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Talking Running Backs (1 Viewer)

What all the fuss was about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD_sqMKZRmQ

Something that gets lost in his story is his days with Bobby Mitchell. 

Brown was actually a FB and for about 4 seasons his running mate was the amazing Bobby Mitchel a Big10 (Illinois) 100/110 champ.

Mitchell averaged over five yards and was just as...wow...as Brown, just in a different way. 

After being traded to the Redskins (first black player)he beame a HOF WR.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5Si0LjDRRY

Imagine Jim Brown at Fulback and that guy at RB,

Yep, Thunder & Lighting.

 
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My O.J.Simpson story.

I;m in Fresno at the 4 day track carnival THE WEST COAST RELAYS.

The next event on the track the big schools JC 4x1 relay. So I'm checking out the teams in my program....

Fresno City

SAC City

San Jose City

San Francisco City....ah...hmmm?  Orenthal James Simpson  on second leg, cool name.

Another 4 teams.

Curious about Simpson.  Talk about a head, the guy has a serious head.

I didn't know that he was the nations leading JC rusher.  And when he showed up at USC as O.J.Simpson. it took me awhile....I'll be damn that's Orenthal James.

While he is now shunned for good reason, he was a fantastic runner, 215 pounds with legit 9.4 speed, nobody before him was that big and fast.

1967 NCAA championships

(

1. Charles Greene (Nebraska)

...............................

Sr

...............

9.21y

2. Lennox Miller' (USC)

.........................................

So ..............

9.32

3. Bob Rovere (East Tennessee)

...........................

Sr

...............

9.42

4. Fred Kuller (USC)

..............................................

So ..............

9.46

5. Jerry Bright (Arizona State)

...............................

So ..............

9.47

6. O.J. Simpson (USC)***********************

..........................................

So ..............

9.53

7. Jim Lee (Maryland)

............................................

Sr

...............

9.58

8. Jim Freeman (Murray State)

..............................

Jr

In this meet the above mentioned Lennox Miller(Jamaican great) Fred Kuller,  Simpson and stud hurdler Earl McCullouch (future Lions receiver) would break the WR in the 4x1 relay.

Not sure what season he took sixth in the indoor 60 at the NCAA's

Rare to see legit sprinters at 215 pounds.

Speaking of San Francisco

The King

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zP_SBa8MpY

 
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Ilov80s said:
Neal Anderson- he had a great 3 year run: 88-91 he played in 47/48 possible games, averaged 4.4 ypc, had 3400 rushing, 131 receptions, 1300 receiving and 40 TDS. That’s impressive. 
Wow. Great stat line. I saw the name and I thought to myself "I remember that guy". Didn't realize he had such a good run. 

 
Denver

T.D., Mike Anderson, Floyd Little, Otis Armstrong

Seattle

Curt Warner, Shaun Alexander, Marshawn Lynch,  Chris Warren

 
ZenoRazon said:
Ha~~~~~~~~~

That was my what team has four HOF RB;s.

The Galloping Ghost

Bronko Nagurski

Gale Sayers

Walter Payton

Now add  Matt Forte, Willie Galimore, Neal Anderson, Rick Casares
Bears are my pick. Hell, you even left out Bill Osmanski, who was a 3 time pro bowler, with 1 rushing title. RB and LB the Bears are the best team ever, its too bad they haven't had a great QB for 70 years.

 
Denver

T.D., Mike Anderson, Floyd Little, Otis Armstrong

Seattle

Curt Warner, Shaun Alexander, Marshawn Lynch,  Chris Warren
Good stuff, those two should haven been mentioned sooner.

Chris Warren out of....Furman...hmm?

Otis Armstrong  a forgotten stud.

 
Bears are my pick. Hell, you even left out Bill Osmanski, who was a 3 time pro bowler, with 1 rushing title. RB and LB the Bears are the best team ever, its too bad they haven't had a great QB for 70 years.
Sid Luckman?

Bill Osmanski...love it~

Hell, the first 1000 yard rusher in NFL history Beattie  Feathers a Bear.  Cat averaged a gaudy 9.9 a carry.

 
The best RB per team that never had a 1000 yard season?

I'll knock out a few...

Packers....Paul Hornung  HOFer

Niners....Hugh McElhenny  HOFer

Bears....Willie Galimore

Cowboys...Don Perkins

Whatcha got?

 
Running backs who also returned kicks.

Most the time these guys just don't have that long range speed, but not always.

Gale Sayers..........older bro Roger a world class sprinter

Walter Payton

O.J.Simpson

Timmy Brown (an Eagle)

Terry Metcalf

Eric Metcalf....NCAA long jump champ 27-8 (best by any NFLer)

Tariq Cohen

Joe Washington

Leroy Kelly

Todd Gurley....Georgia

Barry Sanders....Okla St

Brian Westbrook

Trindon Holliday....RB LSU

"Jaquar" Jon Arnett

Jim Brown....................ran a few KO back early on. What a sight that was.

Abner Haynes

Paul Lowe...........first play in Charger history he goes 105

Keith Lincoln a fullback....did run one back to score.

Hugh "King" McElhenny

Buddy Young...all 5-4 of him/world class sprinter

Tyreek Hill.....RB at Okla St

Alvin Kamura

Herschel Walker

Who am I missing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XKDe-wi0Ns

 
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Why was Rex Burkhead getting carries that should have belonged to Sony Michel?

Hard to believe any team could be as successful as the Pats have been for so long with out that true stud RB.

Way back in the day they had a huge power back in NCAA wrestling champion Jim Nance, he was good.  Curtis Martin was there but more successful as a Jet. Hell, I think Sam "Bam" Cunningham is the franchise leading rusher.

Just don't see that Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Walter Payton, LaDainian Tomlinson quality RB?

 
What team has had the best four in their history?

Rams....Eric Dickerson...Steven Jackson...Marshall Faulk....Todd Gurley 
The Colts had Faulk for his first 5 years before the Rams and also had Dickerson for a few seasons after the Rams and he took them to the playoffs in (87?).   My favorite Colts backs were Marshall Faulk, Lydell Mitchell, and Edgerrin James.   I thought Tom Matte was overrated and so was Alan Ameche. 

....but if I had to pick the Colts best RBs they would be Marshall Faulk, Lenny Moore, and Edge.  Dickerson had 3 good years for Indy.

 
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The Colts had Faulk for his first 5 years before the Rams and also had Dickerson for a few seasons after the Rams and he took them to the playoffs in (87?).   My favorite Colts backs were Marshall Faulk, Lydell Mitchell, and Edgerrin James.   I thought Tom Matte was overrated and so was Alan Ameche. 

....but if I had to pick the Colts best RBs they would be Marshall Faulk, Lenny Moore, and Edge.  Dickerson didn't play for them long enough.
Good stuff~~~

Matte was an x QB,  just a plodder. 

Alan "The Horse" Ameche was solid for what he was a thumper.

Lenny Moore would be a receiver today he was a great pass receivier.  And the first "great" Colts RB.

Imagine Penn State with Franco Harris at FB and Lydell Mitchell at RB? Mitchell a stud.

Sure, Moore, Faulk, Mitchell, James.

Curtis Dickey is still the fastest RB to ever play in the NFL, only NFL*** RB to ever be world ranked at 100m., he did have a 1000yard season, but a disappointment.

*** while at Texas &M

 
Good stuff~~~

Matte was an x QB,  just a plodder. 

Alan "The Horse" Ameche was solid for what he was a thumper.

Lenny Moore would be a receiver today he was a great pass receivier.  And the first "great" Colts RB.

Imagine Penn State with Franco Harris at FB and Lydell Mitchell at RB? Mitchell a stud.

Sure, Moore, Faulk, Mitchell, James.

Curtis Dickey is still the fastest RB to ever play in the NFL, only NFL*** RB to ever be world ranked at 100m., he did have a 1000yard season, but a disappointment.

*** while at Texas &M
Matte was just an emergency QB when both Unitas and Morrall were hurt.  He was a decent RB, but nothing special.  Same for Norm Bulaich.   Just think, Franco Harris was the blocking back at Penn St.  Curtis Dickey wasn't worth a damn and had a horrible work ethic.  Lydell Mitchell was my favorite RB.  He was a great rusher and receiver and was a big part of the Bert Jones led Colts success from 1975-1977 (three straight division titles).  Too bad they had to run up against the great 70s Steelers twice.  The year they lost 37-31 to the Raiders in double OT (ghost to the post game), was the year they should have went to the Super Bowl.

 
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Running backs who also returned kicks.

Most the time these guys just don't have that long range speed, but not always.

Gale Sayers..........older bro Roger a world class sprinter

Walter Payton

O.J.Simpson

Timmy Brown (an Eagle)

Terry Metcalf

Eric Metcalf....NCAA long jump champ 27-8 (best by any NFLer)

Tariq Cohen

Joe Washington

Leroy Kelly

Todd Gurley....Georgia

Barry Sanders....Okla St

Brian Westbrook

Trindon Holliday....RB LSU

"Jaquar" Jon Arnett

Jim Brown....................ran a few KO back early on. What a sight that was.

Abner Haynes

Paul Lowe...........first play in Charger history he goes 105

Keith Lincoln a fullback....did run one back to score.

Hugh "King" McElhenny

Buddy Young...all 5-4 of him/world class sprinter

Tyreek Hill.....RB at Okla St

Alvin Kamura

Herschel Walker

Who am I missing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XKDe-wi0Ns
Mercury Morris. 900 yard and 1000 yard rushing seasons. 3 kick return TDs. Career was shortened by knee and neck injuries. 

 
Matte was just an emergency QB when both Unitas and Morrall were hurt.  He was a decent RB, but nothing special.  Same for Norm Bulaich.   Just think, Franco Harris was the blocking back at Penn St.  Curtis Dickey wasn't worth a damn and had a horrible work ethic.  Lydell Mitchell was my favorite RB.  He was a great rusher and receiver and was a big part of the Bert Jones led Colts success from 1975-1977 (three straight division titles).  Too bad they had to run up against the great 70s Steelers twice.  The year they lost 37-31 to the Raiders in double OT (ghost to the post game), was the year they should have went to the Super Bowl.
Dickey did have ...a....great season, over 1100 rushing and 450 receiving.  He studdered and had some issues.

Mitchell was great, a slasher, more power than given credit for.

Norm Buliach.....DUDE, ha~~~  Been a long time since I;ve seen  that name.

Hell...Tony Lorick, Randy McMllian. Roosevelt Leaks, Joe Washington (that MNF game..wow) Jerry Hill, Buddy Young the mini rocket.

 
Dickey did have ...a....great season, over 1100 rushing and 450 receiving.  He studdered and had some issues.

Mitchell was great, a slasher, more power than given credit for.

Norm Buliach.....DUDE, ha~~~  Been a long time since I;ve seen  that name.

Hell...Tony Lorick, Randy McMllian. Roosevelt Leaks, Joe Washington (that MNF game..wow) Jerry Hill, Buddy Young the mini rocket.
That Monday Night Football game by Joe Washington vs New England is still considered the greatest individual performance on MNF.  Yes, even better than Bo.  The Colts were playing without Jones (again :( ) and the field was artificial turf back then in New England and it was very wet from rain.

I liked Leaks, but not McMillan and Hill.  I'm too young to remember Buddy Young and Moore. 

 
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Mercury Morris. 900 yard and 1000 yard rushing seasons. 3 kick return TDs. Career was shortened by knee and neck injuries. 
Good one~~~~

First became aware of Eugene "Mercury" Morris at a barber shop.

While sitting there waiting I grab a magazine, one of the stories was about Mercury Morrie while at West Texas State. But never saw him play until his Dolphin days, loved his style.

 
That Monday Night Football game by Joe Washington vs New England is still considered the greatest individual performance on MNF.  Yes, even better than Bo.  The Colts were playing without Jones (again :( ) and the field was artificial turf back then in New England and it was very wet from rain.
Yeah I know I saw the game, he did everything in the wet, amazing.

 
There are a few who just don't show up on the lists because they lacked longevity.  How about...

John Jefferson, the guy was great, yet a....who?

Bo Jackson ,  who was physically superior to him?

Hell, Gale Sayers only had six seasons.

Then there was this guy, totally lost in obscurity because......the Bears had a great FB named Rick Casares, he got the bulk of the carries, so this guy never carried enought to put up the numbers.  And he had a short career, he died in a car wreck.

Check him out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVRsSvziIJI

Think I;ve posted this before, worth another look.

 
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There are a few who just don't show up on the lists because they lacked longevity.  How about...

John Jefferson, the guy was great, yet a....who?
He was a WR, but you probably already knew that and was just mentioning him because of longevity. 

 
Yeah I know I saw the game, he did everything in the wet, amazing.
I saw it too.  I was at a friends unfurnished apartment and sat in an old rusty kitchen chair with a bottle of Jim Beam next to me.  I bought that game online.  It was a website that put together old telecast on to dvd.  I also bought Super Bowl V.  The version I have shows the first 3 qtrs and the last qtr on audio only until it gets to the end when Curtis intercepts Morton and O'Brien kicks the game winning FG.

 
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Just for the hell of it and because the Rams are in the SB but shouldn't be.

The list

*** 1000 yard rusher

Ollie Matson...Olympic 400m bronze medalist/gold 4x4 relay

Paul "Tank" Younger...first Grambling player in the NFL

"Deacon" Dan Towler

"Touchdown" Tommy Davis

"Jaguar" Jon Arnett...NCAA long jumper at USC

**** Bass...first 1000 yard rusher

Willie Ellison***

Lawrence McCutheon***

Charles White***

Wendell Tyler***

Eric Dickerson***

Jerome Bettis***

Marshall Faulk***

Steven Jackson***

Todd Gurley***

lower level

Pervis Atkins, Carver Shannon, Les Josephson, John Cappeletti.

 
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I would go with the Cowboys (whom I hate because of the original uncalled interference call in a Championship game vs Vikings).  But Emmitt Smith....Tony Dorsett...Ezekial Elliot...Herschel Walker had better complete careers than the four Rams, plus you didn't even mention another great Cowboy: Calvin Hill

 
I would go with the Cowboys (whom I hate because of the original uncalled interference call in a Championship game vs Vikings).  But Emmitt Smith....Tony Dorsett...Ezekial Elliot...Herschel Walker had better complete careers than the four Rams, plus you didn't even mention another great Cowboy: Calvin Hill
ThE first stud Cowboy RB was Don Perkins out of New Mexico, but he never had a 1000 yard season that was Calvin Hill a long jumper at Yale.

On the All Time Rushing list.

Cowboys

1. Emmitt Smith

9.Tony Dorsett

43.Herschel Walker

Rams

7.Jerome Bettis

8.Eric Dickerson

11.Marshall Faulk

18.Steven Jackson

The Rams had more 1000 yard rushers, those four  and...

**** Bass

Willie Ellison

Charles White

Wendell Tyler

Todd Gurley

And some studs back before we had the Cowboys in Ollie Matson a HOFer, Paul "Tank" Younger and "Deacon" Dan Towler.

 
While forgotten today Niner J.D.Smith was a great RB, the first 1000 yard NFL rusher out of one of those HBCU schools, NCA&T (Tariq Cohen).  The classic slasher.

Interesting story.

Started out a Bear, he was a cornerback there.

Wiki

San Francisco 49ers

In 1956, he was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco 49ers and played the remaining 5 games of the season as a reserve defensive back. The next year, he played at left cornerback, registering 2 interceptions and finishing third in the league with a 26.3-yard average in kickoff returns.

In 1958, while he served as a kickoff returner, he was eased into the running back position until the eleventh game of the season when he ran for 113 yards on seven carries, including and 80-yard touchdown. He was dubbed the "Cinderella Workhorse" by 49ers historian Donn Sinn, for his inauspicious route into prominence.

In 1959, Hugh McElhenny was moved to flanker and Smith was named the starter at left halfback alongside Joe Perry. He finished second in the NFL (behind Jim Brown) with 1,036 rushing yards, becoming the second player in franchise history to have a 1,000-yard rushing season (Perry was the first one) and tied a team record with 10 rushing touchdowns. In the following years he played halfback and fullback, leading the team in rushing for 5 consecutive seasons. He also was a part of the 'Alphabet Backfield', that included Y. A. Tittle, R.C. Owens*** and C.R. Roberts.[1] In 1964, he was a backup and rushed for 55 yards on 13 carries.

On September 6, 1965, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fifth round draft choice (#69-Mel Phillips). At the time he ranked second all-time on the 49ers career rushing list with 4,370 yards.
 

*** once blocked a field goal standing beneath the crossbar, yep, just jumped up and swatted the ball down, an x Idaho basketballer.

J.D. first two carries number 24.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sG3PvRsDls

There is JohnnyU for the Colts.

 
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Running backs who also returned kicks.

Most the time these guys just don't have that long range speed, but not always.

Gale Sayers..........older bro Roger a world class sprinter

Walter Payton

O.J.Simpson

Timmy Brown (an Eagle)

Terry Metcalf

Eric Metcalf....NCAA long jump champ 27-8 (best by any NFLer)

Tariq Cohen

Joe Washington

Leroy Kelly

Todd Gurley....Georgia

Barry Sanders....Okla St

Brian Westbrook

Trindon Holliday....RB LSU

"Jaquar" Jon Arnett

Jim Brown....................ran a few KO back early on. What a sight that was.

Abner Haynes

Paul Lowe...........first play in Charger history he goes 105

Keith Lincoln a fullback....did run one back to score.

Hugh "King" McElhenny

Buddy Young...all 5-4 of him/world class sprinter

Tyreek Hill.....RB at Okla St

Alvin Kamura

Herschel Walker

Who am I missing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XKDe-wi0Ns
Greg Pruitt

 
Running backs who also returned kicks.

Most the time these guys just don't have that long range speed, but not always.

Gale Sayers..........older bro Roger a world class sprinter

Walter Payton

O.J.Simpson

Timmy Brown (an Eagle)

Terry Metcalf

Eric Metcalf....NCAA long jump champ 27-8 (best by any NFLer)

Tariq Cohen

Joe Washington

Leroy Kelly

Todd Gurley....Georgia

Barry Sanders....Okla St

Brian Westbrook

Trindon Holliday....RB LSU

"Jaquar" Jon Arnett

Jim Brown....................ran a few KO back early on. What a sight that was.

Abner Haynes

Paul Lowe...........first play in Charger history he goes 105

Keith Lincoln a fullback....did run one back to score.

Hugh "King" McElhenny

Buddy Young...all 5-4 of him/world class sprinter

Tyreek Hill.....RB at Okla St

Alvin Kamura

Herschel Walker

Who am I missing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XKDe-wi0Ns
One of the best Brian Mitchell RB Redskins and Eagles

 
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I think I can do this.

Best RB per franchise that never had a 1000 yard season.

Packers....Paul Hornung  HOF

Lions....Nick Pietrasonte

Bears....Willie Galimore....amazing runner

Vikes....Tommy Mason

Niners...Hugh "King" McElhenny  HOF

Rams....Paul "Tank" Younger....first NFLer from Grambling

Seahawks....J.L. Williams

Cards....Terry Metcalf

Cowboys....Don Perkins

Eagles....Timmy Brown

Redskins....Joe Washington

Giants....Frank Gifford HOF

Saints...Tony Galbreath

Falcons....Junior Coffey

Panthers....hmmm?

Buc's....James Owens

Raiders...Hewritt Dixon

Chargers....Keith Lincoln

Broncos...Billy Joe

Chiefs...Mack "Truck" Lee Hill....had to be seen to be believed.

Jets....Matt Snel...SBIII hero

Pats...Larry Garron

Bills....Wray Carlton

Dolphins...Jim Kiick

Steelers...**** Hoak

Ravens...hmmm?

Browns....Bobby Mitchell  HOF (WR Redskins)

Bengals....Boobie Clarke

Texans...hmmm?

Colts....Alan "Horse" Ameche

Oilers/Titans....Billy Cannon

Jags....hmmmm?

I didn't do any homework there, so if you have someone better, cool~~~~~~

 
Bryce Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaWOBy-kAF4

As far as I know he still holds the national record for a 13/14 year in the 100/200.

Will he be an even bigger wow than Barkley?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqCpjfhpMxY

Very rare to find any RB who ran the 400m. 

Ollie Matson the best being an Olympic bronze medalist.

Paul Robinson the first 1000 yard rusher for the Bengals ran the 400m hurdles.

I think that's it.

Bo Jackson being a decathlete had to run the 400m, doubt he tried to cook it.

 
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Bryce Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaWOBy-kAF4

As far as I know he still holds the national record for a 13/14 year in the 100/200.

Will he be an even bigger wow than Barkley?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqCpjfhpMxY

Very rare to find any RB who ran the 400m. 

Ollie Matson the best being an Olympic bronze medalist.

Paul Robinson the first 1000 yard rusher for the Bengals ran the 400m hurdles.

I think that's it.

Bo Jackson being a decathlete had to run the 400m, doubt he tried to cook it.
Eric Dickerson was 200 meter  Texas State Champ in High School.

 Minnesota Viking and Ohio State RB, Robert Smith.  Smith ran the 400 in sub-47 while at Euclid HS in Ohio.  In addition, Smith was a state champion 100 meter sprinter and 4×400 relay NCAA champion at Ohio State.  

 
Eric Dickerson was 200 meter  Texas State Champ in High School.

 Minnesota Viking and Ohio State RB, Robert Smith.  Smith ran the 400 in sub-47 while at Euclid HS in Ohio.  In addition, Smith was a state champion 100 meter sprinter and 4×400 relay NCAA champion at Ohio State.  
Dickerson's 9.4 at 100 yards superior to his 21.5 200.  He like Darrel Green a guy where if he'd stayed in track could have had a serious future.

Smith ran a 45.7ish 400, which is a good NCAA time. How I forgot about him?

 
Will put this here, no need to clutter the board.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21UknRG9ffg

Little doubt when at his best that is a sub 4.20.

Christain Coleman (who beat Bolt the last time they raced) has that WR 4.12, not that we have a legit WR there.

Coleman a HS footballer back in the day.

Funny thing is John Ross was no stud sprinter, just a fast football player.

 
Christian Okoye didn't run track but  excelled in track and field, winning seven college titles in the shot put, discus, and hammer throw. 
i have read somewhere where he did run at least one 200m,  now I can't find it.

A 4.38 40 at 6-1 255  is unheard of, yep, freakish.

I would think that Azusa Pacific team didn't have four sprinters faster than Okoye for their 4x1 team,  so..? 

He is another Tecmo legend, would be tacklers actually bounce off him, talking flying thru the air bouncing, hahaha~~~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OO-w04DUv4

 
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Both Sony Michel and Todd Gurley are Georgia alums. So give me five other bulldogs who had 1000 yard NFL seasons?

What other schools had at least seven NFL 1000 yard rushers?

 

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