A regular feature profiling each of the 17 candidates for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.Name: Thurman Thomas
Position: Running back
Career: 1988-99 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Miami Dolphins
Pros: Led NFL in total yards from scrimmage a record four consecutive seasons. Most Valuable Player, 1991. Would have been the MVP of Super Bowl XXV if Scott Norwood had made his last-second field goal.
Cons: Never led the league in rushing. Had some notable mistakes in the Bills' other Super Bowls, from a costly fumble to a lost helmet.
Verdict: Watching Super Bowl XXV again last week on NFL Network, I was blown away by Thomas's speed, agility, and understanding of his role in the Bills' complex offense. This is the easiest pick on the board, and I'm stunned that Thomas didn't get in last year, his first year of eligibility. He gets a vote of YES.
Previous votes:
NO: Richard Dent, Fred Dean, Ray Guy, Michael Irvin, Bob Kuechenberg, Art Monk, Andre Reed, Charlie Sanders
YES: Russ Grimm, Gene Hickerson, Bruce Matthews, Paul Tagliabue
Note: By rule, the Hall of Fame must induct between three and six new members.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-29-2007 @ 7:14AM
Jamie Mottram said...
The lost helmet against the Skins was terrific, but I agree, Thurman's a HOFer.
Reply
1-29-2007 @ 7:44AM
Noel said...
He didn't have a Hall of Fame attitude. I feel like character should play a part.
Reply
1-29-2007 @ 7:45PM
Tim Burns said...
From a lifelong Cowboys fan: Jim Kelly (HOF 2002), Andre Reed and Thurman Thomas all belong in the Hall of Fame. I would include Cornelius Bennett, (two-time AFC Defensive Player of the Year, five Super Bowl appearances and five-time Pro Bowler). That early 90's Bills squad will never get the attention it deserves because they lost all those Super Bowls. I think part of their offensive line, ("House" Ballard, maybe?), and Darryl Talley might get consideration also.
You're a complete tool for saying "no" to Reed and "yes" to Thomas. I'm glad you're not an actual voter, but I'm afraid some of them are worse idiots than bloggers.
Reply
1-30-2007 @ 12:19PM
Pacifist Viking said...
I'm also stunned Thomas didn't get in last year. Even as a contemporary of Sanders and Smith, he led the league in yards from scrimmage four years.
People fixate on rushing yards/titles too much. Yards from scrimmage is a great indicator of how much a RB is helping his team win--especially somebody like Thomas who was used as a rusher-receiver combo so effectively in that offense.
Reply
2-04-2007 @ 3:45AM
M said...
Congratulations to Thurman T, he absoutely deserves the recognition. As a long-time Bills fan have to say he was one of the Best! Thurman was a thrill to watch, professional and seemed like such a nice guy. Thurman, am so thrilled you finally get the accolades you always, always deserved.
Reply