h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

After reading an article about the travesty of Bob Kuechenburg not getting into the Hall of Fame, I noticed that ex-Miami receiver Nat Moore is starting the campaign to get Mark Clayton elected to the Hall. Now, whereas my respect of Clayton is second to none (okay I'll admit it, I thought he was ace!!) my first reaction to him being in the Hall was the now obligatory splutter into cup of coffee...

After doing some research, however, his numbers do attract some attention...

79 TD catches from Marino, still, I think, the number 3 pass-catch TD duo in history.

Miami record for single season TD catches... 18 (was NFL record until you know who took it)

2nd for Miami receiving yards in a season
2nd for Miami receptions in a season
Leading Miami receiver for career
2nd for Miami career receiving yards

Achieved 1300 yards at least twice (may have been 3)
Achieved 1000 yards at least 4 times

Made the Pro Bowl five times... was an integral part of what was then (84-86) the most feared passing attack ever seen.

These as well as his career numbers stack up quite well with other receivers in the HoF including some of his contempories... they don't compare to modern receiving stats but whose does? He may have had the luxury of Dan Marino throwing to him, but Berry had Unitas, Maynard had Namath, Swann and Stallworth had Bradshaw... etc, etc, etc...

I'm convinced, if a little biased. He may not have won a championship but there are plenty of others in the Hall who also failed to achieve the ultimate... So I'm jumping on the bandwagon and will promote the cause of 'Clayton for the Hall'

Any of you guys no of anyone else who, whilst not being immeadiately obvious, could garner support for a possible future election?

FF

... that should be a 'know' in that last sentence....

Oh... and as much as I liked him, I will not be pushing for Tony Paige to make the Hall.... nor Chuck Klinbeil

And certainly not Tom Olivadotti

Ray Guy - Raiders punter (74-86ish).

- John Madden said that Ray Guy really "introduced" him to the concept of hang-time when the ball was up there for 6 or 7 seconds.
- He once hit the roof of the New Orleans Superdome.
- On one occasion, an opponent 'stole' the ball he was kicking to test whether it had helium in it.
- Unlike most punters he only used to use a 2-step "approach" which made it harder to block him. He finished his career with the last 600+ unblocked, the 2nd longest in league history. (Although it didn't alter the result his first blocked punt rather unfortunately came during SB IX).
- I think he led the league in punting about 3 times.

That's all I can remember off the top of my head, I'll see if there's any more about him on the Raider website when I get a chance.

John Madden became head coach of the Raiders at the age of 32, in 1969 the year after their appearance in SB II. Obviously he inherited a good team but this cannot be the sole reason behind his success.

During 10 years under his leadership the Raiders:
- won SB IX.
- won 8 divisional titles.
- also gained 1 wild-card berth. In total they qualified for the playoffs 9 out of 10 years.
- contested five consecutive AFC championship games from 1973-77, although only winning one.
- had a regular season W-L-T record of 103-32-5 (0.753%)
- in total won 112 games.

To the younger generations Madden has been one of the voices of football for the last 20 years or so and his media contribution is almost as worthy as his coaching career.

No argument from me on that one BBS... Knowing Maddens reputation and record I was actually surprised to learn he wasn't in the HoF. In my less knowledgable years I looked silly in an argument when I insisted he was without checking my facts... I still find it amazing he doesn't even seem to be a finalist most years... Perhaps he upset someone one-time, they can't surely think he may return to coaching can they?

Still, I feel he is a more obvious ommission from the hall, any less obvious Raiders who deserve a mention?

Another obvious ommission who has upset the media (who of course decide these things) is Art Monk. 931 career receptions played the same sort of era as Mark Clayton, so not exactly a prolific passing time. But he refused to give interviews for 9 years or so.

Less obvious Raiders? Hmmm - Matt Millen perhaps. Three SBs (third with the 49ers). I'm not sure how great he really was, but he used to get his name called a bit.

Having just taken a look at a certain website I see that Millen only played in 1 Pro Bowl. Among those eligible for the HoF with at least 5 appearances are only Todd Christensen, Lester Hayes and Terry McDaniel.

Have retalked over the Madden issue yesterday, I just thought I'd pull this to the top ...

Also though I was reading an article about Kurt Warner on NFL.com that described him as a future Hofer. Could this really be so, after only 4 years in the league? Agreed there are a couple of SB appearances, and MVP-ships, but last year must throw some doubt on him ... and of course the longevity factor.

Ok so here's one that's just cropped up, assuming he announces his retirement.

Terrell Davis.

Here's the comment from Pete Prisco ...

"Denver running back Terrell Davis was released Thursday after telling the Broncos he could not pass their physical. Davis is leaning toward trying to play with another team, but indications are his knee troubles might be too tough a hurdle to overcome. If Davis does retire, the debate will start as to whether he's a Hall of Fame player. If one uses Gale Sayers as a comparison, he is. Sayers, who is in the Hall, had his career cut short by knee injury. He had five good seasons, rushing for 4,866 yards over that span and scoring 39 touchdowns. He did so in 64 games. Davis played in 65 games in his first five seasons, getting injured in the fourth game of his fifth season. In those 64 games, he rushed for 6,624 yards and scored 58 touchdowns. The Sayers fans will say he was a better receiver the Davis, but the reality is Davis caught more passes in that five-year span, although Sayers did have more big-play potential as a receiver (17.5-yards-per-catch average as a rookie in 1965). Sayers was also a dynamic kick returner and punt returner, which Davis was not. But if Sayers was a slam-dunk for the Hall, Davis deserves major consideration."

Davis of course also has 2 SB rings and a MVP award to his credit.

My guess is that he won't be inducted in his first year of eligibility, but that he'll have to wait for two or three. It also depends who's up there with him.