Does Terrell Davis belong?

[football junkie]

In the 6th round of the 1995 NFL Draft the Denver Broncos selected a 5'11", 205 pound running back out of the University of Georgia. He would prove to be, perhaps, the best second-day of the draft selection in NFL history.

Over four years Davis posted these numbers:
Att Yards Y/A TD | Rec Yards Y/R TD |
+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+
| 1995 den | 14 | 237 1117 4.7 7 | 49 367 7.5 1 |
| 1996 den | 16 | 345 1538 4.5 13 | 36 310 8.6 2 |
| 1997 den | 15 | 369 1750 4.7 15 | 42 287 6.8 0 |
| 1998 den | 16 | 392 2008 5.1 21 | 25 217 8.7 2 |
+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+

After 1998 he struggled through three injury plagued seasons, ending his career with 7,607 rushing yards, 4.6 yards per carry and 60 rushing touchdowns to go along with 169 receptions, 1,280 receiving yards and 5 touchdown receptions.

But it's what he accomplished in those four glorious years between '95 and '98 that make him special. Besides rushing for over 2,000 yards in one season, he also won back-to-back AFC Player of the Year Awards, the 1998 NFL MVP Award, and more importantly the Superbowl XXXII MVP Award.

Had no Superbowl wins to show for their many appearances before Terrell Davis came on the scene. After him the franchise had back-to-back Superbowl Championships.

But Davis didn't hit the big career rushing milestone -- falling well short of 10,000 career rushing yards. And he had only four healthy seasons.

My question is does Davis' greatness in 95 through 98 mitigate the brevity of his career and merit Hall of Fame induction?

[gridiron]

I'd have to say no right now, otherwise many with high peaks but short careers would be in--a peak alone is not enough.
By that reasoning, there are several active RBs who could also get in on their peaks but I don't think it's enough for them either.

[Snake]

I also say no at this time. I agree with gridirons reasons, plus I have another one of my own. The system that Davis ran in produces 1,000 yd rushers every year, no matter who the RB is. Yes, TD was a good RB, but not HOF good. Perhaps if he did not have his career shortened by his medical problems, he may have eventually gotten up to HOF standards. His career was too short to tell though.

[football junkie]

I also say no at this time. I agree with gridirons reasons, plus I have another one of my own. The system that Davis ran in produces 1,000 yd rushers every year, no matter who the RB is. Yes, TD was a good RB, but not HOF good. Perhaps if he did not have his career shortened by his medical problems, he may have eventually gotten up to HOF standards. His career was too short to tell though.


How many 2,000 yard rushers has it produced?

[Steve_Atwater]

I don't believe Terrell Davis belongs to the Hall, is career was too short. But had he remained healthy, he would have become one of the best. Believe me, he was not just another product of the Broncos system. Olandis Gary couldn't have run 2000 yards. That big dude we shipped to Cleveland (can't even remember his name) couldn't have run for 100 yards in seven straight playoff games. He was an outstanding runner, and quite a character, in the positive sense of the term (his hobby was sleeping and who took great pride in his participation in Sesame Street).

He'll be remembered somewhere in the "what if?" category with the Gayle Sayers of this world, probably.

[ATLFalcons]

I don't believe Terrell Davis belongs to the Hall, is career was too short. But had he remained healthy, he would have become one of the best. Believe me, he was not just another product of the Broncos system. Olandis Gary couldn't have run 2000 yards. That big dude we shipped to Cleveland (can't even remember his name) couldn't have run for 100 yards in seven straight playoff games. He was an outstanding runner, and quite a character, in the positive sense of the term (his hobby was sleeping and who took great pride in his participation in Sesame Street).

He'll be remembered somewhere in the "what if?" category with the Gayle Sayers of this world, probably.
The big guy was Reuben Droughns. Terrell Davis doesn't belong, but for 4 years he was the MAN.

[Packer Backer]

No way Davis belongs... That would be like sending Bo Jackson to the Hall.

[Snake]

You missed my point football junkie. TD ran for 2,000 yds in a system where scrubs were getting 1,000 a season. So obviously, he is better then most. It's not like he was rushing for 2,000 for Detroit or Arizona. I did not say he wasn't good, I just said he wasn't HOF good. His career was too short to really get an accurate measurement on him.

[ktss12]

No way Davis belongs... That would be like sending Bo Jackson to the Hall.

I agree.....another What if.......If Bo had concentrated on just football, no telling what he would have done.

[football junkie]

I think if Gale Sayers, Charley Trippi, John Henry Johnson, Larry Csonka and Leroy Kelly belong than so does Terrell Davis.

I would be with the rest of you if it had been something Davis did that caused his career to head south after four great years but if anything it was overuse by the Broncos that lead to his injuries. In '96 Terrell had 345 carries. In '97 he had 369 carries and in '98 he had 392 carries. The Broncos just ran him into the ground.

A couple of other examples in recent history: in 1989 the KC Chiefs overloaded Christian Okoye with 370 carries and he was out of the league within three years; in 1992 the Pittsburgh Steelers overloaded Barry Foster with 390 carries and he was out of the NFL within two years; in 1998 Jamal Anderson carries the ball 410 times for the Atlanta Falcons and he never has another productive season, out of the league within three years; in 2002 Ricky Williams carries the ball 383 times for the Dolphins and the next year he carries it 392 more times and we all know what's happened to him since then.

I don't think Davis should be held responsible for the Broncos squandering his talent. Much like Gale Sayers I think he should get induction based on what he accomplished in so short a period of time.

Also I think a fairly persuasive argument can be made that it is not in fact the Denver offensive system that created Davis. Rouben Droughns has had success out of the Denver system, rushing for over 1,200 yards for the Browns last season. Mike Anderson is set to have a breakout year in Baltimore this season. And the only thing that kept Olandis Gray from becoming the Buffalo Bills starting running back a few years ago was a freak training camp injury. Let's see how this fabled Denver offensive system does this year with the likes of Mike Bell as a starter.

[gridiron]

Comparing Davis to some of those other players doesn't hold up. Sayers ran back kicks --3 Kick return TDs in one year, 6 total, which was the record for a long time. Csonka's era wasn't set up to let runners go crazy like the 2,000 yarders do thses days. Johnson played in a very different era and lasted longer.
Granted Davis' peak was incredible, it still isn't enough. Had he been as versatile as Sayers, then he'd have a better case.

[efin98]

There was no better running back during the laste 90s than Davis, but even then he needed at least one more year before I'd put him among the injury-shortened greats like Sayers.

He's a near great and a guy you would want on your all time team but he isn't a Hall of Famer...

[football junkie]

There was no better running back during the laste 90s than Davis, but even then he needed at least one more year before I'd put him among the injury-shortened greats like Sayers.

If you compare Terrell Davis to Earl Campbell you get a pretty good example of your point. The difference between Campbell and Davis is about one good season. But that seems like a slim margin to keep a player out of Canton for. But I'll go with the rest of your opinions.

[efin98]

If you compare Terrell Davis to Earl Campbell you get a pretty good example of your point. The difference between Campbell and Davis is about one good season. But that seems like a slim margin to keep a player out of Canton for. But I'll go with the rest of your opinions.

There is two years difference between them over their careers but their peak is only off by one season: five and a half for Campbell, four and a half for Davis. Davis did more in his good years but didn't do much during his off years, Campbell helds on and produced during his off years amassing more yards(1800 more yards even).

But upon further review, I am starting to doubt him being out. I look at Sayers and the two are alot alike in terms of careers- good receivers and the same amount of years played with Davis amassing more yards. If Sayers is in and Davis is out then something is wrong as the two are almost identical.

[Willie]

But upon further review, I am starting to doubt him being out. I look at Sayers and the two are alot alike in terms of careers- good receivers and the same amount of years played with Davis amassing more yards. If Sayers is in and Davis is out then something is wrong as the two are almost identical.

They are not identical because Sayers was also a tremendous kick returner.

Sayers was selected as a running back and kick returner on the NFL's 75th anniversary team.

Sayers was a consensus 1st team All-Pro selection all 5 seasons in which he played a full season (his final two years he played a total of 4 games).

[efin98]

They are not identical because Sayers was also a tremendous kick returner.

Sayers was selected as a running back and kick returner on the NFL's 75th anniversary team.

Sayers was a consensus 1st team All-Pro selection all 5 seasons in which he played a full season (his final two years he played a total of 4 games).

Penalize him for not playing special teams, fine. But that doesn't change the fact that he has 2,750 more rushing yardage than Sayers and nearly as much yardage recieving.

[Willie]

Sayers had a 5.0 rushing average. Davis had a 4.6 average.
Davis had more yards because he had more carries.

Davis also played for a significantly better team.

Sayers was an All-Pro 5 times. All 5 times he was a consensus 1st team selection.

Davis was an All-Pro 4 times. Three of those years he was a consensus 1st team selection.

Sayers averaged 11.7 yards on receptions. Davis averaged 7.6.

Sayers returned 91 kickoffs for 2781 yards and 6 touchdowns. That is a 30.6 average.

Sayers returned 32 punts for 391 yards and 2 touchdowns. That is a 14.5 average.

[efin98]

Sayers had a 5.0 rushing average. Davis had a 4.6 average.
Davis had more yards because he had more carries.

Davis also played for a significantly better team.

Sayers was an All-Pro 5 times. All 5 times he was a consensus 1st team selection.

Davis was an All-Pro 4 times. Three of those years he was a consensus 1st team selection.

Sayers averaged 11.7 yards on receptions. Davis averaged 7.6.

Sayers returned 91 kickoffs for 2781 yards and 6 touchdowns. That is a 30.6 average.

Sayers returned 32 punts for 391 yards and 2 touchdowns. That is a 14.5 average.

Among the league's top 10:

Rushing Davis finished 3rd('96) and 2nd('97, '98) while Sayers was 7th('65, '67) 3rd('66) and 1st('69).

Rushing yards Davis finished 9th('95), 2nd('96, '97) and 1st('98- his 2000 yard year). Sayers finished 5th('68), 3rd('67), 2nd('65, '68), and 1st('69)

Rushing TDs Davis finished tied 3rd('96), tied 1st('97) and 1st('98) while Sayers finsihed 4th('67), tied 3rd('69), tied 2nd('66), and 2nd('65).

Yards from scrimmage Davis finished 2nd('96, '97, '98) while Sayers finished 4th('69), 3rd('65), and 1st('66).

Rushing/receiving TDs Davis finished tied 3rd('96), 2nd('97), and 1st('98) while Sayers finished tied 6th('66) and 2nd('65).

Sayers isn't in the top-50 in any major category except for special teams, Davis is in the top 50 in rushes(#48), rushing yards(#39), and rushing TDs(#35).


Frankly Davis is very similar and you can discount the fact that he didn't play special teams like Sayers but you can't discount the fact that his stats are on parr with or better than Sayers in most if not all of the major categories listed above. Sorry, but if Sayers is in then Davis deserves to be in as well.

[gridiron]

Sayers held the record for single season TDs at one time, these selective arguments for Davis are getting tendenitious.

[Willie]

Sayers had 5 Hall of Fame type years. Davis had 3. Sayers had better averages rushing and receiving for a worse offense.

Sayers also was a devastating return man.

One guy was a superstar. The other was a real good RB.

[Willie]

Would something like this be written about Davis?

(And that's a rhetorical question.)

From The First Fifty Years: A Celebration of the National Football League in its Fiftieth Season:

An article was devoted to each player who was named to the 50th Anniversary Team. Note: Sayers was still active at the time this was written.

The halfback is the consumate athlete. He is to football what El Cordobes was to the bulls and Jimi Hendrix is to rock- an improvisation on a classic theme, maneuvering on the edge of spectacular failure.

The skill that belongs to Gale Sayers cannot be taught. His is a rare gift that makes him unique in his profession. Others before him, Red Grange, George McAfee, Hugh McElhenny, have moved freely in the open field, but Sayers' elusive, angular grace puts him in a one-man category.

Formations and plays can be predetermined for Sayers, but he relies more upon the truth of his instincts to break free than the meticulous blueprint of the play. A blocking failure does not bind him, but frees him from the rigid rule of the team.

It is at this point that Sayers begins to function fully. With the instincts of an artist and the discipline of an athlete, he pits himself against the defense as man against environment. He weighs all probabilities, the angle of approaching tacklers, the ratio of his speed to theirs, the distance from each sideline, the number of opponents left, the vectors of his own blockers, and the texture of the field. In an instant, these facts are programmed into motion. His art, as all art, flows from being, not thinking.

A daring, wide-open runner, Sayers is the ultimate competitor, constantly challenging the forces that seek to restrain him. When a crowd of tacklers begins to converge, most runners will decelerate in order to make quick changes of direction or to prepare for sudden heavy blows. But Sayers slams on, slashing past startled opponents and jamming through turns with a stiff-legged, heel-first ferocity. This is his unique talent, one which clears him of seemingly impenetrable congestion into the open field which he devours with a wide, galloping stride.

In action, Gale Sayers is an intuitive, sensitive instrument working with incomprehensible decisiveness and truth. The fact that his genius is released on a professional football field brings people to the stadium. It has ever since man first tucked a ball under his arm and started to run.

[Steve_Atwater]

One stat I don't believe as been mentionned here about TD. He has played 8 playoff games in his career, and rushed for 100 or more yards in 7 of them, including a 157 yards output in Super Bowl XXXII, in just three quarters. So I believe Davis qualifies as a clutch performer. Now, I'm still not quite on board with the idea of sending him to Canton. But I think calling him "a real good running back", don't do him justice.

[tdk1984]

I'd have to say no as well. He just didn't play long enough. If he had reached 10,000 rushing yards, then he'd belong in Canton. I'd probably say the same for any QB who didn't throw for 30,000 (in this era).

[football junkie]

So by that logic does any running back who rushes for 10,000 yards in this era belong in Canton?

I mean should somebody start working on a bronze of Ricky Watters? How about Otis Anderson, should he be in? Eddie George? These were all fairly marginal running backs who "achieved" 10,000 yards rushing in our era -- should they all go into Canton?

I'm not even sure if I support the case of Curtis Martin and he posted 10 straight 1,000 yard seasons! But was he ever great? Was he ever better than Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Marshall Faulk, Thurman Thomas, LaDainian Tomlinson, Shaun Alexander, Edgerrin James? Not in my opinion.

There were players with shorter primes who were undeniably much better: Priest Holmes, Terrell Davis, Jamal Lewis, even Ricky Williams.

I think that 10,000 yards equals instant induction logic is flawed. Unless you want to throw Earl Campbell out of canton.

This isn't like baseball with it's set-in-stone milestones: 3,000 hits, 300 wins, 500 HR.

[Seattle1]

I vote no, he wasn't productive long enough.

[Ladder]

No because he did not play a long enough time.