Now that we're a few weeks removed from the latest Hall of Fame class and a few weeks away from the start of a new season, I thought it would be interesting to look at a few players who are either retired or have had a good run in the league to see how they stack up in terms of their chances at future enshrinement.
Now, I'm only talking about people who aren't obvious. We all know that Emmitt Smith, Marshall Faulk, and Jerry Rice are in. No need to discuss or debate anything there. But there are some players who have quietly put up the numbers to warrant at least a look and others who people may think should get in, but for whatever reason aren't talked about much for the highest honor. So just who are some of these guys? Let's see:
Fred Taylor: Surprised? Don't be. Despite having an overblown rep for getting hurt due to a few shortened season, Taylor has put some very Canton-worthy numbers over his 10 years in the league. Check them out: 10,715 yards, 61 TDs, an 84 yards per game average (good for seventh all-time) and 4.7 yards per carry average. He's also 17th on the all-time rushing list as of today and is likely to get as high as 13th this year.
And, of all the guys ahead of him, everyone is either already in the Hall or a lock to get in, save Corey Dillion (more on him later). So what stands in his way? For one, he's been in publicity starved Jacksonville for his entire career. This has hurt him in everything from Pro Bowl selections (he's only been once), to endorsement opportunities, to playoff appearances (7 games and 4 appearances in his career). To be blunt, if you don't bother to check for yourself, you probably don't know just how good this guy is. But after further review, he should get in. It's going to take some major lobbying, though.
Edgerrin James: Now plenty of people know who this guy is. But how of many of you are thinking Hall of Famer? For all the credentials I gave you for Fred, check these out: 11,607 yards, 77 touchdowns, 4 Pro Bowls, 2 rushing titles and 1 first team All-Pro. Edge is already 13th on the all-time list and likely to crack the top 10 this season. And, oh yeah, he's done this in nine seasons, one fewer than Taylor. There may be a few things that prevent him from being a first ballot guy, though. Number one is his current team. Had he stayed with the Colts, he'd have a Super Bowl ring and maintained the high profile he enjoyed while taking handoffs from Peyton Manning and challenging for the Super Bowl every year. Instead, he's on a struggling Cardinals team that hasn't made the playoffs in a decade. The other thing is his age. Edge is about to turn 30, which is where all running backs become year-to-year. Given his high number of carries, it should be no surprise if the decline comes soon. Spending his declining years on a mediocre team runs the risk of making him out of sight, out of mind when retirement time comes, which always hurts. He'll get in, especially if Peyton goes to bat for him, but it may take a little time.
Corey Dillion: Dillon played for 10 years and finished with 11,241 yards and 82 touchdowns to go along with 4 Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots. He's 15th all-time in yards, although Taylor is likely to knock him down a slot this season. Should be a shoo-in, right? Well, there's the matter of Corey's rep as a major jerk. Now I don't know the man personally so i can't tell you if it's deserved or not. But since the guys he was harsh to are the same guys who do the voting, that doesn't help him a lot. If the voters keep it real, he should make it eventually.
That's just a few names to consider. I'll throw in some more in the near future. Any suggestions?
I noticed that the author brought up running backs, but how about a nod for Eddie George? Warrick Dunn? Shaun Alexander?
Actually, I'm going to get to them in the part II. Good looking out, though.
definitely eddie george
definitely eddie george
wat about curtis martin he in the top 5 in rushing aint he?
wat about curtis martin he in the top 5 in rushing aint he?
Andre reed?
Martin's a no-brainer, based on his yardage totals (over 13,000 yards). No one is going to fight his inclusion. Reed will probably get in, but I got my own arguments why he's suspect in my book.
is deion in tha hall yet?
Jimmy Smith