NFL: Tiki Barber for the Hall of Fame?
Is New York Giants' running back Tiki Barber a Hall of Fame-caliber player?
A couple of years ago I would have found that discussion ludicrous. Yet, as Barber draws closer to what many consider a premature retirement at the age of 31, I have heard the question asked a few times -- including during the broadcast of Sunday's game against the Eagles.
When you think about the best players of the past decade, Barber's name is not the first one to come to mind. You think of LaDanian Tomlinson, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and a few others, but you don't rush to put Barber's name in that discussion.
Take a good look at the numbers, however, and you might just be stunned at how Barber stacks up not only against his contemporaries but all-time.
- Barber is 11th all-time in yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving combined) with 15,290. The only player on that list eligible to be in the Hall of Fame who is not yet enshrined is Thurman Thomas. Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith and Curtis Martin will all be voted in once they are eligible.
- He has twice (2004 and 2005) led the league in total yards from scrimmage.
- Barber is one of only three players to amass at least 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards. The others are Hall of Famer Marcus Allen and future Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk.
- Barber is 20th all-time in rushing yards with 10,143.
- He is 22nd in total number of rushing attempts.
- Barber has gained more than 1,000 rushing yards five consecutive seasons, including 1,860 yards in 2005.
- Just for good measure, Barber has more than 1,500 yards in punt and kickoff returns for his career.
It is that fact, that he wasn't an every down back when he came into the league, that some people point to when they say Barber shouldn't be considered Hall of Fame material. By that logic, how can Sandy Koufax be in baseball's Hall of Fame? After all, he spent the first couple seasons of his career as a mop-up long reliever.
What matters isn't how you start your career, or even how you end it since many great players in all sports stay too long. What matters is the sum total of what a player accomplishes throughout his career, and whether or not he was a dominating force at his best.
By those standards, the numbers can only mean that once he becomes eligible they will have to make room for a Tiki Barber plaque on a wall at the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
technorati tags: NFL, Tiki Barber, New York Giants, Football, Hall of Fame
6 comments:
canton has busts, cooperstown has plaques.
Great post Ed, but I'm not sold simply because he's leaving so early. While I totally respect his decision to retire and think he's doing it for the right reasons, I think by doing it he is blowing his shot at the hall. If he had even one more season of great numbers I think he'd be a lock, since he seems to be in his prime. But right now I think he falls into that grey area of not quite in, not quite out.
Wait--I thought numbers didn't matter?
(Art Monk fan here...)
Tiki Barber has yards, but he also has a ton of fumbles. In fact, he fumbled at least 5 times per year between 1999 and 2004, including three seasons with 9. How many games do you think he cost the Giants?
Not only that, but look at the running backs in the Hall and on their way. What did they have in common? Most of them are winners. They didn't just put up the numbers, but they also won Super Bowls. And they didn't just run for 1000 yards in 5 consecutive seasons, they did it in 8, 9, and 10 in a row.
The simple fact is, numbers are only one part of making the Hall. It's also one part longevity and one part being a winner. But the biggest part of making it in is being one of the best in an era.
When they sit down over the next bunch of years, do you think the voters are going to mention Tiki Barber in the same breath as Barry Sanders? Or Faulk, or Martin, or Tomlinson? How many guys do you think they let into this thing? Thurman Thomas and Jerome Bettis are going to have a tough time getting in, and you think Barber even has a prayer?
And if you still think the numbers might be enough, keep in mind Barber also ranks behind Corey Dillon and Edgerrin James on the rushing yards list, and I don't hear too much about them entering the Hall.
Quite simply, three great seasons at the end of an up and down career will not be enough to put this guy in the same breath as the best.
Tiki belongs in the Hall of Above Average.
Tiki Barber a hall of famer? Um no. Might as well not have ANY standards then!
Post a Comment