All the right moves

Davis' run to retirement is the right decision

Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis has decided to retire after seven seasons rather than go through another round of rehabilitation for his latest ailment -- a degenerative condition in his left knee. CNNSI.com talked with Sports Illustrated's Don Banks about T.D.'s decision and place in NFL lore:

CNNSI.com: After three injury-plagued years and seemingly no end in sight to his knee problems, did Terrell Davis' retirement come as a surprise?

Banks: Davis' track record of injuries had become something of a punch line, so nobody can say they didn't see this day coming.

Davis should be congratulated for doing the right thing, for making the only decision that made sense. Having missed basically two of the last three years -- Davis played in only 17 games total from 1999-2001 -- the former sixth-round pick had given it a long, fair shot without success.

Clearly he was never going to be the same running back that dominated for most of his first four seasons in the league. Too many athletes hold on to that dream longer than its viable. Give Davis credit for knowing that he was basically out of options and it was time to move on, or risk crippling his problem knee for the rest of his life.

CNNSI.com: Speaking of moving on, where do the Broncos go from here?

Banks: This day didn't exactly slip up on the Broncos either, having stockpiled quality running backs in recent years as a hedge against Davis' injury concerns. Denver has been facing life without Davis for some time now. Even before Davis made the news official, it was expected that Clinton Portis, the team's second-round pick this year, was the Broncos' long-term future at running back.

In addition, Denver held on to Davis' first two replacements: veteran Orlandis Gary, who posted a 1,000-yard rushing season in 1999, as well as fullback Mike Anderson, who won NFL offensive rookie of the year honors in 2000 as a tailback.

Even without Davis, the Broncos' backfield is as well stocked in lead running backs as any in the league.

CNNSI.com: The quick comparison with where Davis ranks in NFL history seems to bring up the name of Gale Sayers. Where do you rate Davis' seven-year career in terms of his legacy?

Banks: There is going to be real debate about Davis, given the lack of longevity his career enjoyed. Sayers would seem to be a legitimate comparison given that the Chicago Bears great played just seven years. Sayers had parts of three seasons shortened by injury, just as Davis did. While some would say that Davis' game cannot compare to Sayers' artistry, statistically speaking, Davis' numbers are superior.

In 68 career games, Sayers had 6,263 total yards and 48 touchdowns. Davis had 8,815 yards and 65 TDs in 78 games. That averages out to about 254 yards and almost two touchdowns per game for that 10-game difference.

This much is undeniable: Davis, in essence, had two very different careers. In his first four seasons, he rushed for more than 1,000 yards each time, played on two Super Bowl winning teams, won a league MVP, a Super Bowl MVP and became one of four running backs to rush for at least 2,000 yards.

Whether that's enough to get him serious Hall of Fame consideration is a decision that won't be faced by Hall voters for some time. In reality, he's probably just under the threshold of Hall selection, but his accomplishments may grow more impressive as time goes on. Even one more dominant season from Davis might have been enough to make the difference, in terms of the Hall of Fame.

If the vote were held today, Davis would be on the outside looking in.

In any case, Davis holds one distinction: He will be remembered as one of the greatest sixth-round steals in NFL draft history, proving again the inexactitude of that particular science.

CNNSI.com: Will Davis be remembered more for the end of his career, the 2,000-yard season or as the final piece of the puzzle that finally got John Elway -- and Denver -- its long-awaited Super Bowl title?

Banks: My hunch is that Davis will go down in history as the talented running back who provided the key element needed to get Elway over the hump. Without Davis' blend of power and speed, the 1997 Broncos wouldn't have stayed on the field with the defending champion Packers in Super Bowl XXXII. His MVP performance that night ended Denver's 0-for-4 Super Bowl title drought.

With apologies to Sammy Winder, Davis was the back Elway never had to help share the load in the 1980s.

His career year in 1998 (2,008 yards, 21 touchdowns) carried the Broncos to a second consecutive Super Bowl crown, which only further cemented Elway's legacy as one of the NFL's greatest quarterbacks. In large part, Mr. Bronco has T.D. to thank for the upswing his career ended on.

CNNSI.com: Any chance that Davis could have second thought and make another comeback?

Banks: Given the condition of his knee, the odds would seem against it. Davis seems content with his decision and the reasoning behind his retirement. But in professional sports today, you cannot take anything to the bank. Davis has worked so hard rehabilitating the past three years that he could get the itch to try one more time after a year away from the game.

Don Banks covers pro football for CNNSI.com.

 

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