Jerome Bettis vs. Art Monk

[Master___Pain]

Jerome Bettis= Will be a 1st ballot HOFer, but he is not a first ballot HOFer

Art Monk= Someday will get in...maybe...but absolutely should be in.


Bettis has averaged 3.9 yards per carry in his career, only averaging over 4.0 ypc 4 times in 13 seasons. He has the TD numbers to be in the HOF and the total rushing yards that will get him his votes. The reason he will be a HOFer is
1. No one else worth mentioning is retiring this offseason
2. The overhyped story line of winning the SB in his hometown in his last game
3. He's been marketable. He's been in all sorts of adds throughout his career.

Art Monk is very similar to Bettis in that he has the cumlative #s that are HOF worthy. The glaring differences are Monk won more rings, was never a media darling, never had a "captivating" story in his last game and actually was the career leader at his position in multiple categories upon retirement.

[Jens1893]

He had a long career. That´s the only reason why he should be considered for the HOF.

+--------------------------+-------------------------+
| Rushing | Receiving |
+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+
| Year TM | G | Att Yards Y/A TD | Rec Yards Y/R TD |
+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+
| 1993 ram | 16 | 294 1429 4.9 7 | 26 244 9.4 0 |
| 1994 ram | 16 | 319 1025 3.2 3 | 31 293 9.5 1 |
| 1995 ram | 15 | 183 637 3.5 3 | 18 106 5.9 0 |
| 1996 pit | 16 | 320 1431 4.5 11 | 22 122 5.5 0 |
| 1997 pit | 15 | 375 1665 4.4 7 | 15 110 7.3 2 |
| 1998 pit | 15 | 316 1185 3.8 3 | 16 90 5.6 0 |
| 1999 pit | 16 | 299 1091 3.6 7 | 21 110 5.2 0 |
| 2000 pit | 16 | 355 1341 3.8 8 | 13 97 7.5 0 |
| 2001 pit | 11 | 225 1072 4.8 4 | 8 48 6.0 0 |
| 2002 pit | 13 | 187 666 3.6 9 | 7 57 8.1 0 |
| 2003 pit | 16 | 246 811 3.3 7 | 13 86 6.6 0 |
| 2004 pit | 15 | 250 941 3.8 13 | 6 46 7.7 0 |
| 2005 pit | 12 | 110 368 3.3 9 | 4 40 10.0 0 |
+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+
| TOTAL | 192 | 3479 13662 3.9 91 | 200 1449 7.2 3 |
+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+

Hall of Fame? My ass ...

[Crushaholic]

I'm not sure Bettis will be a first ballot HOFer. The story of him "coming home" was made for the media this year, but it's not something that voters will care about 5 years from now.

[Master___Pain]

I'm not sure Bettis will be a first ballot HOFer. The story of him "coming home" was made for the media this year, but it's not something that voters will care about 5 years from now.

Actually, I absolutely believe that the MEDIA that votes on the HOF will remeber that Bettis won in his last game and the lame story line surrounding SB XL.

I will extremely suprised if Bettis is not a 1st ballot HOFer. Hell, Troy Aikman was a 1st ballot HOFer.

[Nuggets4]

I thought this was going to be a fight to the death. I was prepared to say that DITKA would win.

Bettis is a hall of famer. He had a long career which pads his stats a little, but he is the 5th leading rusher in NFL history. That has to count for something. That said, I agree that he shouldn't be first ballot but probably will be.

The fact Monk isn't in is a joke.

[Crushaholic]

Actually, I absolutely believe that the MEDIA that votes on the HOF will remeber that Bettis won in his last game and the lame story line surrounding SB XL.

I will extremely suprised if Bettis is not a 1st ballot HOFer. Hell, Troy Aikman was a 1st ballot HOFer.

The difference is that Troy Aikman is a QB and is the one who will ultimately be judged based on the success of the team. As far as Bettis, they couldn't even get the guy in the end zone when the Steelers were deep in Seattle territory. I just have the feeling that the media will overlook Bettis when his name comes up for the first time. He's just the media whore of the moment...

Your point about Art Monk, however, is duly noted and it's a damn shame he's not there...

[GonzoLays]

5th leading rusher in NFL HISTORY? Yea, I would have to say he is first ballot hall of famer. Stats are what they are, the more you have the better the chance you have of getting in.

[ludo21]

Bettis did nothing to "change" his position. He has the stats because of longevity, which is nice, but any fat 300 lb guy can fall forward 3 yards like he has done throughout his career.

Monk should be in, a joke that is.

[Master___Pain]

5th leading rusher in NFL HISTORY?

Right. At the time of his retirement he's #5. Much like at the time of his retirement, Monk was #1 in Receptions, #3 in yards.

Yea, I would have to say he is first ballot hall of famer. Stats are what they are, the more you have the better the chance you have of getting in.

So do you think Monk should be in the HOF? That was the jist of this thread. One guy has a ton of hype and one does not. The one with the hype is likely 1st ballot guy, where as the one w/o is not.

[Jason in LA]

Career stats is what's getting him in.

He never reached any level of greatness. He had one season over 1500 yards. To me that's the bench mark for a very good season. 1700+ for a great season. He never had a 1700 yard season.

To me he's more hype then anything. He shouldn't get close to the HOF. But he stuck around long enough to rack up a ton a career yards.

There is nothing great about the guy. The media loves him, so he'll get in. If he gets in and TD doesn't then the HOF is a joke. Wait, the HOF is already a joke. Compare TD's accomplishment to Bettis' accomplishments. It's not even close. TD blows him away. Only thing Bettis has is career yards. TD has everything else.

[elsid13]

Staying healthy and falling foward 3 yards every time, shouldn't get you into the hall of fame.

[watermock]

oh give both of them their pudding....maybe we can put Nate Newton in next year....he probably allready is...