Mike Martz: 'Ridiculous' if HOF inducts Terrell Owens before Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Despite Terrell Owens having better career statistics than Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, former St. Louis coach Mike Martz thinks the Rams should go into the Hall of Fame first.

"'Surprised' isn't the word," Martz told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "You can't print how I felt when T.O. leapfrogged those two. That's just plain out-and-out ridiculous."

Owens, 42, talked about Martz's comments Monday on Boston Herald Radio.

"I really don't know what his basis is for saying that, other than the simple fact that he coached those two guys so he's going to be biased. I played against those guys, those guys are tremendous receivers," Owens told Boston Herald Radio. "But for me, it's really what you're basing your opinions on. I've never been in any off-the-field problems, I don't think those guys have either." "But if you want to talk about character or anything like that, that's when you can kind of weight in. OK, well, what did I do that really has a flaw in my character other than really be open and honest and really just speak my mind?"

Owens is No. 6 all-time with 1,078 receptions, No. 2 all-time with 15,934 receiving yards, and No. 3 all-time with 153 receiving touchdowns. Bruce is No. 9, while Holt is No. 19 in career receptions. Bruce is No. 4 and Holt is No. 14 in career receiving yards. Bruce is No. 12 and Holt is No. 33 in career receiving scores.

"Had [Holt and Bruce] promoted themselves, which was contrary to everything we were about, they'd probably get in without an issue," Martz told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Had they pulled a T.O., they're probably get in without an issue.

"That's just not who we were. If they big-timed it and did all that dumb stuff, they'd probably get in earlier. I think they'll eventually get in. I don't think that's an issue, but it's tragic that people think of them like that. If Marvin Harrison gets in, how could they not get in?"

This is the first year of Hall of Fame eligibility for Owens and quarterback Brett Favre. Owens will find out about his Hall of Fame vote next Saturday.

"As far as talent and production goes, T.O. is absolutely a Hall of Famer," Former Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid told Philly.com.

The 15 finalists for the class of 2016 are: Morten Andersen, Steve Atwater, Don Coryell, Terrell Davis, Tony Dungy, Alan Faneca, Favre, Kevin Greene, Marvin Harrison, Joe Jacoby, Edgerrin James, John Lynch, Owens, Orlando Pace and Kurt Warner.