The Case for Bob Hayes

by Raul Villaronga on Nov 29, 2008 10:59 AM CST Comment 45 comments

Bob Hayes Yes, it's that time of year again, when the long list of names gets thrown into a large pile and slowly the names get whittled down to the fortunate few who are selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

And, once again, the discussion eventually gets around to those poor souls who have been overlooked. The past few years, the name that was continually brought up was Art Monk, who was inducted this past year with Michael Irvin.

But the poster-child for snubs, in my not-so-unbiased opinion, is the Cowboys' own "Bullet" Bob Hayes.

That Hayes revolutionized the game is not in dispute. He and he alone is the reason that the zone defense was invented. With his speed, he would simply outrun other defenders.

Some writers, as if to quell the discussion, wrote on the same day that the preliminary list of candidates was announced, that Hayes is not a Hall of Famer. Others scribe about his feats - one of the better ones I've read is by Ralph Wiley at ESPN from 2002.

So I decided to look at the wide receivers in the Hall of Fame and match him up against them. In order to make it a playing level field, I only looked at receivers who played in Hayes' era, so you won't see the likes of Swann, Largent, "Crazy Legs" Hirsch, James Lofton or Art Monk.

Let's look at some numbers:

Player	Career	Years	Rec	Yards	TDs	Yd Per Rec (YPC)	TD Per Rec (TDPC)	Yd Per Yr (YPY)	YDs Rank	REC Rank	TD Rank	YPC Rank	TDPC Rank	YPY Rank
Bob Hayes	1965-1975	11	371	7414	71	19.98	5.23	674.00	8	8	6	2	2	6
Bobby Mitchell	1958-1968	11	521	7954	65	15.27	8.02	723.09	7	6	8	6	6	3
Charley Taylor	1964-1975, 1977	13	649	9110	79	14.04	8.22	700.77	4	2	4	8	7	4
Charlie Joiner	1969-1986	18	750	12146	65	16.19	11.54	674.78	1	1	7	5	8	5
Don Maynard	1958, 1960-1973	15	633	11834	88	18.70	7.19	788.93	2	3	1	4	4	2
Fred Biletnikoff	1965-1978	14	589	8974	76	15.24	7.75	641.00	5	4	5	7	5	7
Lance Alworth	1962-1972	11	542	10266	85	18.94	6.38	933.27	3	5	2	3	3	1
Paul Warfield	1964-1977	14	427	8565	85	20.06	5.02	611.79	6	7	3	1	1	8

The first thing that jumps out at me is how much of a home-run threat he was. He averated almost 20 yards per catch. TWENTY! And he caught a touchdown every 5 receptions.

Sure, he's last in Total Yards and Total Receptions, but he was a home run thread every chance he had with the ball. And with the Cowboys, he got that chance a lot.

While he was more known for his prowess in track, Hayes did play football in college. And he was just as potent a weapon there that he was with the Cowboys.

NFL.com has Bob Hayes listed at #5 top 10 players not in the Hall of Fame. The interesting thing about people who do not claim he should be in is that these people are not players. Ask players who went up against him and they will tell you.

One only hopes that more sports writers will listen this time around.

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Tough crowd this time around

Bruce Smith is a lock.

There are several others who look pretty strong as well but this final group will be argued over for a long time because they’re so tightly bunched.

by Rafael Vela on Nov 29, 2008 11:18 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yep

It will definitely be tough, but there are only 2 senior nominees. And while a senior nominee isn’t always selected, this may be one of the last chances for the original #22…

Stop the Madness - Enshrine Bob Hayes
"I played for the world's greatest professional sports team in history. Once a Dallas Cowboy, always a Dallas Cowboy." - Bob Hayes

by Raul Villaronga on Nov 29, 2008 11:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bob Should Definitely Be In

He won’t get in because of the numbers. He should get in because of he changed how the game was played. Not many players can lay claim to that title. The only other wide receiver who had as much of an impact was Don Hutson, who was the greatest receiver ever.

Part of the problem with the Hall, and fans generally, is they look at the gaudy numbers that were put up by receivers of the post 1973 passing era and place them on a higher pedestal than the pioneers. No question Jerry Rice was a phenomenal receiver, but he greatly benefited playing in a system that was perfect for his skills. On the other hand, Hutson helped create the modern passing game, and Hayes altered it.

Voting in a durable but generic possession receiver like Art Monk, while leaving out Hayes or (for Redskins fans) Joe Jacoby or Russ Grimm shows how blind and biased the process is.

by kindablue on Nov 29, 2008 11:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

+1

The HOF voting is biased and flawed and way too number dependant. The other day I was watching the Cardinals game and the announcer said that a strong postseason by Kurt warner would really strengthen his HOF bid. Really? Kurt Warner? He had a few good years with the Rams, completely fell off the map and resurfaced last year in Arizona. To me, a HOF candidate is somebody like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning etc. Their effect on the game is undeniable. If Witten can keep up his productivity over a decade, he should be a lock but when the Hall starts getting watered down because of numbers, it loses its special meaning, like the Pro Bowl lost any meaning a long time ago.

Hayes effect on the game should have had him in the hall long ago and if he doesn’t get in, they should change the name to the Statistics Hall of Fame because that’s all it seems to take nowadays.

by Billito on Nov 29, 2008 11:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The biggest problem with the HoF, which is a joke IMO

Is what you said in your next to last paragraph. There are too many people who never played the game that determine who gets into the HoF. A bunch of pocket protector geeks who get their rocks off on deciding the fate of athletes, since they never could have been one.

The HoF should be voted on by HoF members.

by mhuff13 on Nov 29, 2008 11:49 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe the drug conviction

is holding him back, which wouldn’t really be fair for a number of reasons.

Bob Hayes had seven straight excellent years. He did fall off from 72-74. The player I would compare him most to is Paul Warfield, since they came into the league around the same time and both were deep threats. I think the two are comparable in the regular, statistically speaking, but I believe Warfield did better in the playoffs. Unfortunately, Hayes was infamous for coming up small in both NFL Championships against Green Bay, and the only playoff game he truly dominated was the 1967 Divisional playoff against Cleveland. Meanwhile, Warfield had a great playoff career.

Despite that, it is a football-related travesty that Hayes is not in the NFL HOF. How much is due to the fact that he wasn’t in the Ring of Honor until 2002?

For my money, Drew Pearson is just as NFL HOF worthy, too. He and Cliff Branch both belong in there. And Cliff Harris and Chuck Howley.

by DavidH22 on Nov 29, 2008 11:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

the biggest injustice

I would argue too many players are getting into the hall, When a player changes the game and the way defenses play the game, changes on defense that are used today, how does that NOT qualify you to induction to the hall of fame. In his prime, for a five year period, nobody was better, teams feared playng the cowboys because of Hayes speed.

by Deke on Nov 29, 2008 12:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

you know i think he should be in....

he revolutionized the game…..

his speed was unparalleled….

and him and althea gibson are the greatest alums from my school……

quit the bullcrap and give this man the honor he deserves…..

"They need security in the world, Craig!"

by Tuna Helper on Nov 29, 2008 12:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Couldn't agree more.

HOF is biased almost as much as the eastern controlled sports media against the Cowboys in my opinion. The only way he will get in is if some of the voters work at TMZ because he was very entertaining to watch. The fact that NFL coaches at the time had to devise a defense specifically for Hayes is testament enough that he belongs.

by Benthere on Nov 29, 2008 12:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

and i love ralph wiley...

he’s one of my favorite writers…..you should read his column before the 2004 nba finals when he predicted the pistons would slaughter the lakers…..and everyone laughed at him….and that’s exactly what they did…R.I.P.

"They need security in the world, Craig!"

by Tuna Helper on Nov 29, 2008 12:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I loved Riley

A true loss to real sports journalism. Right now I LOVE Jason Whitlock. Did you read his anti-ESPN article on FoxSports? It’s a must read IMO.

by mhuff13 on Nov 29, 2008 12:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Very Good Article

I wish he’d dwelt on the general East Coast bias of the ESPN in all sports, rather than belaboring the case of Ball State, but it’s a strong indictment of the dishonest and biased corporate culture there.

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8853534/The-story-ESPN-doesn%27t-want-you-to-know

by kindablue on Nov 29, 2008 1:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i lost a lot of respect for jason whitlock....

when he decided to start a beef with scoop jackson, another one of my favorite writers. he also hates ESPN because they fired him because everybody hated him. I’m just not that big of fan of bullies. and he sees to be one.

he was also the dude who wrote hip-hop somehow killed sean taylor. something else i thought was ridiculous. but i’m biased on that particular subject. still i blame the guys, you know, WHO BROKE INTO HIS HOUSE AND SHOT HIM. not 50 cent.

he also the dude who said the patriots and the colts won all the time because they didn’t sign black players who listened to hip-hop. another ridiculous premise. no word on what the giants were listening to in their lockerroom after the super bowl. i’m guessing it wasn’t dwight yokam.

now jason whitlock is talented and i don’t have anything against anybody for reading his stuff. i like some of his articles.

but just for those reasons I just stated, i’m not a fan. just saying.

but i’ll go read his story on ESPN. I agree that there’s east coast bias and ESPN has major problems. I’ve heard good things about it.

Just remember he used to work there. So, at one point in time, he was part of the problem.

"They need security in the world, Craig!"

by Tuna Helper on Nov 29, 2008 1:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He has a big beef with hip hop

It’s pretty well documented in all his stuff. He blames it for most of what troubles young African Americans.

I liked Scoop Jackson when he was with SLAM. He’s been pretty unbearable with ESPN though. Nowhere near as good.

And in this article it says why he was fired from ESPN.

by mhuff13 on Nov 29, 2008 2:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i'mma go check it out...

"They need security in the world, Craig!"

by Tuna Helper on Nov 29, 2008 2:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

His case for Ball State was just his way

Of pinpointing one small thing that shows the greater overall problems with ESPN.

by mhuff13 on Nov 29, 2008 2:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i must admit...

another thing that bothers me is that he’s arguing a self-interest. he went to ball state. so obviously that’s a big reason while he’s championing their cause. it doesn’t mean he’s not right. it just bothers me. it’s like skip brainless always arguing against the cowboys. even if he makes a good point it’s hard to take him seriously because we all know he hates the cowboys.

also, if fowler, corso and herbstreit can go to my alma mater, which is smaller than Ball State and less relevant in the BCS standings than Ball State or even Notre Dame for that matter, I have confidence that one day they’ll go to Ball State. They’re too good not to.

anyway, it was a good article. dude can write. i just think he’s a bit of a jerk. but of course i’d only tell him this in passing because that’s a big dude. lol.

"They need security in the world, Craig!"

by Tuna Helper on Nov 29, 2008 2:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

LIke I said above

I think he just used the small case of Ball State as an example of what he sees is the big problem of ESPN.

by mhuff13 on Nov 29, 2008 2:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

you can't use another example though?

boise state? utah maybe? cincinnati? you hafta use your own alma mater? as the ONLY example? just smells fishy and it seems like he’s grandstanding.

but like i said, he’s got a point about ESPN. the whole college system is ripe with corporate corruption. that’s the only thing really keeping us from a playoff system, which everyone seems to want. he should be commended for that.

i don’t have a problem with the premise. i just have a problem with the way he did it.

"They need security in the world, Craig!"

by Tuna Helper on Nov 29, 2008 2:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He was grandstanding to a point

In the preseason he said Ball State would go undefeated. So this was a way for him to say I told you so. I agree with you there.

by mhuff13 on Nov 29, 2008 2:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and i guess he's got a right to say i told you so...

i thought he was crazy when he said they’d go undefeated. i do remember that. if FAMU went undefeated and I predicted it, i damn sure would grandstand…..

"They need security in the world, Craig!"

by Tuna Helper on Nov 29, 2008 2:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But...

If you read the article, he admits that they should not be in BCS Bowl contention. He states that if they win out (14-0) then a 10-15 ranking would be appropriate.

I don’t see any self-interest in that.

Stop the Madness - Enshrine Bob Hayes
"I played for the world's greatest professional sports team in history. Once a Dallas Cowboy, always a Dallas Cowboy." - Bob Hayes

by Raul Villaronga on Nov 29, 2008 3:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

but it's an ESPN conspiracy though?

against your alma mater? of the almost 200 D-I schools out there, it’s your school that the powers that be decide to discriminate against?

on a weekend of heated school rivalries, boise state having a chance to go undefeated and BCS implications you write about … the school you went to?

if that’s not self-serving I don’t see what is…

but like I said, maybe he has a right to be. he did predict that’s be undefeated….

"They need security in the world, Craig!"

by Tuna Helper on Nov 29, 2008 3:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Was he really saying that it was a conspiracy against Ball State?

To me it came off as more of a, if it’s not Texas, Ohio State, Florida, LSU, etc…..they’re not worth talking about.

by mhuff13 on Nov 29, 2008 3:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and as a fan of Texas, OSU, FL, LSU, etc.

i agree

BWAAAHAHAHAHAHA

I commented. You're welcome.

another transplant from The Blue & Silver Report

by bulldog jeeper on Nov 29, 2008 3:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

good point....

but it did seem like a little of both tho….there was definitely an ESPN is Big Brother and wants you to stay in the Matrix vibe to it…..they don’t want you to talk about Ball State because their too interested in these other major schools like Texas, Ohio State, Florida, etc…..

And he never brought up any other schools so it’s just easy to infer that he was only talking about ball state. it would be different if he said this applies to boise state and cincinnati as well.

the crazy thing is, I agree with him on that point. we do pay too much attention to these big schools and not enough to the ball states of the world. hawaii’s being dismantled by georgia last year doesn’t give me a lot of confidence though. but boise state’s classic with oklahoma does. maybe one day will get to see ball state in a playoff system and get to see them run the table. that’s something whitlock and I would love to see….

"They need security in the world, Craig!"

by Tuna Helper on Nov 29, 2008 3:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and Fresno the year before

by scottmaui on Nov 29, 2008 3:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He's right up there with Warfield for big play ability

If Warfield is in, Hayes should be in, no question about it.

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003

by APerfectStar on Nov 29, 2008 12:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

In or out of the PFHOF,

In or out, Hayes will remain one of my all time Cowboy favorites. When the Cowboys drafted him in 1964 I became a Cowboy fan. He is the reason I started following the Cowboys, and I owe him many wonderful moments watching, and attending, Cowboy games over the years.

Thanks to Tex, Gil, and Tom, also, for bringing Bob Hayes on board way back when. I hope Bob Hayes is finally voted in to the PFHOF this time around. He deserves it, and I intend to be in Canton when he is inducted. I missed the ROH ceremony for Bob at Texas Stadium because of the 911 attacks. I won’t miss this.

by CowboyMan on Nov 29, 2008 12:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hayes = No Brainer

His impact on the game is more important than the numbers, but even by the numbers, Hayes should be in without a doubt. The only reason he’s not in is because of his drug issues, but there are plenty of drug users in the Hall already.

Anyway, nothing is more important numbers-wise than how a player compares to his peers. And by the numbers Hayes was the best NFL wide out of the 60s . . .

Hayes was top 10 in receiving yards six times, and in the top 5 three times.
Charley Taylor was top 10 six times and top five once.
Bobby Mitchell was top 10 six times and top 5 twice.
Fred Biletnikoff was top 10 five times and top 5 twice.
Paul Warfield was top 10 four times and top 5 three times.
Charlie Joyner played forever but was only top 10 three times and top 5 twice. His career totals benefit greatly from his many post-1978 seasons, something no one else on this list has.

Maynard was nine and six, and Alworth was seven and seven, but theirs are AFL numbers. Big difference — you really can’t compare their totals with those of receivers who played exclusively in the NFL.

by BlueStarDude on Nov 29, 2008 2:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Receiving TDs

Hayes also was in the top five receiving TDs in the league 6 times. Warfield was there 5 times, Mitchell 3 times and Taylor twice.

Hayes was also the last player to average over 20 yards per punt return, in 1968. Reggie Bush is threatening to do it too this year. So there has been forty years between 20 yard per punt return players. Four decades!

For Cowboy fans, all you have to do is think about how young Tom Landry’s team always had a losing record until Bob hayes showed up. When Bullet Bob arrived, the offense took off and the propulsion was enough to win a Super Bowl and start a journey of 20 straight winning seasons.

by DavidH22 on Nov 29, 2008 6:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Travesty. Imjustice.

Peter King has commented about Bob Hayes in his columns, and his worthiness for the HOF in the past. I don’ t want to quote him, but his position has been that the Bullet belongs in the Hall of the Very Good, not the Hall of Fame. I have written him passionately arguing the merits of Bob Hayes candidacy and the injustice of the premier wideout of the ’60s being left out. Maybe this is the year. I for one believe the Hall of Fame is incomplete without a bust of the Original 22 on display.

by cowboymikemc on Nov 30, 2008 12:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Dr. Z has written that Hayes should be in.

He has also argued for Cliff Harris and Chuck Howley, and argued successfully for Rayfield Wright. I know it seems that Dr. Z has an anti-Cowboys bias at times, but he does recognise great players when he sees them, whatever uniform they wore.

Oh yeah, almost forgot, Peter King is an @$$. The guy has a weekly column in Sports Illustrated and he uses it to tell us about his coffee habits. Does anyone else get the impression that he doesn’t really understand the game? He talks about personalities but never tactics

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey

by Seanrude on Nov 30, 2008 8:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Goose Gosselin makes the case for Cowboys to the hall of fame committee

There have been reports that Peter King has spent some of his coffee habit time with the big power players of the blogs, Dave Halprin and Shango.

by Deke on Nov 30, 2008 9:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I meant he has argued for them in his column

Dr. Z has said that he has made the argument for those players before the old timers committee as well, especially Harris and Howley

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey

by Seanrude on Nov 30, 2008 2:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

oh, ok, I misunderstood what you meant

by Deke on Nov 30, 2008 7:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I just read that Dr. Z has had a couple of strokes.

I hope he gets well. I truly enjoy his columns. The guy loves the game of football

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey

by Seanrude on Dec 1, 2008 11:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hayes an all-time Cowboy

Not only does Bob Hayes still hold or share 22 Cowboy franchise records and is a member of their ring of honor, but look where he ranks in team history along side other cowboy greats already in the HOF:

Top 5 all-time point scorers in cowboy history…..
1. Emmitt Smith
2. Rafeal Septien
3. Tony Dorsett
4. BOB HAYES
5. Michael Irvin

Top 4 TD scorers in cowboy history…..
1. Emmitt Smith
2. Tony Dorsett
3. BOB HAYES
4. Michael Irvin

Top 2 Receiving TD’s in cowboys history….
1. BOB HAYES
2. Michael Irvin

Top 4 combined yrds gained in cowboys history….
1. Emmitt Smith
2. Tony Dorsett
3. Michael Irvin
4. BOB HAYES

the two most important things an offensive skill player can do is gain yardage and score touchdowns/points, Hayes is #1 or top 4 in all those categories above in gaining yardage and scoring TD’s/points.

Also, every player on these lists above is in the HOF except for Septien, who was one of the best kickers in the league for eight yrs during his tenure in dallas, so it’s understandable why he was on the scoring list above.

how those other cowboy players on the lists above are all in the HOF and Hayes, who is actually ahead of MIchael irvin in three of the categories, is’nt in the HOF…….IS A MYSTERY TO ME.

by bfl on Dec 1, 2008 12:08 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Bob Hayes has undeniable HOF numbers

For NFL WR’s that played in their first five years in the nfl, hayes’ total of 49 rec TD’s after his fifth season is only topped by Lance Alworth, Randy Moss and Jerry Rice who had as many or more rec TD’s than hayes in their first five seasons.

then the next two yrs after hayes’ fifth one, he was a dominant force on those cowboy teams that went to consecutive super bowls in 1970 and 1971, winning the SB in 1971…..making hayes still even today the only nfl player with an olympic gold medal and a SB ring.

in 1970, he had 889 rec yrds and 10 rec TD’s. the next best total on the cowboys that yr by a WR was 556 yrds receiving and 5 rec TD’s; almost an over-all 2-1 difference in both categories from the second best cowboy WR and Bob Hayes. Hayes also placed high around the league that yr too. He was 8th in rec yrds, 5th in rec Td’s, 1st in YPC, 5th in receiving YPG and 6th in total TD’s.

then in 1971, hayes had 840 rec yrds and 8 TD’s. the next best cowboy WR that yr had 487 rec yards and 3 rec TD’s; almost a 2-1 ratio in rec yrds and nearly a 3-1 ratio in rec TD’s. Hayes ranked high around the NFL that yr too finishing 7th in rec yrds, 4th in rec TD’s, 1st in YPC and 9th in receiving YPG.

Hayes on those SB teams was not only the cowboys #1 superstar WR and biggest playmaker, but with all the exotic coverages he received to try and stop him, that opened up the dallas running attack that allowed the three headed monster of Calvin HIll, Duane Thomas and Walt Garrison to thrive.

even today, hayes is one of only eight players in the history of the NFL to have atleast five (10)+ receiving TD seasons. the others are Alworth(AFL), Art Powell(AFL), Marvin Harrison, Moss, Cris Carter, TO, and Rice.

also, hayes finished 38 times in the top 10(24 of those in the top 5) of yearly statistical WR categories during his career; those included being rec, rec yrds, rec TD’s, YPC, receiving YPG, total TD’s, yards from scrimmage and all-purpose yrds. the only WR’s in nfl history to have that many or more appearances in the top 10 as hayes(in those same categories) are Don Maynard(AFL), Alworth(AFL), Tommy McDonald, Powell(AFL) and Rice.

by bfl on Dec 1, 2008 6:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Bobby Mitchell

i forgot to put Mitchell on the list of WR’s to have 38(+) appearances in the top 10, i believe he had 41. also, that list doesn’t include pre-modern WR’s like don hutson and etc in the 30’s and 40’s.

by bfl on Dec 1, 2008 7:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Peter King in confusing

King has been all over the place on the Bob Hayes issue.

i think we all know where he stands on the issue, but what’s funny is, he also was strigent in voting against Lynn Swann and Art Monk too. though eventually for whatever reason, he all of a sudden changed his thinking about them and voted both into the HOF.

when he was voting against Swann and Monk for so long, he would argue that Swann didn’t have the numbers and Monk didn’t scare anybody, including not even being the most feared WR on his own team most his career.

now though since he has voted both into the HOF, he unfortunately still has not moved on the hayes issue and voting against him. Hayes has better numbers across the board than swann in career rec, rec yrds, YPC and rec TD’s and it’s safe to say a man like hayes who revolutionized pass defense, was obviously feared around the league unlike Monk who king says was not feared.

why he decided to put Swann and Monk in yet still won’t budge on Hayes is a mystery.

by bfl on Dec 1, 2008 7:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hayes helped start a Dynasty

Bob Hayes scored 53 total TD’s in his first 64 games from 1965-69, much less his dominant play on the two cowboys teams in 1970 and 71 that went to consecutive SB’s, winning the second one.

Hayes’ dominance during this period of 1965-71 was a driving force that helped the cowboys to a regular season record of 70-26-2, six div titles, four conference championship games and two SB’s….all during 1965-71; the cowboys had never had a winning record in their history until hayes arrived.

the cowboys before hayes arrived only ranked twice in the top 10 on offense. then from 1965-71 when hayes arrived, the cowboys offense ranked in the top 10 of the nfl seven times; 7th in 1965, 1st in 1966, 6th in 1967, 1st in 1968, 2nd in 1969, 10th in 1970 and 1st in 1971.

also, it was hayes’ dominace with the cowboys that helped spark a dynasty from 1966-85, including: 20 consecutive winning seasons, 18 playoff appearances, five SB’s and two SB titles; no other nfl team since 1960 has that many consecutive winning seasons or as many playoff appearances in a 20 yr span.

by bfl on Dec 18, 2008 2:24 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

More impressive Hayes stats

the thing to remember about Hayes is he missed four reg season games in 1969, limiting his rec TD total for that yr, keeping hayes from another 10(+) rec TD season.

if hayes would’ve played a full reg season in 1969, he likely could’ve achived 10() rec TD’s again that yr, which added on to what he did the next yr in 1970(he had 10 rec TD’s in 1970), that would’ve given hayes six consecutive seasons of atleast 10() rec TD’s from 1965-70; Harrison and Rice are the only WR’s to have atleast six consecutive seasons of 10(+) rec TD’s.

Hayes also had 10() rec TD’s in five of his first six seasons. Only Randy Moss also had 10() rec TD’s in five of his first six seasons.

by bfl on Dec 24, 2008 3:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

More Impressive Hayes stats

the thing to remember about Hayes is he missed four reg season games in 1969, limiting his rec TD total for that yr, keeping hayes from another 10(+) rec TD season.

if hayes would’ve played a full reg season in 1969, he likely could’ve achieved 10() rec TD’s again that yr, which added on to what he did the next yr in 1970(he had 10 rec TD’s in 1970), that would’ve given hayes six consecutive seasons of atleast 10() rec TD’s from 1965-70; Harrison and Rice are the only WR’s to have atleast six consecutive seasons of 10(+) rec TD’s.

Hayes also had 10() rec TD’s in five of his first six seasons. Only Randy Moss also has 10() rec TD’s in five of his first six seasons.

by bfl on Dec 24, 2008 9:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Re-edit of above post

the thing to remember about Hayes is he missed four reg season games in 1969, limiting his rec TD total for that yr, keeping hayes from another 10 or more rec TD season.

if hayes would’ve played a full season in 1969, he likely could’ve achieved atleast 10 rec TD’s that yr, which added on to what he did the next yr in 1970……he had 10 rec TD’s in 1970, that would’ve given hayes six consecutive seasons of atleast 10 rec TD’s from 1965-70; Harrison and Rice are the only WR’s to have atleast six consecutive seasons of 10 or more rec TD’s.

Hayes also had 10 or more rec TD’s in five of his first six seasons. Only Randy Moss also has 10 or more rec TD’s in five of his first six seasons.

by bfl on Dec 26, 2008 6:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs