Recently ESPN did a story in which a panel of experts were asked to select the top 10 receivers of all time.  You can also read an interesting debate of this topic on the Footballoutsiders link to the column.  Ignoring for a moment the ridiculous level of impossibility in comparing wide receivers across different eras of the game, we at 18to88 took real exception to the placement of  Marvin Harrison at #10 on the list.  Michael Irvin, Terrell Owens, and Chris Carter were all ranked ahead of Harrison. 

It was stated that these were subjective rankings, and according to Mike Sando, the author of the piece, the voters weighed physicality more heavily than speed, hands, or route running.    It is the aim of this article to argue Harrison is clearly superior to Irvin, Owens and Carter.  We feel that comparing numbers between these receivers is possible and valid because their careers overlapped.

 We are not going to argue about the players who were not Marvin’s contemporaries because it’s a fruitless, subjective argument.  We aren’t going to argue about Randy Moss either.  While Marvin is comparable to Moss in many ways, we consider Moss to be one of the most devastating offensive weapons in the history of football, and so in a completely subjective sense will not argue about his ranking.  The only question about Moss is, “Why hasn’t he become the unquestioned greatest receiver ever?”

 Argument #1  Marvin Harrison is a superior WR to Chris Carter.

1. Harrison has a higher percentage of ‘elite’ seasons than Carter.

The first season that Carter made the Pro Bowl was 1993.  In his 7^th year in the NFL, he posted his first 1000 yard season and 9 TDs.  His YPC was 12.5 (lower than his career average of 12.6).  This would be the first of his 8 consecutive elite seasons.  Half of Carter’s 16 seasons were at an elite level.

 Marvin Harrison’s first Pro Bowl came in 1999, and his next 8 seasons all sent him to the Pro Bowl.  His first break out season saw him post 1663 yards, 116 catches and 12 TDs.  It was only his fourth year in the NFL.  Harrison has posted 8 elite seasons in 12 years in the NFL.  75% of Harrison’s seasons have been elite.

2. Harrison’s peak years were better than Carter’s peak years

Chris Carter’s 5 best seasons

Year	Age	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G
1995*+	30	122	1371	11.2	17	60	7.6	85.7
1996*+	31	96	1163	12.1	10	43	6	72.7
1997*	32	89	1069	12	13	43	5.6	66.8
1999*+	34	90	1241	13.8	13	68	5.6	77.6
2000*	35	96	1274	13.3	9	53	6	79.6

Marvin Harrison’s 5 Best seasons

1999*+	27	115	1663	14.5	12	57	7.2	103.9
2000*+	28	102	1413	13.9	14	78	6.4	88.3
2001*+	29	109	1524	14	15	68	6.8	95.3
2002*+	30	143	1722	12	11	69	8.9	107.6
2006*+	34	95	1366	14.4	12	68	5.9	85.4

Average Season (of the 5 best)
Carter
Catches     Yards         YPC       TDs           CPG       YPG 

98.6

1223.6

12.4

12.4

6.2

76.5

Harrison

112.8

1537.6

13.6

12.8

7.1

96.1

It’s clear that at his best, Harrison’s numbers were superior to Carter at his best.  He caught more balls for more yards, with a higher YPC and more touchdowns.  If these two players were up against each other for a Pro Bowl nod, it’s clear which one would be chosen.  Note also that 4 of Harrison’s 5 best seasons were chosen before the “point of emphasis” on illegal contact in 2004.  Harrison’s number were every bit as good before the rules were correctly enforced as they were after.

3. Harrison’s ‘volume numbers’ are almost identical to Carter’s in 59 fewer games

Carter                   G    Catches     Yards         YPC    TDs           

Career

234

1101

13899

12.6

130

 Harrison

Career

175

1042

13944

13.4

123

 Harrison has more yards, 59 fewer catches and 7 fewer touchdowns despite playing essentially 3 and a half fewer seasons than Carter.

4. Harrison has more All Pro teams than Carter-

Harrison was named to an All Pro Team 8 times.  Carter had three such seasons.

Arguments for Carter:

The two main arguments for Chris Carter over Harrison are:

1. He played with worse quarterbacks.  Perhaps no one on this list played with an odder assortment of qbs than did Carter.  He certainly did not benefit from stability or outstanding skill from the guys he played with.  In general, we don’t give this argument much weight when comparing WRs, but in this case it has some validity. 
2. Carter scored 8 playoff touchdowns while Marvin Harrison has struggled in the playoffs.  Harrison has certainly had some tough games in the playoffs, but the value of Carter’s scores is certainly in question.  The Vikings went 2-6 in games in which he scored.  Only one of his scores gave his team the lead, and one other tied a game.  He scored 4 times in games in which his team lost by at least two touchdowns.  In other words, much of his ‘superior’ performance came in blowouts in which his team lost.  It's not particularly relevant,  but Harrison does have a Super Bowl ring and Carter does not.  Harrison also caught a key 2 point conversion against New England in the 2007 AFC Championship Game.

 Final Argument:  Carter and Harrison were contemporaries.  Two of their best seasons overlapped one another.  At his best, Harrison was superior.  He was not just among the best, but one of the best two wideouts in the game more often than Carter.  Though his career is not over, if it ended today, his volume stats would stand up well.  Carter may have been a more physical receiver, but Harrison was a better route runner, had better hands and speed.  He clearly has had a superior career to that of Chris Carter.

Argument #2  Marvin Harrison is superior to Michael Irvin

Without making any gratuitous comments about cocaine and whores let's look at the numbers:

 1.  Marvin Harrison has more 'elite' seasons than Michael Irvin
Irvin had elite seasons in 1991-1995 and again in 1997.  He had a strong, but injury shorted 1996.  By 1998, his career had waned.  In six excellent seasons, he helped the Cowboys to 3 world titles.  Harrison has had 8 elite seasons to this point in his career.

2.  Harrison's peak years were better than Irvin's peak years.
Irvin's five best seasons:
Year                Age        Catches    Yards      YPC    TDS          CPG        YPG

1991*+	25	93	1523	16.4	8	5.8	95.2
1992*+	26	78	1396	17.9	7	4.9	87.3
1993*+	27	88	1330	15.1	7	5.5	83.1
1994*	28	79	1241	15.7	6	4.9	77.6
1995*	29	111	1603	14.4	10	6.9	100.2

Average season:  
Catches  Yards       YPC    TDS     CPG   YPG

89.8	1418.6	15.8	7.6		5.6	88.7

89.8	1418.6	15.8	7.6		5.6	88.7

 89.8        1418.6    15.8      7.6       5.6       88.7

89.8	1418.6	15.8	7.6		5.6	88.7

Harrison's five best seasons:

1999*+	27	115	1663	14.5	12	7.2	103.9
2000*+	28	102	1413	13.9	14	6.4	88.3
2001*+	29	109	1524	14	15	6.8	95.3
2002*+	30	143	1722	12	11	8.9	107.6
2006*+	34	95	1366	14.4	12	5.9	85.4

Average season:
Catches        Yards      YPC          TDS      CPG      YPG

112.8

1537.6

13.6

12.8

7.1

96.1

 Again, as in the previous instance, it's clear that Harrison's best years were superior to Irvin's best years.  Harrison surpassed Irvin in every statistical category except yards per catch.  Irvin's lack of touchdowns is particularly glaring.  

3.  Harrison's volume stats dwarf those of Irvin.
Irvin's career numbers:

159	147	750	11904	15.9	65	87	4.7	74.9

159	147	750	11904	15.9	65	87	4.7	74.9

Games  C         Yards  YPC   Tds      

159	147	750	11904	15.9	65	87	4.7	74.9

159     750    11904    15.9    65        

Harrison's career numbers:
Games               Catches    Yards               YPC       TDS

175

1042

13944

13.4

123

In just one extra season of games, Harrison caught 292 more passes for 2000 more yards and nearly double the touchdowns.  Irvin does not come close to the production of Harrison.

4.  Harrison has 8 All Pro seasons to just three for Irvin.

5.  Irvin's significant off the field problems were a distraction to his team and limited his greatness.  While a player, he conducted himself in a selfish way and didn't put his team before his own desire to smoke crack and party with hookers.

Arguments for Irvin
Essentially arguments for Irvin boil down to one of the following:
1.  He was a savage blocker and vocal locker room leader.  He also had a much higher YPC than Harrison.  
2.  He had amazing postseason performances.  This is indisputable.  He had 8 postseason TDs (2 in a Super Bowl).  The majority of those were key scores in wins.  His postseason record is clearly superior to Harrison's.  He was an anchor of three Super Bowl champion teams.  Harrison has only one ring.
3.  He played for the Cowboys.

Final Argument:
Harrison was better at his best than Irvin was for whole seasons.  Harrison was better longer.  Anyone claiming that Irvin was a better player is probably basing their argument solely on intangible non-measurable things (but apparently not drug use), or solely on the results of a few playoff games.  We don't believe that a decade of results can be so easily toppled by a handful of memorable moments.

Argument #3  Harrison is superior to Terrell Owens
The Harrison/TO comparison is an interesting one because they polar opposites in many respects.   Owens is large physically, brash and outspoken, with poor hands, changes teams often, and has incredibly high touchdown totals.  Harrison is small physically, rarely speaks, has world class hands, played his whole career for one team, and averages more catches per season than any player in history.  Both have had essentially 8 elite seasons.

1.  Harrison's 5 best seasons are superior to Owen's 5 best seasons.
Terrell Owens
Year               Age         Games    Catches  Yards      YPC       TDs          CPG        YPG

2000*+	27	14	97	1451	15	13	6.9	103.6
2001*+	28	16	93	1412	15.2	16	5.8	88.3
2002*+	29	14	100	1300	13	13	7.1	92.9
2004*+	31	14	77	1200	15.6	14	5.5	85.7
2007*+	34	15	81	1355	16.7	15	5.4	90.3

Average:  
Ca         Yards     YPC    TD          CPG YPG 

89.6	1343.6	15.00	14.2		5.6	84.0

89.6    1343.6    15.00    14.2        5.6    84.0

Harrison   Games     Catches    Yards    YPC        TDs         CPG        YPG

1999*+	16	115	1663	14.5	12	7.2	103.9
2000*+	16	102	1413	13.9	14	6.4	88.3
2001*+	16	109	1524	14	15	6.8	95.3
2002*+	16	143	1722	12	11	8.9	107.6
2006*+	16	95	1366	14.4	12	5.9	85.4

    Average:
    Ca        Yards     TDs   YPC   CPG  YPG
  112.8    1537.6    13.6    12.8    7.1    96.1

Harrison consistently caught more balls for more yards.  Owens had a handful of additional touchdowns.

2.  Footballoutsiders new stats also show Harrison's superiority.  These stats cover 2000-2006.  Harrison didn't factor in 2007 because of injuries.
       

112.8	1537.6	13.6	12.8	7.1	96.1

           

	Player	Team	DPAR	DPAR	PAR	PAR	DVOA	DVOA	VOA	Passes	Yards	TD	Catch %
				Rank		Rank		Rank
2000	T.Owens	SF	40.4	6	47.5	3	28.30%	13	37.40%	144	1450	13	66.70%
	M.Harrison	IND	35.7	9	37	9	18.70%	29	20.00%	169	1415	14	60.40%
2001,	M.Harrison	IND	51.4	1	50.3	1	31.20%	5	30.00%	164	1524	17	66.50%
	T.Owens	SF	36.8	4	41.6	3	19.00%	11	24.30%	154	1412	18	60.40%
2002,	88-M.Harrison	IND	48.4	1	48.2	1	20.10%	11	19.90%	205	1722	11	70%
	81-T.Owens	SF	28.6	8	29.6	8	12.00%	20	13.10%	159	1300	13	63%
2003	88-M.Harrison	IND	35.1	5	31.2	5	32.70%	12	26.50%	142	1273	10	66%
	81-T.Owens	SF	12.4	31	16.3	23	0.70%	43	6.70%	145	1102	9	55%
2004	81-T.Owens	PHI	31.9	10	28.7	12	23.20%	17	18.80%	127	1202	14	61%
	88-M.Harrison	IND	28.6	12	31.4	10	14.60%	32	18.10%	139	1113	15	62%
2005	88-M.Harrison	IND	26	13	30.9	6	13.00%	23	19.40%	132	1136	12	62%
	81-T.Owens	PHI	13.2	27	11.4	32	7.20%	32	3.60%	92	763	6	51%
2006	88-M.Harrison	IND	44.3	2	43.3	2	28.90%	5	27.80%	148	1366	12	64%
	81-T.Owens	DAL	27.4	8	28.6	7	12.20%	28	13.50%	152	1180	13	56%

   
In these seven years, Harrison outpaced Owens 5 times.  In one other year (2004), Harrison and Owens had eerily similar seasons.  Note the catch rate for the two players.  In 2000, Owens caught an excellent 66% of pass thrown to him.  He would never approach that level again.  Harrison caught a significantly better % (6, 7, 11, 11, 8) of his passes in 5 other years.  Harrison ranked in the top 15 in DPAR in all 7 years, and in the top 5 4 different times (including leading the league in DPAR twice).  Owens was in the top 5 only one time, and twice ranked below 25 (he was injured for part of 2005).   Harrison had a better per play average than Owens 5 times.  

Both are excellent players, but in their primes from 2000-2006, Harrison was consistently the more valuable receiver.

3.  Harrison's volume numbers outpace those of TO
 Owens                  G     Ca        Yards   YPC      TD
Career                173     882    13070    14.8    129

Harrison                G      Ca       Yards    YPC    TD

175	173	1042	13944	13.4	123	80	6	79.7

Career               175    1042    13944    13.4    123   

Playing in just two more games than Owens, Harrison has posted 160 more catches for 870 more yards.  Owens has 6 more scores.

4.  Harrison has 8 All Pro teams to five for Owens.

5.  Owens intentionally sabotaged his team and his quarterback on multiple occasions.  Causing sever locker room rifts and sinking whole seasons for his team.

6.  Many of Owens' numbers are similar to Harrison's, but his low catch rates in several seasons and penchant for drops (he lead the league in 2007) severely limit his value.  Owens simply can't be counted on to catch key balls for first downs.  He has a unique ability to break plays for scores, but is a questionable target on a simple 3rd and 5 from the 45.  He can finish drives, but his ability to keep them alive must be questioned.

The Argument for Owens:
1.  Owens has consistently had a better YPC than Harrison.  He doesn't catch as many short passes, and breaks the ones he does for longer gains.  
2.  He is probably the most physically intimidating wideout in football because of his ability to break and shed tacklers.
3.  Harrison's injury this year has put his career in question, whereas Owens had a remarkable 2007 campaign, perhaps his best.
4.  Owens performance in a losing cause in the Super Bowl was one of the best big games ever from a wide receiver.
5.  Harrison's numbers are a factor of receiving far more pass attempts than TO.  

Final Argument:
This is a fascinating debate because of the conflicting style of the two men.  Their careers are still going on, so in three seasons, this question might have a very different answer.  Still, through this point in their careers, it's clear that Harrison has been more productive.  Owens' penchant for dropped balls simply cannot be overlooked.  Owens has been an elite receiver for some time, but lacks Harrison's consistency.  Owens oft discussed ability to destroy a locker room cannot be overlooked.  Harrison has been the superior player, but must continue to be productive in order to maintain that title.


Stats courtesy of  Profootballreference.com