Roger Craig FINALLY getting a shot at the Hall of Fame

[steelreserve]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...-consideration

In my opinion, Craig was possibly the biggest snub of all time, it is an absolute travesty that this man did not get into the Hall of Fame years ago. For a long time, no one who was the running back for even two Super Bowl winning teams was not in the Hall (not sure if that's still true today), but this guy was on THREE and got squat.

First player to have 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving in a single season. A real difference-maker for his team, AND exciting to watch - made all kinds of electrifying plays that few others could pull off.

Basically, he was LT before there was LT, Marshall Faulk before there was Marshall Faulk. I've never understood why those players were so celebrated and considered automatic Hall of Famers, and Craig wasn't. He was basically the type specimen for the modern two-way running back and one of the most versatile RBs ever. Glad to see him finally getting his due.

[Craic]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...-consideration

In my opinion, Craig was possibly the biggest snub of all time, it is an absolute travesty that this man did not get into the Hall of Fame years ago. For a long time, no one who was the running back for even two Super Bowl winning teams was not in the Hall (not sure if that's still true today), but this guy was on THREE and got squat.

First player to have 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving in a single season. A real difference-maker for his team, AND exciting to watch - made all kinds of electrifying plays that few others could pull off.

Basically, he was LT before there was LT, Marshall Faulk before there was Marshall Faulk. I've never understood why those players were so celebrated and considered automatic Hall of Famers, and Craig wasn't. He was basically the type specimen for the modern two-way running back and one of the most versatile RBs ever. Glad to see him finally getting his due.

I agree he should be in. But I think he suffered from the same thing that L. C. Greenwood and others from the Steelers of that area suffer from... being overshadowed by even greater players at other positions. That's not to say it's fair, it's not. But when you think of the 49ers of that era, his is perhaps the four or fifth name that comes to mind. Montana, Rice, Lott, even Clark may come to mind before Craig.

Again, not saying it's fair, but my guess is that's why he's been snubbed. That, and he may have been seen as benefitting from a new system too much (which would be stupid as you could say the same thing about Montana and Rice).

[tube517]

Craig was a FB originally and Wendell Tyler was the HB for the first 4 years of Craig's career.

If he had been the primary RB for his entire career, he would've broken 10k easily.

But, I agree, he should get in. Really good RB, FB, and receiver.

[86WARD]

Very fun player to watch!! Agree that he should be in and should’ve been in a while ago…

[DuckHodges]

Craig was a FB originally and Wendell Tyler was the HB for the first 4 years of Craig's career.

If he had been the primary RB for his entire career, he would've broken 10k easily.

But, I agree, he should get in. Really good RB, FB, and receiver.

one of the best all-around players to play the game. i think he should have made it long ago

[oneforthetoe]

one of the best all-around players to play the game. i think he should have made it long ago

This. Well deserved. Congrats to Roger Craig.

[steelreserve]

Craig was a FB originally and Wendell Tyler was the HB for the first 4 years of Craig's career.

If he had been the primary RB for his entire career, he would've broken 10k easily.

But, I agree, he should get in. Really good RB, FB, and receiver.

If you remember those 49ers teams, their base offense was often a two-back "pro set" formation, and they actually used both running backs. So being the fullback did not necessarily mean you got fewer touches or were primarily a blocker, like you would see with a FB today who typically works as the forward guy in an I formation. In fact, Craig's 1,000/1,000 season came as a fullback.

On the other hand, even after Craig became the clear RB1, the 49ers did involve the second running back quite a bit, even if RB2 was a rotation of several other guys, so you do have a good point.

Most seasons, the top guys in the league would get well over 300 carries and Craig would get around 200. The only times he had more than 250 carries, he had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons including one with 1,500. The guy led the entire NFL in receptions as a running back, which no one else has done for more than 40 years. All of which makes it the more amazing that he was overlooked for so long.

[ALLD]

He did it without any drama too.

[willy]

Craig was a tough, big effort, runner, who was always in great condition. He was my favorite RB of that time.

[Edman]

Always wondered why it took Roger Craig all of this time to get a shot.

It was probably because of all the star power that surrounded him on those 49er teams, he just got caught up in the mix, like Donnie Shell.