I'm from New Orleans, and I remember all the hype about Ottis Anderson when Miami came to town to play Tulane. The game wasn't televised, but I remember those highlights. He was the hype and more! As a Giants fan, he's one of my favorites men in Blue!
The guy who said Anderson was the Dillon of his time, excellent. They were so similar in running styles, size, and careers it's uncanny. Both were big backs over 6ft and 225lbs with speed who liked to cutback and were very physical. Both played for poor teams in their primes but still shined. Both got a chance at the ends of their careers to play for a good team and both came through.
Ironically, it was Lou Saban who took over the Buffalo Bills in 1972 and began using OJ Simpson as a featured back in the offense. When people discuss the big and fast running backs from college in the late 70's and early 80's, Herschel Walker, Bo Jackson, Marcus Dupree and Earl Campbell are always mentioned, but OJ Anderson seems to get lost in the mix. He was a very good back, when he wanted to, he could be great. Lou never did leave as big a mark on the game of football like his namesake has, but he did turn on the Juice, twice.
Very under-rated. His style is reminiscent of Jim Brown's but Ottis had legit 4.4 speed. If Czonka, Fred Dean & riggins can get in the HOF, Ottis should be there too. He has a Super Bowl ring. He was Super Bowl MVP. He broke Earl Campbell's rookie rushing record w/1,605 yds. He's rushed for over 10,000 yds. He has 362 catches for 3,062 yds. He has 6 1,000 yd. seasons & probably would've had 7 if not for the strike-shortened '82 season. /Bobby Dillon of the Packers should be in the HOF too.
Carter isn't in the HOF yet because, & i've read this from multiple sources... Rule changes have made it so much easier for offenses, esp. in the passing game, to move down the field & score in the past 30 yrs. Therefore, numbers have been inflated over the years. Due to this, the people who decide who gets in the HOF have been giving it more thought if wr's/te's/qb's deserve to be in the HOF. Look @ Tom Fears' numbers, if he put up those stats in the modern era, he would never be considered.
I agree with you completely about Anderson's being snubbed by HoF voters. Steve Atwater should also be in there. He has two SB rings. And the fact that Cris Carter isn't in there makes the NFL seem like a big joke.
Robert Brazile (Oilers), Jim Marshall (Browns & Vikings) & Ken Anderson (Bengals) should also be in the HOF. I don't think Paul Hornung (Packers), John Riggins (Jets & Redskins) or Floyd Little (Broncos) should be in the HOF. They were very good (Hornung was good @ many things but not great @ 1 thing) but not an all time great. Hell, if Floyd LIttle can get in the HOF, Ottis Anderson should be in there.
