lack outside speed. If anything, the Madden curse should theoretically haunt this game.

Giants	Category	Buccaneers	Reason
check	Offense		They have the better running game and Plaxico Burress is getting healthier.
	Defense	check	They can line up in man coverage at corner and pressure the QB without sending a lot of blitzes.
check	Special teams		They keep throwing guys out on returns who can take it to the house.
	Coaching	check	Jon Gruden is feeling less pressure and has a better history in big games.
	Intangibles	check	The Giants might not be able to overcome the emotionally and physically draining game against the Pats.
	Wild card	check	Conversely, the Bucs should go into this game well-rested and healthy.

Overall: Buccaneers

Tampa Bay's zone defense should confuse Eli Manning, forcing him into turnovers.

With help from Yahoo Sports and Cris Carter, this was one of the most detailed breakdowns of this weekend's NFL Wild Card games that I could find.