Should Roger Craig be in the HOF?

[oplum29]

i'm sure this topic has come up several times in previous threads, but it's a question about one player that i hope merits it's own separate debate.

Roger Craig, RB, 49ers (Vikings and Raiders)

when you look at his accomplishments, to me, they speak everything that you think of, when you think HOF.

if you do a quick Google search and type in "what is a hall of famer", it reads:

"a person recognized as one of the top performers in a particular activity, especially a sport."

When you look at Roger Craig, you cannot deny his accomplishments to the game, and how he revolutionized the game of football, and the position of running back (even while he was listed as a fullback for good chunk of his career).

- 3X Super Bowl Champ
- NFL Offensive Player of the Year
- 4X Pro Bowler
- 1st team All-Pro 1985
- All Decade team 1980s

Craig was the first 1,000 yard rusher and receiver in NFL History. He opened the door for RBs to be dual threats out of the backfield.

Craig led the NFL in receptions one season with 92, which has been done less than a handful of times in the NFL's existence. Craig broke 2,000 yards combines (rushing and receiving) twice, and was the first player to score 3 TDs in a Super Bowl. He was the first RB to ever break 100-yards receiving in a Super Bowl.

He opened the door for guys like Duke Johnson, James White, Ekler, Kevin Faulk, and even Reggie Bush, these dual-threat RBs that teams are always trying to find around the league.

A HOFer is supposed to leave an impact on the game right? he's supposed to change the game right? he's supposed to have done something for the good of the game right?

So why isn't Roger Craig in the HOF? Terrell Davis was awesome, but only played 7 seasons, 4 good seasons, 3 amazing. But he's in the HOF. Craig played 11 seasons, never missed the playoffs, and honestly, was probably the missing piece to the 49ers offensive puzzle that lacked that second gear. it's not a coincidence that the 49ers won 3 more SBs in the decade once Craig showed up (among other players being added like Rice, Taylor, Young, and Rathman on offense).

it wasn't all Montana and Rice like people like to argue, it was Montana-Rice-Taylor, and Craig. he was such a killer to a defense and created so many match-up problems, it took an amazing defense (like the Giants), to really KO the 49ers in the 80s (the Giants beat the 49ers 3X in the playoffs and the Vikings and Redskins once).

i like that the NFL voters have seemed to reward these dynasties lately by voting in players who were instrumental to their run, guys like Richard Seymour and Terrell Davis, but what about Craig?

i know he's been a finalist, but my question is, should Roger Craig be in the HOF?

[Siberian13]

I voted no. Hall of pretty good though

[oldgoldy97]

He’s not? I thought he was and I thought it would be a given he was in.

[49erRCCollector]

I’m biased. I’d like him in, but I see the argument against it. Special player, though.

[TimBuckTwo]

Stud.

[jplarson]

Yes he should.

[TheFrenzy]

Proto-Marshall Faulk.

Sure.

[Retired hobbist]

He's the last "great fullback" too. His numbers are borderline as guys with better lifetime numbers aren't even discussed with serious hall of fame consideration so where does that leave Craig?

[majestik101]

Hall of Very Good just like Siberian's favorite players Matt Ryan and Mike Evans

Originally Posted by Retired hobbist

He's the last "great fullback" too.

Not Mike Alstott or Daryl Johnston or even Lorenzo Neal?

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[wood minis]

He will get in.

[rman112]

Originally Posted by wood minis

He will get in.

Yep. Eventually.

[mfw13]

Without a doubt, he was a player who transformed his position and the way the game is played.

However, the flip side is that his peak was only 7-8 seasons.

He had a total of 13,000 yards from scrimmage....how does that compare to other RB's who have been elected?

[whoshotjr]

I think his stats suffer a bit since the 49er offense of the era. From having watched the GB version of the same offense, it was more like a 2 HB offense with a lot shared touches.

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

[CanadianKid]

I am shocked to learn he isn't.

[Retired hobbist]

Originally Posted by majestik101

Hall of Very Good just like Siberian's favorite players Matt Ryan and Mike Evans




Not Mike Alstott or Daryl Johnston or even Lorenzo Neal?

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They never accumulated his stats. When he did 1k/1K he did this as true full time fullback not a part time fullback/tailback.

If you don't get eye popping stats you don't have a realistic shot at making Canton.

It doesn't seem like the voters are changing the criteria for fullbacks or Neal and Moose would have a realistic shot at making it.

[Gustomania]

Agree, He was a beast and IMO should be in, as a Niner fan I don’t see how Joe Perry is in and not Craig.

Originally Posted by mfw13

Without a doubt, he was a player who transformed his position and the way the game is played.

However, the flip side is that his peak was only 7-8 seasons.

He had a total of 13,000 yards from scrimmage....how does that compare to other RB's who have been elected?

[JWBlue]

I do not think of him as a HOF player. Certainly a really good one.

[oplum29]

Originally Posted by JWBlue

I do not think of him as a HOF player. Certainly a really good one.

i get what you're saying, but when you see the resume, to me, it screams out HOF player. All-Decade team, set the bar as a real hybrid type of football player, and instrumental part of a dynasty...how can he not be in?

how can Terrell Davis be in but not Roger Craig?

[ReggieBush22]

Football is the most conservative amongst the major 3 sports in terms of HOF induction but the veteran committee has a tendency to induct guys 50 years later out of nostalgia, and Craig might be one of them.

But absolutely NOT is Craig a HOFer. His body of work just isn't great enough. Yes, he had some great peaks like the 1,000/1,000 yd season, 2 2,000+ yd scrimmage seasons, a 1,500+ yd rushing season and 3 SBs but if you let him in, you have to let in like 8-10 other RBs. Why not Jamal Lewis or Chris Johnson, who each rushed for 2,000 yards? Fred Taylor, who has almost 12,000 yards?

[Grid]

Only replying to the constant use of "He was on the All Decade team"

He was on the 2nd team. 26 votes for each position are cast. Walter Payton got 23 1/2 of them for all RB's eligible. Craig got 5.

Jimbo Covert was the last All Decade team (1st team) to get into the Hall. And like nearly every year prior and after, the other first teamers are in the Hall as well, with the exception of kick and punt returners.

Being First Team All Decade is typically a lock for the hall. Second team, not so much...

Your 1980's second team (Like Rodger Craig) includes Non-HOFers such as Bill Fralic, Keith Millard, Dave Butz, Carl Banks, John Anderson, Frank Minnifield, Deron Cherry, Nolan Cromwell & Joey Browner. Just to name some, and that is with me not posting the special teamers.

I am a huge NFL fame, and even I don't know most of those players. 2nd team is weak sauce.

[Retired hobbist]

Originally Posted by Grid

Only replying to the constant use of "He was on the All Decade team"

He was on the 2nd team. 26 votes for each position are cast. Walter Payton got 23 1/2 of them for all RB's eligible. Craig got 5.

Jimbo Covert was the last All Decade team (1st team) to get into the Hall. And like nearly every year prior and after, the other first teamers are in the Hall as well, with the exception of kick and punt returners.

Being First Team All Decade is typically a lock for the hall. Second team, not so much...

Your 1980's second team (Like Rodger Craig) includes Non-HOFers such as Bill Fralic, Keith Millard, Dave Butz, Carl Banks, John Anderson, Frank Minnifield, Deron Cherry, Nolan Cromwell & Joey Browner. Just to name some, and that is with me not posting the special teamers.

I am a huge NFL fame, and even I don't know most of those players. 2nd team is weak sauce.

It's a bit different for running backs as that's a deep glamour position(especially in this run first era).

[Grid]

Originally Posted by Retired hobbist

It's a bit different for running backs as that's a deep glamour position(especially in this run first era).

Not really. And certainly not in that era. Your leading rushers each season were guys like Gerald Riggs, James Wilder & Freeman McNeil.

I mean, in 1982 someone named Freeman McNeil lead the league in rushing, with 786 yards.

Your glamour boys are all in the Hall of Fame. I'm more shocked Craig made the 2nd team at all. I mean, can anyone argue that he was a better back than Marcus Allen or Tony Dorsett?

Craig was more of a product of the West Coast offense. It really did keep the rest of the league on their toes when they rolled that out. Walsh was a genius.

Not putting Roger down at all. He was a great back, and came on at the right time. I was just pointing out that the All Pro Team is set, and you already have 2 RBs on it Payton and Dickerson) Being on the second team is not the crowning achievement some would have you believe. Which is why I pointed out so many No-Namers for other positions.

[Retired hobbist]

Originally Posted by Grid

Not really. And certainly not in that era. Your leading rushers each season were guys like Gerald Riggs, James Wilder & Freeman McNeil.

I mean, in 1982 someone named Freeman McNeil lead the league in rushing, with 786 yards.

Your glamour boys are all in the Hall of Fame. I'm more shocked Craig made the 2nd team at all. I mean, can anyone argue that he was a better back than Marcus Allen or Tony Dorsett?

Craig was more of a product of the West Coast offense. It really did keep the rest of the league on their toes when they rolled that out. Walsh was a genius.

Not putting Roger down at all. He was a great back, and came on at the right time. I was just pointing out that the All Pro Team is set, and you already have 2 RBs on it Payton and Dickerson) Being on the second team is not the crowning achievement some would have you believe. Which is why I pointed out so many No-Namers for other positions.

I think it was strike shortened season and McNeil was very good but faded quickly or he could be a borderline candidate.

[ReggieBush22]

Originally Posted by Grid

Only replying to the constant use of "He was on the All Decade team"

He was on the 2nd team. 26 votes for each position are cast. Walter Payton got 23 1/2 of them for all RB's eligible. Craig got 5.

Jimbo Covert was the last All Decade team (1st team) to get into the Hall. And like nearly every year prior and after, the other first teamers are in the Hall as well, with the exception of kick and punt returners.

Being First Team All Decade is typically a lock for the hall. Second team, not so much...

Your 1980's second team (Like Rodger Craig) includes Non-HOFers such as Bill Fralic, Keith Millard, Dave Butz, Carl Banks, John Anderson, Frank Minnifield, Deron Cherry, Nolan Cromwell & Joey Browner. Just to name some, and that is with me not posting the special teamers.

I am a huge NFL fame, and even I don't know most of those players. 2nd team is weak sauce.

How the hell did Craig get 2nd team all decade over Dickerson, Allen or Dorsett? I'm assuming he met some minimum games played requirement? Anyways, he wasn't even in the same class as those guys.

[duwal]

as a Niners fan that grew up watching him and got his autographs several times upon opening this thread up it was an easy click no for me. Very good player, nice hands for a running back but he even with the scrimmage yards he was never really a dominant guy in the league.

3x Super Bowl champ (he was effective in all three but sure that had nothing to do with the hofers on the team)

first team all-Pro once

3 times he finished in top 10 in league for rushing (3rd, 8th and 10th)

73 career touchdowns (97th alltime), never had a season where he reached 10 rushing touchdowns

only time led league in any stat was in receptions in 1985



he was a nice piece for the Niners and absolutely changed how some running backs were used greatly but I just can't see how I could give him a hall of fame vote