You have to look at him vs. other RBs. Comparing him to other HOF players at different positions is not fair. HTML: Rank Player League Yrs. Att. Yards Avg. TD 1 (1) Emmitt Smith NFL 15 4,409 18,355 4.2 164 2 (2) Walter Payton * NFL 13 3,838 16,726 4.4 110 3 (3) Barry Sanders * NFL 10 3,062 15,269 5.0 99 4 (4) CURTIS MARTIN NFL 11 3,518 14,101 4.0 90 5 (5) JEROME BETTIS NFL 13 3,479 13,662 3.9 91 6 (6) Eric Dickerson * NFL 11 2,996 13,259 4.4 90 7 (7) Tony Dorsett * NFL 12 2,936 12,739 4.3 77 8 (8) Jim Brown * NFL 9 2,359 12,312 5.2 106 9 (12) MARSHALL FAULK NFL 12 2,836 12,279 4.3 100 10 (9) Marcus Allen * NFL 16 3,022 12,243 4.1 123 11 (10) Franco Harris * NFL 13 2,949 12,120 4.1 91 12 (11) Thurman Thomas NFL 13 2,877 12,074 4.2 65 13 (13) John Riggins * NFL 14 2,916 11,352 3.9 104 14 (14) O.J. Simpson * AFL-NFL 11 2,404 11,236 4.7 61 15 (15) Ricky Watters NFL 10 2,622 10,643 4.1 78 16 (16) Eddie George NFL 9 2,865 10,441 3.6 68 17 (19) COREY DILLON NFL 9 2,419 10,429 4.3 69 18 (17) O.J. Anderson NFL 14 2,562 10,273 4.0 81 19 (18) Joe Perry * AAFC-NFL 16 1,929 9,723 5.0 71 20 (20) Earl Campbell * NFL 8 2,187 9,407 4.3 74
Exactly my point. That is the group he belongs in. There is no shame in being a 2nd or 3rd ballot HOFer. CM was a great player, he just wasn't among the super-elite.
I wonder if this would even be a question if he'd ever won a superbowl? I think he'll get in first ballot, but like most of us I'm obviously biased. edit: It would be good to hear some opinions of non-jet fans on this one.
Let me restate emphatically: Curtis is a first ballot HOFer. That said, if these seven were first ballot -- Jack Ham, Franco Harris, Jim Kelly, Warren Moon, Mike Singletary, Jan Stenerud and Steve Young -- then Curtis' candidacy is even further enhanced. I don't believe they were any better at their position, absolutely or in the context of their contemporaries, than Curtis is/was. And you will hear continually about his 9 consecutive years rushing over 1,000 yards - which exhibits sustained excellence. Excluding his final season, he average 1,317 rushing yards per season. I would say Ham, Harris, Kelly, Singletary and Young were as much the beneficiaries of the teams on which they played as Curtis is at a disadvantage for having played on teams that never went to the big game. And HOF voters like to show you how "smart" they are, so Curtis' ability to pick up the blitz, protect the QB, etc. will enhance his candidacy even further.
Ham and Singletary were excellent players that were very deserving of their 1st ballot inductions. two corrections: 10 consecutive years and Martin did go to the big game
Do I think he should be? Of course. Do I think he will be? Well, he's a Jet. Signs probably point to NO.
the RB position is a position that is closely looked at because the wear and tear, not like a OL, DL, CB positions so he already has a spot in front of them, also we have to see who will be considered as well that same year. if there is no other RB that same year curtis martin is eligible, there should be no reason he doesnt get in.
Curtis will get in on his football stats alone, then when you consider what a fine gentleman / human being, he is in so many ways, absolutely. Allentown Ernie.
I think U are forgetting many players that probably played before you were born who you probably never considered like Don Maynard & Joe Namath both in the HOF already.
Playing for Super Bowl caliber teams absolutely helps a player’s candidacy (and it should). In the words of Vince Lombardi, “Winning isn’t everything...it’s the only thing”. Whether that is fair or not, winning counts. As for the players you site, I’ll play the compare game: Jack Ham – 8 Pro Bowls; 4 Super Bowl Wins Franco Harris – 9 Pro Bowls; 4 Super Bowl Wins (plus involved in “The Immaculate Reception”) Jim Kelly – 4 Pro Bowls; 4 Consecutive Super Bowl Appearances Warren Moon – 9 Pro Bowls; 0 Super Bowls; 5 Consecutive Grey Cup wins (2 Grey Cup MVPs) Mike Singletary – 10 Pro Bowls; 1 Super Bowl Win Jan Stenerud – 2 AFL All-Stars; 4 Pro Bowls; 20 year career Steve Young – 7 Pro Bowls; 1 Super Bowl Win (named SB MVP) Curtis Martin – 5 Pro Bowls; 1 Super Bowl Appearance So, there should be no question that Martin is not in the same category as Ham, Harris, Moon, Singletary, or Young. Stenerud is a kicker, so it is kind of apples and oranges. So that leaves Jim Kelly, which I think is a valid comparison. Kelly should not have been a first-ballot guy. So, if Martin gets in the first time, he’ll be someone that people point to as a first-ballot guy who didn’t deserve it.
That is true, you are right, they were before my time. Maynard I understand but it doesnt really look Namath should ever even be considered for the hall of fame. He is known for one great season culminating in a super bowl win. In terms of his career numbers, didnt he have as many int's as td's?
Stats aren't everything. He was a larger than life figure who in one game provided the impetus for the NFL/AFL merger.
My only suggestion to your post is you begin hitting NYJ history books so that you become a knowledgeable NYJ fan for the future
Just because Warren Moon and Kelly shouldn't be in the HOF doesn't make Curtis a first ballot HOF. Singletary, Stenerud and Young were all better at their positions than Curtis was at he's.
The bigest single threat on the football field for a 3 year in Pro Football history shouldn't be but Curtis Martin, who wasn't even the biggest threat on a decent but not great team should be?
Thanks for the corrections. My point wasn't that Ham and Singletary weren't deserving, my point is that Curtis is no less deserving. Both Ham and Singletary were great players, but they're not the first names that will roll off your lips when "greats" at the position are mentioned, which is seemingly the argument being made vs. Curtis as a first-ballot HOFer.
Franco Harris was a 9 time pro bowler who played on 4 Super Bowl winners. He frequently saved his best for the playoffs and wound up with 1,556 yards and 16 TD's on the ground in playoff action. His 9 pro bowl appearances were consecutive, basically meaning that once he established himself as worthy of the honor he never got beat out again. The Hall of Fame is for players who clearly distinguished themselves to their peers (who were doing all that pro bowl voting) and to the fans over the course of their career. Curtis Martin clearly belongs there, but he wasn't as good as Harris. Not even close.
DBJ, I know you're playing Devil's Advocate, partly because you want to and partly because you believe it. Point 1: So you'd be on the side that John Lynch in 2006 had a better season than Kerry Rhodes, based solely on the fact he was elected to the Pro Bowl and Rhodes was not? Pro Bowls are a weak indicator of true performance. All the sudeen ~13 Chargers were worthy of the Pro Bowl in 2006? Or was it their record that helped? You may argue the chicken vs. the egg on this one, but a rising tide lifts all boats. Give the Jets 11-13 wins a year and deep playoff runs annually, and Curtis is buying a condo in Hawaii. Point 2: You have serious manlove for Harris. The guy played 13 season, 8 of which were 1,000 yard seasons. Granted, they moved to the 16-game schedule in '78, 6 years into his career. But Curtis had four 1,000 year rushing season after his sixth year in the league, Harris had three. Their yards per rush is about the same: 4.1 (Franco) vs. 4.0 (Curtis). Curtis had one 1,500 and one 1,600 yard season in the latter half of his career, Harris' best year was 1,186. Different eras, especially as it relates to offense schemes, but Curtis had the sustained excellence. Point 3: Warren Moon & Grey Cups. Egads! Point 4: Steve Young was lighting it up in Tampa before he got traded. Curtis joined the Pats when they were down, and helped turn them around over night. Sure Young was a very good player on the 9ers, but he was in large part a function of his coach and the players around him. Steve Young was known in his career as being unable to win the big one up until 1994. Jerry Rice is the greatest receiver of all time in just about every category. Who was covering Curtis' back? Vinny T. Again, you're missing the point on all of this. The #4 rusher all-time, with 10 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, almost 17,500 all purpose yards, one Super Bowl appearance and a rushing title gets in on the first ballot. Enough of your shenanigans! Oh, and never bring up a kicker to substantiate your point
