Early in his career, Cris Carter had major problems with drug and alcohol abuse. He eventually turned his life around and became one of the most respected guys in the business due to his work ethic and contributions in the community. Those things along with his crazy stats made him a lock in most people’s minds for a first ballot Hall Of Fame induction…… not quite. Art Monk got in this year.. but no Carter.

Let’s take a look at Cris Carter’s numbers compared to Monk’s.

Art Monk…………………………………Cris Carter
Receptions: 940……………………..Receptions: 1,101
Receiving Yards: 12,721………….Receiving Yards: 13,899
Touchdowns: 68………………………Touchdowns: 130

So we can see, in the major statistical categories for wide receivers, Cris wins hands down… So if numbers alone will not get you into the H.O.F. on the first ballot, maybe it’s the intangibles… let’s look at their achievements. Once again, Cris is just as good if not better on paper but didn’t get the nod. The fact that Art has a SB ring, and the fact that he was considered one of the greatest ever at the time he retired obviously counted for a lot.

Art Monk’s achievements
* 3x Pro Bowl selection (1984, 1985, 1986)
* 3x All-Pro selection (1984, 1985, 1986)
* NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
* 70 Greatest Redskins
* Redskins’ Ring of Fame
* Member of Super Bowl winning team

Cris Carters’s achievements
* 8x Pro Bowl selection (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000)
* 3x All-Pro selection (1994, 1995, 1999)
* NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
* Minnesota Vikings #80 Retired
* Led NFL in receptions in 1994 with 122
* Led NFL in receiving TD’s in 1995, 1997, and 1999

Of course Cris Carter will eventually be elected, but I believe things like this are a precursor to what will probably happen to Terrell Owens and Randy Moss. These guys obviously don’t have the best reputations due to their “attitudes and antics”, so despite how gaudy their numbers may look when they retire it’s becoming harder to see them making it into the hall on the first ballot. Let’s not forget Michael Irvin either, although he was on a squad that won three Super Bowls, he wasn’t elected to the H.O.F. until his second year of eligibility.

Check out their numbers compared to Carter.

Randy Moss……………………..Terrell Owens
Receptions: 744…………………Receptions: 882
Yards: 12,193……………………Yards: 13,070
Touchdowns: 124………………Touchdowns: 129

Terrell will certainly pass Carter in both TD’s and yards next season, and has a good chance of eclipsing him in receptions as well before he retires. The same can be said for Moss eventually (with the exception of receptions). But I believe their reputations will almost certainly get them held out for a while.

If someone like Cris who is the poster child for “bad boy turned role model” has to wait. “Mr. Getcha popcorn ready” and “Mr. Straight cash homey” might need to pack a lunch.

How many years do you think it will take for either Randy or Terrell to be inducted?