Abramowicz vs Carmichael

[vikingsfan1963]

If Harold Carmichael is good enough to be Hall of Fame worthy (I know folks question his selection) why not Abramowicz? Very comparable on per season averages like catches and yards per catch. Only thing Carmichael is better is TD receptions per season. Of course, Abramowicz had just 9 seasons, while Carmichael had 14 seasons. Carmichael as 4 times Pro Bowl, while Abramowicz was 1 time all-pro

[Jay Z]

Abramowicz only played 8 seasons. DNP for the Bills in 1975.

I don't think I can make the judgment that Abramowicz was ever better than Carmichael. Abramowicz lead the NFL in receptions once, but he did it for a losing team. It was a pretty good year, Saints were actually a decent offense that year. Still, I would probably take Carmichael's 1973 over Abramowicz's 1969, and Carmichael lasted until the Eagles were actually good while still being an important player.

Maybe more relevant is Don Maynard versus Art Powell. Maynard's in, Powell isn't. Powell I think clearly was the better peak player, but Maynard had a longer career.

[Bryan]

Abramowicz only played 8 seasons. DNP for the Bills in 1975.

I don't think I can make the judgment that Abramowicz was ever better than Carmichael. Abramowicz lead the NFL in receptions once, but he did it for a losing team. It was a pretty good year, Saints were actually a decent offense that year. Still, I would probably take Carmichael's 1973 over Abramowicz's 1969, and Carmichael lasted until the Eagles were actually good while still being an important player.

Maybe more relevant is Don Maynard versus Art Powell. Maynard's in, Powell isn't. Powell I think clearly was the better peak player, but Maynard had a longer career.

Agree regarding Abramowicz vs. Carmichael...you can't subjectively say that Abramowicz was 'better' than Carmichael.

Maynard is somewhat unique in that he was a speed WR who was much more productive after turning 30. Powell's career was basically over at age 29. I don't think Powell's peak is that much better than Maynard's, and Maynard's peak came against better defenses IMO. Powell was also the Terrell Owens of his era, if written accounts are to be believed.

[Jay Z]

Maynard is somewhat unique in that he was a speed WR who was much more productive after turning 30. Powell's career was basically over at age 29. I don't think Powell's peak is that much better than Maynard's, and Maynard's peak came against better defenses IMO. Powell was also the Terrell Owens of his era, if written accounts are to be believed.

Maynard and Powell played together from 1960-62 and were contemporaries from 1960-66, or through half of 1967 if your wish. Over that period, Powell was better. More TDs, more honors. Roughly equal yards and team success. Then Powell got hurt and Maynard had some of his best years.

Powell was better peak because his best years were continuous. I don't consider cherry picking X number of seasons "peak." Maynard's peak maybe was 1967-69, but you still have to compare that to a like experience from Powell.

Anyway, Maynard played well in his early 30s. Powell got hurt. Powell said he didn't want to do the work all week in practice to get ready for games after his injury. Whether he could have been effective doing that, we don't know. It didn't happen.

Powell had off the field issues, but I don't really think it affected his teams. A lot of that came before 1960 and didn't really affect his best years. I don't blame him for getting out of the Titans situation. He requested a trade out of Oakland, which he admitted was a bad move on his part. Even had he stayed, the Raiders probably don't get Lamonica then, and the Jets and Maynard had Namath.

[Bryan]

Powell was better peak because his best years were continuous. I don't consider cherry picking X number of seasons "peak." Maynard's peak maybe was 1967-69, but you still have to compare that to a like experience from Powell.

Agree with this. Seeing Powell on film is like seeing Len Ford...a contemporary athlete appearing in black-and-white footage.

[Gary Najman]

I believe Carmichael broke Abramowicz's record of consecutive games with a reception in 1979. Back in the day, this was quite an accomplishment.