Why Didn't Cris Carter Make the HOF?

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Those that really know me are well aware of my loyalties regarding my sports teams. When it comes to college football, I really do bleed maize and blue. And you may find it hard to believe that I'm going to make a case for a Buckeye being in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Yes, this Wolverine will buck for Cris Carter.

I'm calling shenanigans.

I don't get it and I have nothing against any of those that did make the final cut. I understand that those in the class up for induction can and usually does have something bearing on who's in and who's not, but this is getting to the point of being completely ludicrous.

Sure, CC left OSU under shady circumstances. Sure, CC made some mistakes upon coming into the NFL. He has more than atoned for those. He speaks every year at the rookie symposium for the NFL. He tells the incoming guys of what awaits their status as an NFL player.

I know that alone can't lead to Carter's induction and I firmly believe that he will inevitably get the nod. I just didn't think he would still be waiting.

It's always a thing to compare Carter's numbers to those of other wide receivers that are already enshrined. And I will be no different. No, I didn't dig into the bowels of the books to find three guys to compare. I picked three receivers that were excellent players and all deserving of election, in my ever so humble opinion, Steve Largent, James Lofton and Art Monk.

Player	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
Carter	1,101	13,899	130
Steve Largent	819	13,809	100
James Lofton	764	14,004	75
Art Monk	940	12,721	79

First off, the three I chose had different "reputations" than Carter. Largent was primarily viewed as a possession receiver. Lofton, in his early days, was a deep threat. Monk was considered an excellent clutch receiver. Carter was a bit Largent and a bit Monk...to me.

The last column is the one that jumps out at you concerning Carter. As Chris Berman would say "all he does is catch touchdowns". True. In fact, Cater is 4th all-time in TD catches. Only Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens and Randy Moss have more.

You also see Carter had 161 more receptions than the next closest of those I have listed here. And don't let that fool you either. He ranks 3rd in that department trailing only Rice and Marvin Harrison on carer receptions.

Well, then it has to be the receiving yards. Only Lofton has more among my three "comps" and Carter is 8th all-time there. Numbers-wise, he matches up well. In fact, exceptionally well.

So, I went a step further with my number crunching. I didn't go too far, but I believe you will get more of an appreciation for Carter here. Some do, but apparently, not enough do.

Player	Games	Rec/GM	Yds/GM	TD/GM
Carter	234	4.71	59.4	0.56
Largent	200	4.10	65.4	0.50
Lofton	233	3.28	60.1	0.32
Monk	224	4.20	56.8	0.35

When I first was constructing this table, I couldn't believe that Largent averaged more yards a game then any of the others. But look at the other two game averages, receptions per game and touchdowns per game. Carter has the highest average.

With the way numbers get crunched these days, it can be a tad confusing. I'm not going there either. Game averages can say plenty about the effectiveness of a player. Carter holds up to those.

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I know what you might be thinking. Why didn't he list Jerry Rice's numbers? Was there really a need? It's common thought that Rice is the greatest receiver to ever play the game. I concur, but in comparing the overall numbers, Carter does hold up to Rice's numbers.

As I said early on, I do feel Carter will one day deserve the proper respect and be granted election. I mean, Art Monk was a finalist seven times before finally being recognized.

I only hope CC doesn't have that long of a wait. He was too damn good.