Just read the news that Fred Taylor will be retiring as a Jacksonville Jaguar on Friday, and figured (especially after an amusing couple minutes of conversation at a draft last night during which a neighbor of mine tried to convince me that Fred Jackson would be voted into the Hall of Fame–took a couple minutes to figure out he meant Taylor) that it’s worth putting the question out to the experts on our site.
- 1 time Pro Bowlers, zero All-Pros (he made one 2nd Team AP All-NFL team–may be telling right there)
- 11,695 career rushing yards, 15th all time
- Could have been closer to 15,000 if he was healthier during his career
- 66 career rushing TDs, 74 total TDs
- 14,709 yards from scrimmage (25th all time)
Realistically, I think these numbers are far short of HOF worthy, especially by today’s HOF definition. If he had put these numbers up in the 70’s or 80’s, he might have made it–as it stands, I can think of several other contemporary backs that I would list as significantly better, that I would say might not even be HOF worthy (looking at you Jerome).
I would say clearly not a first ballot guy, but my neighbor thought the yards from scrimmage would get him in–and looking at the ‘Similar Players’ on Pro-Football-Reference does show a number of HOF caliber players as comparisons at various points of his career, and even two (Frank Gifford and Eric Dickerson) for overall career.
So what say you, Zoneblitz Nation?
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I don’t see a good argument for putting Fred Taylor in the HoF. He’s essentially a complier as far as I can see and has no real peak — kind of a poor man’s version of Jerome Bettis, and Bettis himself could be seen as a second-tier HoF-er (some smart football folks in fact think he would not be a good HoF choice, in fact) since he really doesn’t have much in the way of a peak either.
By getting only up as far as 15th all-time when he retired, Taylor’s not really an elite compiler, either — Bettis at least finished up 5th all-time in rushing yards — and Taylor’s behind both LaDainian Tomlinson and Edgerrin James in all-time rushing yards. James may have problem enough getting elected, but I’d guess he makes it eventually.
I also do not see a case for Fred Taylor. Now, Edgerrin James is a Hall of Famer. 2 rushing titles, 4x Pro Bowler, 1x First Team All Pro ( 3 total first team AP). 11th most rushing yards with 12,246 yards. Every running back that is 1-10 is in the hall, besides Curtis Martin(4th) and Jerome Bettis(5th), and LaDainian Tomlinson(6th,who is still playing and will be a first ballot hall of famer). Both Curtis Martin and Jerome Bettis will make it very soon. I think Curtis will make it next year and Jerome the year after. And 12-14 are in the Hall.
Is Derrick Mason Hall of Fame worthy? I think, if he gets what Rex Ryan says, 90 catches and a ring, than he could be going to Canton. Tall order, but, there is a chance IMO. I’m a season ticket holder of the Jets. I hope the last one comes true the most, but I also want the first to come true. J-E-TS JETS JETS JETS
Mason has no chance Brad, sorry.
I know I know, but he definitely deserves to make the ballot though.
Taylor has no chance. While he definitely should have made more than one Pro Bowl and accomplished a lot considering the amount of injuries he endured, the stats, post-season awards and post-season success aren’t there. There were a lot of above average to borderline great running backs over the last 10 years and I get the feeling that most of them will cancel each other out (James, Barber, Taylor, Dillon, George, Holmes, Alexander, Portis, Lewis, Green, Dunn, etc.). The only one in that group with a chance at the Hall of Fame is Edgerrin James and to be honest, his short peak does not make him anything close to being a lock. I think he belongs, but that will be up to the voters.
As for Mason, don’t even get me started. He’s been a very consistently above average receiver, but the man has no chance of making the Hall of Fame…I don’t know if there was any point in time where I even considered him a top-10 receiver in the league. He’s made 2 Pro Bowls and 1 All-Pro Team, with 1 of each coming in 2000 when his selection was based on his returning ability. He’s never scored more than 9 TD’s in a season, has just one season of over 1,200 receiving yards (and even worse, only 3 of over 1,100 yards), and he routinely has finished with a yards-per-catch of under 14 yards in a wide open passing era. His case starts and ends with receptions and all-purpose yards. Unless you also think Keenan McCardell belongs in the Hall of Fame with 2 Pro Bowls and a ring, I don’t see an argument. I doubt he will ever even be among the preliminary nominees.
First off BSLO, start listing players with more receptions than Derrick Mason, than start naming players with eight 1,000 receiving yard seasons. You would be surprised, because Derrick Mason is only 1 of 12 players to accomplish that feat in NFL history. And you don’t think he doesn’t deserve to make the preliminaries? okkkkkk. Brian Mitchell, a special teams player first, and really not that exciting on offense, and he is on the ballot. Derrick Mason for a period of time was a very exciting return man. He also holds franchise records with the Raven: most receiving yards (5,777), receptions (471). Eric Metcalf IMO has a nice career resume.
Brad: The preliminary ballot usually consists of 100+ players and consists of anyone nominated by anyone (there is no selection process at that stage), so yes Mason could appear on that list. However, I would surprised if Mason ever made the list of 25 finalists and certainly not the list of 15 finalists in the rounds of preliminary voting. The problem is that in the post 1990s era there are going to be many WRs (and QBs) with high passing numbers and not all of them are going to get in the HOF. Unlike the pre 1990 age when the top passing numbers were rare and held by few, in this era such numbers (such as the 4000 passing season and the 90+ reception season) are all too common.
Yes of course having a 90 reception season is common in the NFL, but you are going to tell me having 900+ receptions for a career is common and 8 1,000 receiving yards is common? Like I said, he is 1 of 12 to accomplish that. That, by definition, is rare. I know he is not a Hall of Famer, but how is Art Monk in with basically a similar resume? I think its because he had the most receptions at the time of retirement. But I will say this, based on talent, Randy Moss and Terrell Owens are Hall of Famers without a doubt, but based on attitudes and public perception, I’ll take Derrick Mason over them anyday. But it’s based on “on the field”, which I do agree with. The “good guys” really do finish last. But, at least Derrick is still playing and is playing for a Super Bowl caliber team (still chasing that ring,something Randy Moss and Terrell both don’t have as well) unlike Randy Moss and Terrell Owens(but that’s as of now). Go J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS
If Fred Taylor has a Canton Bound title page when he retired, than please do one for Derrick Mason, who in my opinion, deserves to be in Canton more. Both are in the same boat as far as there respective position, but Derrick has return stats that are above average without a doubt. Is Devin Hester a Hall of Famer? I have read articles on ESPN.com that say he is and I say no, not now. He needs to pass Deion Sanders non offensive TD record(needs 20), just to be in the conversation. Of course he is ballot worthy, but Eric Metcalf, IMO, has a better resume, because Eric was actually a decent offensive player, whereas Devin is just return and the receiving is nothing special. Devin could surprise us all( not me) and post another 3+ TD return season and make his 4th first team all pro team.
Speaking of Special teams and All Pro. Shane Lechler. I think he is Hall of Fame worthy when its all said and done. To be honest he was and still is dominant. You look at the history of the NFL, and off the top of my head, I believe Shane has the most first team APs selections than any other special teams player. Now, of course that alone is not going to get you in, but he does have the best punting avg of all time.
Since there is only one true special teams player in the HOF (the pure kicker Jan Stenerud) I think it will be a long time before any other special team player is elected to the HOF. There may be a few more kickers (those that hold the career records) and perhaps a punter also deserving. But the HOF voters need to be more accepting of kickers and punters before any pure special teams players or return specialists get in the HOF. Someone (Hester?) is going to have to put together monster career return numbers to even get considered by the voters, many of whom will never treat special teams as the equal of offensive or defensive players. Until other kickers (M Anderson, G Anderson, Vinatieri, Elam, Hanson ???) get stronger consideration – and perhaps only 1 or 2 of those ever get elected; and punters (look at the Ray Guy situation) get fair treatment, no other special team players will ever.
As to Mason versus Monk, Art Monk had numerous career records when he retired and post season awards (including team of the 1980s) and three Superbowl wins on his resume and look how long it took for him to get elected. And his election is still hotly contested by many.
Honestly compare Mason and Monk not on receptions and yards (given the different eras) but career records held and awards, and tell me that Monk is not above Mason??
And again the 1980s era is much different then today when within the next several years the number of players with 900+ receptions and 8+ 1000yrd seasons is easily going to each be into the 20s – not as rare as one would make it out to be.
One more point on Mason (who I believe was a great player but not a HOF – same can be said for Fred Taylor), his career largely overlaps (2000s decade) with 6 other WRs all of whom have equal or better numbers and awards (post season, all pro teams, team of the 2000s, Superbowls etc..): Harrison, Moss, Holt, Owens, Ward, Bruce. I also follow a general rule that no more then 4-5 players from one position from any one decade should be in the HOF starting with the team of the decade members (for 2000 decade that would be Harrison, Moss, Holt, Owens). All of which means a really hard road for Mason (and same for Taylor and RBs) for the HOF.
Thank you for summing up my opinions Paul. Brad, I respect your arguments, but you basically answered your own question when you brought up Art Monk. Monk’s stats may look similar to Mason’s but there are two big reasons why he is regarded as having a better career:
1) He has 3 Super Bowl rings
2) As you said, he finished as the all-time leader in receptions
Brian Mitchell and Eric Metcalf have made the preliminary list because they’ve done significant things primarily as returners. Mitchell finished his career as the all-time leader in all-purpose yards (though Rice passed him a year later), while Metcalf was one of the best all-around players of his era. He was in my opinion the best punt returner of his era, led the league in kickoff return yardage in his 2nd season, was consistently a solid 3rd-down back with excellent receiving ability out of the backfield and even had a year in which he lined up as a receiver and logged over 100 catches and 1,000 yards. That said, I don’t think either guy ever makes it past the preliminary stage. If Mason stayed as a returner for more of his career, maybe he has a better chance, but that didn’t happen.
Mason’s credentials are strictly based on compiling stats (mostly receptions) and having a few seasons an an elite returner earlier in his career. Unfortunately, the only way that a guy like this gets in is when he has something else to prop up his resume…which he doesn’t. He doesn’t have a ring, doesn’t have many post-season honors and will definitely not finish his career as the all-time reception leader. His return stats are a small boost, but they aren’t significant enough in my opinion.
Despite these large counting stats, he’s only finished in the top 10 in receiving yards once and the top 10 in receptions 4 times. When 20 receivers routinely finish with 1,000 or more yards in a year (almost a third of the league’s starting receivers), finishing with 1,000 yards is no big deal. His 8 1,000 yard seasons will look like nothing by the time he is eligible in 6+ years. Guys like Wayne, Ochocinco, Boldin, Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, etc. are already well on their way to 8. Being the Ravens all-time leader in stats is just not significant. The franchise has been around for 15 years and aside from Anquan Boldin and tight end Todd Heap, their receivers have basically sucked and been a liability to the team.
I even disagree with Paul that he’ll definitely make the preliminary nominee list. There are generally somewhere between 15 and 20 receivers that make this list a year with some leeway given to guys in their first year of eligibility. I think that Mason has a decent, but not great, shot at making this list in his first year, but he’s hardly one of the best 20 modern-era guys eligible. Off the top of my head, I’d say Carter, Brown, Reed (they might be in by the time he’s eligible), Harrison, Moss, Owens, Holt, Bruce, Jimmy Smith, Rod Smith, Keyshawn Johnson, Henry Ellard, Gary Clark, Andre Rison, Herman Moore, Irving Fryar, Mark Clayton and Sterling Sharpe have definitely had better careers among retired modern-era receivers and aside from Clayton will likely all be still eligible once Mason retires. There are also a few others with comparable careers like Muhsin Muhammad, Keenan McCardell, Joe Horn, and Eric Moulds that all played in the same era as him. If they aren’t given a sniff then I don’t think it helps Mason’s chances. Although after J.T. Smith was nominated last year…maybe anything is possible. I unfortunately think of him as more of a Terence Mathis/Drew Hill type with more receptions, but maybe I’m being too harsh.
I think he deserves his own “Is he a Hall of Famer?” blog, but I think he has less of a case than Fred Taylor. Taylor’s allure was that he was one of the biggest “what-if?” players of his era. He arguably had a chance to finish with numbers closer to Jerome Bettis and Curtis Martin if he had stayed healthy and might have won a rushing title or two along the way. With Derrick Mason, he missed 6 games in his 14-year career. I would find it hard to argue that he didn’t live up to his career’s potential. Also, just a final note…it’s been a little under the radar but he’s been somewhat routinely complaining about his role and his contract over the past 3-4 seasons so I wouldn’t say that he entirely gets a free pass in the character department.
I also agree with your last point on Mason Paul…sorry didn’t see it before I posted.
It’s not that I don’t think Mason was a very good player, I just think that there are much better players from the same era and I have never been one to focus on one aspect of a player’s career when looking at his chances. His receptions and consistency are great, but I put a much greater emphasis on rings, post-season awards, dominant periods and things like averages (in Mason’s case, his yards per catch and receiving yards per game are nothing to write home about). I prefer quality over quantity, especially in a passing era.
I was just throwing Derrick’s name out there because he deserves credit. Of course he is not a hall of famer, but deserves credit, that’s all. Anyway, Curtis Martin should get elected this year, and I’m not saying that because I watched him play from 2002-2005 at Jet home games. He is the 4th all time rusher when he retired and no one has passed him since (LaDainian Tomlinson could this year). He was when he played and still is extremely underrated. When we name the top RBs we start with Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Marshall Faulk, Emmitt Smith, etc. But, the truth is, Curtis Martin’s name should be up there. Him and Barry are the only players in NFL history to have 10 straight 1,000 yard rushing seasons to start a career. Barry retired after 10 seasons. Curtis had a little over 700 rushing yards in his 11th season because he got hurt. He also led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,697(beat Shaun Alexander by a yard) in 2004, becoming the oldest player with a rushing title. But anyway, I HOPE Curtis gets elected over Bettis and I have NOTHING against Jerome(expect when he threw a TD vs the Jets, but that is whatever lol). I just think Curtis was a better all around RB. Jerome was just a power runner, not that good at receiving. But, I do think Jerome is a Hall of famer.
Last post about Mason (unless someone else brings him name up. You can comment about this comment and that’s fine haha). I think we can agree about who has had a more consistent career in Derrick Mason. Even if they are from different eras and time frames.
Id pick MJD over Fred Taylor as far as who is a better running back in Jacksonvile, hands down. Fred Taylor is still a good RB. But, MJD is just a weapon, in rushing, receiving, and returning.
BSLO: The preliminary list consists of everyone nominated by anyone. Even Brad can nominate Mason. As far as I am aware no one at the HOF or the Committee reviews that list. Over the years the preliminary list of nominees has exceeded over 125 people with some clear non HOF caliber players on it. I mean just look over the 2011 preliminary list: J.T Smith? Chris Hinton? Ray Childress? Ken Harvey?
Ronde Barber is a hall of famer IMO. Thoughts?
Hines Ward is a hall of famer because he is the all time leading receiver for a franchise that has won the most super bowls(6), that has had a lot of hall of famers of the years, and has been around for a long time, since 1933. Is that significant BSLO? And Hines has Super Bowl MVP, whereas Art Monk doesn’t. And don’t get me started with his blocking. In my opinion, he is a VERY good blocker. Call him dirty all you want, but that isn’t a reason to not put him in the Hall. It’s a style.
Thomas Jones, has had somewhat of a consistent career when he starts. The Cardinals and The Buccaneers didn’t use him much. When he went to the Bears and Jets, he was a good RB from 2004-2009, including 4 top 10 rushing, one 5th place in 2008, and one 3rd place in 2009. . Not saying he is a hall of famer nor is he close, but he has had an unappreciated career. I think if he was used earlier, he would have had at least 11,500 rushing yards right now. Best days with the Jets behind future Hall of Fame caliber center, Nick Mangold. And on defense, Darrelle Revis. He has been compared to Deion as far as covering. But, Revis Island can tackle as well, whereas Deion Sanders was known as a below average tackler. If you don’t believe me, type in Eddie Royal Darrelle Revis on youtube and watch the video.
My only point about Thomas Jones was that if he gets on a preliminary list there is no reason that Mason can also get on that list.
Thoughts on two players Brad mentioned:
–Ronde Barber certainly looks to be HoF qualified, and I think he belongs. His postseason honors of 3(3AP)/5/00s for a CB of the time only trail Champ Bailey’s 5(3AP)/10/00s, are on par with Charles Woodson at 3(2AP)/7/00s, and are slightly better than Ty Law’s 2(2AP)/5/00s. He might be a player who flies under the HoF voter radar, though.
–Hines Ward of course plays at a position the HoF voters tend not to like much, unfortunately. He’s getting up there in some of the lifetime counting stats, though, and that’s going to be his best chance. Note that he’s directly competing with players like Marvin Harrison, Randy Moss, and Terrell Owens, who likely will have an edge here (not to mention Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce), and we all know how tough it has been to get any of the earlier trio of Cris Carter, Andre Reed, and Tim Brown thus far.
Barber may unfortunately suffer from the same treatment as the 4th member of the four CBs from the team of the 1990s not yet elected to the HOF: Aeneas Williams.
As to Ward, he will not have the numbers of Moss and Owens and many of the same post season awards (including SBs) as Harrison, Holt and Bruce. However, lets remember Ward is a SB MVP and member of two SB teams. Will be interesting to see how voters start to sort all the post 2000 era WRs as they come up for election over a several year period. Like the current and soon eligible OL (and current WRs on the ballot) voters are going to have to sort out the order in some way.
What are your thoughts about Curtis Martin?
NO way should Fred Taylor be in the HOF!
Hines Ward – Haha, first of all, yes Brad, Ward being the Steelers all-time receiving leader is more significant than Mason. He’s ahead of two Hall of Fame receivers as opposed to Mark Clayton, Travis Taylor and others :). As for his credentials, I think he deserves to make it as a 2-time Super Bowl winner and Super Bowl MVP with solid counting stats and decent post-season recognition that won’t kill his candidacy…not to mention his blocking ability.
As bachslunch alluded to, it’ll be very interesting to see how the HOF handles the election of in my opinion 6 Hall of Fame receivers (Owens, Moss, Harrison, Bruce, Holt and Ward). All of them have solid credentials that should put them on at least the semi-finalist list, but they all seem to have something that might hold up their candidacy. Owens and Moss lack a ring, Harrison, Owens and Moss have character concerns that are large enough that they might influence their candidacy (I know this isn’t supposed to matter, but until Jim Tyrer gets another look…I’m not buying it), Holt and Bruce have the question of whether they were products of the Greatest Show on Turf and Ward has the hardware, but hasn’t had a dominant career at the position (only 4 Pro Bowls, only 6 1,000 yard seasons).
I don’t think any of these should keep these 6 players out, but these questions may cause enough of a logjam to hold things up and cause a couple of them to have to wait for the seniors pool. There’s also the (unfair) question of whether 6 receivers from one era should make it in.
Thomas Jones: He’s had a weird career. He went from being close to getting the major bust label to suddenly having a long, consistently productive career. He’s obviously not a hall of famer, and I’d probably even put him a step below Fred Taylor, but it’ll be interesting to see whether he ever makes the preliminary list. Fully agree with Paul in that if he makes the list, Mason will too. I’m not convinced that one pro bowl warrants making the preliminary list, but if anybody can nominate somebody for the list then it’s always possible. Case in point, Leroy Hoard made it two years ago…LOL
Ronde Barber: I think he deserves it, but he won’t make it right away. I think he’ll have to wait for Sapp and Brooks to get in at a minimum and a lot of it will depend on when he retires in relation to Woodson and Bailey. I personally like him over Ty Law, but Law’s 3 rings might be enough for him to get the upperhand. He didn’t play in nearly as much obscurity as Aeneas Williams, but I get the feeling he’ll have a similar path to the Hall. I say he makes it in 5-10 years into his eligibility. I’m hoping the same happens for Aeneas, but we’ll have to wait and see. If he gets bumped up to being a finalist this year, I’ll feel a lot more confident.
Curtis Martin: I can’t say much more than you’ve said about him Brad, as I fully agree with you on his candidacy. I’d even go as far as saying I’d be mildly surprised if he wasn’t inducted this year.
Ty Law, in my opinion, was the “Tom Brady” of the defense in there 3 Super Bowl wins. As in, he was the best player on the defense and arguably the best player during the 3 super bowl wins not named Tom Brady. Other dynasty’s have more than just two very good players, but Tom Brady is top 10 best QBs of all time. Look at teams like the 1970’s Steelers. Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Lynn Swann, Mel Blount, Mean Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham, etc. Cowboys of the 1990’s, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, even throw in Darren Woodson, and partly Larry Allen. and Nate Newton. I think that can help Ty Law’s chances of making the Hall of Fame. Plus, Ty Law was not bad in the postseason, ask Peyton Manning. Ty Law was considered the best CB in the game at one point of his career for some years.
John Abraham is in the same category in my opinion, as Fred Taylor, as in, what if he was healthy. But John, IMO, has a better resume with 2/4/none. Could make the pro bowl again this year and possibly an AP team. He should have made the Pro Bowl in 2008 when he had 16.5 sacks. But regardless, John has some years left.
Brad said: “Ty Law, in my opinion, was the “Tom Brady” of the defense in there 3 Super Bowl wins. As in, he was the best player on the defense and arguably the best player during the 3 super bowl wins not named Tom Brady.”
I think the most HoF deserving Pats player from that defense is actually Richard Seymour. Postseason honors of 3(3AP)/6/00s place him among the top d-linemen of the era and in absolute terms are a bit better than Law’s 2(2AP)/5/00s — and Law’s numbers are a bit below those of other 00s CBs such as Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson, and Ronde Barber. I’d rank Law 2nd in the Pat’s defense HoF pecking order here.
If Ty Law didn’t have that pick six in the 2nd quarter of the Super Bowl vs the Rams, than the Patriots wouldn’t have won. And he picked off Peyton Manning 3 times in a playoff game in a win. Richard Seymour is definitely hall of fame worthy, sorry i totally forgot about him but I think Ty Law was more feared by QBs than Richard. If they wanted to stop richard, they would double team him.
And also, if you wanted to stop or have Ty Law “not hurt you”, than they would not throw to him, but in the process, they are hurting themselves because Ty typically covered the number 1 WR and he would virtually take the number 1 WR out of the game because of his covering skills. In the end, I think they both deserve it, and of course Brady is a Hall of Famer. Hell, he was a Hall of Famer after he won his 3rd Super Bowl.
Question — given that football is a team game, how much credit for Ty Law’s interceptions goes to the pass rush, something Richard Seymour may have had a big hand in? Or to Law’s fellow DBs, who may have been covering so well that the QB decided to throw to the WR Law was covering? Not that Law’s chopped liver here by any means (I can see a HoF argument for him, though he’s got plenty of competition at his position for the era), but I’m not convinced Law should get sole “fear” or similar credit either.
If you were to ask QBs who played against Richard and Ty and who they would rather NOT face. Ty Law or RIchard Seymour. I’d put money on that they would say Ty Law based on his covering skills and Ty was a good tackler(but that is a little irrelevant in the aspect). But yes football is a team sport, as for every other sport. Something I find interesting is, and I am trying not to cross sports and not trying to be off topic, but look at a guy like K.C. Jones from the Celtics. His stats aren’t that great compared to fellow HOFers of his era, but he was apart of the great Celtic dynasty, where he won 7 championships and he is a hall of famer. Now, as we know, Super Bowl wins for players don’t always help, a la Shannon Sharpe, Charles Haley, etc. I think Ty Law deserves the Hall, because, teams did fear him. I have never heard a team “feared” Richard and to be honest, I watched Richard and Ty twice a year from2002-2008 for Richard and 2002-2004,as I am a Jets season ticket holder, so one at home and one away which I watched on TV. Yes, you can point out Richard had some sacks on the Jets, but to be honest, I never really noticed it as much as I remembered Ty Law’s covering skills. Now, am I trying to say Richard wasn’t good? absolutely not. And I am not favoring Ty because he was a Jet at one point. Heck, I have been mentioning all his Pats stats all the time. Richard made the Pro Bowl last year because someone got hurt and he filled in. Ty Law made the Pro Bowl in 2005 with the Jets as a reserve, and no one got hurt for him to get in the Pro Bowl. Pro Bowl now a days is overrated, just saying, since there are about 80-90 per year ever since they switched the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl and they don’t allow the players who are in the Super Bowl not play in the Pro Bowl, so they need someone to fill in(a little silly in my opinion) And you said, Ty Law’s numbers are low vs Ronde Barber, Champ, etc. Hmmm, yes maybe in the sack asspect, but last time I checked, D-Backs Intercept, not rush the QB. If that is what you mean. If you meant Pro Bowls/all pros, I wouldn’t say Ty Law is a bit lower, since he has had 2 first team All pros and him being on the All Decade team helps him out too. All in all, they both deserve it and they are eligible years from now.
This is why Fred Taylor, will become a true Hof. Taylor has more rushing yards then O.J. Simpson 11,236, 61, T.D. Riggins 11,355, 104, T.D. Campbell , 9,407, 74 T.D. All of these great running backs Fred Taylor has more rushing yards then these backs with. 11,695, 66, T.D. For you all too say Taylor don’t have a super bowel ring or he played in a small market. All of this is true a d it will also go in his favor. Playing for Jacksonville which means he was first great back in team history too every do it. Look at his numbers against what he did against the steelers as his career. Not many great backs has had success against that defense. Taylor also set the playoffs record at the time for the longest touch down. But know one isn’t taking about that as well. Taylor and Jones Drew was one of the first successful two tandems.
Remember when Fred Taylor ran for a 90yard T..D. Against the Dolphins.
Benjamin, you need to period-adjust. Directly comparing lifetime stats between players who didn’t play at the same time is misleading. And it makes even less sense to compare a short-career guy like Campbell against a compiler like Taylor — peak vs. longevity, which is pretty much apples vs. oranges. There are indeed peak-based short-career RBs in the HoF, Campbell and Gale Sayers being two. As noted above, Taylor’s argument is entirely longevity-based, and he falls short when compared to a more-or-less peer in Jerome Bettis. Like Ottis Anderson, Tiki Barber, Corey Dillon, Eddie George, Priest Holmes, and Warrick Dunn, he’ll very likely fall short — good company, but probably not quite at HoF-level.
And being in a small market or not winning a SB ring makes no difference in such arguments — players like Steve Largent and Anthony Munoz and Lee Roy Selmon are HoF-ers. The only fairly consistent exception to the latter are QBs with Hall of the Very Good numbers and multiple championships won such as Bobby Layne, Bob Griese, and Terry Bradshaw.
Hof, is about individual stats we can go back and forth with this topic about Fred Taylor going into the Hof. Stats are facts what your saying is just your opinion. It will take take years too get in, and when he does. I will make sure too post it. Thank you.
With only one pro bowl and one 2nd team all pro, Fred Taylor is not getting into the HOF any time. Players are compared to their position peers for the era they played and unfortunately Taylor simply did not distinguish himself significantly above a number of other RBS from his era. Election to the HOF is not based on individual stats alone, but the impact and quality of a players career as there are many players in the past, recent history and current who have great career numbers (10,000 year RBs, 800+ reception WRs) who are not going to get into the HOF as the offensive numbers of recent eras are simply higher due to the current style of play.
Taylor was a great player who had a great career, but not high enough to make the standard needed for the HOF. In your opinion he may be deserving but like you posted that is only an opinion, and one I am certain will not be shared by the HOF voters ever.
all I will say is I will agree with paul on this one which rbs would u consider bfore taylor
LT, E James are both getting in the HOF; Alexander and J Lewis both had better careers more pro bowls all pro teams then Taylor and both made the 2nd team all decade 2000 team, but I am not even sure if and when they get it.