Checking the Numbers: PatsColts Game Week 9Denver Broncos runningback Terrell Davis(30) slips the tackle attempt by Cincinnati Bengals safety Greg Meyers as he breaks into the secondary to pickup a first down during the second quarter of their game at Denver Mile High Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 21, 1997. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)

Over the past couple of years, I have analyzed some of the top running backs in NFL history, both on Checking the Numbers (here)and at Behind the Steel Curtain(here and here). In each of these analyses, I Authentic Joe Thomas Jersey have shown that, on a per game basis, Terrell Davis was one of the top RBs in NFL history. In some analyses he showed up as a top 3 player, but in all he was at least top 10. The knock on him has been that he did not play long enough for serious www.nikeclevelandbrownsstore.com/Authentic-Joe-Thomas-Jersey consideration, although for a 4 year stretch, he was every bit as good at Emmitt Smith and very close to Barry Sanders. So, as I did recently for Hines Ward, I am going to look at how Terrell Davis playoff numbers compare with other greats in NFL history.

Unlike Hines, Davis does not have the total numbers or the longevity to solidify his Hall of Fame argument. And, up until recently, I could not find anywhere that showed player rankings in terms of playoff yardage, TDs, etc. There are only six such players, including Terrell Davis. The list is shown below.

Looking over these lists, it clear to me that Terrell Davis deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Every other player on this list is a HOFer, and he is first in every category on a per game basis. While it true that he never made the playoffs after John Elway retirement, that seems to be a specious argument since he was injured early the following season. It seems that if Davis injury had occurred one year later and he had similar production after Elway retirement, he likely would be in the Hall already. But, because he had only 4 productive years, his candidacy is damaged. And, it quite likely that the main reason for his injury was due to his workload late in Elway finalseason (see a good Joe Thomas Youth Jersey article on PFR Blog about why certain types of rushing attemps are more damaging than others).

Certainly, one www.nikeclevelandbrownsstore.com could argue that his career was too short, and he didn ever do anything after Elway left, but IMO, the level of playoff dominance by Davis for those 23 years should be enough to get him in. If another running back had two seasons like Davis two SB seasons, with 5 years of 1100 yards or so rushing each year sandwiched in between those two SBs, and had the playoff numbers that Davis has, that running back would certainly be a HOFer.

December 3, 2009 at 10:35 pm Reply

An excellent analysis. I agree with Slappy. What is not widely remembered is that during TD magical 2000 yard rushing season in he was pulled out of games early because of the huge leads built up by the Broncosnearly 8 quarters (2 games). Had he played for entire games during that season he quite possibly would have broken Eric Dickerson rushing record. That he had to rush for 170 yards in the last game of the season to pass the 2000 yard barrier (he had 178 yds) seems to be forgotten, too.

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Could the Gophers have a pass rushing tandem that will put pressure on opposing Big Ten quarterbacks?

It too early to know for sure, but starting defensive ends Michael Amaefula and Thieren Cockran have been www.nikeclevelandbrownsstore.com developing their chemistry this spring. Amaefula, a sophomore from Arlington, Texas, led Maroon team with four tackles, including two sacks, in a 30 victory over the Gold team in the spring game Saturday, April 21, at TCF Bank Stadium. Cockran, a 6foot6, 235pound redshirt freshman fromFlorida, had three tackles.

came out with a goal that we didn want to make any mistakes and show that we really progressed over the spring, Amaefula said. with (Cockran) is really great because he versatile on the other side. When you got two guys with (speed), it harder for you to double team. When you got mantoman coverage, then you got a win. That what we thrive on. after starting four games as a true freshman in 2011, the 62, 245pound Amaefula knew he was far from consistent. He finished the season with 1 1/2 sacks, with one sack coming against Miami (Ohio) before Big Ten play.

He looks forward to proving he a different player this year.

feel more confident because last year I was more into thinking, Amaefula said. was thinking a lot about the play and the mistakes. If I made a mistake, I Josh Gordon Black Jersey was afraid he was going to take me out. Now I into the flow of the defense, I know everything that coming. I can just sit down, relax and play a little nikeclevelandbrownsstore.com/Authentic-Josh-Gordon-Jersey more. Wilhite as the starter, but he still considers him one of the leaders of the defensive line. look up to both of them, and they help us out when we have problems. They great people and individuals to look up to. finished with one tackle in the spring game. Wilhite was out with an undisclosed injury. Defensive ends Matt Garin (two tackles for loss) and Gavin Bronson (three tackles and a sack) also stood out.

Sophomore running back Donnell Kirkwood had limited reps after coming off a recent hamstring injury. But he still finished with five carries for 25 yards for the Gold team.

Kirkwood said he was disappointed a little because he didn play more, but felt good to know I could just go out there and run full speed without thinking about it. of the attention this spring was on junior college transfer James Gillum, but he finished with just three carries for 6 yards. Sophomores David Cobb (knee) and Devon Wright (hamstring) were out with injuries.

The leading rusher on both sides was redshirt freshman JoJuan Harper, who had nine carries for 44 yards. The 510, 195pound Harper transferred from North Dakota State College of Science but didn play football.

showed up today, Kirkwood said. got a little couple things to learn, but he a good running back. We all got a little something to learn from each one of us. I don even think it matters who is the starter. You have Cole (Banham), who is the scat back. James is like the allaround back. I kind of the power back. David is like a (Houston Texans running back) Arian Fostertype guy. Devon is just a pure athlete. We all bring something to the table. Junior kicker Chris Hawthorne had the only score of the game on a 21yard field goal, but he also missed from 43 and 48 yards. It was a much different performance from last season, when he nailed two field goals in his Gophers debut, including a 50yarder. But Kill said Hawthorne struggled because he had a different holder when the teams were split for the game.

Players still might switch sides during the game because of depth issues due to injuries. But it certainly appears that the Maroon team consistsof many starters, while Josh Gordon Jersey White the Gold teamis mostly reserves.

It interesting that starting quarterback MarQueis Gray is backed up by freshman Mitch Leidner on the Maroon team. I was expecting Gray reps to be limited to give opportunity to sophomoreMax Shortell or freshmanPhilip Nelson, who are both battling for the No. 2 spot. But Shortell and Nelson are on theGold team. Looks like Gray could be playing more than coach Jerry Kill hinted earlier this week.

Running back James Gillum, a junior college transfer, could have a big day on the ground if he gets a lot of carries on the Maroon team. David Cobb is also on the squad, but he likely be out with a knee injury. Gillum is the only running back competing for playing time who has been able to stay healthy.

Another Pizza Hut Wabash Valley Classic is history and, once again, was a smashing success.

Great is the only word to describe the event: great games, great players, great teams, great coaches, great fans, great sportsmanship.

Kudos go to Gary Fears and his people first of all for starting the tournament and for sponsorship and organization. And thanks to Women's Craig Robertson Jersey all of the folks at Terre Haute South for all the hours they spent during holiday break as host school.

All of the teams will resume regularseason action this week in Indiana and Illinois. Not many teams www.nikeclevelandbrownsstore.com/Authentic-Craig-Robertson-Jersey have the tough schedule that awaits CaseyWestfield.

To backtrack, the Warriors played two ranked teams prior to the Classic, then met Rockville, the No. 1 Class A team in Indiana, in their tourney opener, and faced Linton, another ranked team going into the Classic.

Coach Steve Hawkins 83 team will face unbeaten Newton on Friday, a very good St. JoeOgden team on Saturday and then will play Robinson on Tuesday.

Linton, Shakamak and Clay City which played in the North Daviess Classic all will be their second tournament in as many weeks, competing in the Greene County Invitational.

Linton and Eastern share the favorite roles but other teams very well could reign as champ come Saturday night.

It Indiana State moved up quite a bit in the Sagarin college basketball rankings following their success in the Diamond Head Classic and could move up again this week after beating Illinois State.

The Sycamores were at 105 in the Dec. 27 list. Some other figures: Arizona 6, Indiana 9, Creighton 12, Wichita State 19, Illinois 23, San Diego State 28, Illinois State 29, Butler 37, Northern Iowa 93, Bradley 103, Evansville 124, Purdue 138, Southern Illinois 145, Drake 147.

The Charlotte Bobcats ended their 18game NBA losing streak Monday, beating Chicago 9181.

Tim Tetrick is the Harness Driver of the Year for the third time. Some of his first races were at the fairs in Illinois.

Boise State has decided to stay in the Mountain West Conference in football instead of being in the Big East.

Former Indiana State cage assistant Jerry Hoover is in his fourth decade of coaching basketball. He is the coach of the Logansport boys team.

John Gagliardi has decided to retire from coaching football. He won 489 games in 60 seasons at St. John in Minnesota, an NCAA Division III school.

With all the NFL coaches being fired, you can almost bet some team officials will be contacting Bruce Arians, who was the interim coach for most of the Indianapolis Colts improbable run to the postseason.

He certainly should be one of the team many candidates for NFL honors.

Mt. Carmel (Ill.) junior Tyra Buss is the leading prep girls basketball scorer in www.nikeclevelandbrownsstore.com the country. She averaging about 37 points per game.

Northwestern football team got its first bowl victory Craig Robertson Jersey White on Tuesday since 1949, when the Wildcats won in the Rose Bowl. Since then, they had lost nine in a row going into their game with Mississippi State.

Ben Davis is the early leader in Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference boys basketball standings with a 20 mark. Lawrence North and Carmel both are 10 and Terre Haute South is in fourth at 11 going into its game with Warren Central.

Center Grove is in first place in the MIC girls standings at 30. North Central and Lawrence North are both 20.