06-20-2020, 03:23 PM
Priest Holmes was only great for a short period, but a lot of people have forgotten how great he was. Plus he has a good story.
In college Holmes was back up to Ricky Williams at Texas. He signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent.
He did not get single carry his rookie season, but the next year he led the team in rushing (1008 yds, 1998). His 1999 season was ruined by multiple injuries and the next year Jamaal Lewis took over. Holmes got a ring as a back up, but the Chiefs were able to sign him very cheaply (5 yr $11.7 million). As soon as he showed up in KC he blew up.
2001...Led league in rushing yards (1555) and added 614 receiving to also lead the league in yards from scrimmage (2169)
2002...Broke O.J. Simpson's 25 year old record for yards from scrimmage per game (163.4) and scored 24 tds (6th most in NFL history) in just 14 games.
2003...Broke Emmitt Smith's record for rushing tds in a season (27, still 2nd most all-time) and again had more than 2100 yards from scrimmage (1420 rush, 690 rec). It was his second consecutive season with at least 70 receptions and 20 rushing tds. Emmitt Smith is the only other player with two 20 rushing td seasons.
2004...Only played 8 games, but that was enough to qualify him to lead the league in rushing yards per game (111.5) and yards per scrimmage per game (134.9). But the most incredible stat is that despite playing less than half the season he finished FOURTH IN TDS WITH 15.
From '02 throu '04 Holmes scored 66 TD IN JUST 38 GAMES. That is a pace of 27.8 tds per 16 games played, and no player has scored more tds in consecutive seasons than than Holmes' 51 in '02-'03.
In 2005 Holmes was clearly still effected by the kne injury from the prior season. He averaged only 64.4 yards per game and 3.8 per carry until a spinal inury ended his season in week 7. He missed the entire 2006 season and was still not on the active roster at the start of '07. He continued to rehab and work his way back until finally getting to play in week 7. He made his first start at home three weeks later, but the very next week he suffered a career ending neck injury.
So Priest had a 4 year stretch where he played like one of the greatest of all time. I think that should be plenty enough to get a guy into the Hall of Fame. I don't mind giving guys credit for longevity, but I don't think we should penalize players too much because of injuries. Lots of average players have managed to have one or two great seasons, but Holmes strung 4 in a row. That is more than just a flash in the pan.
In college Holmes was back up to Ricky Williams at Texas. He signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent.
He did not get single carry his rookie season, but the next year he led the team in rushing (1008 yds, 1998). His 1999 season was ruined by multiple injuries and the next year Jamaal Lewis took over. Holmes got a ring as a back up, but the Chiefs were able to sign him very cheaply (5 yr $11.7 million). As soon as he showed up in KC he blew up.
2001...Led league in rushing yards (1555) and added 614 receiving to also lead the league in yards from scrimmage (2169)
2002...Broke O.J. Simpson's 25 year old record for yards from scrimmage per game (163.4) and scored 24 tds (6th most in NFL history) in just 14 games.
2003...Broke Emmitt Smith's record for rushing tds in a season (27, still 2nd most all-time) and again had more than 2100 yards from scrimmage (1420 rush, 690 rec). It was his second consecutive season with at least 70 receptions and 20 rushing tds. Emmitt Smith is the only other player with two 20 rushing td seasons.
2004...Only played 8 games, but that was enough to qualify him to lead the league in rushing yards per game (111.5) and yards per scrimmage per game (134.9). But the most incredible stat is that despite playing less than half the season he finished FOURTH IN TDS WITH 15.
From '02 throu '04 Holmes scored 66 TD IN JUST 38 GAMES. That is a pace of 27.8 tds per 16 games played, and no player has scored more tds in consecutive seasons than than Holmes' 51 in '02-'03.
In 2005 Holmes was clearly still effected by the kne injury from the prior season. He averaged only 64.4 yards per game and 3.8 per carry until a spinal inury ended his season in week 7. He missed the entire 2006 season and was still not on the active roster at the start of '07. He continued to rehab and work his way back until finally getting to play in week 7. He made his first start at home three weeks later, but the very next week he suffered a career ending neck injury.
So Priest had a 4 year stretch where he played like one of the greatest of all time. I think that should be plenty enough to get a guy into the Hall of Fame. I don't mind giving guys credit for longevity, but I don't think we should penalize players too much because of injuries. Lots of average players have managed to have one or two great seasons, but Holmes strung 4 in a row. That is more than just a flash in the pan.
