Preliminary Nominees for the HOF 2011

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

I don't necessarily think Marshall Faulk is a lock -- not immediately anyway. For a 2 or 3 year stretch he was among the very best. Was he dominant in his time? Some might argue yes, but I'd say it's debateable.

His career didn't seem to be very long.

I think many people, perhaps yourself included, forget he spent five years in Indy, the first four I believe BP (Before Payton). Maybe even all five. And he had at least 1,000 yards rushing and 400 yards receiving maybe every year he was in Indy. Don't recall exactly

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I think many people, perhaps yourself included, forget he spent five years in Indy, the first four I believe BP (Before Payton). Maybe even all five. And he had at least 1,000 yards rushing and 400 yards receiving maybe every year he was in Indy. Don't recall exactly

Yeah! He was drafted by the Colts in 1994 and traded to the Rams following the 1998 season.

[MTK]

Faulk is a lock, I don't think it's even close. As a dual threat back he was perhaps the best there was in that regard. He could have lined up full time at WR. He had a 5 year stretch where he caught 80 or more balls in each season, and he topped 1300 yards rushing in 4 of those.

Marshall Faulk NFL & AFL Football Statistics | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Overall 7 1,000 yard seasons, 767 catches tops a lot of WRs already in the Hall, 12,279 yards rushing, 136 TDs.

Lock.

[Leader In Sports]

I think Faulk & The Bus are locks for first ballet. That would make Curtis Martin play the waiting game. I heard before the season that this is D. Dawson's year, but I am not so sure with Bettis up too.

I am willing to bet that Sanders is also first ballet. Shannon Sharpe is also a future HOFer who is on TV which never hurts.

Not including Seniors, that means I am predicting Sharpe, Bettis, Faulk and Sanders. My guess is that will be it along with Hanburger and I am unsure about Richter.

[irish]

I dont see The Bus as a HOFer.

[Leader In Sports]

Originally Posted by irish

I dont see The Bus as a HOFer.

Saying that to a Steeler fan is like saying Darrell Green doesn't belong in there to a Redskin fan.



Bettis was a dominate running back for many years. He was a star with a star team that ran to the playoffs many times on his back. He also got great press which helps just like it did with Rice over Monk.

[irish]

Originally Posted by Leader In Sports

Saying that to a Steeler fan is like saying Darrell Green doesn't belong in there to a Redskin fan.



Bettis was a dominate running back for many years. He was a star with a star team that ran to the playoffs many times on his back. He also got great press which helps just like it did with Rice over Monk.

The Bus had his big rushing yd years early with Pgh. His last 4 years he didnt get 1000 in a season.

[Leader In Sports]

Originally Posted by irish

The Bus had his big rushing yd years early with Pgh. His last 4 years he didnt get 1000 in a season.

OK, I can tell we need to go to war - how about Nerf balls at 20 paces?

Yes, Bettis did not have a 1,000 yard season in his last for year, but that was after he played 9 seasons in the NFL.

In his first 3 years with the Rams, he had 3,091 yards which gives him a 3 year average of over 1,000 yards per year. Then he goes to Pittsburgh where he is a work horse for a marquee team and in the next 10 years he has 10,571 yards which means for his entire career, he averaged 1,051 yards per season for THIRTEEN YEARS AS A RUNNING BACK!!!! If memory serves (and I don't feel like looking it up) he is in the top 6 of all time rushers.

[irish]

Originally Posted by Leader In Sports

OK, I can tell we need to go to war - how about Nerf balls at 20 paces?

Yes, Bettis did not have a 1,000 yard season in his last for year, but that was after he played 9 seasons in the NFL.

In his first 3 years with the Rams, he had 3,091 yards which gives him a 3 year average of over 1,000 yards per year. Then he goes to Pittsburgh where he is a work horse for a marquee team and in the next 10 years he has 10,571 yards which means for his entire career, he averaged 1,051 yards per season for THIRTEEN YEARS AS A RUNNING BACK!!!! If memory serves (and I don't feel like looking it up) he is in the top 6 of all time rushers.

He had a nice career but I'm not sure its a HoF one. He racked up a bunch of yds early and thjen hung on the last 3 years.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by Leader In Sports

OK, I can tell we need to go to war - how about Nerf balls at 20 paces?

Yes, Bettis did not have a 1,000 yard season in his last for year, but that was after he played 9 seasons in the NFL.

In his first 3 years with the Rams, he had 3,091 yards which gives him a 3 year average of over 1,000 yards per year. Then he goes to Pittsburgh where he is a work horse for a marquee team and in the next 10 years he has 10,571 yards which means for his entire career, he averaged 1,051 yards per season for THIRTEEN YEARS AS A RUNNING BACK!!!! If memory serves (and I don't feel like looking it up) he is in the top 6 of all time rushers.

Bus has a solid argument for the HoF, I think it's almost impossible he's a first ballot. Look at the other RBs in this potential class: Marshall Faulk (1st Ballot lock IMO), Terrell Davis, Roger Craig, Eddie George, Gerald Riggs, Ottis Anderson, Herschel Walker.

Bus Pluses: 6 Pro Bowls, 2 All Pro, 5th in total Rushing Yards, 10th in Rushing TDs, 15K yds fm scrimmage, what you mention above, plus he's in the media and a good guy.

Bus Minuses: Yds per Att 3.9, SB stats 14 for 43 Yds 0 TD, fumble that almost cost the Steelers the 2005 SB berth, pedestrian last 4 years.

Terrell Davis: Avg 14TDs per year for his healthy years. 2 SB wins with good numbers, Yds per Att 4.6, 3 Pro Bowls, 3 All Pro.

Terrell Davis Minuses: Injury cut short his career.

Roger Craig Pluses: 4 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro, 3 SB wins with excellent numbers, Yds per Att 4.1, 13K yds fm scrimmage, one of first true run/receiving threats at RB.

Roger Craig Minuses: pedestrian last 4 years.

I put Craig in before Bus, TD was more dominant but his career was too short, there's a debate there. Bus goes in before the other RBs, but they're in the debate and that can hurt.

With 7 HoFers each year and assume Faulk, Deion Sanders (as much as I can't stand him), and possibly Willie Roaf are 1st ballot locks, Hanburger or another Senior goes in and that leaves three spots. Does Bus get in before: Roger Craig, JKC, Don Coryell, Richard Dent, Charles Haley, Lester Hayes, Shannon Sharpe, Tags?

He'll likely get in, just not right away.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by Leader In Sports

Saying that to a Steeler fan is like saying Darrell Green doesn't belong in there to a Redskin fan.



Bettis was a dominate running back for many years. He was a star with a star team that ran to the playoffs many times on his back. He also got great press which helps just like it did with Rice over Monk.

More like saying that Monk doesn't belong. Green was an obvious first ballot hall of famer. The Bus on the other hand isn't as cut and dry, but still likely.

Still the guy put up eight 1,000 yard seasons. 4 of which went for over 1,300 yards. He also has over 13,000 career rushing yards. His average is a little on the low side at 3.9 but by the same token we have guys like Marcus Allen in the Hall of Fame with three 1,000 yard seasons.

[MTK]

I think the Bus makes it, but maybe not first ballot. But then again the Hall voters do love them some Steelers so who knows.

[irish]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I think the Bus makes it, but maybe not first ballot. But then again the Hall voters do love them some Steelers so who knows.

Dont get me wrong, The Bus is a good player but when it comes to the HoF, he seems like more sizzle than steak.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by irish

Dont get me wrong, The Bus is a good player but when it comes to the HoF, he seems like more sizzle than steak.

You think he ever gets in?

[irish]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

You think he ever gets in?

I wouldnt vote for him but yes, I do think he will get in.