This article was included in Eric's BBI Update last night, but I thought it deserved its own thread.
I have long been of the opinion that the Parcells' Giants championship teams are underrepresented in Canton, and Mark Bavaro should be first on the list for induction.
Although his career was shortened due to injury, Bavaro was an absolutely dominant and complete Tight End, one of the best to ever play the position. Bill Belichick doesn't throw the word "great" around too often.
It's time for someone from the New York media to take up Bavaro's cause before the "catch only" Tight Ends begin to regularly appear on future ballots. Someone needs to take up Bavaro's cause, much like they finally did in regards to Harry Carson's HOF snubbing. That someone should be Peter King, who witnessed Bavaro's greatness on a daily basis back then and now has a national platform to influence other voters.
#89 should be in Canton along with Taylor, Carson and Parcells.
Bill Belichick Praises Mark Bavaro - (
New Window )
-Bill Parcells
I'm not sure Bavaro had the longevity for the HOF, but based on his results when he played, there is no doubt about it if that was the only criteria. And if he were elected I definitely wouldn't say he doesn't belong.
-Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
Your jorts thank me?
Unfortunately, the Hall does tend to use length of career/stats vs quality and a player's presence on the field and how he affects games...
No doubt, if he was not injured, he would have still been a Giant and would be in the Hall...
Stat wise (and I'm absolutely not a stat guy), Bavaro compares pretty favorably on receiving numbers.
Bavaro has more catches and TDs than Mackey.
Bavaro has more yards per catch than Newsome.
Bavaro has more catches and TDs than Sanders.
Bavaro has more yards per catch than Sharpe.
Bavaro has more yards per catch than Winslow.
As far as blocking goes, Ditka and Casper were both very good, but I believe that Bavaro was the best blocker ever at his position. Look no further than Casper's coach, John Madden who said so.
As far as championships go, I believe the only Tight End in Canton who can match Bavaro is Ditka with two (Chicago in 1963 and Dallas in 1971).
I'm not sure Bavaro had the longevity for the HOF, but based on his results when he played, there is no doubt about it if that was the only criteria. And if he were elected I definitely wouldn't say he doesn't belong.
In my opinion, Jason Witten is as close to a Bavaro 2.0 that there's been, especially when you consider Parcells drafted him.
Repulsive!!!
That 15-yard average should be contrasted with Donnell's 9. & change in 14. Over 60 catches, that's a difference of about 340 yards. An enormous
He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, he spoke the truth!
Quote:
did you ever see Bavaro's post-career interview with Steve Sabol of NFL Films. He said the Eagles were "evil incarnate"...said he despised them.
He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, he spoke the truth!
Didn't stop him from playing for them though
Two way players usually get the short end of the stick in comparisons to "one way" players (especially receiving only TEs in this case).
I really liked hearing Belichick's comments about Bavaro going against Banks (also underrated) and LT at practice. That would have been worth the price of admission to see that.
I hope Bavaro makes it into the Hall Of Fame. I think he deserves it a little more than Phil Simms.
FYI, here it is.
Link - ( New Window )
NY Giants Chronicles: Mark Bavaro - ( New Window )
Bavaro was the best offensive player on a two time Super Bowl champion and an offensive unit that left an indelible mark on 1980s pro football. The guy even played well in 1993 which kind if makes me sick because it was for philly.
The voters just completely ignore Bavaro's 1990-1993 run.
He said he wanted to injure Buddy Ryan, iirc.