Jerome Bettis was a pretty good NFL running back (some might say great–I’m not sure I’d go that far). And he hasn’t been horrible as an NFL analyst since he retired, working with NBC and the NFL Network.
Somewhere along the way, he’s even gotten himself a column on Sports Illustrated’s Website, called Bus Stops (or Buss Stops, when the editors are too busy wading through Peter King’s latest weekly novel).
This week, amongst some tidbits about the Raiders pathetic QB situation (that’s going out on a limb), and theorizing that the Titans should have paid Jim Schwartz like a head coach (which only would have worked if money was all that mattered to him), Bettis graces us with his Class of 2010 Hall of Fame thoughts.
Amongst the Bus’s picks for the Hall?
The obvious: Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice.
The slightly less obvious: Cris Carter, who Bettis thinks was a game changer due to the way he attacked the red zone (I had no idea Carter was 6 foot 3 inches tall…huh)…according to Bettis, that’s the way ex-players decide on whether a guy was Hall-worthy–was he a game changer.
That’s why Bettis also likes Eddie George (who was a tall RB–although not the first, paving the way for guys like Brandon Jacobs), and John Randle (who was an undersized DT, paving the way for…Warren Sapp? How the hell is Warren Sapp undersized? I mean, he was relatively quick, but 303 pounds is undersized?).
Then, of course, he comes to Dick LeBeau…where he joins rest of Steeler nation in proclaiming the LeBeau Hall-worthy:
And of course, I have to love Dick LeBeau, Pittsburgh’s defensive coordinator and an outstanding cornerback in his days. This guy helped invent a package, the zone blitz, that’s used every day now. Last night I was watching the Giants-Cowboys, and there was nose tackle Jay Ratliff out defending a pass in the flat. That scheme came directly from the mind of Dick LeBeau, who’s as much of a shoe-in as you can have in this bunch. If you know the NFL, you have to know about this guy.
It seems clear that Bettis, like many other Steeler players and fans who have expressed their support for LeBeau’s Hall nomination, are basing their support on LeBeau’s impressive credentials as a defensive coach more than his career as a player. Bettis at least acknowledges that LeBeau was an “outstanding cornerback in his days,” but you have to wonder how much The Bus really knows of LeBeau’s playing career, when you consider that LeBeau’s final season as a player was the same year Bettis was born (1972).
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Process clearly states that “a player and coach must have last played or coached at least five seasons before he can be considered.” So, by nominating him now, while his coaching career is still active, the Senior Selection Committee has set forth LeBeau as a nomination for his playing career only–and his contributions as a coach, while significant, should be left at the door when the committee convenes to make their selections next February.
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Yup — this is a great example why former players should absolutely not be picking people for the Hall of Fame. Here, we’re talking homer-ism plus basic ignorance of the game’s history.
I have no problem with homer-ism if it’s in the right context. For example when a Coach supports a player as being great and deserving of the HOF. If they can’t support a player who can and we know it only carries as much weight as the coach. In Madden’s case for Guy that should be a lot, LOL!! When Don Shula says Keuchenburg was the best Guard he’s ever coached that is hopefully more than homer-ism but who really knows?
Rarely will another coach give that kind of support to an opposing player. That should count for a lot with all the time they spend in the film room. I suppose the best is when it comes from another player like HOFer Bruce Smith saying “he has as much respect for Richmond Webb’s ability as anyone he ever faced”. That should be worth a lot to judges but even with that you could say there’s bias for the Divison he played within. There’s always room for skeptisim!!!!
If irving frair is not in the hall then it is a flawed system. ridiculous!!!!!!!
Given how strigent the HoF seems to be with WRs, I don’t think Irving Fryar has a chance of being elected. But I’d sooner support his case over players such as Mark Clayton, Mark Duper, Gary Clark, and Andre Rison because Fryar was also a first-rate kick returner.