Pro Football Hall of Fame: 5 Dark Horse Candidates For 2019
By Erik Lambert
Roger Craig (RB, 1983-1993)
Honestly, it’s baffling that Roger Craig isn’t in already. Here’s a man who was probably a decade ahead of his time in the NFL. During the 1980s the running back position was still a primarily ground-and-pound job. Feed it the ball 20-25 times and wear a defense out. Craig was the first who truly made running backs a featured part of the passing game in that 49ers West Coast offense.
He was the first man to post 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season. Four Pro Bowls. Three Super Bowl rings. Two seasons going over 2,000 yards from scrimmage. What else must a man do to get his gold jacket? Sure he played with Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, but does that team win four titles in the ’80s without him? That’s doubtful.