Peter King Art Powell

[PFHOFlover]

This is what Peter King said in FMIA in response to a question from Jack Silverstein about why he didn’t vote for Art Powell

Good question. I should have explained. I think a receiver from the early AFL days, with some significant questions about the level of talent on teams throughout the league, needs to have a longer career than eight years (as a receiver). His stats were impressive in those eight seasons (478 catches, 8,015 yards, 81 TDs). Twice an AFL first-team all-pro in eight seasons … His case didn’t scream Hall of Fame to me.

[Bryan]

I think King makes a fair point.

[Brian wolf]

Its a fair point, but we shouldnt penalize him for doing what Maynard and Alworth did against weak defenses as well. Powell was the primary receiver over Maynard in NY and Biletnikoff in Oakland. Though he got hurt in Buffalo, the trade helped the Raiders become a powerhouse.

[JeffreyMiller]

I think King makes a fair point.

Agree whole-heartedly. Powell was a stud, but those early AFL years saw some really questionable DBs. Unlike Alwaorth and Maynard whose careers continued to flourish as the league grew and even into the NFL after the merger, Powell was pretty much done by the time he got to Buffalo in 1967.

[Bryan]

Its a fair point, but we shouldnt penalize him for doing what Maynard and Alworth did against weak defenses as well. Powell was the primary receiver over Maynard in NY and Biletnikoff in Oakland. Though he got hurt in Buffalo, the trade helped the Raiders become a powerhouse.

He wasn't the primary WR over Maynard in NY. And Biletnikoff was a rookie in Oakland. Hennigan over Powell?

[Jay Z]

I wrote a biography on Art Powell that's on the site. I think I wrote that he was the original prima donna WR that had its heyday in the early 2000s. I would probably give Powell the edge over Maynard while they played, because of Powell's TDs. Maynard, of course, was big in 1968-69 when Powell was all but done.

Powell liked to complain and would have worn out his welcome with any team in any era. Al Davis gave him a lot of latitude, and Powell was still disgruntled in 1965-66. Rauch and Stirling orchestrated the Powell-Lamonica trade. Powell hurt his knee warming up, probably a wear and tear thing that was inevitable. He didn't make a lot of effort to rehab it and stay in the game.

He's an interesting guy, but an iffy HOF candidate.

[Brian wolf]

Powell and Maynard with the NY Titans

1960 -- Powell 69 recs 1169 yrds 14 TDs 1st team All-Pro
Maynard 72 recs 1265 yrds 6 TDs

1961 -- Powell 71 recs 881 yrds 5 TDs
Maynard 43 recs 629 yrds 8 TDs

1962 -- Powell 64 recs 1130 yrds 8 TDs 2nd team All-Pro
Maynard 56 recs 1041 yrds 8 TDs

Powell and Biletnikoff with the Raiders

1965 -- Powell 52 recs 800 yrds 12 TDs 2nd team All-Pro
Biletnikoff 24 recs 331 yrds 0 TDs (rookie)

1966 -- Powell 53 recs 1026 yrds 11 TDs 2nd team All-Pro
Biletnikoff 17 recs 272 yrds 3 TDs

*Other Notes -- Yes, injuries might have affected Maynard those three years with Powell on the other side but Powell still had better numbers and more accolades.

*Biletnikoff was just starting his career in Oakland but AFL defenses were much better by 1965 with the infusion of more college talent and Powell was still one of the best receivers in either league. In 1963, Powell joining the Raiders turned a complete laughingstock team into one of the AFL's best for that year. His trade to Buffalo like I stated, helped turn the Raiders from a good team, into a great team.

*Before getting hurt with the Bills in 1967, Powell still had 346 yrds and 4 TDs off only 20 receptions, which proves in my mind that his numbers would have been great had he not gotten injured

*Hennigan was a great player as well and kept Powell from getting more All-Pro recognition, along with Lionel Taylor and Chris Burford and is also being penalized for having a shorter career. With the Oilers, HOF CB Willie Brown was released due to an inability to cover him but got another chance with the Denver Broncos ...

*Yes, like Jay Z stated, Art Powell could become disgruntled rather easily, which hurt his career but with how he reacted to the treatment of black athletes and the racism of various teams in various situations, its easy to see how frustrated he became. This guy should have been a great player in the NFL, well before helping the AFL become absorbed by the NFL.

[rewing84]

I wrote a biography on Art Powell that's on the site. I think I wrote that he was the original prima donna WR that had its heyday in the early 2000s. I would probably give Powell the edge over Maynard while they played, because of Powell's TDs. Maynard, of course, was big in 1968-69 when Powell was all but done.

Powell liked to complain and would have worn out his welcome with any team in any era. Al Davis gave him a lot of latitude, and Powell was still disgruntled in 1965-66. Rauch and Stirling orchestrated the Powell-Lamonica trade. Powell hurt his knee warming up, probably a wear and tear thing that was inevitable. He didn't make a lot of effort to rehab it and stay in the game.

He's an interesting guy, but an iffy HOF candidate.

100% agreed who would be a better hof candidate than Powell

[Jay Z]

I wrote a biography on Art Powell that's on the site. I think I wrote that he was the original prima donna WR that had its heyday in the early 2000s. I would probably give Powell the edge over Maynard while they played, because of Powell's TDs. Maynard, of course, was big in 1968-69 when Powell was all but done.

Powell liked to complain and would have worn out his welcome with any team in any era. Al Davis gave him a lot of latitude, and Powell was still disgruntled in 1965-66. Rauch and Stirling orchestrated the Powell-Lamonica trade. Powell hurt his knee warming up, probably a wear and tear thing that was inevitable. He didn't make a lot of effort to rehab it and stay in the game.

He's an interesting guy, but an iffy HOF candidate.

100% agreed who would be a better hof candidate than Powell

Some people like Lionel Taylor. If you like 1st team All Pros, Taylor (and Charley Hennigan) both did it three times and Powell only twice. Powell did have more All Pros overall. So that's more of a preference, if someone wants to go for Taylor they have some evidence.

There are some other high impact short termers in other eras like Sterling Sharpe and Herman Moore.

I like Harold Jackson personally. For 1960s receivers I'd probably pick Powell. No one from the NFL at that time at this point.

[JameisBrownston]

Powell slightly over Hennigan for me for consistency, but I'd back either. Lionel Taylor was the original PPR god, but the rest of his profile is almost but not quite up there with them.

I like Harold Jackson personally. For 1960s receivers I'd probably pick Powell. No one from the NFL at that time at this point.

Consider Del Shofner?