The ones that retire at the top , or near the top of their games , are always remembered more fondly than the ones that held on and declined.
Calvin's body has taken a lot more of a beating throughout his career that most realize. All those incredible catching end with slamming his 230 pound body on the turf with defenders falling on top of him. It's sad but he has his money and probably wants to get out before he ends up like Antwan Randle El claims he lives his life now (trouble walking up and down stairs at age 36, short term memory loss etc.). He's without a doubt the most talented receiver of all time. I wonder how most will rank his career since he probably could've had 3 or so more 1,000 yard seasons and been on serious contention for one of the best ever, if he's not already in that discussion. Imagine what he could've done with Rodgers, prime Brees/Peyton, Brady or an elite deep thrower like Flacco and Roethlisberger.
You do have to wonder if he would have retired if he was playing on a team like the Pats, Packers, Carolina, Pittsburgh, etc.
Lions sure are a tough luck franchise. Geez, another one? Calvin Johnson at his peak was as good as any WR in NFL history, but I don't think his peak was long enough to get him in the HoF. Not that that should guide his decision, but if he is truly walking away right now, he won't get in.
I want to say he is because of the dominating way he played but I think you're right. There's too much of a log jam at the receiver position for him to get in. In terms of receiving yards the following players are ahead of him (either active or not elected yet, in no particular order): T.O. Randy Moss Reggie Wayne Andre Johnson Isaac Bruce Tony Gonzalez Steve Smith Larry Fitzgerald Anquan Boldin Henry Ellard Derrick Mason Jimmy Smith Irving Fryer Hines Ward Torry Holt Marvin Harrison Looking at it I think Randy Moss, TG, Torry Holt, Larry Fitz, and Isaac Bruce are all virtual locks. TO should be but his personality is going to keep him out for a long time, and Marvin Harrison's thug mantra probably will too. Reggie Wayne, Jimmy Smith, Mason, and Steve Smith are all on the outside looking in. Hines Ward isn't even in this conversation. You can argue that Andre Johnson's peak was equal to or better than Calvin. At the pace he's going Brandon Marshall will probably be in consideration as well because he's going to finish very close to the top in receptions. Maybe someone who saw them play more can fill me in but did Cris Carter really deserve to get in before Holt or Bruce or did his media darling story get him in quicker? I understand his TD numbers are a lot higher but I can't really speak to it since I saw the end of Holt and Bruce's career and not much of CC. Not to mention I hate him.
I may be wrong, but I think when Chris Carter retired, he was #2 in all the major categories behind Jerry Rice. Again, I may be wrong, but if my memory is correct, that would be HOF worthy to me.
Normally i would want a WR to be at least in top 10 of receiving yds, especially with how much easier the rules have made it to amass yds. If not top 10 there, maybe really strong in either receptions, TD's, or all purpose yds. Calvin won't have played long enough to crack any of those key stat categories. His main statistical claim will be the 1,964 single season yds in 2012, the highest ever, and possibly the most dominant season a WR has ever had. however, that record will also be broken soon, the way things are trending. Brown and Julio Jones just each topped 1,800 yds this season, so someone is bound to break 2k in the future. so with the short career, the all time stats aren't enough on their own. however, he would still get my vote. call it the Earl Campbell effect. he didn't play long, but at his best, Calvin was nearly unstoppable. total beast. double coverage didn't matter, he was just that dominant and unique of a player. he also redefined the position. while the NFL was already trending towards bigger receivers, there was never a guy with that size and speed, playing at that level before. He is the mold that all future guys, and current ones like VJax, Evans, Benjamin, DGB, will be compared to. i agree with your list of potential HOFers. take Tony Gonzalez right off tho, as he redefined the TE position, and is an absolute lock of a different category. Moss was quite possibly the best deep threat ever, and will also most likely get in despite being a douche. i don't think any of the other guys listed have better claims to the HOF than Calvin though, nor do i think any were better players at their best. another reason i'd vote Calvin in. in terms of Cris Carter, he was second in TD's and receptions (to Rice), and 3rd in yds when he retired. very sure handed receiver, and was money in the red zone. he deserved it imo.. although i do think working in the media helps guys more than it should, as it's unfortunately the media who are the gatekeepers and voters..
If Johnson goes, do the Lions try to move Stafford? Lots of questions for this offseason, and I'm glad we're not Lions fans.
Well it's now official. selfishly i wish he kept playing, but i totally understand the decision. Nate Burleson's thoughts on CJ are pretty good. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000642221/article/lions-announce-calvin-johnson-has-retired Definitely a HOFer imo. Didn't even realize he has the highest yard per game in history. Also during his 9 years playing, no one caught for more yds or TDs than CJ. Was simply the best WR of his time. A unique, incomparable player, who transcended the game.
HOF for receivers is such a difficult criteria. Because they are so dependent on another position to succeed they can be dominant and not impact games, which is his problem -- he didn't make the team a winner consistently. Great RB's and QB's dominate games individually, and s comparable RB to CJ would be Terrel Davis who is greatly considered the reason the Broncos won two Super Bowls. But Calvin Johnson will not have any real historic impact on the game despite being the best receiver of his time. And historic impact is generally part of the HOF discussion. I think he didn't play long enough to be a HOFer.
Comparing Johnson to Davis is ridiculous. Davis had 3 really good seasons and 1 good season, that is it. -- Sucks for him, but injuries took him down. Johnson is 100% without a doubt a HOFer, it might take 4 or 5 years after he hits the ballot, but he will get in. Some of the log jam at WR will already be cleared out by the time he is eligible, and many on the list posted in this thread CJ will make it in before.
