Steve Smith Hall of Fame credentials

[TN05]

With the NFL season over now is the perfect time to examine Steve Smith's potential HoF credentials. His total career stats are:
*Receiving yards (12,197): 19th all-time

*Receptions (836): 25th all-time

*Receiving touchdowns (67): 39th all-time
*Receiving yards per game (67.0): 27th all-time

*All-purpose yards (16,607): 15th all-time (current NFL leader)

 

To enter the top ten in each of these categories (except for YPG) over three years (the amount of time Steve estimates he has left), he would need to get:
*1,580 receiving yards (average 527 yards per season)
*146 more receptions (49 receptions per season)
*24 more touchdowns (8 touchdowns per season)

*1,047 total yards (349 yards per season)

 

All of these, except for receiving touchdowns, are extremely likely to happen. On it's own these are solid numbers, but let's take a look at playoff production. Here are his postseason numbers in the same categories:

 

*Receiving yards (782): 25th all-time

*Receptions (47) : 45th all-time

*Receiving touchdowns (7): 15th all-time
*Receiving YPG (97.8): 16th all-time

*All-purpose yards (941): 48th all-time

 

Smith needs the following in each to enter the top ten in those categories (except YPG):

*276 receiving yards

*22 receptions

*2 touchdowns

*443 total yards

 

Also, keep in mind that most, if not all of the players above him have played far more games than Smith, who only has eight playoff games. In fact, everyone ahead of him on the receiving yards list has played at least 12 playoff games (1/3 more than Steve), with the vast majority having played in 14 or more!

 

If we have a three game Super Bowl run this year, even accounting for his injury Steve can still take a bite into these totals... and if we become a consistent contender over the twilight of his career, he can shatter them. Either way, adding just a small amount to his massive playoff numbers will bolster a case that is already solid just on regular season numbers.

[OneBadCat]

He and Cam can make it happen. I hope we get a future #1 WR in the offseason and really expand the passing game. Bodes well for the team and Steve.

[Anybodyhome]

Compare these to "currently active" players and then look at the career numbers for the WRs in the HOF, I think you'll get a better picture of what he needs to do to get in.

 

And as long as the competition committee continues adding padlocks and chains to the shackles they've already put on the defense, Steve Smith will continue to produce because before you know it a penalty will be called for speaking to a WR. Anything they can do to keep the points coming....

[Donald LaFell]

It's the same story every time.

[L-TownCat]

One stat remains:

1- ring

[fitty76]

One stat remains:

1- ring

He doesn't need a ring.  

[KJ89]

He doesn't need a ring.

a ring wouldn't hurt.

[Jangler]

Getting a true #1 would help Smitty IMO get all these numbers and more. But we have been looking so long... :(

[Cyclonus]

He doesn't need a ring.  

 

As a WR, he needs a ring.  The WR position is VERY hard to get into the Hall of Fame.

[Squirrel]

Wont happen.  Smitty is a baller but he just wont get the love from the HOF voters.

[Growl]

I bet tavon austin and stedman bailey get in though, those guys are for real now if we could just pair them up with pat white throwing them the ball

[CRA]

HOF talent

As of right now....he won't get in. Already tough for WRs.....by the time he is eligible the mass number of passing era WRs will make it even tougher

[pstall]

nice work op.

 

even though I'm a gamecock fan I would LOVE to see Sammy Watkins lined up on the other side of SS.

[Kevin Greene]

He doesn't need a ring.  

 

 

That's right, let's get Steve 2.