New England Patriots: RB Corey Dillon belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
How former New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals running back Corey Dillon is not already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a mystery to me.
Take a look at some of the career statistics lists for the NFL, and you’ll quickly notice that former New England Patriots running back Corey Dillon left his mark on the league. Though he spent most of his career with the Bengals, his spent season actually came in New England. He was a perfect compliment to Tom Brady.
In 2004, Corey Dillon joined a team that had just won two Super Bowl’s in three seasons. They were going for back-to-back titles, and Dillon helped get them there.
That season, Corey Dillon had career highs in carries (345) and rushing yards (1,644). He hit the 12 rushing touchdown mark for the first time in his career, as he did again in 2005 before hitting 13 in 2006. The New England Patriots, of course, went on to win the Super Bowl in 2004, cementing themselves as an NFL dynasty.
Now, let’s look at Dillon’s numbers for his entire career. Dillon was in the NFL for 10 seasons, and it seems like he could have kept going. If he had, would he already be in the Hall of Fame?
Over 10 years, Dillon tallied 11,241 yards and 82 rushing touchdowns. When you see those numbers, you can tell that he was a special back. In terms of career rushing yards, he has more than O.J. Simpson, Earl Campbell, Larry Csonka, and Terrell Davis. All of those running backs are in the Hall of Fame. Dillon has over 3,000 more rushing yards actually. So what if it’s not all about the yards, you have to score right? Well, Dillon has an answer there too.
Corey Dillon is 17th all-time with his 82 rushing touchdowns. Which Hall of Famers does he have more than? Tony Dorsett, Earl Campbell, Larry Csonka, O.J. Simpson, and Terrell Davis. How is Corey Dillon not already in the Hall of Fame!? He actually claims he’s getting snubbed for some reason.
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Dillon also knows that his numbers are better than some current Hall of Famers.
"“You’ve got O.J. Simpson in the Hall of Fame and my numbers are better than his. Why can’t I be there is my question? What validates him being there and I don’t. I’m not talking about his transgressions off the field, that’s on him.”"
Next: Robert Kraft should be in Canton soon
As a New England Patriots fan that thoroughly enjoyed watching Corey Dillon run loose in Gillette Stadium, I am going to start to push hardcore for him to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Do you think he belongs? Well, you better. You can reach me on Twitter @CandCFanSided to share your thoughts and opinions.