Preliminary Nominees for the HOF 2011

Dont get me wrong, The Bus is a good player but when it comes to the HoF, he seems like more sizzle than steak.

You think he ever gets in?

umm..the Bus get's in. Hate sound corny, but he's just so likeable and represents the Hall well. I know it's ultimately aboubt he did on the field the counts, but people just love some Jerome Bettis.

The Bus had his big rushing yd years early with Pgh. His last 4 years he didnt get 1000 in a season.

OK, I can tell we need to go to war - how about Nerf balls at 20 paces?

Yes, Bettis did not have a 1,000 yard season in his last for year, but that was after he played 9 seasons in the NFL.

In his first 3 years with the Rams, he had 3,091 yards which gives him a 3 year average of over 1,000 yards per year. Then he goes to Pittsburgh where he is a work horse for a marquee team and in the next 10 years he has 10,571 yards which means for his entire career, he averaged 1,051 yards per season for THIRTEEN YEARS AS A RUNNING BACK!!!! If memory serves (and I don't feel like looking it up) he is in the top 6 of all time rushers.
:soapbox:

Bettis is a lock for first-ballot HOF.

You think he ever gets in?

I wouldnt vote for him but yes, I do think he will get in.

OK, I can tell we need to go to war - how about Nerf balls at 20 paces?

Yes, Bettis did not have a 1,000 yard season in his last for year, but that was after he played 9 seasons in the NFL.

In his first 3 years with the Rams, he had 3,091 yards which gives him a 3 year average of over 1,000 yards per year. Then he goes to Pittsburgh where he is a work horse for a marquee team and in the next 10 years he has 10,571 yards which means for his entire career, he averaged 1,051 yards per season for THIRTEEN YEARS AS A RUNNING BACK!!!! If memory serves (and I don't feel like looking it up) he is in the top 6 of all time rushers.
:soapbox:

He had a nice career but I'm not sure its a HoF one. He racked up a bunch of yds early and thjen hung on the last 3 years.

Not sure the bus is first ballot but I think he gets in at some point

OK, I can tell we need to go to war - how about Nerf balls at 20 paces?

Yes, Bettis did not have a 1,000 yard season in his last for year, but that was after he played 9 seasons in the NFL.

In his first 3 years with the Rams, he had 3,091 yards which gives him a 3 year average of over 1,000 yards per year. Then he goes to Pittsburgh where he is a work horse for a marquee team and in the next 10 years he has 10,571 yards which means for his entire career, he averaged 1,051 yards per season for THIRTEEN YEARS AS A RUNNING BACK!!!! If memory serves (and I don't feel like looking it up) he is in the top 6 of all time rushers.
:soapbox:Bus has a solid argument for the HoF, I think it's almost impossible he's a first ballot. Look at the other RBs in this potential class: Marshall Faulk (1st Ballot lock IMO), Terrell Davis, Roger Craig, Eddie George, Gerald Riggs, Ottis Anderson, Herschel Walker.

Bus Pluses: 6 Pro Bowls, 2 All Pro, 5th in total Rushing Yards, 10th in Rushing TDs, 15K yds fm scrimmage, what you mention above, plus he's in the media and a good guy.

Bus Minuses: Yds per Att 3.9, SB stats 14 for 43 Yds 0 TD, fumble that almost cost the Steelers the 2005 SB berth, pedestrian last 4 years.

Terrell Davis: Avg 14TDs per year for his healthy years. 2 SB wins with good numbers, Yds per Att 4.6, 3 Pro Bowls, 3 All Pro.

Terrell Davis Minuses: Injury cut short his career.

Roger Craig Pluses: 4 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro, 3 SB wins with excellent numbers, Yds per Att 4.1, 13K yds fm scrimmage, one of first true run/receiving threats at RB.

Roger Craig Minuses: pedestrian last 4 years.

I put Craig in before Bus, TD was more dominant but his career was too short, there's a debate there. Bus goes in before the other RBs, but they're in the debate and that can hurt.

With 7 HoFers each year and assume Faulk, Deion Sanders (as much as I can't stand him), and possibly Willie Roaf are 1st ballot locks, Hanburger or another Senior goes in and that leaves three spots. Does Bus get in before: Roger Craig, JKC, Don Coryell, Richard Dent, Charles Haley, Lester Hayes, Shannon Sharpe, Tags?

He'll likely get in, just not right away.

I think the Bus makes it, but maybe not first ballot. But then again the Hall voters do love them some Steelers so who knows.

If Bettis was in any other team, he wouldn't make it to the HOF, but he's a Steeler. Not taking away anything from his career, but the Steelers are the original bandwagon team and they are liked by many people. So I would agree that he gets in.

Ray Guy over Reggie Roby? Who ya got? I dont ever see a punter making it but i do see Venetieri making it.

Ray Guys stats
Played in 207 consecutive games
Punted 1,049 times for 44,493 yards, averaging 42.4 yards per punt, with a 33.8 net yards average
Had 210 punts inside the 20 yard line (not counting his first 3 seasons, when the NFL did not keep track of this stat), with just 128 touchbacks
Led the NFL in punting three times
Had a streak of 619 consecutive punts before having one blocked
Has a record of 111 career punts in post season games
Had five punts of over 60 yards during the 1981 season
Never had a punt returned for a touchdown