I'm inclined to say no. One season of 1,600 plus yards, one very controversial rushing title (statistician gave him a yard over Alexander), no championships, never regarded as best back in the league.
But the cumalitive numbers are there. Top-5 all time rushing yards and 10 straight 1,000 plus. For me, Martin is like the football version of Rafeal Palmeiro (minus the steriods), meaning he has these great overall numbers but was never an elite player.
Is consistency and durability enough to get into the Hall?
2007-02-08 13:54:13 · 14 answers · asked by The Brain 3 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
I agree that he shouldn't, but while it seems that people often use the argument that consistancy alone is not enough, yet also reject brief greatness (Terrell Davis made it only so far in the HoF election process, John Jefferson was an amazing WR on the Chargers (before crapping out --kinda--in GB) but no one ever mentions him in discussions).
However, another "consistant" guy is Jerome Bettis and everyone is saying he's HoF material (because I guess now being a nice guy is great qualification), yet he only had one season over 1600, and only managed 3.9 ypc in his career, and only 91 TDs (not much for 13 years and being a big goal-line type back). I'd say Martin deserves in more than Bettis based on #s alone (more yds in less time, 90tds, 7 more rec. TD than bettis, ypc is .1 better, and more 1000+yard seasons)
2007-02-09 02:24:53 · answer #1 · answered by Andy T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
interesting question. statistically yes he should be.
he was in the top 10 rushing yards 7 out of 11 years.
he was in the top 10 rushing TDs 6 out of 11
5 time pro-bowler.
Running backs never need to have gone to a superbowl to be considered great (only the QB is given that pressure).
Running backs are mostly based on Statistics when going into the hall of fame.
Barry Sanders is one of the greats and never made it there.
Martin was never regarded as teh best, but he remained in the top 10 for so many years.
elite players are often defined by playing so good. but there have been alot of RBs that go into the spot light for 1 year, then their numbers just drop (Faulk, Alexander, Johnson) but Martin's number has not been the best, but at least it is very close to it every year. then notice also how much media attention he gets (almost none). Curtis Martin was on the Jets. and for a long time the JEts were just the laughing stock on the NFL. if a runner so great that can rush so well for a Jets line that was so horrible that they had to spend 2 first round picks for 2 o linemen this year to try to fix it, then he must be a great back. and people don't realize this
so i think he should be hall of fame bound
2007-02-08 23:56:47 · answer #2 · answered by Kev C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Curtis Martin is the most underrated player ever. Not only does he have the 10 straight seasons of 1,000 yards (his first ten seasons; something only Hall-of-Famer Barry Sanders was able to do) and the top 5 all time rushing yards, but he was a great receiving back.
Curtis Martin may have never won a Super Bowl but the Hall has 14,101 reasons to select Curtis Martin on the first ballot.
2007-02-08 23:11:56 · answer #3 · answered by trombass08 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i'd say he is. martin outgained the Bus, who should be a su'win first round ballot HOF. you say that he's a top-5 all time rusher like it's not too hard to atain. 14,101 yards is a lot, and he has over 100 tds and he and the great barry sanders are the only two backs to have 1000+ yds in 10 straight seasons. a perfect career passer rating doesnt hurt. he's 2/2 for 2 touchdowns and 36 yds. one doesn't have to win a super bowl to be named a hall of famer, just look at dan marino.
2007-02-08 22:06:07 · answer #4 · answered by unonome 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes Curtis Martin is a Hall of Famer.
2007-02-09 03:52:10 · answer #5 · answered by anpao1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course he is. He was over 1000 yards in his first 10 years. How many other running backs in history can say that? I'd guess not many. 14,101 yards in his career is nothing to spit at. Emmit Smith has the record of 11 years over 1000 yards. Martin is one behind. Payton didn't have 10 years over 1000 yards. Martin could catch passes too. He's awesome.
2007-02-08 22:10:19 · answer #6 · answered by Gomez Addams 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Considering his numbers, he should definitely make the Hall of Fame. His #28 should also be retired for the Jets.
2007-02-08 21:57:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i guess he was never an elite player because he was on NYs other team, the jets. he never got media attention or love but slowly did his thing. his numbers are up there with the best and i think he should be a HOFer.
2007-02-08 21:58:10 · answer #8 · answered by what? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its injustice to not put him in the hall of fame.
He is very useful but the jets used the pass alot and so did the pats so he did not get ball alot.
2007-02-08 21:59:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can keep him out if you want but the football world and you both know he's one of the greatest and will always be.
2007-02-08 22:06:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋