Davis versus Bettis for HOF

[Hail Casares]

Could TD be to Sayers what...Shawn Alexander, perhaps, is to TD?

Huh?

[L.C. Greenwood]

I did this with these two on the old forum, a couple of times.

Short version:

Ever been the best at their position? Davis (yes), Bettis (no)
Ever been the best offensive player, period? Davis (yes), Bettis (no)
Ever been the best player in the league, period? Davis (yes), Bettis (no)

Davis is on the lower end of "should be HOF", for me. Bettis isn't.

For those that care about stats. Davis has arguably the best (and also 2nd best) rushing seasons - including postseason - in league history. Bettis has ... fairly meaningless compiled stats.

HOF trait? Davis: great vision, a trait shared with other great backs. Bettis: he was big.

Contributions towards a Championship? Davis, arguably the main contributor for two championship teams. Bettis, closer to being Bill Buckner than Willis Reed for the '05 Steelers.

I support Davis for the HOF, but we can't forget Bettis was regarded in the grouping of top backs during his peak years. Also, there are no mandatory requirements for Canton, unique qualities are considered as well. A player who does something different, or changes the game, will receive a boost. The blocking prowess of Hines Ward will help him eventually reach Canton, but we can talk about him at another time. Bettis did have a HOF trait we'll likely never see again, a combination of massive size, quick feet, and toughness which helped him rank fourth in NFL history in career 100 yard games. As a slower back, Bettis was never going to rip off those huge chunks of yardage, yet it's important to remember his 3.9 equals John Riggins ypc. And Riggins was 20 pounds lighter and much faster.

No doubt Bettis wasn't a factor in the postseason, likely the punishment accrued over the course of the regular season took its toll. However, while many other HOF backs were finished, Bettis kept excelling, as a key offensive member of contending teams. Few HOF backs managed six 100 yard days in their next to last seasons, and in a reserve role, Jerome torched the Bears in a huge 2005 regular season game. This was a back who physically wore down defenses, and like other HOF backs, gained the valuable yardage often when everyone in the stadium knew he getting the ball. Bettis put winning ahead of personal stats or ego, and was able to mentor Willie Parker, a back who would go on to rank third in rushing lifetime for the Steelers. Definitely closer to Willis Reed than Bill Buckner.

5th all time rusher in NFL history at the time of his retirement, that's easily HOF territory. The history of a franchise like the Steelers cannot be written without #36.

[conace21]

Bettis was the second best RB in the NFL in 1993. Barry Sanders missed 5 games, and ran for only three TD's. Thurman Thomas fell off a cliff in 1993. His YPC dropped by 1.2 from 1992.
Bettis was probably the third best back from 1996-1997, behind Sanders and Terrell Davis.

[JohnTurney]

Bettis was the second best RB in the NFL in 1993. Barry Sanders missed 5 games, and ran for only three TD's. Thurman Thomas fell off a cliff in 1993. His YPC dropped by 1.2 from 1992.
Bettis was probably the third best back from 1996-1997, behind Sanders and Terrell Davis.

Agree---