According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, former St. Louis Rams head coach Mike Martz believes that two of his star wide receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce should have been 2016 Hall of Fame finalists over the likes of both Terrell Owens and Marvin Harrison:
"“Had they promoted themselves, which was contrary to everything we were about, they’d probably get in without an issue,” Martz said. “Had they pulled a T.O., they’re probably get in without an issue. That’s just not who we were.”“If they big-timed it and did all that dumb stuff, they’d probably get in earlier. I think they’ll eventually get in. I don’t think that’s an issue, but it’s tragic that people think of them like that. If Marvin Harrison gets in, how could they not get in?”"
Nothing against Holt and Bruce, who were both great wide receivers in their own right and have strong cases to enter the Hall of Fame some day soon, but neither was a superior wideout to Harrison:
- Marvin Harrison (1996-2008): 1,102 receptions for 14,580 receiving yards and 128 receiving touchdowns in 13 seasons.
- Torry Holt (1999-2009): 920 receptions for 13,382 receiving yards and 74 receiving touchdowns in 11 seasons.
- Isaac Bruce (1994-2009): 1,024 receptions for 15,208 receiving yards and 91 receiving touchdowns in 16 seasons.
Bruce bests Harrison in receiving yards, but it also took him 3 more seasons. Otherwise, Harrison is tops in every other major receiving career category. Specifically, Harrison ranks 3rd all-time in career receptions, 7th in career receiving yards, and 5th in career touchdowns.
were asked who was the toughest wide receiver to cover during their playing days,
it’s been Harrison.
The former Super Bowl XLI Champion, 3x First-Team All-Pro, and 8x Pro Bowler with the Colts was one of the NFL’s most dangerous wide receivers for the majority of his career.
Harrison was diminutive, yet incredibly dangerous–running every route to the utmost precision with top of the line speed and the surest hands you’ll ever see.
Yes, Harrison had the luxury of catching tight spirals from legendary quarterback Peyton Manning in a dome; however, Bruce and Holt both had arguably a future Hall of Fame quarterback throwing them passes too in Kurt Warner in a dome respectively.
Don’t get me wrong, Holt and Bruce should receive serious Hall of Fame consideration relatively soon, but this year is Harrison’s for enshrinement–and it’s not particularly close.