Originally Posted by
McBa1n
I _really_ like the calls on Curtis Martin, who has an NFL MVP (sitting in Bill Parcells trophy room, which he gave him).
I think the most under rated, though, is Terrel Davis.
He's one of 3 or 4 NFL backs to put up 5k rushing yards in a 3 year stretch. Many suggest he didn't play long enough, but neither did Gayle Sayers or Earl Campbell and Davis was every bit as good or better than both in production. Davis has a Superbowl MVP and NFL MVP to his credit (and 2 Superbowl rings). Also, he ran the ball during the time of Barry Sanders, Emmit Smith and Marshall Faulk (all HOF players) and out produced all of them and was the best back over a short stretch until he got banged up.
For the Hall, I think dominance is a big part - unless you're a consistant long time producer and amongst the leagues best. TD WAS the best over a period of few years, as other backs that have made it into the hall have done.
It also should be noted that Davis did NOT play the 4th quarter or 2nd halves after the Broncos had already put the game away during the season he ran for 2k yards (they started 13-0 or 14-0, I forget which). It worked out to something like he missed 3 games by not playing in 2nd halves that season because it would only be for 'stat padding'. That always blew my mind what a team player he was.
I think the other thing hurting TD is he didn't receive the media acclaim of say Emmit or Faulk - they were loved. Everyone FEARED Barry, but he was on horrible teams. TD was over-shadowed by an over the hill Elway. I hate how media darling status is the easiest way into the modern hall. TD, like Curtis Martin, are both class acts and great teammates....