Do you guys think Curtis Martin is one of the top 7 or 8 running backs of all-time?

[ro_50]

He may not play ever again and I was wondering where do you guys think his place in history is compared to other running backs.

I think he's bound for the Hall of Fame with the numbers he's put up during his career, but when its all said and done, will he go down as one of the top 7 or 8 RBs of all-time?

I'm unsure about that answer.

[bpc]

He has been very good... I think he, Bettis, Faulk all rank up in the top 20 right now.

[Taco John]

I was going to make a thread called "The Greatest Most Forgettable Players in NFL History." Curtis Martin and Ricky Watters were going to be at the top of the list. I can't remember who else belongs there.

[HEAV]

Top 5 yes. Classy guy, never let his ego get out of control. Comes home to the burgh and does charity work.

Shame he only got to play in one super bowl.

[elsid13]

He will one of those player, people will realize how great he was, once he was gone. 10X better then Bettis.

[DomCasual]

Sure. Why not? He stayed healthy at a position where careers are short. He put up consistent numbers, year in and year out. And it isn't as if the Jets had a history of great runners prior to him, so you can't really argue that he was a system back. Plus, the Jets haven't exactly set the world on fire during his career - they went to the playoffs four times while he was there, and only made it as far as the AFC Championship once. (!Booya! LOVED that game!)

[GonzoLays]

See how media hypes works...Curtis Martin, for whatever reason, never got any and people are unsure of where he belongs in history.

When Marcus Allen, Jim Brown, and Eric Dickerson retired no one argued about where they belonged in history and Martin has passed all of them in yards.

He has led the league in yards rushed in a season. He is the only other player besides Barry Sanders to rush for a 1,000 yards in his first ten seasons in the league.

I think there should be no question to where this guy stands in the history of the game -- one of the best.

[watermock]

Who, You? Him!

Curtis put up almost 2000 fom the LOS in 2004. He was never a game breaker, he just has been workmanlike.

Of course he belongs. I don't care if it was 3-3-6 yards at a time at all. 10 staright 1000 yard seasons there isn't even an issue. 4rh All time rushing? He's first ballot.

[worm]

Martin = Thurman

[Atlas]

What's funny is that he was never as good as Davis. They came into the league together and Davis was playing great his rookie year but missed the final three games thus Martin snuck in and got the rookie of the year award that should have went to TD. Davis was so much better than MArtin it's not even funny.

[toad]

What's funny is that he was never as good as Davis. They came into the league together and Davis was playing great his rookie year but missed the final three games thus Martin snuck in and got the rookie of the year award that should have went to TD. Davis was so much better than MArtin it's not even funny.

Indeed...unfortunately TD's career will always be tarnished due its short span....Martin, on the other hand, will be remembered for just the oppisite (consistenly putting up good numbers and durability). TD was the most dominant back in the game for 3 years.

Yes...Martin is among the top 7-8 RBs of All-Time and he's probably one of the most underrated/underappreciated players of all-time.

[bpc]

I'm still pissed that TD got poked in the eye and couldn't finish the year that season and he lost out on the rookie of the year to Martin.

In many ways both players had amazing careers and as toad said will probably be remembered hand in hand the way it went down with injuries and durability.

I do believe however in the end both will end up in the HOF.

[Atlas]

I'm still pissed that TD got poked in the eye and couldn't finish the year that season and he lost out on the rookie of the year to Martin.

In many ways both players had amazing careers and as toad said will probably be remembered hand in hand the way it went down with injuries and durability.

I do believe however in the end both will end up in the HOF.

I hope so. Martin can't hold TD's jock. Just watch any of the games where Denver played the Patriots and Martin, Denver and Davis dominated every game.

[MechanicalBull]

He is a very good back and put up great numbers while staying very quiet. He is a sure fire hall of famer and possibly a top 7 or 8 back but I don't think so. I'd say close though, like 10-15.

The thing with Martin is that there is nothing flashy about him he was just very consistent year in and year out. He didn't shrug people off him like Earl Campbell or Jim Brown and he didn't have Barry Sanders type moves so thats why people will not think about him when mentioning great runners. When the Broncos played the Pats or Jets I was never scared of Curtis Martin or felt we had to game plan for him like say a Tomlinson for example.

[Atlas]

He is a very good back and put up great numbers while staying very quiet. He is a sure fire hall of famer and possibly a top 7 or 8 back but I don't think so. I'd say close though, like 10-15.

The thing with Martin is that there is nothing flashy about him he was just very consistent year in and year out. He didn't shrug people off him like Earl Campbell or Jim Brown and he didn't have Barry Sanders type moves so thats why people will not think about him when mentioning great runners. When the Broncos played the Pats or Jets I was never scared of Curtis Martin or felt we had to game plan for him like say a Tomlinson for example.


Floyd Little was better than Curtis Martin.

[BroncoMatt]

Curtis Martin is a credit to hard work and consistency but to say he is top 7-8 is a stretch. He was never a dominant type player.

[Dedhed]

I love CMart, he played teh game the right way and never let the business side of things get in the way of being a football player.

That said, he's not top 10. Payton, Sayers, Sanders, Dickerson, Campbell, Brown etc. I don't see Curtis in the next 5 names on that list.
Heav, you really think Cmart knocks one of those guys off?

[Rock Chalk]

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Greatest RB ever.

[Atlas]

His stats are very average.

What year did he play where he was considered the best RB in the NFL? How many NFL seasons has he even been considered in ther top5??

Let's see. All these backs have been considered better than Martin during his career.

Edggeran James
Stephen Alexander
Marshal Faulk
Terrell Davis
Ladanian Tomlinson
Cliton Portis
Barry Sanders
Priest Holmes
Jamal Lewis

Does having a long career make you a HOFer?? I don't know but with this many RBs ahead of Martin how can he go into the HOF??



Year Team G GS Att Yards Avg Lg TD 20+ FD
1995 New England Patriots 16 15 368 1487 4.0 49 14 11 80
1996 New England Patriots 16 15 316 1152 3.6 57 14 3 76
1997 New England Patriots 13 13 274 1160 4.2 70 4 8 46
1998 New York Jets 15 15 369 1287 3.5 60 8 2 69
1999 New York Jets 16 16 367 1464 4.0 50 5 9 84
2000 New York Jets 16 16 316 1204 3.8 55 9 8 61
2001 New York Jets 16 16 333 1513 4.5 47 10 9 77
2002 New York Jets 16 16 261 1094 4.2 35 7 5 54
2003 New York Jets 16 16 323 1308 4.0 56 2 5 53
2004 New York Jets 16 16 371 1697 4.6 25 12 7 90
2005 New York Jets 12 12 220 735 3.3 49 5 4 35
TOTAL 168 166 3518 14101 4.0 70 90 71 725

Look at Martin's YPC compared to TD's

'95 4.0 T.D. 4.7
'96 3.6 T.D. 4.5
'97 4.2 T.D. 4.7
'98 3.5 T.D. 5.1
'99 4.0 T.D. 3.1
'00 3.8 T.D. 3.6
'01 4.5 T.D. 4.2
'02 4.2
'03 4.0
'04 4.6
'05 3.3

Check out what TD did in his career.

Year Team Attempts Yards YPC TDs
1995 Denver Broncos 237 1,117 4.7 7
1996 Denver Broncos 345 1,538 4.5 13
1997 Denver Broncos 369 1,750 4.7 15
1998 Denver Broncos 392 2,008 5.1 21
1999 Denver Broncos 67 211 3.1 2
2000 Denver Broncos 78 282 3.6 2
2001 Denver Broncos 167 701 4.2 0
Career Denver Broncos 1655 7607 4.6 65

MArtin is not a HOF. There might only be one season in his whole career where he would even be listed as a top 5 RB.

[Garcia Bronco]

hell no. He's at best a footnote

[Hogan11]

Lessee Curtis played in NY and NE right? Oh yeah, he's a lock....

[Dedhed]

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Greatest RB ever.
yup.

[Gcver2ver3]

Top 5?...No

Top 10?...not quite...

But he's a 1st ballot HOF for sure...his numbers can't be denied

He was never the best in the game....but longevity & consistancy can go a long way...

that may be how Rod Smith gets in....

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Nope - Great guy, excellent RB, great longevity, HOF-yes, but probably down around 25 when you think about all of the great backs through the years.

[Bronco Billy]

He's been under the radar his entire career. The media always focused on other RBs. Nonetheless, you can't deny over 14,000 yds and 90 TDs for the Hall. Definitely not Top 10 though.

[The Big E]

Nope - Great guy, excellent RB, great longevity, HOF-yes, but probably down around 25 when you think about all of the great backs through the years.
My sentiments exactly.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Do you guys think Curtis Martin is one of the top 7 or 8 running backs of all-time?
No, and probably wouldn't make very many top 20 lists either.

[ClevelandBronco]

Curtis Martin is unquestionably one of the greatest backs to play in this league.

Assuming he actually did. I can't say for sure.

[freak6]

I say yes. It takes alot to make a SB Champ. I think his 2004 season put him into the top 10.

Dickerson
Sanders
Emmitt
OJ?
Payton
Curtis Martin
Terrell Davis
Dorsett
Jim Brown

[DrFate]

He's one of those guys that played a long time and was decent most of it.

If he gets in Vinny gets in - he has HOF 'caliber' career numbers too. Not because he was a great QB (obviously). He just played forever.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

I say yes. It takes alot to make a SB Champ. I think his 2004 season put him into the top 10.

Dickerson
Sanders
Emmitt
OJ?
Payton
Curtis Martin
Terrell Davis
Dorsett
Jim Brown
Earl Campbell, Gale Sayers, Marshall Faulk, Marcus Allen, Thurman Thomas, Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis, Edgerrin James, Shaun Alexander, etc...

[Dedhed]

I say yes. It takes alot to make a SB Champ. I think his 2004 season put him into the top 10.

Dickerson
Sanders
Emmitt
OJ?
Payton
Curtis Martin
Terrell Davis
Dorsett
Jim Brown
If we're to assume this list is in order, you're drunk. Martin better than Jim Brown? Are you serious? TD doesn't touch Jim Brown either. He's my favorite RB ever, but come on, is a touch of reality too much to ask?

[freak6]

Not in order for sure, I was just throwing out RBs off the top of my head. Look at his 2004 numbers. Led the league in rushing.

[The Moops]

I don't think so. I know he's 4th all-time now. But he never made the spectacular run or the big play. He wasn't very exciting to watch and except for a few seasons here and there, he never scored very many TDs. Heck, in 2003 he had 1300 yards rushing and scored 2 TDs. He was consistent though, but when you get to carry the rock 300-plus times almost every season. He's career average is exactly 4.0

Also, even in his prime, fantasy-wise, he was always like the 8th-9th RB taken.

[Dedhed]

Not in order for sure, I was just throwing out RBs off the top of my head. Look at his 2004 numbers. Led the league in rushing.
There are a lot of backs who have led the league in rushing who don't deserve to be mentioned with the greats. Christian Okoye, Charles White, Freeman Mcneil, Jamal Lewis, Ricky Williams, Shaun Alexander. Jim Brown led the league in rushing 8 times. OJ 4 times, Earl Campbell 3 years in a row, Dickerson 4 times, Emmitt 4 times, Barry 4 times, Steve Van Buren 4 times, and a few others who have done it twice. Then there's Jamal and TD who have topped 2000 yards.

I love Curtis, but longevity has gotten him where he is, not greatness. Where does longevity rate in a discussion on greatness? I'm no authority, but there are more important criteria imo.

[worm]

I love Curtis, but longevity has gotten him where he is, not greatness. Where does longevity rate in a discussion on greatness? I'm no authority, but there are more important criteria imo.

HOF should equal greatness/dominance + longevity.

By that criteria, Curtis should not get elected to the HOF.

Sadly, by that same equation TD shouldn't get voted in either.

[Jason in LA]

I lump Martin into the same catagory as Tim Brown. Very good for a very long time, but never great. Very good for a very long time will rack up a ton of stats. I don't think there was more than a season or two where Martin was the top 2 or 3 RBs in the league. He had that one year at 1600+. And one year at 1500+. Those are great numbers. But then he had a number of years at 1000-1300, which good numbers, but not dominant numbers.

He hasn't had too many injuries, so he's played in a ton of games. That's bumped up his career stats big time. Does that make him greater than RBs that he has passed on the all time list? Nope.

Will he get into the HOF? Probably. Because of his total career stats, and because he has been so well liked over the years. The media is in his corner, just like Tim Brown. But I wouldn't consider him as great as the greatest RBs ever. No way I'd put him in the top 10. Just like I wouldn't put Tim Brown in the top 10 for WRs, even though he ranks third in catches, yards, and TDs.

On a side note, Martin never came close to the greatness that Terrell Davis achieved. He never reached the levels that TD did in the '97 and '98 seasons. Martin has longevity, TD has greatness.

[watermock]

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Greatest RB ever.

It's hard to believe he retired over 20 years ago and is gone.

[RaiderH8r]

Curtis Martin is nails. Tougher than tanned raw hide. Figure the over-under for a RB's shelf life is usually the shortest. They take a beating. Martin worked his ass off, got every yard ever asked. I love the guy, he played all out. EVERY year people question him and EVERY year he performs. Sound familiar? ***cough cough Rod Smith cough cough***

There's a lot to be said for consistency, durability, and realiability in the NFL. Not a lot of guys have those things, Martin had them more than most. And he's first team all class.

[Cito Pelon]

. . . . . .will he go down as one of the top 7 or 8 RBs of all-time?. . . ..

I'd rank him pretty high on the list of backs I personally like. He's a damn good back. Reminds me of W. Payton in a lot of ways.

[Dedhed]

Curtis Martin is nails. Tougher than tanned raw hide. Figure the over-under for a RB's shelf life is usually the shortest. They take a beating. Martin worked his ass off, got every yard ever asked. I love the guy, he played all out. EVERY year people question him and EVERY year he performs. Sound familiar? ***cough cough Rod Smith cough cough***

There's a lot to be said for consistency, durability, and realiability in the NFL. Not a lot of guys have those things, Martin had them more than most. And he's first team all class.
I think Curtis is probably HOF worthy, but not top7-8 of all time.

[Taco John]

I'd rank him pretty high on the list of backs I personally like. He's a damn good back. Reminds me of W. Payton in a lot of ways.



:erm?:

[2KBack]

I'm seeing a lot of Curtis MArtin HOF debates going on around the sports world right now. Why is Martin being debated while Bettis was basically given the HOF pass last year? I think Martin is twice the RB that Bettis ever was.

[loborugger]

He's one of those guys that played a long time and was decent most of it.

If he gets in Vinny gets in - he has HOF 'caliber' career numbers too. Not because he was a great QB (obviously). He just played forever.


Vinny's career ended in his early 40s. Curtis's ended (assuming its over) in his early 30s. Big difference.

Curtis is a great guy. Hes just not flashy. Had he created an endzone dance, or ran smack during game weeks with opposing LBs, or was known for getting arrested in the offseason, he would be more known and get more accolades.

An interesting point. He racked up those yards on two teams (Pats and Jets) not known as offensive powerhouses.

I cant say he belongs on a list of the top 10 RBs off all times. That is a HARD list to make up. I am not sure that TD gets on that list, and like many here I agree that TD was better than Curtis. But does he belong in the HOF? Probably. Will he get in? Most certainly - afterall he did play in Boston and NYC. And while I cant say that the hall is incomplete without him, I dont think it would be a travesty for him to get in.

[loborugger]

I'm seeing a lot of Curtis MArtin HOF debates going on around the sports world right now. Why is Martin being debated while Bettis was basically given the HOF pass last year? I think Martin is twice the RB that Bettis ever was.

Second that!

[Jason in LA]

Vinny's career ended in his early 40s. Curtis's ended (assuming its over) in his early 30s. Big difference.



A running back playing into his early 30s is kind of like a QB playing into his early 40s.

[Rock Chalk]

Payton, Sanders, Brown, Smith, Campbell, Sayers, Dickerson are all definately better IMO and thats 7 names off the top of my head. I think personally that LT, Shaun Alexander and Portis will all be considered better than Martin by the time their careers are finished.

Martin is better than Priest Holmes though ;D

[Que]

Nope, no way he's even top 10. Stretch to say top 20 of all time. Iffy for HoF in my opinion.

[Arkie]

Imagine what Curtis Martin could have done if he played his career in Denver. He scored 32 TDs for the Patriots his first two years in the league. He never reached that level again when he went to the Jets.

[ro_50]

I was going to make a thread called "The Greatest Most Forgettable Players in NFL History." Curtis Martin and Ricky Watters were going to be at the top of the list. I can't remember who else belongs there.


How about wide receiver Steve Largent?

[Northman]

No, he is not in the top 10 of all time.

[Arkie]

I was going to make a thread called "The Greatest Most Forgettable Players in NFL History." Curtis Martin and Ricky Watters were going to be at the top of the list. I can't remember who else belongs there.

Fred Taylor will make that list.

[Northman]

Probably Tiki Barber unless Eli gets them to the big dance again.

[Atlas]

His stats are very average.

What year did he play where he was considered the best RB in the NFL? How many NFL seasons has he even been considered in ther top5??

Let's see. All these backs have been considered better than Martin during his career.

Edggeran James
Stephen Alexander
Marshal Faulk
Terrell Davis
Ladanian Tomlinson
Cliton Portis
Barry Sanders
Priest Holmes
Jamal Lewis

Does having a long career make you a HOFer?? I don't know but with this many RBs ahead of Martin how can he go into the HOF??



Year Team G GS Att Yards Avg Lg TD 20+ FD
1995 New England Patriots 16 15 368 1487 4.0 49 14 11 80
1996 New England Patriots 16 15 316 1152 3.6 57 14 3 76
1997 New England Patriots 13 13 274 1160 4.2 70 4 8 46
1998 New York Jets 15 15 369 1287 3.5 60 8 2 69
1999 New York Jets 16 16 367 1464 4.0 50 5 9 84
2000 New York Jets 16 16 316 1204 3.8 55 9 8 61
2001 New York Jets 16 16 333 1513 4.5 47 10 9 77
2002 New York Jets 16 16 261 1094 4.2 35 7 5 54
2003 New York Jets 16 16 323 1308 4.0 56 2 5 53
2004 New York Jets 16 16 371 1697 4.6 25 12 7 90
2005 New York Jets 12 12 220 735 3.3 49 5 4 35
TOTAL 168 166 3518 14101 4.0 70 90 71 725

Look at Martin's YPC compared to TD's

'95 4.0 T.D. 4.7
'96 3.6 T.D. 4.5
'97 4.2 T.D. 4.7
'98 3.5 T.D. 5.1
'99 4.0 T.D. 3.1
'00 3.8 T.D. 3.6
'01 4.5 T.D. 4.2
'02 4.2
'03 4.0
'04 4.6
'05 3.3

Check out what TD did in his career.

Year Team Attempts Yards YPC TDs
1995 Denver Broncos 237 1,117 4.7 7
1996 Denver Broncos 345 1,538 4.5 13
1997 Denver Broncos 369 1,750 4.7 15
1998 Denver Broncos 392 2,008 5.1 21
1999 Denver Broncos 67 211 3.1 2
2000 Denver Broncos 78 282 3.6 2
2001 Denver Broncos 167 701 4.2 0
Career Denver Broncos 1655 7607 4.6 65

MArtin is not a HOF. There might only be one season in his whole career where he would even be listed as a top 5 RB.

In order to be in the HOF you have to be one of the best at your position while you played.

Who on this list is Martin better than??

Edggeran James
Stephen Alexander
Marshal Faulk
Terrell Davis
Ladanian Tomlinson
Cliton Portis
Barry Sanders
Priest Holmes
Jamal Lewis

[brother love]

No, I can't ever remember the guy showing up in big games.
He did nothing against Denver in the AFC Championship game.
He was a solid durable player but not HOF material.

[Jetmeck]

I hope so. Martin can't hold TD's jock. Just watch any of the games where Denver played the Patriots and Martin, Denver and Davis dominated every game.


Yep, my thoughts exactly. Martin is a good back, TD was great...if TD had MArtin's longevity every record in the books were within his grasp.

[wabbit]

I don't think Curtis Martin is among the top ten RBs, but who, exactly, ARE the top ten?

Someone tell me how, or who, you might re-arrange this list (with):

1. Jim Brown
2. Eric Dickerson
3. Barry Sanders
4. Walter Payton
5. Earl Cambell
6. Gayle Sayers
7. OJ Simpson
8. Tony Dorsett
9. Emmit Smith
10. Leroy Kelly

Now, I understand there were some great RBs before Jim Brown, but I, more or less, drew the demarcation line with Brown, partly because the modern game has changed so much since the mid-50's.

How would Curtis Martin possible fit in with that bunch, and then the second tier, with Marcus Allen, Terrell Davis, Floyd Little...not really in that class either.

Just a lunch box hero, I think. Came to work & did his job.

[SureShot]

He is a very good back and put up great numbers while staying very quiet. He is a sure fire hall of famer and possibly a top 7 or 8 back but I don't think so. I'd say close though, like 10-15.

The thing with Martin is that there is nothing flashy about him he was just very consistent year in and year out. He didn't shrug people off him like Earl Campbell or Jim Brown and he didn't have Barry Sanders type moves so thats why people will not think about him when mentioning great runners. When the Broncos played the Pats or Jets I was never scared of Curtis Martin or felt we had to game plan for him like say a Tomlinson for example.


Good post! I was never scared of Martin either.

[SureShot]

In order to be in the HOF you have to be one of the best at your position while you played.

Who on this list is Martin better than??

Edggeran James
Stephen Alexander
Marshal Faulk
Terrell Davis
Ladanian Tomlinson
Cliton Portis
Barry Sanders
Priest Holmes
Jamal Lewis


Stephen Alexander for sure!

[Moon§hiner]

When I think of Curtis Martin I think of the phrase "steady running back", not a game breaker...he falls to somewhere around 15 to 20 maybe in my book.

[ZONA]

Um, I would say he was the best back in 2004 but not one of the best all time.


1960-Jim Brown w/ 1257
1961-Jim Brown w/ 1408
1962-Jim Taylor w/ 1474
1963-Jim Brown w/ 1863
1964-Jim Brown w/ 1446
1965=Jim Brown w/ 1544
1966-Gayle Sayers w/ 1231
1967-Leroy Kelly w/ 1205
1968-Leroy Kelly w/ 1239
1969-Gayle Sayers w/ 1032
1970-Larry Brown w/ 1125
1971-Floyd Little w/ 1133
1972-OJ Simpson w/ 1251
1973-OJ Simpson w/ 2003
1974-Otis Armstrong w/ 1407
1975-OJ Simpson w/ 1817
1976-OJ Simpson w/ 1503
1977-Walter Payton w/ 1852
1978-Earl Campbell w/ 1450
1979-Earl Campbell w/1697
1980-Earl Campbell w/ 1934
1981-George Rogers w/ 1674
1982-Freeman McNeil w/ 786
1983-Eric Dickerson w/ 1808
1984-Eric Dickerson w/ 2105
1985-Marcus Allen w/ 1759
1986-Eric Dickerson w/ 1821
1987-Charles White w/ 1374
1988-Eric Dickerson w/ 1659
1989-Christian Okoye w/ 1480
1990-Barry Sanders w/ 1304
1991-Emmitt Smith w/ 1563
1992-Emmitt Smith w/ 1713
1993-Emmitt Smith w/ 1486
1994-Barry Sanders w/ 1883
1995-Emmitt Smith w/ 1773
1996-Barry Sanders w/ 1553
1997-Barry Sanders w/ 2053
1998-Terrell Davis w/ 2008
1999-Edgerrin James w/ 1553
2000-Edgerrin James w/ 1709
2001-Prist Holmes w/ 1555
2002-Ricky Williams w/ 1853
2003-Jamal Lewis w/ 2066
2004-Curtis Martin w/ 1697
2005-Shaun Alexander w/ 1880

[TheChamp24]

The thing is, I doubt he ever "scared" an opposing team like LT and Alexander and LJ do today.
When we played the Jets, I was never concerned with Martin.
And also, his TD production was kinda lousy IMO. TD had 60 in 4 seasons. It took Martin 11 years to get to 90. Only 4 years of 10 or more touchdowns. Only 4 years of posting a ypca of over 4.0. I don't consider him to be that great.
As well, I don't consider Jerome Bettis to be that great either. Seriously, look at Bettis' career statline:
RUSHING <table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="bg1" valign="top"> <th>Year</th> <th>Team</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>Att</th> <th>Yards</th> <th>Avg</th> <th>Lg</th> <th>TD</th> <th>20+</th> <th>FD</th> </tr> <tr class="bg2"> <td>1993</td><td>L.A. Rams</td><td>16</td><td>12</td><td>294</td><td>1429</td><td>4.9</td><td>71</td><td>7</td><td>6</td><td>79</td> </tr> <tr class="bg3"> <td>1994</td><td>L.A. Rams</td><td>16</td><td>16</td><td>319</td><td>1025</td><td>3.2</td><td>19</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>53</td> </tr> <tr class="bg2"> <td>1995</td><td>St. Louis Rams</td><td>15</td><td>13</td><td>183</td><td>637</td><td>3.5</td><td>41</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>24</td> </tr> <tr class="bg3"> <td>1996</td><td>Pittsburgh Steelers</td><td>16</td><td>12</td><td>320</td><td>1431</td><td>4.5</td><td>50</td><td>11</td><td>6</td><td>76</td> </tr> <tr class="bg2"> <td>1997</td><td>Pittsburgh Steelers</td><td>15</td><td>15</td><td>375</td><td>1665</td><td>4.4</td><td>34</td><td>7</td><td>6</td><td>94</td> </tr> <tr class="bg3"> <td>1998</td><td>Pittsburgh Steelers</td><td>15</td><td>15</td><td>316</td><td>1185</td><td>3.8</td><td>42</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>58</td> </tr> <tr class="bg2"> <td>1999</td><td>Pittsburgh Steelers</td><td>16</td><td>16</td><td>299</td><td>1091</td><td>3.6</td><td>35</td><td>7</td><td>5</td><td>64</td> </tr> <tr class="bg3"> <td>2000</td><td>Pittsburgh Steelers</td><td>16</td><td>16</td><td>355</td><td>1341</td><td>3.8</td><td>30</td><td>8</td><td>5</td><td>71</td> </tr> <tr class="bg2"> <td>2001</td><td>Pittsburgh Steelers</td><td>11</td><td>11</td><td>225</td><td>1072</td><td>4.8</td><td>48</td><td>4</td><td>9</td><td>46</td> </tr> <tr class="bg3"> <td>2002</td><td>Pittsburgh Steelers</td><td>13</td><td>11</td><td>187</td><td>666</td><td>3.6</td><td>41</td><td>9</td><td>2</td><td>42</td> </tr> <tr class="bg2"> <td>2003</td><td>Pittsburgh Steelers</td><td>16</td><td>10</td><td>246</td><td>811</td><td>3.3</td><td>21</td><td>7</td><td>2</td><td>43</td> </tr> <tr class="bg3"> <td>2004</td><td>Pittsburgh Steelers</td><td>15</td><td>6</td><td>250</td><td>941</td><td>3.8</td><td>29</td><td>13</td><td>3</td><td>50</td> </tr> <tr class="bg2"> <td>2005</td><td>Pittsburgh Steelers</td><td>12</td><td>0</td><td>110</td><td>368</td><td>3.3</td><td>39</td><td>9</td><td>1</td><td>30</td> </tr> <tr class="bg4"> <td>TOTAL</td><td>
</td><td>192</td><td>153</td><td>3479</td><td>13662</td><td>3.9</td><td>71</td><td>91</td><td>49</td><td>730</td></tr></tbody></table>Where the heck does this stuff come from saying he is one of the greatest? His stats are actually WORSE than Martin. I mean, with Bettis, I think its safe to say he only had 3-4 productive seasons that are pretty good. Others are average at best. 8 years of getting less than 1100 yards. And his TD total only skyrocketed because Cowher would put him in at the goaline. I mean, I like Bettis and Martin, but I just don't get why they are considered to be soooo good when they were just solid for a longer time than most RBs.
I think in 20 years, when there are a ton of RB's with over 10,000 yards, people will wonder why some of these guys are HOFers.

[BroncoBuff]

NO.

I'm still mad he took the Rookie of the Year award away from TD - just because he had, what - 75 more yards?



... and jth - 3.9 is one sh***y carrer apc. I had no idea it was that bad.

[The Moops]

When it comes to the HOF I think you have to look at what this guy did in his era. I agree that Martin never wowed anyone. Even when he finally led the NFL in rushing, he still wasn't considered one of the top 5 backs in the league. And he played in NY! If you can't get pub in NY, you've got a problem.

He'll probably make it though because he's 4th all-time now. In 5 years when he's eligible, he'll probably still be in the Top 10. His advantage is that a lot of these HOF writers are east-coast guys and love to talk about Giants/Jets players.

[The Moops]

Speaking of RBs that should be in the HOF. . . check out NFL.com

There's a "Where are they now" feature on "The Franchise"

Floyd Little!

[Atlas]

Um, I would say he was the best back in 2004 but not one of the best all time.


1960-Jim Brown w/ 1257
1961-Jim Brown w/ 1408
1962-Jim Taylor w/ 1474
1963-Jim Brown w/ 1863
1964-Jim Brown w/ 1446
1965=Jim Brown w/ 1544
1966-Gayle Sayers w/ 1231
1967-Leroy Kelly w/ 1205
1968-Leroy Kelly w/ 1239
1969-Gayle Sayers w/ 1032
1970-Larry Brown w/ 1125
1971-Floyd Little w/ 1133
1972-OJ Simpson w/ 1251
1973-OJ Simpson w/ 2003
1974-Otis Armstrong w/ 1407
1975-OJ Simpson w/ 1817
1976-OJ Simpson w/ 1503
1977-Walter Payton w/ 1852
1978-Earl Campbell w/ 1450
1979-Earl Campbell w/1697
1980-Earl Campbell w/ 1934
1981-George Rogers w/ 1674
1982-Freeman McNeil w/ 786
1983-Eric Dickerson w/ 1808
1984-Eric Dickerson w/ 2105
1985-Marcus Allen w/ 1759
1986-Eric Dickerson w/ 1821
1987-Charles White w/ 1374
1988-Eric Dickerson w/ 1659
1989-Christian Okoye w/ 1480
1990-Barry Sanders w/ 1304
1991-Emmitt Smith w/ 1563
1992-Emmitt Smith w/ 1713
1993-Emmitt Smith w/ 1486
1994-Barry Sanders w/ 1883
1995-Emmitt Smith w/ 1773
1996-Barry Sanders w/ 1553
1997-Barry Sanders w/ 2053
1998-Terrell Davis w/ 2008
1999-Edgerrin James w/ 1553
2000-Edgerrin James w/ 1709
2001-Prist Holmes w/ 1555
2002-Ricky Williams w/ 1853
2003-Jamal Lewis w/ 2066
2004-Curtis Martin w/ 1697
2005-Shaun Alexander w/ 1880


Good post but TD was also the best back in 1997. Denver played on Sunday and TD had a good game but was rested in the second half because Denver was going to the postseason. Sanders on the other hand played on Monday night and ran it up against a weak 49ers team to just pass Davis or course Sanders didn't have to worry about resting for the postseason since his Lions hardly ever went to the post season. Davis was the best RB in 1997 and 1998 and he was the 2nd best RB in 1996. EVEN in 1996 Shanny rested his staters and Sanders barely beat Davis in Yards that season.,


A very good arguement can be made that Terrell Davis was the VERY best RB in the NFL from 1996-1998, including BARRY SANDERS... In fact I just think I made that arguement. Fact is At the end of the season Denver had more to play for and Davis was rested. BArry just squeeked by him because the Broncos were in the playoffs.