The class of 2014 will be announced this weekend. I hope Marvin Harrison, Derrick Brooks, Will Shields, Michael Strahan, Walter Jones and Claude Humphrey make it in this year. Edit- if Ray Guy gets in, too, that would be fine.
15 finalists: Derrick Brooks Tim Brown Walter Jones Jerome Bettis Morten Andersen Kevin Greene Charles Haley Marvin Harrison Aeneas Williams John Williams Andre Reed Will Shields Tony Dungy Eddie DeBartolo Michael Strahan senior candidates ray Guy Claude Humphery I think 5 of the modern era guys can make it, of this list I would vote: Brooks Shields Dungy Jones Bettis
I have a problem with the old school guys being let in. If they didn't make it in the first 20+ years they were eligible, doesn't that in itself say something about their candidacy?
Bill Cowher brought up a great point the other day, look at the QBs Bettis played w/ pre-Ben(and he was w/ young Ben at the end of his career), D's loaded up to stop the run and he was still a top RB unlike Strahan who feasted on weaker RTs his entire career.
Bettis had two really good years in Pittsburgh. His other great season was with the Rams. He's under 4ypc career and finished under 4ypc 6 out of his 10 seasons. If Bettis gets in then you have to put in Alexander, Holmes, Waters, Lewis and Dillon...Fred Taylor too.
I love Curtis Martin, but was Curtis' career that much different than Bettis'? I'm thinking if he got in and Bettis doesn't, then Bettis is getting quite the shaft... I hope I am wrong and Curtis' career is at another level, but if so prove it to me... (not to mention Bettis has a ring and Curtis sadly doesn't)
Curtis was able to maintain similar production from his rookie season to 2004. He was never the best back in the league but you knew what you could pencil him in for. If we're having the "one game" argument then there are plenty of guys I'm taking over...but him being rewarded for consistency I don't have a problem with.
and again didn't play w/ a good QB his entire career until the end when he was a bit player. I don't think those other guys get in if you put Bettis in though Alexander may get in anyway. he had 8 thousand yd seasons and was over 1200, over 1400 3 times. I can see the argument against Bettis but I think he'll get in sooner than later.
The ring Jerome got was as a bit player, Curtis carried Drew Bledsoe to a SB and then Drew threw it away. Curtis was always over 1100 yds w/ the exception of 2 seasons(one of which being the last where he got hurt). The argument is more about YPC in that they were only separated by .1 He's not quite Curtis but he is in the conversation.
I don't think Bettis was as good as any of the guys I listed tbh. Alexander wasn't as good as his numbers would indicate either and I doubt he gets in. Tiki's another guy id put ahead of Bettis. Put most backs behind Jones and Hutchinson and they'd produce.
Alexander was very good and Tiki is a good discussion. I think he was a year or so away from being a lock but he spent a good portion of his career as a part time back though the last few years there wasn't anyone better in the league. great OL but most great backs have great OL in front of them. do we take away all of Emmitt's accomplishments b/c he played w/ the best OL in the game most of his career?
Not taking anything away from Emmitt...he's just not the best back ever though either. If Fred Taylor played on the Steelers he'd be a lock.
I agree I don't think Emmitt is the best ever either but he is still an all time great. we can play the what if game all day but Fred didn't play for the Steelers and injuries probably cost him a shot.
The injuries were overstated. He's got better numbers than Bettis does other than career yards. The final 4 years or so of Bettis career he wasn't the best back on his own team.
Martin destroys Bettis in the pass receiving and blocking departments. Their rushing stats are fairly even.
Taylor played on some really good jags teams that he couldn't help get over the hump. as a part time player bettis helped a team win a SB. Fred was a part time player late in his carer and couldn't help really good NE teams get to a SB. Bettis was also a 2 time all pro, Taylor never made 1st team all pro. you say the injuries were overstated well the most times in a row Taylor rushed for 1,000 plus was 3. Bettis did it 6 straight, that is consistency which you need to get into the hall. Bettis did it 8 of 9 years, taylor s best 9 year stretch was 6 of 9. A case can be made for both but I think taylor played on better offenses and injuries didn't allow him to be as consistent.
Very true -especially the receiving aspect, which I value highly in a running back. I remember Curtis being one of the best screen pass RBs I've ever seen... back then a lot of talk was about the OL on those screens, and they were good, but Curtis was also very reliable with his hands and extremely adept at keeping his eyes up field and finding the open field in those screens. That used to be a Jets trademark - deadly with screen passes. The past 5 years though, we've been horrible at screen plays!
If you're implying a running backs career can be aided by Super Bowl appearances this argument is going nowhere. 1000 yards isn't a bench mark for anything anyways, YPC is. Backs careers are judged on their impact during their primes and how long their primes lasted. Bettis' prime years he was under 4ypc. That's not a HOF player. Taylor ain't either but he's closer than Bettis.
