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Bettis = Hall Of Famer? (1 Viewer)

S

SaosiN

Footballguy
I am from Pittsburgh and me, like almost everyone else here, thinks that Bettis is a Hall of Famer. Is it only people from Pittsburgh because of his play on the field and how he is involved in the community and is a great guy, or do most people out of town think he is a HOF'er too. Does he have to get a ring this year in order to be a hall of famer?or is he already a hall of famer if he doesn't get the ring?Too me he is a Hall of Famer either way but I am not sure what makes you a Hall of Famer...is it championships, stats, leadership, community service... I don't follow the HOF that much, in fact the only player I can name off the top of my head that is a hall of famer that hasn't won a championship is Dan Marino. So, does Bettis have to win the Super Bowl this year or not to get into the Hall of Fame? :11: :towelwave:

 
ONE WORD:AUTOMATIC. He's in, no doubt about it. What he needs is an SB ring on his finger to go out in style.KEEP THE FAITH STEELER BRETHEN! Detroit is but one win away...

 
Jerome Bettis is a LOCK, pure and simple. And for one, I'm glad that his magnificent career didn't end on a unfortunate twist of fate such as an inopportune fumble. It would have turned him into the equivalent of the Jackie Smith of RBs, or the Bill Buckner of Pro Football.

 
From football.com - probably not updated for 2005Most Yards Gained, Career Yards Player Team (Years) 17,162 Emmitt Smith Dallas (1990-2002) 16,726 Walter Payton Chicago (1975-87) 15,269 Barry Sanders Detroit (1989-98) 13,259 Eric Dickerson LA Rams (1983-87), Ind (1987-91), LA Raiders (1992), Atl (1993) 12,739 Tony Dorsett Dallas (1977-87), Denver (1988) 12,312 Jim Brown Cleveland (1957-65) 12,243 Marcus Allen LA Raiders (1982-92), KC (1993-97) 12,120 Franco Harris Pitt (1972-83), Sea (1984) 12,074 Thurman Thomas Buffalo (1988-99), Miami (2000) 11,542 Jerome Bettis LA Rams (1993-1994) St. Louis Rams (1995) Pittsburgh (1996-2002) If he gets the ring, he's a lock. If not, I still think he gets in. At least, I think he should (this coming from your arch-rival... :football: )

 
he'll get in but he probably shouldn't. he's always been a good player but he's never been great. i think it's pretty safe to say that he's never been included in the top 5 running backs at any time during his career. longevity is only thing that's really going for him.

 
he'll get in but he probably shouldn't. he's always been a good player but he's never been great. i think it's pretty safe to say that he's never been included in the top 5 running backs at any time during his career. longevity is only thing that's really going for him.
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Longevity is not common among running backs. This is a HUGE reason why he'll get in.
 
he'll get in but he probably shouldn't. he's always been a good player but he's never been great. i think it's pretty safe to say that he's never been included in the top 5 running backs at any time during his career. longevity is only thing that's really going for him.
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Longevity is not common among running backs. This is a HUGE reason why he'll get in.
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:goodposting: It's the same reason Curtis Martin will probably get in.

 
he'll get in but he probably shouldn't. he's always been a good player but he's never been great. i think it's pretty safe to say that he's never been included in the top 5 running backs at any time during his career. longevity is only thing that's really going for him.
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:goodposting: Although his rushing totals are nice, Bettis was never a very explosive player. Not a big receiving threat or breakaway threat. He also had several mediocre seasons mixed in with the good ones. It's just hard to see him as an elite back.

On the other hand, it is the Hall of "Fame", and Bettis has earned more notoriety than many better backs. I kind of see the HOF as a place for the players that will be remembered and talked about long after they've retired, and Bettis fits that bill.

 
he'll get in but he probably shouldn't. he's always been a good player but he's never been great. i think it's pretty safe to say that he's never been included in the top 5 running backs at any time during his career. longevity is only thing that's really going for him.
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Longevity is not common among running backs. This is a HUGE reason why he'll get in.
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longevity is nice but it doesn't make you great. i guess i've got a different opinion on the hall of fame than you...it should be filled with great players, not just pretty good that stuck around a long time.
 
I think Bettis is in. On top of being good, he's also pretty "famous". It's called the Hall of Fame as opposed to the Hall of Excellence...which explains why guys like Swann and Namath are in.

 
he'll get in but he probably shouldn't. he's always been a good player but he's never been great. i think it's pretty safe to say that he's never been included in the top 5 running backs at any time during his career. longevity is only thing that's really going for him.
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While my gut agrees with your overall assessment, that Bettis will get in but was certainly not one of the "greats" of the game, he did have some stellar years.In 1993, he was second in Rushing yards, 3rd in yards from scrimmage and 9th in rushing TDs. That would be a top-five RB.

In 1996, Bettis was 3rd in Rushing, 4th in yards from scrimmage 9th in overall TDs 9 (6th in rushing TDs)

If there were a Hall of really, really good players, Bettis would belong there. As it is, he will get into the only HOF the NFL has.

 
he'll get in but he probably shouldn't. he's always been a good player but he's never been great. i think it's pretty safe to say that he's never been included in the top 5 running backs at any time during his career. longevity is only thing that's really going for him.
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Longevity is not common among running backs. This is a HUGE reason why he'll get in.
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longevity is nice but it doesn't make you great. i guess i've got a different opinion on the hall of fame than you...it should be filled with great players, not just pretty good that stuck around a long time.
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I guess "Longevity is not common among running backs" got lost somewhere. He isn't just a player that played a long time. He's a running back that has played a long time. Big, big difference.IMHO.

 
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he'll get in but he probably shouldn't. he's always been a good player but he's never been great. i think it's pretty safe to say that he's never been included in the top 5 running backs at any time during his career. longevity is only thing that's really going for him.
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Longevity is not common among running backs. This is a HUGE reason why he'll get in.
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longevity is nice but it doesn't make you great. i guess i've got a different opinion on the hall of fame than you...it should be filled with great players, not just pretty good that stuck around a long time.
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I guess "Longevity is not common among running backs" got lost somewhere. He isn't just a player that played a long time. He's a running back that has played a long time. Big, big difference.IMHO.
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nothing was lost...it's just my opinion that because something is uncommon doesn't = hall of fame worthy. :mellow:
 
I don't think Bettis geets near enough credit for how good he was the 1st 5 years of his career. The guy WAS explosive at that point and IMO near the top 5 RBs in the game. St.L was just a plan waste land.

Code: 
+--------------------------+-------------------------+                 |          Rushing         |        Receiving        |+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+| Year  TM |   G |   Att  Yards    Y/A   TD |   Rec  Yards   Y/R   TD |+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+| 1993 ram |  16 |   294   1429    4.9    7 |    26    244   9.4    0 || 1994 ram |  16 |   319   1025    3.2    3 |    31    293   9.5    1 || 1995 ram |  15 |   183    637    3.5    3 |    18    106   5.9    0 || 1996 pit |  16 |   320   1431    4.5   11 |    22    122   5.5    0 || 1997 pit |  15 |   375   1665    4.4    7 |    15    110   7.3    2 || 1998 pit |  15 |   316   1185    3.8    3 |    16     90   5.6    0 || 1999 pit |  16 |   299   1091    3.6    7 |    21    110   5.2    0 || 2000 pit |  16 |   355   1341    3.8    8 |    13     97   7.5    0 || 2001 pit |  11 |   225   1072    4.8    4 |     8     48   6.0    0 || 2002 pit |  13 |   187    666    3.6    9 |     7     57   8.1    0 || 2003 pit |  16 |   246    811    3.3    7 |    13     86   6.6    0 || 2004 pit |  15 |   250    941    3.8   13 |     6     46   7.7    0 || 2005 pit |  12 |   110    368    3.3    9 |     4     40  10.0    0 |+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+|  TOTAL   | 192 |  3479  13662    3.9   91 |   200   1449   7.2    3 |
Bettis is a HoFer. He was at one point a top 5 RB in the NFL and his longevity is simply amazing. HE woudl certainly get my vote.
 
this has to be one of the most discussed topics of the past couple seasons.bottom line: he'll get in, but many people believe that he doesn't deserve it.

 
From football.com - probably not updated for 2005

Most Yards Gained, Career

Yards Player Team (Years)

17,162 Emmitt Smith Dallas (1990-2002)

16,726 Walter Payton Chicago (1975-87)

15,269 Barry Sanders Detroit (1989-98)

13,259 Eric Dickerson LA Rams (1983-87), Ind (1987-91), LA Raiders (1992), Atl (1993)

12,739 Tony Dorsett Dallas (1977-87), Denver (1988)

12,312 Jim Brown Cleveland (1957-65)

12,243 Marcus Allen LA Raiders (1982-92), KC (1993-97)

12,120 Franco Harris Pitt (1972-83), Sea (1984)

12,074 Thurman Thomas Buffalo (1988-99), Miami (2000)

11,542 Jerome Bettis LA Rams (1993-1994) St. Louis Rams (1995) Pittsburgh (1996-2002)
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Not updated for 2003 or 2004 either. :no: Currently Bettis (13,662) ranks 5th all-time for rushing yards and 9th all time for rushing TDs.

 
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I don't think Bettis geets near enough credit for how good he was the 1st 5 years of his career. The guy WAS explosive at that point and IMO near the top 5 RBs in the game. St.L was just a plan waste land.

Code: 
     +--------------------------+-------------------------+                 |          Rushing         |        Receiving        |+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+| Year  TM |   G |   Att  Yards    Y/A   TD |   Rec  Yards   Y/R   TD |+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+| 1993 ram |  16 |   294   1429    4.9    7 |    26    244   9.4    0 || 1994 ram |  16 |   319   1025    3.2    3 |    31    293   9.5    1 || 1995 ram |  15 |   183    637    3.5    3 |    18    106   5.9    0 || 1996 pit |  16 |   320   1431    4.5   11 |    22    122   5.5    0 || [B]1997 pit |  15 |   375   1665    4.4    7 |    15    110   7.3    2 |[/B]| 1998 pit |  15 |   316   1185    3.8    3 |    16     90   5.6    0 || 1999 pit |  16 |   299   1091    3.6    7 |    21    110   5.2    0 || 2000 pit |  16 |   355   1341    3.8    8 |    13     97   7.5    0 || 2001 pit |  11 |   225   1072    4.8    4 |     8     48   6.0    0 || 2002 pit |  13 |   187    666    3.6    9 |     7     57   8.1    0 || 2003 pit |  16 |   246    811    3.3    7 |    13     86   6.6    0 || 2004 pit |  15 |   250    941    3.8   13 |     6     46   7.7    0 || 2005 pit |  12 |   110    368    3.3    9 |     4     40  10.0    0 |+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+|  TOTAL   | 192 |  3479  13662    3.9   91 |   200   1449   7.2    3 |
Bettis is a HoFer. He was at one point a top 5 RB in the NFL and his longevity is simply amazing. HE woudl certainly get my vote.
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In the Pittsburgh offense, gaining 1665 yards, how in the world did Bettis only score 7 TD's?
 
I don't think Bettis geets near enough credit for how good he was the 1st 5 years of his career.  The guy WAS explosive at that point and IMO near the top 5 RBs in the game.  St.L was just a plan waste land. 

Code: 
     +--------------------------+-------------------------+                 |          Rushing         |        Receiving        |+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+| Year  TM |   G |   Att  Yards    Y/A   TD |   Rec  Yards   Y/R   TD |+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+| 1993 ram |  16 |   294   1429    4.9    7 |    26    244   9.4    0 || 1994 ram |  16 |   319   1025    3.2    3 |    31    293   9.5    1 || 1995 ram |  15 |   183    637    3.5    3 |    18    106   5.9    0 || 1996 pit |  16 |   320   1431    4.5   11 |    22    122   5.5    0 || [B]1997 pit |  15 |   375   1665    4.4    7 |    15    110   7.3    2 |[/B]| 1998 pit |  15 |   316   1185    3.8    3 |    16     90   5.6    0 || 1999 pit |  16 |   299   1091    3.6    7 |    21    110   5.2    0 || 2000 pit |  16 |   355   1341    3.8    8 |    13     97   7.5    0 || 2001 pit |  11 |   225   1072    4.8    4 |     8     48   6.0    0 || 2002 pit |  13 |   187    666    3.6    9 |     7     57   8.1    0 || 2003 pit |  16 |   246    811    3.3    7 |    13     86   6.6    0 || 2004 pit |  15 |   250    941    3.8   13 |     6     46   7.7    0 || 2005 pit |  12 |   110    368    3.3    9 |     4     40  10.0    0 |+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+|  TOTAL   | 192 |  3479  13662    3.9   91 |   200   1449   7.2    3 |
Bettis is a HoFer.  He was at one point a top 5 RB in the NFL and his longevity is simply amazing.  HE woudl certainly get my vote.
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In the Pittsburgh offense, gaining 1665 yards, how in the world did Bettis only score 7 TD's?
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In his first 5 years, Bettis had 3 outstanding years and 2 very poor years. He has only had 1 good year since then. I wouldnt call that HOF worthy. He hasnt even been an every down back since 2001. He is a nice guy but he is WAY too hyped on this board.
 
In his first 5 years, Bettis had 3 outstanding years and 2 very poor years. He has only had 1 good year since then. I wouldnt call that HOF worthy. He hasnt even been an every down back since 2001. He is a nice guy but he is WAY too hyped on this board.
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The Rams use of Bettis in those 2 years you speak of was downright pathetic... they deserved to loose a team for it.
 
I like him a lot, but I don't consider him an all-time great RB as far as talent :shrug: . He will likely make it on his popularity and longevity though which I'm not so sure is a good enough reason.

 
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I like him a lot, but I don't consider him an all-time great RB as far as talent :shrug: . He will likely make it on his popularity and longevity though which I'm not so sure is a good enough reason.
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:goodposting:
 
How many pro-bowls?

How many all-pros?
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6 Pro Bowls, 4 between the years of 93-97. I would say that is rather dominant at your position. The only year he wasnt out of those 5 was when the Rams were trying to prove some asinine point by not playing the best palyer ont he team. :confused:
 
he'll get in but he probably shouldn't. he's always been a good player but he's never been great. i think it's pretty safe to say that he's never been included in the top 5 running backs at any time during his career. longevity is only thing that's really going for him.
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It looks like several top 5 finishes for Bettis in his career....Jerome Bettis -

Seasons among the league's top 10

Rushes:

1993-3, 1994-6, 1996-6, 1997-1, 1998-9, 1999-7, 2000-3

Rushing yards:

1993-2, 1994-9, 1996-3, 1997-3, 2000-9

Rushing TDs:

1993-9t, 1996-6t, 2004-4t, 2005-10t

Yards from scrimmage:

1993-3, 1996-4, 1997-4

Rush/Receive TDs:

1996-9t, 2004-10t

Among the league's all-time top 50

Rushes:

4

Rushing yards:

5

Rushing TDs:

8t

Yards from scrimmage:

12

Rush/Receive TDs:

21t

 
he'll get in but he probably shouldn't. he's always been a good player but he's never been great. i think it's pretty safe to say that he's never been included in the top 5 running backs at any time during his career. longevity is only thing that's really going for him.
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It looks like several top 5 finishes for Bettis in his career....Jerome Bettis -

Seasons among the league's top 10

Rushes:

1993-3, 1994-6, 1996-6, 1997-1, 1998-9, 1999-7, 2000-3

Rushing yards:

1993-2, 1994-9, 1996-3, 1997-3, 2000-9

Rushing TDs:

1993-9t, 1996-6t, 2004-4t, 2005-10t

Yards from scrimmage:

1993-3, 1996-4, 1997-4

Rush/Receive TDs:

1996-9t, 2004-10t

Among the league's all-time top 50

Rushes:

4

Rushing yards:

5

Rushing TDs:

8t

Yards from scrimmage:

12

Rush/Receive TDs:

21t
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Maybe '93 and maybe '96. I just don't see possibly breaking the top 5 RB rankings twice in a career as something an all-time great does.People are allowed to disagree though ;)

 
In the Pittsburgh offense, gaining 1665 yards, how in the world did Bettis only score 7 TD's?

G GS Att Yards Avg Lg TD TD's

Pittsburgh Steelers 16 16 88 476 5.4 74 11 3

Kordell Stewart's Rushing stats

 
he'll get in but he probably shouldn't. he's always been a good player but he's never been great. i think it's pretty safe to say that he's never been included in the top 5 running backs at any time during his career. longevity is only thing that's really going for him.
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It looks like several top 5 finishes for Bettis in his career....Jerome Bettis -

Seasons among the league's top 10

Rushes:

1993-3, 1994-6, 1996-6, 1997-1, 1998-9, 1999-7, 2000-3

Rushing yards:

1993-2, 1994-9, 1996-3, 1997-3, 2000-9

Rushing TDs:

1993-9t, 1996-6t, 2004-4t, 2005-10t

Yards from scrimmage:

1993-3, 1996-4, 1997-4

Rush/Receive TDs:

1996-9t, 2004-10t

Among the league's all-time top 50

Rushes:

4

Rushing yards:

5

Rushing TDs:

8t

Yards from scrimmage:

12

Rush/Receive TDs:

21t
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3 times top 5 rushing yards and 1 time top 5 TD's does not make SEVERAL to me.The biggest case you make for him are in all of the LONGEVITY categories. That does not make you an all time great IMO.

 
I hope so. It's just after reading these threads here and thinking about all the QB+RBs in the hall, I'd almost like him to wait a lil' bit so other positions could get in.

 
The biggest case you make for him are in all of the LONGEVITY categories. That does not make you an all time great IMO.
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for ten years if you wanted a RB to get you 1 yard, he was the best and if not the best, the one Ds were scared most of. I don't think any Stihler opponent wanted to face him on 4th and 1.Some football folks will really appreciate that. Some won't and will say "it's just 1 yard" but...

 
With a ring and a little bit of the right campaigning (basically just staying in the public eye after retirement), I think he's a lock. Without a ring, I could see him being denied using many of the same arguments that are used with Monk. That's my guess.

 
he'll get in but he probably shouldn't. he's always been a good player but he's never been great. i think it's pretty safe to say that he's never been included in the top 5 running backs at any time during his career. longevity is only thing that's really going for him.
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Here's a question for Terell Davis, Priest Holmes and Kurt Warner all had great three or four year stints in there career, some of the best #'s of all time. Now according to you, you think they deserve to be in there because they were elite at that time compared to Bettis. I personally think Bettis is considered a HOF more than these three because year in and year out he would end up at the league lead in alot of stats.
 
If you don't think Bettis should be in, then you shouldn't think Marcus Allen should be in either. Here are Allen's stats (coudln't figure out how to copy and paste them into a readable format):

http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=15

Also, Bettis now has 13,662 rushing yards in his career, which puts him 5th on the above list, behind Martin who has 14,101.

 
for ten years if you wanted a RB to get you 1 yard, he was the best and if not the best, the one Ds were scared most of. I don't think any Stihler opponent wanted to face him on 4th and 1.

Some football folks will really appreciate that. Some won't and will say "it's just 1 yard" but...
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Not to put too fine a point on this, but you must be referring to pre-2001. And then of course putting Bus ahead of Emmitt Smith. Maybe it was the O-line, but if given the choice, I'd have bet on Dallas getting that yard before Pittsburgh (or St. Louis). I'm guessing D's were every bit as scared of Smith.

The Bus is a HOFer, no doubt in my mind. I just wonder how many people would put Priest in but not Bettis or vice versa, opposite sides of the same coin.

 
If you don't think Bettis should be in, then you shouldn't think Marcus Allen should be in either. Here are Allen's stats (coudln't figure out how to copy and paste them into a readable format):

http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=15

Also, Bettis now has 13,662 rushing yards in his career, which puts him 5th on the above list, behind Martin who has 14,101.
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:goodposting: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/AlleMa00.htm

Marcus Allen:

Seasons among the league's top 10

Rushes: 1982-6, 1984-10, 1985-2

Rushing yards: 1982-4, 1984-10, 1985-1, 1987-10

Rushing TDs: 1982-1, 1983-10t, 1984-3t, 1985-3t, 1990-4, 1993-1, 1994-8t, 1996-9, 1997-3t

Yards from scrimmage: 1982-1, 1983-9, 1984-4, 1985-1, 1987-6

Rush/Receive TDs: 1982-1, 1984-1t, 1985-3, 1990-4t, 1993-2t, 1997-10t

Among the league's all-time top 50

Rushes: 6

Rushing yards: 10

Rushing TDs: 2

Receptions: 46

Yards from scrimmage: 6

Rush/Receive TDs: 3

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/BettJe00.htm

Jerome Bettis -

Seasons among the league's top 10

Rushes: 1993-3, 1994-6, 1996-6, 1997-1, 1998-9, 1999-7, 2000-3

Rushing yards: 1993-2, 1994-9, 1996-3, 1997-3, 2000-9

Rushing TDs: 1993-9t, 1996-6t, 2004-4t, 2005-10t

Yards from scrimmage: 1993-3, 1996-4, 1997-4

Rush/Receive TDs: 1996-9t, 2004-10t

Among the league's all-time top 50

Rushes: 4

Rushing yards: 5

Rushing TDs: 8t

Yards from scrimmage: 12

Rush/Receive TDs: 21t

 
for ten years if you wanted a RB to get you 1 yard, he was the best and if not the best, the one Ds were scared most of. I don't think any Stihler opponent wanted to face him on 4th and 1.

Some football folks will really appreciate that. Some won't and will say "it's just 1 yard" but...
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Not to put too fine a point on this, but you must be referring to pre-2001. And then of course putting Bus ahead of Emmitt Smith. Maybe it was the O-line, but if given the choice, I'd have bet on Dallas getting that yard before Pittsburgh (or St. Louis). I'm guessing D's were every bit as scared of Smith.

The Bus is a HOFer, no doubt in my mind. I just wonder how many people would put Priest in but not Bettis or vice versa, opposite sides of the same coin.
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How are Priest and Bettis on the same coin? One guy has had a great, long career and the other got lucky towards the end of his career to run behind a great line in a superior offense. Not saying Priest wasn't a stud, he definetly was but his career and the Bus's have nothing in common.
 
I just wonder how many people would put Priest in but not Bettis or vice versa, opposite sides of the same coin.
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How are Priest and Bettis on the same coin? One guy has had a great, long career and the other got lucky towards the end of his career to run behind a great line in a superior offense. Not saying Priest wasn't a stud, he definetly was but his career and the Bus's have nothing in common.
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Ah, Priest "got lucky" ok then. :lol: The answer is simply they are both borderline HOFers who will have the opposite arguments going for and against them when the time for voting comes.

 
Does he have to get a ring this year in order to be a hall of famer?

:11: :towelwave:
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yea! the 5th all time NFL rusher needs a ring other wise hes not in the HoF. Which is why Dan Marino isn't in the HoF... wait a second, take that back, your a MORON! of course he doesn't need a ring!!!! It'll help but making the top five rushing list kinda cements you for the Hall.
 
If Holmes is a Hall of Famer, then Terrell Davis definitely is as well.
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Davis gets in before Holmes....although I think both fall just short based on how other RBs in their same systems have done.
 
If Holmes is a Hall of Famer, then Terrell Davis definitely is as well.
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I really don't mean to hijack this, but I hope you aren't saying Davis > Priest.Davis: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/DaviTe00.htm

Rushes: 1996-3, 1997-2, 1998-2

Rushing yards: 1995-9, 1996-2, 1997-2, 1998-1

Rushing TDs: 1996-3t, 1997-1t, 1998-1

Yards from scrimmage: 1996-2, 1997-2, 1998-2

Rush/Receive TDs: 1996-3t, 1997-2, 1998-1

Among the league's all-time top 50

Rushes: 48

Rushing yards: 39

Rushing TDs: 35

Davis isn't a top 30 in any category all-time, top 50 in only 3.

Priest: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/HolmPr00.htm

Seasons among the league's top 10

Rushes: 2001-5, 2002-7, 2003-9

Rushing yards: 2001-1, 2002-3, 2003-9

Rushing TDs: 2002-1, 2003-1, 2004-3

Yards from scrimmage: 2001-1, 2002-1, 2003-5

Rush/Receive TDs: 2001-10t, 2002-1, 2003-1, 2004-4t

Among the league's all-time top 50

Rushes: 40

Rushing yards: 33

Rushing TDs: 13

Yards from scrimmage: 44

Rush/Receive TDs: 21t

Top 50 in 5, #13 in TDs.

Perhaps neither should get in, but Priest > Davis.

 
They had much more similar careers than Holmes and Bettis. Look at them year by year and the similarities are obvious. The main difference is that in their 3 great years (both only had 3), Davis had more yards, but Holmes had more TDs. However, Davis does have the Super Bowl rings (and Super Bowl MVP if I remember correctly), which seems to mean a lot to some people. I don't think it is such an open and shut case between Davis and Holmes.

 
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I've given my opinion on Bettis many times, and count me in the camp of Bettis belongs in the Hall of Very Good.I'm pretty sure Bettis will get in, but I wouldn't jump at the chance to vote for him if given a vote.Players that played in the Bettis era include:Emmitt SmithThurman ThomasBarry SandersMarcus AllenHerschel WalkerRicky WattersMarshall FaulkCurtis MartinTerrell DavisEddie GeorgeCorey DillonEdgerrin JamesJamal LewisAhman GreenTiki BarberLaDainian TomlinsonPriest HolmesShaun AlexanderClinton PortisRicky WilliamsLarry JohnsonI started a thread a few weeks ago breaking down RB by decade, and the HOF had inducted at most 9 RB from any given decade (including any player who had played AT ALL in that decade).Obviously not all of those RB will make the HOF, and some of them are borderline at best. But when you arrange the RB and decide who truly was "great" and who was "very good," in my mind there are a lot of RB that I would induct before Bettis.In today's game, 1,000 yards rushing gets you in the Top 15-20. Given that, 1,200 yards is now a better barometer for a Top 10 season in terms of rushing yards. And plenty of RB score double digit TDs each year.Bettis has had 4 seasons with 1,200 rushing yards and 2 seasons with 10 or more TD. Basically, Clinton Portis has done more in 4 seasons in terms of top seasons than Bettis did in 13.Not to slight The Bus, as he was very good for many years. But was he truly one of the all-time greats of his era?

 
I've given my opinion on Bettis many times, and count me in the camp of Bettis belongs in the Hall of Very Good.

I'm pretty sure Bettis will get in, but I wouldn't jump at the chance to vote for him if given a vote.

Players that played in the Bettis era include:

Emmitt Smith

Thurman Thomas

Barry Sanders

Marcus Allen

Herschel Walker

Ricky Watters

Marshall Faulk

Curtis Martin

Terrell Davis

Eddie George

Corey Dillon

Edgerrin James

Jamal Lewis

Ahman Green

Tiki Barber

LaDainian Tomlinson

Priest Holmes

Shaun Alexander

Clinton Portis

Ricky Williams

Larry Johnson

I started a thread a few weeks ago breaking down RB by decade, and the HOF had inducted at most 9 RB from any given decade (including any player who had played AT ALL in that decade).

Obviously not all of those RB will make the HOF, and some of them are borderline at best. But when you arrange the RB and decide who truly was "great" and who was "very good," in my mind there are a lot of RB that I would induct before Bettis.

In today's game, 1,000 yards rushing gets you in the Top 15-20. Given that, 1,200 yards is now a better barometer for a Top 10 season in terms of rushing yards. And plenty of RB score double digit TDs each year.

Bettis has had 4 seasons with 1,200 rushing yards and 2 seasons with 10 or more TD. Basically, Clinton Portis has done more in 4 seasons in terms of top seasons than Bettis did in 13.

Not to slight The Bus, as he was very good for many years. But was he truly one of the all-time greats of his era?
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First, Bettis is 1990's RB, and a bunch of the guys you list weren't.Second, considering the amount of TDs he scored is a little misleading considering that he played his best years on offenses without a passing attack on an offense that fed him the ball time and time again against defenses that knew he was getting it. What he did is remarkable, because he WAS the Steelers' offense for most of those years. On a top offense, Bettis could've been a TD machine.

I think that people forget how awesome he was in his prime because they see what he is now... which is STILL awesome for a 33 year old RB who's had the career he has. Sustained excellence is probably the greatest accomlishment there is.

Bettis is a lock for the Hall of Fame. End of story.

 
I just wonder how many people would put Priest in but not Bettis or vice versa, opposite sides of the same coin.
Click to expand...
How are Priest and Bettis on the same coin? One guy has had a great, long career and the other got lucky towards the end of his career to run behind a great line in a superior offense. Not saying Priest wasn't a stud, he definetly was but his career and the Bus's have nothing in common.
Click to expand...
Ah, Priest "got lucky" ok then. :lol: The answer is simply they are both borderline HOFers who will have the opposite arguments going for and against them when the time for voting comes.
Click to expand...
I think when Priest was a undrafted FA out of college and then was never a everyday starter in Balt. that he got very lucky to end up behind that line in KC. Like I said early (Not saying Priest wasn't a stud) but he ended up in a very good situation which had alot of luck to do with it. I think the system and the line had alot more to do with the GREAT 3 year stretch he had than his talents. Again no disrespect to Priest but his results=a great line and offense.
 
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