Question about Deep Sleeper/Lost RBs (1 Viewer)

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

When was the last time a young and completely unproven RB either missed an entire year due to injury or was cut/given away by the team that drafted him and subsequently had his career take off? Are the Brian Calhouns and Ryan Moats of the world DOA at this point, or do they come back from the dead every now and then?

I couldn't think of anyone except maybe Ahman Green who was more or less giftwrapped to the Packers after two non-seasons with the Seahawks. Are there others? Chris Brown would almost count if he had a big year in 2007, but he had a good season in 2004 so has at least shown he's got the talent.

 

[off]

Does Priest Holmes qualify?

 

[gregjcross]

When was the last time a young and completely unproven RB either missed an entire year due to injury or was cut/given away by the team that drafted him and subsequently had his career take off? Are the Brian Calhouns and Ryan Moats of the world DOA at this point, or do they come back from the dead every now and then?

I couldn't think of anyone except maybe Ahman Green who was more or less giftwrapped to the Packers after two non-seasons with the Seahawks. Are there others? Chris Brown would almost count if he had a big year in 2007, but he had a good season in 2004 so has at least shown he's got the talent.

its rare,Garrison Hearst

Thomas Jones

Ty Wheatley

Lamar Smith

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Didn't he rush for 1000+ with the Ravens before he moved to the Chiefs? Was he a FA when he made that move, or was it a trade? Either way, he'd sort of shown what he could do -- his career wasn't dead or anything.

 

[wannabee]

the ones I think of that emerged a couple years into their career are Stephen Davis, Rueben Droughns, Lamont Jordan, Michael Turner, and even Frank Gore did not have a great rookie year (but did show a little promise).

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

the ones I think of that emerged a couple years into their career are Stephen Davis, Rueben Droughns, Lamont Jordan, Michael Turner, and even Frank Gore did not have a great rookie year (but did show a little promise).

I'm really looking for guys who were given up on by the teams that drafted them. Not just that came out of nowhere. Ahman Green did nothing with the Seahawks for two years and then was traded for a bag of chips and a diet coke. Or guys that came into the league and lost an entire year to injury BEFORE they had a good season.Has anyone ever been cut outright by an NFL team and come back to be a star?

 

[wannabee]

the ones I think of that emerged a couple years into their career are Stephen Davis, Rueben Droughns, Lamont Jordan, Michael Turner, and even Frank Gore did not have a great rookie year (but did show a little promise).

I'm really looking for guys who were given up on by the teams that drafted them. Not just that came out of nowhere. Ahman Green did nothing with the Seahawks for two years and then was traded for a bag of chips and a diet coke. Or guys that came into the league and lost an entire year to injury BEFORE they had a good season.Has any RB ever been cut outright by an NFL team and come back to be a star?

are you not including Droughns from his days in Detroit before Denver?Also, those I listed are no different than Calhoun, who was injured as a rookie and is entering his 2nd year with the Lions.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Droughns is a good example then...didn't realize he was in Detroit. Thanks.

 

[Buckna]

Thomas Jones comes to mind to fit what you are looking for. Given up on by Arizona and Tampa Bay before playing well in Chicago.

Lamont Jordan almost fits. Was stuck behind Curtis Martin until his rookie contract was up and the Jets let him go instead of resigning him.

Philly let a disappointing Charlie Garner go who then subsequently had amazing years with the 9'ers and the Raiders.

 

[LHUCKS]

When was the last time a young and completely unproven RB either missed an entire year due to injury or was cut/given away by the team that drafted him and subsequently had his career take off? Are the Brian Calhouns and Ryan Moats of the world DOA at this point, or do they come back from the dead every now and then?

I couldn't think of anyone except maybe Ahman Green who was more or less giftwrapped to the Packers after two non-seasons with the Seahawks. Are there others? Chris Brown would almost count if he had a big year in 2007, but he had a good season in 2004 so has at least shown he's got the talent.

its rare,Garrison Hearst

Thomas Jones

Ty Wheatley

Lamar Smith

That's a pretty good list...especially the Lamar Smith call.

 

[Donnybrook]

When was the last time a young and completely unproven RB either missed an entire year due to injury or was cut/given away by the team that drafted him and subsequently had his career take off? Are the Brian Calhouns and Ryan Moats of the world DOA at this point, or do they come back from the dead every now and then?

I couldn't think of anyone except maybe Ahman Green who was more or less giftwrapped to the Packers after two non-seasons with the Seahawks. Are there others? Chris Brown would almost count if he had a big year in 2007, but he had a good season in 2004 so has at least shown he's got the talent.

Out of curiousity (and boredom), I had to find out what Ahman Green was actually traded for. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahman_Green

In 2000, Green was traded along with a fifth round draft pick to the Green Bay Packers for Fred Vinson and a sixth round pick. Since then, he has been selected to the NFL Pro Bowl every year from 2001 to 2004 and has broken several franchise records.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Vinson_(NFL)

Despite the injury, Vinson was selected in the second round with the 47th overall selection in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He played as a nickel back and had nineteen tackles and two interceptions. After one season with the Packers, he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for running back Ahman Green and a sixth-round draft pick.[2] Vinson suffered a torn ACL during the preseason in a pickup basketball game and was forced to miss the season. After another injury the following offseason, he was released.[3]

Obviously didn't work out for Seattle but not sure if Green was giftwapped or given away by the Seahawks.

 

[chook]

are you not including Droughns from his days in Detroit before Denver?

Also, those I listed are no different than Calhoun, who was injured as a rookie and is entering his 2nd year with the Lions.

Calhoun may be on the PUP (or even IR again) this season, therefore his chances to do anything in his 2nd year are slim.

 

[az_prof]

What this small list shows is that it is rare. If a RB doesn't show something in his first couple of years, it seems he is not likely to do so.

 

[Fighting Noles]

Not quite the same thing, but as far as sticking with a player in a Dynasty - Jamal Anderson was a SEVENTH rd. pick by the Falcons in 1994 & in his first two seasons combined for a little over 200 yds. TOTAL. He then went on to have 3 great years from 96 to his unbelievable 98 season.....

 

[Fighting Noles]

Chris Warren a 4th rd. draft pick struggled his first two seasons in Seattle (some injuries & less than 100 TOTAL yards) before taking off for 4 straight seasons of ~ avg. of 1500 total yards per year...

Same team, but like Moats/Calhoun in your example had done nothing to show that was coming.

 

[mike11162]

Going back a ways, I thought of Charles White. He was pretty much nondescript his first few seasons in the league after winning the Heisman at USC and being drafted high in the first in 1980, then came back from the dead and had that one big season in 1987.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

I think it is a pretty rare thing, but you need to assess the reason for their disappointment. Being stuck behind LT2 and Curtis Martin certainly doesn't mean you aren't good enough (Turner and Jordan). Of course it doesn't mean you will be a star (Morris). So in my opinion, Moats being stuck behind Westbrook doesn't mean he isn't good. But it's telling that he didn't get the work when Westbrook was hurt. Calhoun has been hurt, as has Chris Perry. Maybe they become relevant, but it's iffy. I think you need to figure out how much you believe in their talent and what the opportunity cost is of keeping them on your roster another year. I have Moats, Harrison and Shelton. I believe in their talent in that order. Shelton is gone by the start of the season if he doesn't show anything, and he may be gone from the Panthers anyway. Harrison needs to show me something if he gets any chance in place of Lewis. But I will likely keep Moats all year and see if a change of scenery can do him good next year.

 

[humphrp]

Didn't he rush for 1000+ with the Ravens before he moved to the Chiefs? Was he a FA when he made that move, or was it a trade? Either way, he'd sort of shown what he could do -- his career wasn't dead or anything.

For the next two years after that season he did relatively nothing until going to the Chiefs. I think he qualifiesEdited for grammer and spelling

 

[David Yudkin]

John Riggins missed an entire season and came back to have his two best years.

James Brooks was decent in SD but much better in CIN.

Charlie Garner was ok in PHI but great after he left.

Harvey Williams was a bit player in KC but had a few top seasons in OAK.

Curt Warner got hurt in his second year and managed to come back for 4 more good seasons.

Craig Heyward was not a full time starter in NO and ended up as one in ATL.

Frank Gore had several knee injuries in college and looked ok last year.

Thomas Jones bounced around before finally doing well in CHI.

Lamont Jordan backed up Curtis Martin for years and had one solid year in OAK.

Charles White was a bizarre story in the first place (ranked #1 in 1987 but did as close to nothing in 7 other seasons as possible). He did miss a season though and came back.

Chester Taylor was a backup that went to MIN and had a strong season (but looks like he won't get the chance for another).

But there are not many backs that have switched teams as a relative unknown that went on to be a star elsewhere. Most of the time they were somewhat established.

 

[gregjcross]

John Riggins missed an entire season and came back to have his two best years.James Brooks was decent in SD but much better in CIN.Charlie Garner was ok in PHI but great after he left.Harvey Williams was a bit player in KC but had a few top seasons in OAK.Curt Warner got hurt in his second year and managed to come back for 4 more good seasons.Craig Heyward was not a full time starter in NO and ended up as one in ATL.Frank Gore had several knee injuries in college and looked ok last year.Thomas Jones bounced around before finally doing well in CHI.Lamont Jordan backed up Curtis Martin for years and had one solid year in OAK.Charles White was a bizarre story in the first place (ranked #1 in 1987 but did as close to nothing in 7 other seasons as possible). He did miss a season though and came back.Chester Taylor was a backup that went to MIN and had a strong season (but looks like he won't get the chance for another).But there are not many backs that have switched teams as a relative unknown that went on to be a star elsewhere. Most of the time they were somewhat established.

For fun, how about a list of fast riser/ equally fast faders....Anthony Thomas, Chicago Erricht Rhett, Tampa BayJohn Stephens New EnglandRaymont Harris, Chicago (not a fast riser, but a fast fader Fred Lane, Panthers

 

[Revo]

Some others who had some success, but really blossomed upon moving to another organization:

- Garrison Hearst

- Greg Bell

- Ricky Watters

 

[ImTheScientist]

John Riggins missed an entire season and came back to have his two best years.

James Brooks was decent in SD but much better in CIN.

Charlie Garner was ok in PHI but great after he left.

Harvey Williams was a bit player in KC but had a few top seasons in OAK.

Curt Warner got hurt in his second year and managed to come back for 4 more good seasons.

Craig Heyward was not a full time starter in NO and ended up as one in ATL.

Frank Gore had several knee injuries in college and looked ok last year.

Thomas Jones bounced around before finally doing well in CHI.

Lamont Jordan backed up Curtis Martin for years and had one solid year in OAK.

Charles White was a bizarre story in the first place (ranked #1 in 1987 but did as close to nothing in 7 other seasons as possible). He did miss a season though and came back.

Chester Taylor was a backup that went to MIN and had a strong season (but looks like he won't get the chance for another).

But there are not many backs that have switched teams as a relative unknown that went on to be a star elsewhere. Most of the time they were somewhat established.

For fun, how about a list of fast riser/ equally fast faders....Anthony Thomas, Chicago

Erricht Rhett, Tampa Bay

John Stephens New England

Raymont Harris, Chicago (not a fast riser, but a fast fader

Fred Lane, Panthers

RIP Fred Lane.....nobody danced in the enzone like you!

 

[nygiants56]

Terry Allen...dude had bum knees and was still a MONSTER under Norv Turner!

greatest reclamation project of all time?

'My Man' Otis Anderson , 1990 SB mvp

 

[cstu]

Green actually played well in Seattle backing up Watters, but IIRC it was his fumbling problem that convinced the Seahawks to trade him away for peanuts and take SA in the draft. I guess it's true that the Seahawks gave up on Green, but I don't think they had much reason to think he'd suddenly be able to hold onto the ball.

 

[BigRed]

greatest reclamation project of all time?'My Man' Otis Anderson , 1990 SB mvp

After a number of great years on pathetic Cardinal teams, he went to an established NYG team and was mostly average at best (often not even).

 

[KING]

wasn't FWP cut by carolina?

 

[AB in DC]

I think you are confused by the fact that he played (minimally) in college at North Carolina