Looking back on his career, it feels like he is really under appreciated. That probably has something to do with his antics/leaving the team on a bad note, but he had one of the greatest 7 year runs any RB has ever had.
He had 1400 plus yards from scrim in each of his final 7 years, and averaged over 2000 yards from scrimmage in his final 5 years, including 2390 in 2005, the 3rd best single season total of all time.
There was 4 times where he had a 200 yard game in a late season game to help propel the Giants to the playoffs. One against the Raiders week 17 of 2005. One against KC in 05' in a late season Saturday afternoon game, one against the Eagles in a win and in week 17 game in 2002, and one against the Redskins in his final regular season game in 2006 which was also a win and in game.
He is 13th all time in yards from scrimmage, the only guy not in the hall of fame that is in front of him is the still active Frank Gore. If he played one or two more seasons (and he could've because he walked away from the game at his peak) he would easily be top 5-7 of all time in yards from scrimmage.
I know his career wasn't incredibly long, but he still had one of the greatest 7 year peaks that has ever been seen from a RB. And 7 years is a pretty long time for a RB, especially when you consider he had 3-4 decent years before he became the lead back.
He may be a jerk, but I think he should be a hall of famer. One of the most underrated players of the last 25 years.
This. He needed more years under his belt.
2000 was his breakout year.
Barber had 5 elite/upper echelon seasons. The 2004-2006 stretch he was one of the best RB's in all of football - he was probably the best offensive player in the league in 2005.
But it's not enough. He needed to do that for another couple years. He won't get in with the resume he has.
By comparison, Adrian Peterson had more than 2000 YFS just 1x in his career, and never had more than 1900 in any other season.
Ladanian Tomlinson had the same amount of 2000 + yard season as Tiki did.
Barry Sanders only surpassed 2000 YFS 2x in his career.
And as the poster above said, Terrell Davis only had a 4 year peak and still made it. Outside of the 4 years, he only had 1500 yards combined in the rest of his NFL career.
All of Barber’s best 5 years are better than Bettis’ 5 years.
He was was a better all around back by a mile.
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No. He would have been if he played a few more years. He literally walked away from the game at his peak. He was in the midst of some absolutely incredible seasons. But he needed a few more like that to really be a HoF'er.
All of Barber’s best 5 years are better than Bettis’ 5 years.
He was was a better all around back by a mile.
I don't even think Bettis should be a HoF'er. He ran the ball like 3500 times and was a massive dude with a bunch of pretty good OL's. Nothing about Bettis really ever impressed me. He was just a big lumbering back in a 3 yards and a cloud of dust era.
I don't think Terrell Davis belongs either.
No doubt? Who knows, but Barber was better than Jacobs or Bradshaw - period. Barber with Jacobs and Bradshaw is a pretty dynamic backfield. Don't quite get taking 1800 to 2200 yards off the field (or more because the team was better) makes it a better team.
I don't even think Bettis should be a HoF'er. He ran the ball like 3500 times and was a massive dude with a bunch of pretty good OL's. Nothing about Bettis really ever impressed me. He was just a big lumbering back in a 3 yards and a cloud of dust era.
I don't think Terrell Davis belongs either.
Well, that’s sort of besides the point now. They are in, and a decent comparative cases for Tiki.
The receiving aspect of Tiki’s game is huge in this. You realize he had the same # of receptions as Marcus Allen? More than Walter Payton?
He’s in...
Did Barber play defense?
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and won the Super Bowl in the season after he left, hurts his HOF case, in my view.
Did Barber play defense?
47 INTs for 8 TDs, with another 12 fumble recoveries for 4 more TDs. So 16 defensive TDs. That’s 3rd all time for a defender behind Sanders and Woodson. Good company to keep there...
1. He retired early and during his prime. A significant amount of NFL HOF'ers played until the moment they simply couldn't any longer and were forced to retire the game they loved with a passion. Retiring early, fairly or unfairly, gives the impression he didn't have the same level of passion/
2. He left his team and then created controversy. Again, fairly or unfairly, this gives the impression he didn't respect his teammates or franchise.
3. The year after he left the team, the team won a SuperBowl.
I believe those three factors combine to block him out.
7,600+ yards rushing and 300 catches.
Today other than Eli the rest of this entire team has many years to empress before being even considered. The next guy who has a chance is OBJ but will he continue his present pace hopefully for our sakes.
7,600+ yards rushing and 300 catches.
Tomlinson 2002-2006.
7900 yards, 330 catches and 80 TDs.
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I don't even think Bettis should be a HoF'er. He ran the ball like 3500 times and was a massive dude with a bunch of pretty good OL's. Nothing about Bettis really ever impressed me. He was just a big lumbering back in a 3 yards and a cloud of dust era.
I don't think Terrell Davis belongs either.
Well, that’s sort of besides the point now. They are in, and a decent comparative cases for Tiki.
The receiving aspect of Tiki’s game is huge in this. You realize he had the same # of receptions as Marcus Allen? More than Walter Payton?
He’s in...
It’s not as close as you’re suggesting. He’s been nominated about every year since 2013 and simply doesn’t get the votes.
This.
Also, for those saying he didn't play long enough, 10k yds is a longevity benchmark and he achieved that. Sure, more years would have padded all of his stats, but he has enough to be in already. Between the total yds rushing, combined rush/rec yds, avg. YPC, 200 yd games (2nd most all time to OJ Simpson), 2000 yd (combined seasons), etc. he is above many backs already in and right up there with some of the best.
Fans can have a sour opinion of him because of his comments, but his production was there. He belongs in the hall.
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ever did what Barber did in one five year span:
7,600+ yards rushing and 300 catches.
Tomlinson 2002-2006.
7900 yards, 330 catches and 80 TDs.
Thanks, Tim. Can’t believe I missed that. Well, no one in the NFC... ; )
Still, fairly good company...
It’s not as close as you’re suggesting. He’s been nominated about every year since 2013 and simply doesn’t get the votes.
You certainly have me there. But the voters get things wrong.
And sometimes they correct it (Charles Haley), sometimes they don’t (Sterling Sharpe - his numbers for a seven year career are brilliant; Gale Sayers of WRs).
Jerome Bettis is a stat compiler. He’s in because he was a fat, loveable, cheery, Santa Claus-like person who had a fun nickname...
Barber was better than him.
RE: Tiki- at the height of his game, Tiki played at a HOF level - so the question - was there enough length to that peak period?
Gotta go back and look at it, the fumble years the buildup years to when he became a great back. One thing Tiki does not get enough credit for is the toughness he developed. He was not the biggest back and he took some major shots and never whined about it, played hurt, etc.
Once he got his chance - although fumbling delayed that a bit, plus one year he tried playing too light (can't remember which one)he made the most of it.
Will probably take him a while but I think he'll get in.
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No. He would have been if he played a few more years. He literally walked away from the game at his peak. He was in the midst of some absolutely incredible seasons. But he needed a few more like that to really be a HoF'er.
All of Barber’s best 5 years are better than Bettis’ 5 years.
He was was a better all around back by a mile.
Bavaro should be in before Tiki. MB’s career was cut short, but his productive years were as long as Tiki’s was
Bavaro, Mackey, Winslow, Ditka, Witten. I know I’m leaving out a few that I petsonally would put on this list
yep