What running backs have a chance of going to the HOF.

[ryne candy]

After seeing that Emmit Smith will be a HOFer next year, I thought of how many guys in the league actually have a chance of getting into the HOF. I'm not thinking of guys who have less than 3 years in the league (Forte of the Bears IMO could go if he keeps those numbers up). With more teams going to a two back system, it seems that guys are getting less touches.

I really think the league is going to see fewer RBs going to the HOF than in previous years. Off the top of my head of retired players I can only think that Curtis Martin (don't think M. Faulk will make it IMO*) has a chance, but probably not on his first try. Can you name any "sure things" in running back position that will make the HOF?

*Others have showed me of my error and lapse of judgement. :P

[DoubleDeuce]

Marshall Faulk is going to the hall of fame. No question. LaDainian Tomlinson will probably go too.


EDIT: Can't forget the Bus.

[trojan49er]

LT probably, Faulk will, The Bus, Portis has an outside chance, Edge might,

[Deviant]

LOL at Faulk not making it, but Curtis Martin making it.

Curtis Martin doesn't have a Super Bowl or an MVP award. His stats aren't better than Faulk's, Faulk has been to more Pro Bowls and has been named to more All-Pro teams. How do you have Curtis Martin over Faulk? I know, it's an opinion and Curtis Martin had that whole streak of 1,000 yard seasons, but Martin > Faulk just made me laugh my ass off. Martin will more than likely make it, but Martin > Faulk? C'mon.

[Sharkweather]

Yeah just to add to what everyone said... wtf @ Faulk not making it. Cmon Ryne...

[ryne candy]

Y'all are right about Faulk....guess I was just thinking of how his career ended due to injuries (or I'm I mistaken?)....but I guess that is common for RB. Brain fart.

:withstupid:


Most of the players named are already retired but any players still playing, who aren't "new" to the league...other than LT?

[DoubleDeuce]

I don't see Clinton Portis or Edge making it though. But Faulk, Bettis, LT, and Martin are lock-ins.


EDIT: I was looking up stats and Faulk had TWELVE 20+ yard runs in his rookie season. Jesus!

[Herm]

I don't see Clinton Portis or Edge making it though. But Faulk, Bettis, LT, and Martin are lock-ins.


EDIT: I was looking up stats and Faulk had TWELVE 20+ yard runs in his rookie season. Jesus!

Faulk, Emmitt Smith, and Ladainian Tomlinson are locks. Bettis and Martin should get in too.


Tomlinson's numbers are so crazy i think he could never play another down and get in on the strength of his first 8 years alone. 15k yards 141 touchdowns.

[Shayn•Da•Pain]

No Doubt
E Smtih
M Faulk
Bus
C Martin
Smith and Faulk are no question first ballot HOF guys. I honestly have to question the Bus based on his numbers, but he's so well liked I just can't see him not getting in on merit. Martin was consistent as it gets, 10 strait 1K+ seasons. Although I don't think he "dominated" or scored as often as I'd like to see a HOF'er have I have heard enough buzz about his career to consider him HOF worthy. That and I loved his attitude and drive. Like Bettis I think he gets in for more than just stats.

Good Chance
L.T.
Tomlinson I think is as close to a HOF RB today as we can get. He's #2 all-time rushing TD's, #14 career rushing, lead the league twice in rushing and scoring three times.

Outside Chance
Edge
Clinton Portis
Jamal Lewis
Brian Westbrook
Edge I feel is falling off big time. He HAS to turn it around on another team and run off another 3 or more years of high productivity IMO. I really like portis, but looking at the numbers I think he's in the same boat as Edge, and I doubt Portis can keep it up that long...time will tell. Lewis is my dark horse. He doesn't score enough IMO, but he's on pace for yardage. On top of that he has an amazing 2K season. He's had 1K+ yds all but one year when he had 900 yds. Westbrook IMO is way out there, but I think he'll get some end-of-career-hype for his contributions in the passing game. I just feel he took too long to prove he can run the ball.

[Herm]

No Doubt
E Smtih
M Faulk
Bus
C Martin
Smith and Faulk are no question first ballot HOF guys. I honestly have to question the Bus based on his numbers, but he's so well liked I just can't see him not getting in on merit. Martin was consistent as it gets, 10 strait 1K+ seasons. Although I don't think he "dominated" or scored as often as I'd like to see a HOF'er have I have heard enough buzz about his career to consider him HOF worthy. That and I loved his attitude and drive. Like Bettis I think he gets in for more than just stats.

Good Chance
L.T.
Tomlinson I think is as close to a HOF RB today as we can get. He's #2 all-time rushing TD's, #14 career rushing, lead the league twice in rushing and scoring three times.

Outside Chance
Edge
Clinton Portis
Jamal Lewis
Brian Westbrook
Edge I feel is falling off big time. He HAS to turn it around on another team and run off another 3 or more years of high productivity IMO. I really like portis, but looking at the numbers I think he's in the same boat as Edge, and I doubt Portis can keep it up that long...time will tell. Lewis is my dark horse. He doesn't score enough IMO, but he's on pace for yardage. On top of that he has an amazing 2K season. He's had 1K+ yds all but one year when he had 900 yds. Westbrook IMO is way out there, but I think he'll get some end-of-career-hype for his contributions in the passing game. I just feel he took too long to prove he can run the ball.

d'oh i wouldve considered Emmitt a lock as well, i was thinking he was already there. hes not eligible until next year though.

[Senser81]

No Doubt
E Smtih
M Faulk
Bus
C Martin
Smith and Faulk are no question first ballot HOF guys. I honestly have to question the Bus based on his numbers, but he's so well liked I just can't see him not getting in on merit. Martin was consistent as it gets, 10 strait 1K+ seasons. Although I don't think he "dominated" or scored as often as I'd like to see a HOF'er have I have heard enough buzz about his career to consider him HOF worthy. That and I loved his attitude and drive. Like Bettis I think he gets in for more than just stats.

Good Chance
L.T.
Tomlinson I think is as close to a HOF RB today as we can get. He's #2 all-time rushing TD's, #14 career rushing, lead the league twice in rushing and scoring three times.

Outside Chance
Edge
Clinton Portis
Jamal Lewis
Brian Westbrook
Edge I feel is falling off big time. He HAS to turn it around on another team and run off another 3 or more years of high productivity IMO. I really like portis, but looking at the numbers I think he's in the same boat as Edge, and I doubt Portis can keep it up that long...time will tell. Lewis is my dark horse. He doesn't score enough IMO, but he's on pace for yardage. On top of that he has an amazing 2K season. He's had 1K+ yds all but one year when he had 900 yds. Westbrook IMO is way out there, but I think he'll get some end-of-career-hype for his contributions in the passing game. I just feel he took too long to prove he can run the ball.

LOL at Curtis Martin being a lock, but Tomlinson only being "Good Chance".

Tomlinson is easily the best RB of his generation. The only guy who was comparable to LT when he played was Priest Holmes, and that was only for a couple seasons.

Bettis was a power back with longevity. Give me a guy who can get 3-4 tough yards every carry than a guy who breaks one for 20 then gets stopped at the line the next 3 carries.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Of the backs that aren't in yet (recently)...

Emmitt Smith
Marshall Faulk
LaDainian Tomlinson


Curtis Martin probably gets in a little later. Martin had an amazing career...but I am unsure that you could have considered him truly elite at any point. The same could be said for Jerome Bettis. They get in, just they aren't on par with the aforementioned three.

Then, you have the next tier of guys of which is probably includes Edgerrin James and he probably gets in at some point.

After Edge...it isn't looking good for guys in the "Ricky Watters" tier.

Ricky Watters..."FOR WHO? FOR WHAT?!"
Fred Taylor...nope
Corey Dillon...nope
Tiki Barber...nope
Eddie George...nope
Shaun Alexander...nope...career fell short after he turned 30.

[Senser81]

I had completely forgotten about Shaun Alexander. What a weird player. He kinda sucked, but had a ton of yards and TDs for a period of time. Remember Stephen Davis?

[DoubleDeuce]

Shaun Alexander was awesome before injury. He would've won a Heisman in college if it weren't for injury, and he would be a HoF'er if it weren't for injury.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

I had completely forgotten about Shaun Alexander. What a weird player. He kinda sucked, but had a ton of yards and TDs for a period of time. Remember Stephen Davis?

If he could have remained remotely productive until he was...31/32...we're talking about a Hall of Fame back...even though I think Soft Alexander doesn't deserve it. However, over 10,000 yards, triple digit touchdowns...probably would have gotten in. However, he started to suck at the odd age of 29. Typically, runners don't fall off that hard after they put up as dominant of numbers as he did. 01-05 he was of the best in the game...then he just fell harder then I've seen any runner fall who was as dominant as him. Terrell Davis and Jamal Anderson had reasons...injury...Alexander...:?:...The dude just fractured his foot.