The question on the dockett today is whether or not one of the seven players to reach 2000 rushing yards in a season belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That may sound like a slam dunk case for Jamal Lewis, but this is actually not so simple.
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While Lewis was great for a handful of seasons, his career resume lacks the longevity of a Hall of Fame player. After his 2,066 yard 2003 campaign he was never the same. Lewis had a ten-year career but the start was significantly better than the end.
Lewis is one of those players who sits on the border. He had 10,607 rushing yards and 58 rushing touchdowns. His carrer rushing average was 4.2 yards per carry. These are stats that indicate an amazing career. Yet with these stats, can we hold Lewis to the ridiculously high standards of the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Just imagine what kind of career Lewis could have had if the Ravens could have used him just a little less, or at least a little help. Emitt Smith had Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin. Jamal Lewis had a batch of bad quarterbacks and no star receivers ever around him. Lewis was a great running back and because of that he was asked to carry an entire offense.
Opening the door for Lewis was the induction of Jerome Bettis. Bettis had more of longevity but never had the wowing ability of number 31. In 13 seasons Bettis rushed for 13,662 yards. He averaged an awfully average 3.9 yards per carry. He had 937 more rushes than Lewis and only ended up with 3,055 more yards. If Lewis had 937 more attempts in his career (at his career yards per carry) he would have more yards than Bettis.
Lewis took a beating and his career was shortened because of it. Remember Lewis was hurt in 2002, so he really on had nine seasons. Does it really matter that it was not sustained for a longer time?
What Lewis did in the prime was unreal. He was such a ferocious rusher. With a full head of steam he was a freight train. At the peak of his career he did things that were extraordinary. He was one of the best backs of all time.
My argument is simple. Jerome Bettis is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Lewis was a better rusher than Bettis. If Bettis is a Hall of Fame player than so is Lewis.
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On face value Lewis was a great running back. He had seven seasons over 1,000 yards. He had one of the greatest seasons in NFL history, on an offense that had no other option. With over 10,000 yards on his resume, Lewis has a strong case for induction on the Pro Football Hall of Fame. What do you think? Be sure to join the conversation in social media and feel free to leave a comment!