Least Deserving Hall of Famers: The Championship

[Rain Man]

Okay, this is it. The medal round of overratedness.

We have three players left in the tournament, and one of them will be crowned as the least deserving player in 100 years of Hall of Fame history. Who will it be?

PICK ONE (as if you could pick more even if you tried).

The argument for Terrell Davis to be in the Hall of Fame
Had a 2,008 yard season, which is the third-best season between 1990 and 2006, and 5th best all time. Had 1,140 yards rushing in the postseason, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Two seasons with 1,700+ yards rushing. 4.6 ypc in career, which is 8th highest among rushers from 1990 through 2006 with 5,000+ yards.

The argument against Terrell Davis to be in the Hall of Fame.
Played in more than eight games in only four seasons. Ranks 23rd in rushing yards among players in the 1990 to 2006 time frame, slotted between Chris Warren and Charlie Garner. Known as a system back as Gaston Green and Bobby Humphrey had similar production before he arrived (averaging over 1,100 yards) and Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, and Clinton Portis averaged nearly 1,400 yards in the four seasons after he broke down, with a higher ypc than Terrell. Yards were gained behind an offensive line known for dirty play, and an offensive tackle who was acquired by cheating on the salary cap.


The argument for Jerome Bettis to be in the Hall of Fame
1,665 yards rushing in 1997 is the 25th best rushing total in the 1988 to 2010 time frame. Recorded 8 different 1,000 yard seasons, of which 4 were more than 1,300 yards. 13,662 yards rushing is the 7th highest total of all time. Ranks 6th in rushing touchdowns in the 1988 through 2010 time frame. Ranks 11th all time in rushing touchdowns.

The argument against Jerome Bettis to be in the Hall of Fame.
Between 1988 and 2010, 40 running backs gained more than 6,000 yards rushing. Of those, Bettis ranks 36th in yards per carry, at 3.93. Had only 4 seasons with a ypc above 4.0, out of 13 seasons in the league. Saved his worst performances for the playoffs, averaging 3.4 yards per carry in 199 postseason carries. Missed 4 or more games in a majority of his seasons (7 of 13).


The argument for Lynn Swann to be in the Hall of Fame
MVP of Super Bowl X, with 161 yards receiving. Finished in the top ten in receiving yards twice in a 9-year career. Twice had 11 receiving touchdowns in a season. Ranks 21st in receiving touchdowns between 1965 and 1985. Saved his best performances for the postseason, with 907 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns in the postseason, averaging 18.9 yards per reception. Known for acrobatic catches.

The argument against Lynn Swann to be in the Hall of Fame.
Ranks 49th in receiving yards in the 1965 through 1985 time frame, and only 13 of the players above him are in the Hall of Fame. Only had two pro bowls. 336 receptions ranks 59th in the 1965 through 1985 time frame, placing him alongside players like David Hill, Don McCauley, and Jack Snow. Career high of 880 receiving yards in a season, which is the 208th highest yardage total in the 1965-1985 time frame.

[GloucesterChief]

Davis was a flash in the pan and other RBs had similar numbers in the same system.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by patteeu

Bettis seems like the winner to me. Not spectacular.

Some of you somehow forget about the tone setting force he was, all of your linebackers, safeties and corners were gonna get brutalized... and if your linemen weren’t correct he’d truck them just the same

I’ve watched him make an entire defense give up several times

Davis is rightfully excluded by the poll, Shanahan churned out big runners like a cookie cutter machine... I do admire his Super Bowl performance with a severe migraine, heady stuff

But he didn’t have the same durable and long lived impact on meaningful games

Bettis did

[JimNasium]

I voted Davis because Donkey.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by wazu

When Davis was in his prime the whole defensive game plan was about stopping him and that plan almost always failed. He’s far more deserving than Bettis.

I'd have to agree. I don't think he deserves the Hall, but Davis had possibly the best three-year stretch of any RB of all time (probably the best if you include postseason stats and accolades). It's certainly right up there with Priest's 01-03 and LT's 04-06.

It's either Swann or Bettis for me.

[ThaVirus]

I think CP gets enamored with those big power backs for no reason. "He made LBs quit late in games" lol no he didn't. If he did he'd have average more than 3.8 YPC.

I want a guy who's effective. I don't care how we get there. I don't remember Priest Holmes ever imposing his will on LBs and safeties. No one dreaded having to tackle him late in the 4th quarter. But he was still ****ing awesome... and Bettis wasn't. Like, ever.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by JimNasium

I voted Davis because Donkey.

The only sensible choice.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

I think CP gets enamored with those big power backs for no reason. "He made LBs quit late in games" lol no he didn't. If he did he'd have average more than 3.8 YPC.

I want a guy who's effective. I don't care how we get there. I don't remember Priest Holmes ever imposing his will on LBs and safeties. No one dreaded having to tackle him late in the 4th quarter. But he was still ****ing awesome... and Bettis wasn't. Like, ever.

13 impactful seasons to Davis’ 3

HOF