Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

JohnTurney wrote: ↑Thu Dec 04, 2025 11:57 am ....Roger Craig was the more significant player, from impact, eye test, those things. I think his PSI ranks were very high, number one as his position at least 3 times ... top FB and a top RB, though in a two back set not a ton of difference In other word,s Rathman was different than he was. So some of the #1 ranks as a FB are rightly questioned because he was playing FB in the way CHuck Foreman played fullback ...

Or the way Jim Brown played fullback (not blocking)?
Certainly Craig does not compare to Brown as a running back (imo no one does).
And I admit I am not particularly objective... I'm a 49ers fan (especially of that time).
I saw Craig play dozens of games and he definitely passed the "eye test" for me. During his prime with the Niners they had several truly elite players (Lott, Montana, Rice) so I can't say he was always the best player on the field (or even on the team) but he played at a Hall of Fame level for many years on a dominant team (the "Team of the 80's) and had significant (sometimes incredible) games in the playoffs and Super Bowl(s).

I'm hoping Craig makes it this season (and I appreciate John's analysis and sincerely hope the Hall sees it the same way).
I'm happy when almost any senior is enshrined but Craig holds a special place in my heart and in the hearts and minds of many, many 49ers fans who witnessed the team in the 1980's.

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Thu Dec 04, 2025 1:22 pm Simple Jack ... Craig injured his knee in 1990 his eigth season. He came back to finish the year but just hung on his final three seasons, a shell of his former self. He actually looks like Chuck Foreman and had baically, the same career, though Craig was bigger in the SB games

Thanks Brian. I know the injury. I don't think his situation and Davis's are at all comparable.

readjack wrote: ↑Fri Dec 05, 2025 12:10 am

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Thu Dec 04, 2025 1:22 pm Simple Jack ... Craig injured his knee in 1990 his eigth season. He came back to finish the year but just hung on his final three seasons, a shell of his former self. He actually looks like Chuck Foreman and had baically, the same career, though Craig was bigger in the SB games

Thanks Brian. I know the injury. I don't think his situation and Davis's are at all comparable.

100% agreed Jack Craigs and davis's situations are very very different like you said my question jack who is your favorite of the three and why

I understand, and admittedly, an 11 yr career is hard to compare to what Davis went through but with Craig's injury in 1990, everyone at that time assumed he would be a HOF back and all of a sudden--similar to what happened with Priest Holmes later--everything changed.

At the time that SF put Craig on the Plan B free agency list in 1991, many people assumed or speculated that Seifert let him go due to a high salary or the fumble against the Giants in the NFC Championship game. I dont feel Seifert or the team believed that Craig's knee could recover properly. After eight years, bitter reality had set in, the Niners were gonna give up on him a year early than a year late. Like Foreman, Holmes, Davis, Sims and Andrews, it seemed to end too soon.

Even if Craig doesnt get injury-consideration, his peak was still high. The Hall has to quit being stubborn on raw running numbers and look at the total back who can do it all. Walsh and Seifert werent going to run him to death because of his importance in the passing game. I would definitely vote him in over Robert Kraft, just like the other two seniors.

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Fri Dec 05, 2025 1:32 am I dont feel Seifert or the team believed that Craig's knee could recover properly. After eight years, bitter reality had set in, the Niners were gonna give up on him a year early than a year late. Like Foreman, Holmes, Davis, Sims and Andrews, it seemed to end too soon.

The word around here was that Eddie D. was so upset over "the fumble" he insisted Roger be cut loose.
Another brilliant decision made by emotion... sigh.

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Fri Dec 05, 2025 1:50 am Even if Craig doesnt get injury-consideration, his peak was still high. The Hall has to quit being stubborn on raw running numbers and look at the total back who can do it all. Walsh and Seifert werent going to run him to death because of his importance in the passing game. I would definitely vote him in over Robert Kraft, just like the other two seniors.

Craig did have two seasons of over 2,000 scrimmage yards which is a big positive for him. Then he had another five or so years with nice production. This was done while playing a key role on a top team. I think there is a good case to be made for him, although if he gets in he'll end up on lists of least deserving Hall of Fame members.

JWL wrote: ↑Fri Dec 05, 2025 5:31 pm

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Fri Dec 05, 2025 1:50 am Even if Craig doesnt get injury-consideration, his peak was still high. The Hall has to quit being stubborn on raw running numbers and look at the total back who can do it all. Walsh and Seifert werent going to run him to death because of his importance in the passing game. I would definitely vote him in over Robert Kraft, just like the other two seniors.

Craig did have two seasons of over 2,000 scrimmage yards which is a big positive for him. Then he had another five or so years with nice production. This was done while playing a key role on a top team. I think there is a good case to be made for him, although if he gets in he'll end up on lists of least deserving Hall of Fame members.

Craig is more deserving than Floyd Little, IMO.

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Fri Dec 05, 2025 8:10 pm

Craig is more deserving than Floyd Little, IMO.

I agree.