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Wow. Interesting stat.I have been on the fence with Tiki for a few reasons, but I really think he needed another year at least. That said, the best 7 year stretch EVER, is pretty impressive.Earlier today while driving, I was wondering how many RBs have had a better 5 year stretch than Tiki has, but that answers the question. Wow.
I dont think the NY things means nearly as much in Football, as compared to other sports. The NFL has such national exposure, with the ticket, Fantasy football and all, that even the small markets get as much pub in some cases (like GB).
While I mostly agree, I might put Tiki at least with Curtis Martin in their career, and to be honest, perhaps ahead of Bettis. His 5-7 year peak really was something that is underated IMO. 2000 yards every freakin season, and considerably more than that often, is just too good to ignore. Martin has to be hurt by the time of his career as well, and I have been a big CuMar fan for a while. Good point about the strength of the position, though. And LT2 is mashing everything.
Edgerrin James is a Cardinal ...his carreer is as over as Tiki'sShaun Alexander at this pace is an absolute lock for the HOF Bettis in his prime does not compare to Tiki in his primeThurman Thomas Carreer numbers are similar (but he has played 3 more seasons) Tiki averages more per carry for his career than every single one of these guys
Eddie had Steve McNair.Tiki's had what? Eli, Dave Brown, Danny Kanell, Kent Graham, Kerry Collins?
I put tiki ahead of Bettis. At their peak and extended peak, especially extended, Tiki is ahead.S Alexander may very well soon surpass Tiki but I wonder if he is the type that could fall off a RB cliff.
I would put Tiki ahead of Bettis too, and neither are HOF worthy imo.
Just a thought...If you reduce Tiki's stretch from seven years to six years, he would then coincide with LT's career. I'm sure most would agree LT is the current benchmark for RB's.Chris Smith said:
We can pretty much say NO to each of these guys. Some, if not all, had a great season or two or three, or were fairly solid throughout their career, but not HoF material.Should Tiki? Nah. Like the guy, and he did great for the Giants. But the stats aren't as monstrous as some make them out to be. I think he's on the borderline, and could eventually get in though..
Flipping this around a bit, Tiki will finish his career with 55 rushing touchdowns and 67 TDs from scrimmage; which puts him outside the top 40 and top 50, respectively. Combine that with: No SB rings (titles go a long way toward settling marginal players), never finishing among the top 3 in MVP voting (MVPs help), and having made one All Pro team; he's simply outclassed by his contemporaries.I think you could argue he was a more dominant player at his peak than either Bettis or Martin, but they are bolstered by other factors most notably their place among the all-time rushing leaders (5th and 4th, respectively). No RB has ever finished his career that high and been denied induction.For Giants fans and Tiki fans who think Tiki should be in, ironically it'll be Tiki's decision to give up on his career that likely costs him. Another few seasons, even subpar to the great ones of late, would put his case on much firmer ground. I also don't think HOF voters will look as favorably on Tiki's decision to leave for broadcasting in his prime versus having his career cut short b/c of injury...that will make it harder to use the "body of work" argument that benefitted Gayle Sayers and a few others.
I think it goes without saying that by the time Barber is eligible for the HoF, assuming he does retire in the next month, he will not be in the top 10. Tomlinson and a few others will likely have passed him up.
This list is a great example of how daunting Tiki's candidacy will be...again, he's up against staunch contemporaries. Let's also not forget that Edgerrin James and LaDainian Tomlinson are virtual locks to finish ahead of Barber, too.There are 24 modern era RBs inducted in the Hall of Fame. TWENTY FOUR. Among players whose careers began in 1970 or later, there have been 8 RBs inducted...with only Barry Sanders and Marcus Allen's careers beginning after 1980.
I would be stunned if Thermal didn't make the HOF given his career marks combined with the fact he went to four SBs. Remember, Jim Kelly got in on the back of that honor, too.
The Bus is borderline too, but, the case for:-top 5 rushing yardagebeef said:
I think Thomas should go before Tiki, while Barber IMHO is really on the fence. I can see arguments either way on him, and you made a good one against him.
Bettis was also All Pro 2 times. 23 RBs have been All Pro 2 times and are eligible for the HOF. Only 5 of them are not in the HOF. One of those 5 is Thurman Thomas, who I believe will get in, probably this year. The other 4 are:
I'd also add that it isn't just a lack of a Super Bowl ring, but also a lack of playoff success, period. Tiki has played in only 6 playoff games, and has only 94/338/1 rushing and 24/181/0 receiving to show for them, with only one 100 yard rushing game... and his team is 2-4 in those games.Compare that to Thurman Thomas (2114 total yards and 21 TDs in 21 postseason games, team record 11-10) and Ricky Watters (1117 total yards and 12 TDs in 11 postseason games, team record 6-5, one championship), two guys to whom some would consider Tiki comparable.I agree that the RBs on Jason's list above (Smith, Thomas, Faulk, Tomlinson, Martin, Bettis) will get in. As already mentioned, Alexander is a strong candidate as well. Hard to predict exactly who else may emerge... I'm a bit skeptical about James myself. And notice that we aren't even discussing Watters, Terrell Davis, Priest Holmes, or others... personally, I don't think any of those guys will make it, but some would argue that Watters and/or Davis are more worthy than Tiki.
Huge disparity in TDs. I know TDs are somewhat situational, and I've heard the excuse given that Tiki was pulled at the goal line... but the bottom line is that HOF RBs typically produce TDs, and in any comparison such as the one above, Tiki will suffer because he didn't score enough.
But then you have to think Tiki's low TD total is misleading also. Tiki was never a bad Goal line back ...when given the opportunity he did very well. The Giants were just always looking for the prototypical Goal Line back
Great backs do it on the goaline daddy!
What about Thurman?