Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

These two popped into my mind while reading the Frank Gore thread. My initial reaction was "no" but I remembered each had a 3-5 year stretch when they reeled off an impressive amount of touchdowns. I took a peek over at PFR and they have the awards during those runs. They didn't do much outside of those peak years though. Their careers are actually comparable to Terrell Davis after I looked at his. And many think that he's Hall worthy. Granted Davis had the Super Bowls and an MVP in one. I'm still at "no" for these guys but not as heavily. Anyone think they belong in and want to make a case?

Not me.

I see both Holmes and Alexander as short career backs who are a hair under Terrell Davis in peak and lacking the postseason boost. I'm okay with Davis getting in, but not convinced that snubbing him would be a travesty, so that leaves the other two lower yet for me.

I can't see any of the three as Hall of Famers.

Gore is the most deserving of the three and he's iffy at best.

I just wonder. Since Bettis and Martin retired a decade ago, the only two RB's who get HOF acknowledgment are Tomlinson and Peterson. Have there really been only 2 HOF RB's in the last decade?
I think Holmes and Alexander are the best of the rest. However, an argument could made that both were very good backs who looked great running behind HOF and All Pro offensive linemen. Holmes was probably the best RB in the NFL in the two seasons before Jamal Lewis' 2000 yard season in 2003, and Alexander was the best in the two seasons after.
A look at the other potential HOF runners.
Larry Johnson-two monster seasons, then a quick dropoff. His off-field transgressions snuff any whisper of his candidacy.
Clinton Portis- a fine player, but only two Pro Bowls and no All Pro selections. (He did have the misfortune of breaking in in 2002, when there was a plethora of great seasons.)
Steven Jackson- similar to Portis, not many honors. Three Pro Bowls.
Edgerrin James- borderline. Was never the same player after he left Indy. He probably would be a no-brainer if not for a 2000 knee injury.
Tiki Barber. If he had played one more season , he would have a better chance. He was getting better with age, and had little wear and tear because he started out as a 3rd down back and punt returner.
Jamal Lewis and Ricky Williams both had one fantastic season and a number of other 1,000 yard seasons. Not HOFers. Williams might be if he hadn't had such a long sabbatical in the middle of his career. Of course, if he hadn't abruptly retired in 2004, he would have only lasted another two seasons with the beating he was taking.

I think Tiki would have the best chance of everyone you just listed. He is one of three members of the 10000 rushing and 5000 receiving club with Faulk and Allen if memory serves me right (pfr locks up on this computer so I can't verify!)

ChrisBabcock wrote:I think Tiki would have the best chance of everyone you just listed. He is one of three members of the 10000 rushing and 5000 receiving club with Faulk and Allen if memory serves me right (pfr locks up on this computer so I can't verify!)

The thing that hurts Tiki Barber is that he retired and the next season the Giants won the Super Bowl without him. Tiki probably had a couple more years of his prime left but left because he thought he was going to be the next...well, kinda what Michael Strahan became after his retirement. Super Bowl rings usually only matter to QB's but this is a case where it matters to a RB. I doubt he will make the HOF.

I think Edgerrin James will be elected and for the same reason as Frank Gore -- both reached 12,000 career rushing yards. James has been a finalist also, so I think he gets in though after a solid wait, and Terrell Davis likely makes it in soon enough having reached the finals now. Adrian Peterson should sail right in, possibly first ballot. Ladanian Tomlinson should be first ballot this time around. I don't think anyone else gets in who isn't otherwise.

Who's best after this bunch? I'd probably rank them Corey Dillon, Tiki Barber, Shaun Alexander, Rickey Watters, Jamal Lewis, Priest Holmes, Fred Taylor, Rickey Williams, Clinton Portis, Warrick Dunn, and Eddie George. Or thereabouts. But I don't see good HoF cases for any of them.

I always remember Shaun Alexander for his hissy fit on the sideline at the end of the last game of the '04 season when he didn't get the ball at the one yard line, and the chance to tie Curtis Martin for the rushing title. He always struck me as a very selfish player, and of course became the Curse of 370 poster boy after he signed a $62 million contract after his big 2005 season.

Definitely not HoF material.

bachslunch wrote:I think Edgerrin James will be elected and for the same reason as Frank Gore -- both reached 12,000 career rushing yards. James has been a finalist also, so I think he gets in though after a solid wait, and Terrell Davis likely makes it in soon enough having reached the finals now. Adrian Peterson should sail right in, possibly first ballot. Ladanian Tomlinson should be first ballot this time around. I don't think anyone else gets in who isn't otherwise.

Who's best after this bunch? I'd probably rank them Corey Dillon, Tiki Barber, Shaun Alexander, Rickey Watters, Jamal Lewis, Priest Holmes, Fred Taylor, Rickey Williams, Clinton Portis, Warrick Dunn, and Eddie George. Or thereabouts. But I don't see good HoF cases for any of them.

Frank Gore is close, but voters may struggle to recall signature moments from his career. I don't know if 12,000 yards will be enough, with other HOF candidates. Edgerrin James is very close, but it doesn't help the Colts won the year after he departed, and James wasn't a factor in SB43. He was a dangerous back, both running and receiving, but I'm struggling to recall big games when Manning wasn't himself, and James had to carry the Colts to victory.