Dominating the Field: Holt’s Stellar Statistics

Torry Holt’s statistical achievements firmly establish his case for the Hall of Fame. Over his 11-year NFL career, Holt recorded an impressive 920 receptions, 13,382 receiving yards, and 74 touchdown catches. His consistency and ability to make big plays were instrumental in the success of the St. Louis Rams “Greatest Show on Turf” offense. Holt’s numbers rank him among the all-time greats in receiving yards and receptions, highlighting his exceptional production and impact on the game.

Championship Success: Holt’s Contributions to the Rams

Torry Holt played a pivotal role in the St. Louis Rams Super Bowl-winning season in 1999. As a key component of the team’s explosive offense, Holt’s dynamic playmaking ability and reliable hands made him a go-to target for quarterback Kurt Warner. His performance in Super Bowl XXXIV, where he caught seven passes for 109 yards, helped lead the Rams to their first-ever championship. Holt’s contributions to the Rams success further solidify his Hall of Fame credentials.

Holt’s Durability and Impact

Torry Holt’s consistency and longevity throughout his career are additional factors that make him a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame. He recorded eight consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, showcasing his ability to consistently produce at an elite level. Holt’s durability and reliability as a top-tier receiver made him a trusted weapon for his quarterbacks year after year. His impact extended beyond his individual numbers, as he drew attention from opposing defenses and opened up opportunities for his teammates including Isaac Bruce.

Recognition and Accolades

Torry Holt’s exceptional skills and contributions to the game have garnered respect and admiration from his peers. He was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times, a testament to the recognition he received from fellow players, coaches, and fans. Holt’s ability to consistently perform at a high level and earn the respect of those around him further cements his Hall of Fame candidacy. His impact on the field and career success make him a deserving candidate for enshrinement.

In my eyes, Holt should already be in the Hall of Fame. The only blemish to his resume (if you can call it that) is he played in 11 seasons and it may be one of the reasons why he isn’t there yet. Still, you can’t deny the impact he had on one of the greatest offenses the NFL has ever seen. It’s not a matter of if Torry Holt will make the Hall of Fame, it’s when.

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Hall of Fame Statistics

Over his 18-year career, he has thrown for 64,088 yards, with 418 touchdown passes and a passer rating of 93.5. He is the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 500 yards in three separate games. He has also led the Steelers to two Super Bowl titles and earned six Pro Bowl selections.

These numbers are no doubt impressive and put Ben Roethlisberger in the conversation for the Hall of Fame. However, Roethlisberger’s career was marked by periods of excellence followed by inconsistency. In some seasons, he was one of the most dominant quarterbacks in the league, while in others, he struggled to find his rhythm.

For example, during the 2018 season, Roethlisberger had one of the best years of his career. He threw for 5,129 yards, with 34 touchdown passes and played in all 16 games. However, the following year was a different story. In 2019, Roethlisberger was sidelined after 2 games with an elbow injury that required surgery and ended his season.

Roethlisberger’s inconsistency is one factor that could hurt his chances of being inducted into the Hall of Fame. We also can’t ignore the off the field drama that caused him to serve a 4 game suspension in 2010.

Steelers Legend

That said, we cannot ignore Roethlisberger’s impact on football. He led the Steelers for over a decade, shaping their identity as a team. Big Ben is known for making clutch plays in critical situations, and his toughness and resilience earned him respect from his peers. He was often described as a defensive player playing quarterback. Roethlisberger would often push aside would be tacklers and extend the play like none other could.

There were plenty of highlights during Roethlisberger’s career. One of his signature moments came during Super Bowl XLIII vs the Arizona Cardinals. Down three with 43 seconds to go Roethlisberger fired a dart into the corner of the end zone and Santonio Holmes made an amazing toe tap grab. It propelled the Steelers to the Super Bowl victory and was one of the greatest catches of all time.

Overall, Ben Roethlisberger’s case for the Hall of Fame is strong. His career statistics are impressive, and he has led the Steelers to multiple Super Bowl victories. He has also shown resilience and toughness, playing through injuries and overcoming adversity. However, his off-field controversies and inconsistency could hurt his chances of being inducted as a first ballot Hall of Famer.

Regardless of when Roethlisberger makes it to the Hall of Fame (and he will), there is no denying the impact he has had on the NFL and the Steelers franchise. He will be remembered as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in league history and a true warrior on the field.

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In truth, there are really only a handful of tight ends in the history of the NFL who stack up to Gronkowski. This is a handful that includes Travis Kelce, Kellen Winslow, Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez, John Mackey, and depending on your generosity, maybe one or two others. Simply put, Gronkowski is in rare company. For the sake of a relevant comparison, Kelce is the best of these names to compare to Gronkowski due to the two’s shared era.

Receiving Yards Per Game (Regular Season)

• Gronkowski – 64.9
• Kelce – 71.8

Receiving Touchdowns Per Game (Regular Season)

• Gronkowski – 0.6
• Kelce – 0.5

Kelce does have a slight edge over Gronkowski in the yardage department, but also has 1.4 more receptions per game. Despite this, Gronkowski averaged ever-so-slightly more touchdowns per game. This could symbolize a difference in the way the two tight ends were primarily utilized. Kelce, as been well-documented, tends to make up his own routes as he goes along, an innovative style of play. Gronkowski was that massive target at 6’6” that was going to go up and get the football in jump ball situations and not be denied.

Gronkowski also has those four Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, four first-team All-Pro selections, five Pro Bowl selections, and his naming to the Hall of Fame’s All-2010s Team. He’s also unlikely to ever come out of retirement again to play in the NFL, regardless of how many fans may want to see it happen. That means he’s a sure lock for induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as soon as he becomes eligible. Like other recent retirees J.J. Watt and Gronkowski’s buddy Tom Brady, that matter of eligibility is the only this keeping him out right now.

We’re talking about one of the top three or four tight ends to ever play in the NFL when it comes to Gronkowski. It’s that simple. No tight end has ever scored as many touchdowns in a single season as he did in 2011. It’s also unlikely that that single-season record will be broken any time soon. No question about it, Gronkowski is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the greatest players in the history of the NFL.

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Class of 2023 Finalists

Dwight Freeney

Freeney is one of the first year eligible players in this year’s class. The gifted pass rusher is almost certainly a first ballot hall of famer. You can find our detailed profile on him here. | Dwight Freeney Hall of Fame

Darrelle Revis

Revis is another first year eligible player and has had a storied career. During his playing days, Revis was a lock down corner often referred to as “Revis Island”. He was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL during his prime and was a pest for opposing receivers. Check out our detailed player profile on Revis here. | Darrelle Revis Hall of Fame

Joe Thomas

Thomas is the last first year eligible player in the list of finalists for 2023. The outstanding offensive tackle dominated many defensive linemen during his tenure with the Cleveland Browns. He is now a successful analyst for the NFL Network and would be a great in game analyst one day.

Devin Hester

Hester is one of the best returners the NFL has ever seen. He was explosive with the ball in his hands and gave opposing defenders nightmares while in space. He was also a complementary wide receiver for the Bears during his time but was mainly the premier special teams ace. Does Devin Hester deserve to be in the Hall of Fame? It really depends on how important voters view special teams especially with the modern changes to the kickoff rules.

Andre Johnson

When you look a the stats it’s hard not to put Johnson up there with some of the greatest wide receivers of all time. He consistently was a problem for opposing cornerbacks with his route running ability. He wasn’t the fastest or the most athletic wide receiver we have seen but he had sure hands and rarely dropped a pass. Check out our detailed profile here on whether he will make it into the Hall of Fame. | Andre Johnson Hall of Fame

Torry Holt

Holt was part of the “Greatest Show on Turf” and was a 7 time pro bowler. The speedster wide receiver caught 74 touchdowns during his career, was a first team All Pro and a Super Bowl champion. This is the 4th year that Holt is a finalist to get into the NFL Hall of Fame. Will this be the year he gets in? Personally I believe he should but in voters eyes he might not make the cut.

DeMarcus Ware

Ware is up for the 2nd time as a finalist. The big time Defensive End was a force to be reckoned with in his prime. He terrorized opposing NFC East quarterbacks with exceptional technique and strength. The former first round pick was a 9 time pro bowler and 3 time All Pro. It’s hard to ignore the stats with Ware and I think this is the year he gets in.

Reggie Wayne

This will be the 4th time Wayne is a finalist for the Hall of Fame. While he was often overlooked due to the success of Marvin Harrison you can’t ignore the stats he put up. Wayne put up 100 career touchdowns during his career and I would argue he is just right behind Harrison as one of the top receivers of all time. Is this the year Reggie Wayne makes it in? Check out our player profile to find out more. | Reggie Wayne Hall of Fame

Darren Woodson

Woodson finally makes the list in his 15th year of Hall of Fame eligibility. The talented All Pro Safety played all 12 of his seasons for the Dallas Cowboys. The hard hitting Woodson was a 3 time Super Bowl champ and ended his career as the Cowboys all time leader in tackles. He was the total package at Safety with size, speed and the ability to quickly switch position to attack the ball. In my mind Darren Woodson should be in the Hall of Fame and this is the first step.

Patrick Willis

Arguably one of the hardest hitting Linebackers we have seen, Willis makes the list in his 4th year of eligibility. His career was cut short due to injury but he was no doubt one of the top linebackers in the league during his time. Along with his supreme tackling ability he had excellent lateral quickness that allowed him to close quickly on ball carriers. Willis may not make it in to the Hall of Fame due to his short career but there is no doubt the impact he had.

Zach Thomas

This is the 4th year Thomas has made it as an HOF finalist. Will this be the year he gets in? Thomas was an integral part of the Dolphins defense from 1996-2007. He was a bulldozer of a linebacker who was a 7 time Pro Bowler. He also tallied 17 interceptions during his career.

Albert Lewis

Lewis makes the cut as a first time finalist in his 20th year of eligibility. The talented cornerback may not be a household name to the modern football fan but he certainly had a worthy career. Although he may be a longshot to make the HOF its great to see him in as a finalist.

Ronde Barber

When you think of some of the best defensive backs in history it’s hard not to think of Barber. He is the all time leader amongst cornerbacks in sacks. He was a ball hawk with great instincts and could attack the ball with ease. I think Barber will soon make it into the Hall of Fame.

Willie Anderson

Anderson was a rock on the offensive line. The former 1st round pick was a key piece of the Cincinnati Bengals during his playing career. He is arguably one of the best right tackles we have seen in the NFL.

Jared Allen

Allen was a beast on the defensive line. The charismatic defender hassled Quarterbacks in both the NFC and the AFC during his career. He was a 2 time sack leader and was first team All Pro 4 times. Allen played for 4 teams during his career and had an impact everywhere he went.

To go more in-depth on future Hall of Famers check out our Hall of Fame section here.

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In the long history of the NFL, there have been several quarterbacks who have had a good amount of success while not being the best player on their team. Phil Simms immediately comes to mind. Like Manning, Simms led the Giants to two Super Bowls in an earlier incarnation of the team. Both Giants quarterbacks led teams that were anchored by great defenses. Manning played with Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora, and Justin Tuck. Simms played with Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson.

Manning led the NFL in interceptions three times (2007, 2010, 2013). In the same career, he never led the league in touchdowns, quarterback rating, or any of the other flattering quarterback statistics. Likewise, Simms never led the league in touchdowns, and relied on his superior defense to put him in a position where he could manage the offense well enough for them to win games.

Career Averages Per Season

• Manning: 14.8 games, 305.9 completions, 507.4 attempts, 22.9 touchdowns, 15.3 interceptions
• Simms: 11.7 games, 184 completions, 331.9 attempts, 14.2 touchdowns, 11.2 interceptions

There are obviously things that draw distinctions in this statistic comparison – length of season, different standards for defensive penalties, etc. Across eras, though, Manning and Simms are both middle-of-the-road when compared to contemporaries.

Trent Dilfer won the Super Bowl in 2000, his only season with the Baltimore Ravens. The 2000 Ravens are remembered for having one of the greatest defenses in the history of the NFL. Dilfer’s job was to manage the offensive gameplan, keep mistakes at a minimum, and allow the defense to keep games winnable. He did his job well enough for the team to win a championship. Few remember him when looking back on the historic teams throughout the league timeline, but he did what he had to do.

To be fair, Manning isn’t quite Dilfer. The 2007 Super Bowl is remembered for the all-time great “helmet catch” by David Tyree after Manning escaped a New England pass rush. But when considering the totality of his career, it’s difficult to spin it in a way that leads to the Hall of Fame. He has always existed in Peyton’s shadow, which is unfair but predictable. Older brother is one of the top three or four quarterbacks in NFL history. But hey, younger brother took down the Patriots twice in the Super Bowl, so there’s that.

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Watt has led the NFL in sacks twice (20.5 in 2012, 17.5 in 2015), both of which were seasons he was the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. He has been awarded this distinction a third time, in the 2014 season. As a three-time winner of the award, he’s in truly elite company. The only other players in league history to have done this are Lawrence Taylor and Aaron Donald. What’s more, the only players to have won the award twice are Joe Greene, Ray Lewis, Mike Singletary, Reggie White, and all-time sack leader Bruce Smith.

Smith, White, Greene, and Donald are among the greatest defensive linemen in NFL history. So, too, is Watt.

Number of Seasons with 10+ sacks:

• Smith – 13
• White – 12
• Greene – 1
• Donald – 6
• Watt – 5

Number of Seasons with 20+ sacks:

• Smith – 0
• White – 1
• Greene – 0
• Donald – 1
• Watt – 2

Even more impressively, Watt is the only player in league history to officially record at least 20 sacks in more than one season. The great Deacon Jones, of course, accomplished this as well, three times as a matter of fact, although “unofficially.” This leaves Watt’s credentials for the Hall of Fame nearly impossible to deny. But his abilities as a sack master are equaled by his abilities in running down other plays behind the line of scrimmage.

In each of his Defensive Player of the Year seasons, Watt has led the NFL in tackles for loss (39 in 2012, 29 in 2014 and 2015). Tackles for loss has only officially been a league statistic since 1999, but since that time there is only one player who has recorded more than Watt: Terrell Suggs. Among active players, he’s number one, notably ahead of Calais Campbell, who has played longer, and Von Miller.

Watt’s prominence in all factors of the game easily places him among the greatest defensive players in the history of the NFL. The only question remaining about his place in the Hall of Fame is when exactly it will come. 2022 has arguably been his best individual season since 2018, so it isn’t inconceivable that he puts together a couple of more solid seasons in his career before either retiring or being relegated to a lesser role. But he’s a Hall of Famer without question.

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Over the course of his 12-year career, LeSean McCoy was one of the most electric players in the NFL. The best years of his career were spent with the Philadelphia Eagles, and through those six seasons, he had at least 1,000 rushing yards in four of them. He led the league in rushing touchdowns (17) in 2011 and in rushing yards (1,607), rushing yards per game (100.4), and yards from scrimmage (2,146) in 2013. But are these accomplishments enough to get him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

McCoy was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2010s All-Decade Team as one of four running backs, alongside Marshawn Lynch, Adrian Peterson, and Frank Gore. Lynch and Peterson played in 108 and 118 games respectively. Gore played 153 games and McCoy played in 144 games in the 2010s, and so a comparison of the two becomes more relevant for looking at McCoy’s Hall of Fame potential.

Frank Gore 2010s Stats

• 978.6 rushing yards per season
• 4.7 rushing touchdowns per season
• 206.5 receiving yards per season
• 1.1 receiving touchdowns per season

LeSean McCoy 2010s Stats

• 1,043.4 rushing yards per season
• 6.9 rushing touchdowns per season
• 348.9 receiving touchdowns per season
• 1.6 receiving touchdowns per season.

Gore was a model of consistency at the running back position over the course of his career. He was never going to set the world on fire with his style of play. He never led the NFL in rushing yards or rushing touchdowns in his career, though he did have at least 1,000 rushing yards in nine seasons. McCoy, on the other hand, was a more explosive and versatile running back, capable of making tough plays in the passing game in addition to his abilities running the ball.

McCoy is 22^nd on the NFL’s all-time rushing list, the majority of those above him on the list are in the Hall of Fame. A couple of notable exceptions are Fred Taylor (#17), Steven Jackson (#18), and Corey Dillon (#20). It can be difficult to draw the line between running backs who are worthy of the Hall of Fame and running backs who were just really good.

Career Rushing Touchdowns

• Dillon: 82
• Jackson: 69
• Taylor: 66
• McCoy: 73

Is there enough in McCoy’s resumé to distinguish himself from these contemporaries? It’s difficult to find what sets him apart, ultimately, from these other running backs. The last running back inducted in the Hall of Fame was Edgerrin James, a running back whose resumé exists on a different level than any of these other running backs. McCoy was a really good running back, even great at times. But a Hall of Fame standard just isn’t met with him.

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By: Jake Rajala

Before Odell Beckham Jr brought swag & talent to the NFC East, Dez Bryant was throwing up the x and haunting opponents. Bryant merely notched 561 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie season, but he proved that he was born in the darkness by unveiling 1,382 yards and 12 TDs in his third season. Bryant made his first Pro Bowl in his fourth season (2013) by hauling 1,233 yds & 13 TDs. The Boys play-maker that was prioritized over Demarco Murray recorded a personal-best 16 TDs in 2014, earning him first-team All-Pro honors.

Bryant only garnered one PB nod between 2015, 2016, & 2017 (which came in 2016). Unfortunately, Bryant Achilles heel was that he unfortunately missed the entire 2018 season due to an Achilles injury. Despite him not taking a snap with Who Dat Nation in 2018, his teammates once “threw up the X” to honor his legacy in a contest. It was clear that Bryant was a shell of himself after the injury. He didn’t sign and compete in the 2019 season and then he only registered 47 yards and two touchdowns in 2020.

Ultimately, Bryant was a routinely significant weapon for one of the most beloved NFL franchises in the league in his playing days. With that enunciated, an intriguing question clouds over Bryant: Is Bryant a future Hall of Famer?

I believe the answer to the prior question is honestly a “no”. Like Desean Jackson, Bryant was an authentic, imposing WR in the NFC East around 2012, but he wasn’t constantly a top-end WR — as he only made one AP team. Furthermore, he wasn’t a quality, stud over a long span at a skill position (just as Frank Gore was). Similar to OBJ and Josh Gordan, he was certainly a polarizing wideout. Although, I would place his career success below Beckham Jr. & above Gordon, and I repeatedly conclude that the Super Bowl-less WR doesn’t deserve to be cast into Canton.

On a side note, I don’t foresee Bryant (or Adrian Peterson) being scooped up by another NFL team.

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By: Jake Rajala

The once prominent Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb hung up his cleats in the 2013 off-season. McNabb really had an impressive stretch between 2000 & 2004 — as he recorded four seasons of 11+ wins in that span. Furthermore, the former Syracuse signal-caller made the Pro Bowl in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004. It’s impossible to forget that McNabb reached the big dance in the 2004-2005 season (although, he lost to Tom Brady in the showdown).

McNabb made another PB with Philly in 2009 and then proceeded to play w/ Washington in 2010 & Minnesota in 2011. Ultimately, McNabb was once recognized as a game-wrecker, an MVP candidate (as he took second place in MVP voting in 2000), and he even reached the Super Bowl stage — which Tony Romo can’t say. With that said, an intriguing question clouds over McNabb: Is he a future Hall of Famer?

Contrary to fans that bleed green, white, and black, and the Invincible film, I don’t believe McNabb is bound to garner a gold jacket. Despite steamrolling his foes with Big Red (aka Andy Reid) in the early 2000s, he struggled to stay healthy after 2004 (and he actually only played in one 16-game season after 2004).

Due to his somewhat cliff jump in the back end of his career, he didn’t finish with the sexiest career statistics: 37,276 passing yards, 234 passing touchdowns (which is behind Andy Dalton). He deserves props for reaching the grand stage, but he still wasn’t able to muster out a Lombardi trophy — which could somewhat override a lack of his overall production. McNabb deserves to be seen as one of the best Eagles QBs in NFL history, but he doesn’t deserve to be cast into Canton.

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By: Brock Wells

Brandon Marshall was one of the most dependable wide receivers in the NFL for a good portion of his 13-year career. He had at least 1,000 receiving yards for seven consecutive seasons between 2007 and 2013. Arguably his best season, though, was in 2015 for the New York Jets, when he led the NFL in receiving touchdowns (14) and scrimmage yards per touch (13.8). But is he a Hall of Famer? Was he that much better than other wide receivers of his generation to warrant that honor?

Marshall put in a number of great seasons with the Denver Broncos, the Miami Dolphins, and the Chicago Bears. As good as he was throughout these seasons, he never played a single down in the postseason. Nevertheless, he made six Pro Bowl appearances and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2012. His resumé resembles that of”¦ A.J. Green.

Pro Bowl Selections:

• Brandon Marshall: 6
• A.J. Green: 7

1,000-yard Receiving Seasons:

• Brandon Marshall: 8
• A.J. Green: 6

Like Marshall, Green had a period of time in which he was one of the NFL’s best wide receivers. But where is the line drawn between the Hall of Fame and the imaginable Hall of Very Good? The difference is in how much a player exhibits control over the league.

Number of Seasons Leading the League in Receiving Yards:

• Brandon Marshall: 0
• A.J. Green: 0
• Calvin Johnson: 2

Number of Seasons Leading the League in Receiving Touchdowns:

• Brandon Marshall: 1
• A.J. Green: 0
• Larry Fitzgerald: 2
• Terrell Owens: 3\

This is the separation. Marshall and Green in one grouping; Johnson, Fitzgerald, and Owens in another. You also have other factors here separating these groups. Johnson is arguably the most physically dominant wide receiver in NFL history. Fitzgerald is one of the greatest postseason performers in NFL history. Owens’s explosiveness is the stuff of legend. The best thing you can say about Marshall is that he performed at a high level for a long period of time. There’s nothing about him that elevates his profile to the positioning of these other all-time great wide receivers.

There has to be a threshold for electing members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Allowing a player like Brandon Marshall in, as good and consistent as he was, makes the requirements for making the Hall of Fame less stringent than they should be. There’s nothing wrong with being elected to the imaginary Hall of Very Good.

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