Mel Kiper on Monk

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by onlydarksets

First of all, it's clear that Sanders deserves to be in the Hall, and I don't really think you would suggest otherwise, but, judging Sanders by the criteria you laid out for Martin would keep Sanders out of the Hall, too. Sanders never even got to the Super Bowl. The Lions won their division maybe once (I don't recall, but it can't be more than once). He was always in the top 5 rushing, so, I will grant you, that is a difference.



I agree, because they should both be first ballot HoF'ers.

But you have to concede that Sanders pretty much only played on bad teams - the Lions always sucked (save a lone 12-4 season). So, why should Martin have a different standard?

I tend to trust my eyes more than stats. Martin was very fortunate to be able to play effectively for a long time. Martin was probably the 2nd or 3rd best player on his team many of his years with the Patriots and Jets.

Barry Sanders was the best player on the field in probably 95% (if not higher) of every game he ever played in.

Martin isn't on the same map as Barry Sanders.

I could probably list 4 or 5 backs that were more talented than Martin every year that he played so I don't think that he deserves the Hall. Hell, his rushing title was pure luck Holmgren could have easily let Alexander have it that year.

4th all time is nothing to sneeze at but I think that if he gets in before Art Monk, it is proof that the HOF is only a beauty contest.