Work Horse Work Loads (1 Viewer)

[Horrorshow]

Most Rushing Attempts: 1960's

1769 = Jim Taylor '60-67

1610 = Jim Brown '60-65

1500 = Don Perkins '61-68

1354 = Bill Brown '61-69

1218 = **** Bass '60-69

1146 = Clem Daniels '60-68

1092 = **** Hoak '61-69

1076 = John Henry Johnson '60-66

1049 = Jim Nance '65-69

1044 = Bill Mathis '60-69

Most Rushing Attempts: Dead Ball Era ( 1970-1977 )

1942 = O.J. Simpson '70-77

1435 = Franco Harris '72-77

1391 = Lydell Mitchell '72-77

1347 = John Brockington '71-77

1328 = Larry Brown '70-76

1311 = Larry Csonka '70-77

1244 = Lawrence McCutcheon '72-77

1209 = Chuck Foreman '73-77

1207 = Floyd Little '70-75

1158 = John Riggins '71-77

Most Rushing Attempts: 1970's

2223 = O.J. Simpson '70-79

2012 = Franco Harris '72-79

1668 = Lydell Mitchell '72-79

1666 = John Riggins '71-79

1622 = Larry Csonka '70-79

1548 = Walter Payton '75-79

1533 = Chuck Foreman '73-79

1435 = Lawrence McCutcheon '72-79

1347 = John Brockington '71-77

1328 = Larry Brown '70-76

Most Rushing Attempts: 1980's

2450 = Eric Dickerson '83-89

2290 = Walter Payton '80-87

2188 = Tony Dorsett '80-88

1943 = Ottis Anderson '80-89

1788 = Gerald Riggs '82-89

1781 = Marcus Allen '82-89

1692 = George Rogers '81-87

1649 = Curt Warner '83-89

1605 = Freeman McNeil '81-89

1575 = James Wilder '81-89

Most Rushing Attempts: Pre Modern Era ( 1978-1993 )

2996 = Eric Dickerson '83-93

2992 = Walter Payton '78-87

2728 = Tony Dorsett '78-88

2562 = Ottis Anderson '79-92

2296 = Marcus Allen '82-93

2187 = Earl Campbell '78-85

1991 = Roger Craig '83-93

1989 = Gerald Riggs '82-91

1798 = Freeman McNeil '81-92

1794 = Herschel Walker '86-93

Most Rushing Attempts: 1990's

3243 = Emmitt Smith '90-99

2782 = Barry Sanders '90-98

2344 = Thurman Thomas '90-99

2272 = Ricky Watters '92-99

2106 = Jerome Bettis '93-99

1938 = Terry Allen '91-99

1824 = Rodney Hampton '90-97

1717 = Chris Warren '90-99

1694 = Curtis Martin '95-99

1642 = Marshall Faulk '94-99

Most Rushing Attempts: Modern Era ( 1994-2006 )

3518 = Curtis Martin '95-05

3185 = Jerome Bettis '94-05

3147 = Emmitt Smith '94-04

2865 = Eddie George '96-04

2836 = Marshall Faulk '94-04

2618 = Corey Dillon '97-06

2525 = Edgerrin James '99-06

2256 = Warwick Dunn '97-06

2216 = Tiki Barber '97-06

2208 = Ricky Watters '94-01

Most Rushing Attempts: 2000's

2156 = Edgerrin James '00-06

2050 = LaDainian Tomlinson '01-06

1969 = Shaun Alexander '00-06

1966 = Tiki Barber '00-06

1860 = Corey Dillon '00-06

1824 = Curtis Martin '00-05

1822 = Jamal Lewis '00-06

1810 = Ahman Green '00-06

1639 = Fred Taylor '00-06

1592 = Warrick Dunn '00-06

Most Rushing Attempts: Career

4409 = Emmitt Smith

3838 = Walter Payton

3518 = Curtis Martin

3479 = Jerome Bettis

3062 = Barry Sanders

3022 = Marcus Allen

2996 = Eric Dickerson

2949 = Franco Harris

2936 = Tony Dorsett

2916 = John Riggins

Most Rushing Attempts: Career ( RB's active in '06 )

2618 = Corey Dillon

2525 = Edgerrin James

2256 = Warrick Dunn

2216 = Tiki Barber

2062 = Fred Taylor

2050 = LaDainian Tomlinson

1969 = Shaun Alexander

1945 = Stephen Davis

1871 = Ahman Green

1822 = Jamal Lewis

Most Rushing Attempts: Single Season

416 = Larry Johnson '06

410 = Jamal Anderson '98

407 = James Wilder '84

404 = Eric Dickerson '86

403 = Eddie George '00

397 = Gerald Riggs '85

392 = Terrell Davis '98

392 = Ricky Williams '03

390 = Eric Dickerson '83

390 = Barry Foster '92

Most Rushing Attempts: Single Season ( 1960 - 1977 )

339 = Walter Payton '77

332 = O.J. Simpson '73

329 = O.J. Simpson '75

324 = Mark VanEeghen '77

311 = Walter Payton '76

305 = Jim Brown '61

301 = Lydell Mitchell '77

300 = Franco Harris '77

299 = Jim Nance '66

298 = Ron Johnson '72

 

[Horrorshow]

Most Career Rushing Attempts: Averaging Less than 3.10 YPC

543 = Michael Haddix '83-90

Averaging between 3.10 & 3.20 YPC

421 = Mark Smolinski '61-68

Averaging between 3.20 & 3.30 YPC

514 = Billy Barnes '60-66

Averaging between 3.30 & 3.40 YPC

651 = Tucker Frederickson '65-71

Averaging between 3.40 & 3.50 YPC

1164 = Leonard Russell '91-96

Averaging between 3.50 & 3.60 YPC

1649 = Bill Brown '61-74

Averaging between 3.60 & 3.70 YPC

2865 = Eddie George '96-04

Averaging between 3.70 & 3.80 YPC

1824 = Rodney Hampton '90-97

Averaging between 3.80 & 3.90 YPC

2916 = John Riggins '71-85

Averaging between 3.90 & 4.00 YPC

3479 = Jerome Bettis '93-05

Averaging between 4.00 & 4.10 YPC

3518 = Curtis Martin '95-05

Averaging between 4.10 & 4.20 YPC

4409 = Emmitt Smith '90-04

Averaging between 4.20 & 4.30 YPC

2618 = Corey Dillon '97-06

Averaging between 4.30 & 4.40 YPC

3838 = Walter Payton '75-87

Averaging between 4.40 & 4.50 YPC

2996 = Eric Dickerson '83-93

Averaging between 4.50 & 4.60 YPC

1871 = Ahman Green '98-06

Averaging between 4.60 & 4.70 YPC

2404 = O.J. Simpson '69-79

Averaging between 4.70 & 4.80 YPC

2216 = Tiki Barber '97-06

Averaging between 4.80 & 4.90 YPC

1411 = Robert Smith '93-00

Averaging between 4.90 & 5.00 YPC

3062 = Barry Sanders '89-98

Averaging 5.00+ YPC

2359 = Jim Brown '57-65

* YPC calculated to two decimal places *

 

[Horrorshow]

Most Rushing Attempts By Club: Single Season ( Since 1960 )

ARI: Edgerrin James - 337 / '06

ATL: Jamal Anderson - 410 / '98

BAL: Jamal Lewis - 387 / '03

BUF: Thurman Thomas - 355 / '93

CAR: Stephen Davis - 318 / '03

CHI: Walter Payton - 381 / '84

CIN: Rudi Johnson - 361 / '04

CLE: Reuben Droughns - 309 / '05

DAL: Emmitt Smith - 377 / '95

DEN: Terrell Davis - 392 / '98

DET: Barry Sanders - 343 / '98

GB : Ahman Green - 355 / '03

HOU: Domanick Davis - 302 / '04

IND: Eric Dickerson - 388 / '88

JAX: Fred Taylor - 345 / '03

KC : Larry Johnson - 416 / '06

MIA: Ricky Williams - 392 / '03

MIN: Chester Taylor - 303 / '06

NE : Curtis Martin - 368 / '95

NO : George Rogers - 378 / '81

NYG: Tiki Barber - 357 / '05

NYJ: Curtis Martin - 371 / '04

OAK: Marcus Allen - 380 / '85

PHI: Ricky Watters - 353 / '96

PIT: Barry Foster - 390 / '92

SD : LaDainian Tomlinson - 372 / '02

SF : Frank Gore - 312 / '06

SEA: Shaun Alexander - 370 / '05

STL: Eric Dickerson - 404 / '86

TB : James Wilder - 407 / '84

TEN: Eddie George - 403 / '00

WAS: John Riggins - 375 / '83

17 of the 32 club records have been set during the 2000's...

15 of the 32 club records have been set during the last four seasons...

 

[Horrorshow]

Most Rushing Attempts: Rookie Season

390 - Eric Dickerson '83

378 - George Rogers '81

369 - Edgerrin James '99

368 - Curtis Martin '95

339 - LaDainian Tomlinson '01

335 - Curt Warner '83

335 - Eddie George '96

331 - Ottis Anderson '79

314 - Marshall Faulk '94

313 - Billy Sims '80

Most Rushing Attempts: 2nd Season

387 - Edgerrin James '00

379 - Eric Dickerson '84

372 - LaDainian Tomlinson '02

368 - Earl Campbell '79

365 - Emmitt Smith '91

357 - Eddie George '97

345 - Terrell Davis '96

343 - Natrone Means '94

332 - Errict Rhett '95

325 - Travis Henry '02

325 - Deuce McAllister '02

325 - Willis McGahee '05

Most Rushing Attempts: 3rd Season

390 - Barry Foster '92

373 - Earl Campbell '80

373 - Emmitt Smith '92

370 - Christian Okoye '89

369 - Terrell Davis '97

361 - Herschel Walker '88

361 - Rudi Johnson '04

353 - Gerald Riggs '84

351 - Deuce McAllister '03

348 - Eddie George '98

Most Rushing Attempts: 4th Season

416 - Larry Johnson '06

407 - James Wilder '84

404 - Eric Dickerson '86

397 - Gerald Riggs '85

392 - Terrell Davis '98

387 - Jamal Lewis '03

383 - Ricky Williams '02

380 - Marcus Allen '85

369 - Curtis Martin '98

361 - Earl Campbell '81

Most Rushing Attempts: 5th Season

410 - Jamal Anderson '98

403 - Eddie George '00

392 - Ricky Williams '03

375 - Jerome Bettis '97

369 - Walter Payton '79

368 - Emmitt Smith '94

367 - Curtis Martin '99

365 - James Wilder '85

353 - Shaun Alexander '04

353 - Ricky Watters '96

Most Rushing Attempts: 6th Season

388 - Eric Dickerson '88

377 - Emmitt Smith '95

370 - Shaun Alexander '05

356 - Stephen Davis '01

355 - Thurman Thomas '93

355 - Ahman Green '03

348 - LaDainian Tomlinson '06

347 - Terry Allen '96

345 - Fred Taylor '03

339 - James Stewart '00

Most Rushing Attempts: 7th Season

360 - Edgerrin James '05

343 - Eddie George '02

339 - Walter Payton '81

333 - Curtis Martin '01

329 - O.J. Simpson '75

327 - Emmitt Smith '96

320 - Priest Holmes '03

319 - Ricky Watters '98

314 - Eric Dickerson '89

314 - Barry Sanders '95

314 - Jamal Lewis '06

Most Rushing Attempts: 8th Season

355 - Jerome Bettis '00

345 - Corey Dillon '04

337 - Edgerrin James '06

325 - Ricky Watters '99

324 - Charles White '87

322 - Tiki Barber '04

318 - Stephen Davis '03

313 - Lamar Smith '01

312 - Eddie George '03

307 - Barry Sanders '96

Most Rushing Attempts: 9th Season

357 - Tiki Barber '05

335 - Barry Sanders '97

323 - Curtis Martin '03

319 - Emmitt Smith '98

314 - Walter Payton '314

305 - Tony Dorsett '85

289 - Jim Brown '65

281 - Thurman Thomas '96

280 - Warrick Dunn '05

278 - Ricky Watters '00

Most Rushing Attempts: 10th Season

381 - Walter Payton '84

371 - Curtis Martin '04

343 - Barry Sanders '98

329 - Emmitt Smith '99

327 - Tiki Barber '06

286 - Warwick Dunn '06

242 - Franco Harris '81

209 - Marshall Faulk '03

199 - Corey Dillon '06

195 - James Brooks '90

Most Rushing Attempts: 11th Season +

375 - John Riggins '83

327 - John Riggins '84

325 - Ottis Anderson '89

324 - Walter Payton '85

321 - Walter Payton '86

294 - Emmitt Smith '00

279 - Franco Harris '83

267 - Emmitt Smith '04

261 - Emmitt Smith '01

254 - Emmitt Smith '02

 

[Gottabesweet]

great stuff.

 

[Iron Mike Tomczak]

407 = James Wilder '84

Who the hell?

 

[Sidewinder16]

407 = James Wilder '84Who the hell?

Seriously? Or are you just showing your age?Wilder holds many, if not most, of Tampa Bay's rushing records. He was pretty much the lone bright spot for TBs offense for a good chunk of the '80s.

 

[billymays]

407 = James Wilder '84Who the hell?

Seriously? Or are you just showing your age?Wilder holds many, if not most, of Tampa Bay's rushing records. He was pretty much the lone bright spot for TBs offense for a good chunk of the '80s.

wilder was a very good playerdoes anyone remember the RB Anderson for TB. james perhaps? i think he played for the chargers too. that guy looked like the most incredible athlete-he was doing the reggie bush dives before bush was born. never saw too much of the guy but his highlights were spectacular.edit: i think his name was gary

 

[Horrorshow]

407 = James Wilder '84

Who the hell?

Seriously? Or are you just showing your age?Wilder holds many, if not most, of Tampa Bay's rushing records. He was pretty much the lone bright spot for TBs offense for a good chunk of the '80s.

Let's not forget Giles and House's contributions too.

 

[Horrorshow]

407 = James Wilder '84

Who the hell?

Seriously? Or are you just showing your age?Wilder holds many, if not most, of Tampa Bay's rushing records. He was pretty much the lone bright spot for TBs offense for a good chunk of the '80s.

wilder was a very good playerdoes anyone remember the RB Anderson for TB. james perhaps? i think he played for the chargers too. that guy looked like the most incredible athlete-he was doing the reggie bush dives before bush was born. never saw too much of the guy but his highlights were spectacular.

edit: i think his name was gary

I think his name was Gary too. IIRC he had a 1K rushing campaign for the Chargers in the late '80s before joining Tampa Bay.Edit: http://pro-football-reference.com/players/AndeGa00.htm

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Averaging between 4.90 & 5.00 YPC

3062 = Barry Sanders '89-98

Averaging 5.00+ YPC

2359 = Jim Brown '57-65

 

[Driver]

Here's a different way to look at things. I will use the 1,000 yard rushing barometer as the evaluation criteria. Here are the number of 1,000 yard rushers and the number of RB that have taken the field at that age since 1960.

37: 0 in 3 (0.00%)

36: 0 in 11 (0.00%)

35: 2 in 22 (9.09%)

34: 1 in 40 (2.50%)

33: 2 in 83 (2.41%)

32: 5 in 123 (4.07%)

31: 7 in 203 (3.45%)

30: 18 in 297 (6.06%)

29: 33 in 409 (8.07%)

28: 37 in 540 (6.85%)

27: 55 in 708 (7.77%)

26: 70 in 868 (8.06%)

25: 70 in 997 (7.02%)

24: 68 in 1062 (6.40%)

23: 46 in 953 (4.83%)

22: 25 in 502 (4.98%)

21: 7 in 36 (19.4%)

20: 0 in 1 (0.00%)

Total: 446 in 6858 (6.5%)

36 or older: 0 in 14 (0.00%)

35 or older: 2 in 36 (5.56%)

34 or older: 3 in 76 (3.95%)

33 or older: 5 in 159 (3.14%)

32 or older: 10 in 282 (3.55%)

31 or older: 17 in 484 (3.51%)

30 or older: 35 in 781 (4.48%)

29 or older: 68 in 1190 (5.71%)

28 or older: 105 in 1730 (6.07%)

27 or older: 160 in 2438 (6.56%)

26 or older: 230 in 3306 (6.96%)

25 or older: 300 in 4303 (6.97%)

24 or older: 368 in 5365 (6.86%)

23 or older: 414 in 6318 (6.55%)

22 or older: 439 in 6820 (6.44%)

21 or older: 446 in 6856 (6.51%)

Since this is very raw data, there are a lot of explanations as to why the numbers reflect what they do. But it does appear that on the surface the chances of a RB having a 1,000 yard season beyond age 30 do diminish a fair amount.

David, very interesting input. But is the 6,856 all the RBs. What if you looked at only those RBs that actually ran for 1,000 yards in a season. Wouldn't that tell you more about the percentage of those actually capable of performing at a high standard and what they were able to do as they aged?Thanks

The 6,856 is the total number of seasons played by all RB since 1960. The 446 are the total number of 1,000 yard seasons. I listed both the number of 1,000 yard seasons for each age.Simply listing the number of 1,000 yard seasons by age would be very misleading. There have been a lot fewer RB that played at 34 than 24, making the percentage overall the important thing.

For example, I had a bone to pick with Dodds in the preseason on a Player Faceoff over Trent Green. His argument was that there were only 5 QBs in 45 years at age 35 that scored 326 fantasy points--and that Green would not come close to scoring that many because it was such a rare feat. Afterall, IT'S ONLY HAPPENED 5 TIMES in 45 YEARS.

However, there have been so few QB that were starters at 35 that 5 was the same (or slightly HIGHER) percentage than at other ages.

For all QB with at least 450 passing attempts in a season since 1960:

All QB seasons through age 34: 42 of 256 (16.4%)

Age 35+: 5 of 30 (16.7%)

So in this instance, there was no data at all to suggest that Green stood any less chance of scoring that many points--but it certainly SOUNDED like it should make a difference. (For the record, Green did not score 326 points, but turning 35 on its own was not a death sentence for his production.)

Just came across this post from a year ago. Similar data on RBs -- looked at a different way.Combining OP and above, I think the following conclusions are reasonable:

1. A few RBs have big rookie seasons, but not many -- more RBs have big 2nd seasons but many RBs who have good careers still have average or relatively small 2nd seasons.

2. Only a small % of drafted RBs become solid players for FF purposes, much less studs, for 3 or more years.

3. The small proportion of "good RBs" can be divided into 3 groups: (1) start career strong and enjoy long career (7+ seasons), (2) start career strong but career cut short, mostly by injury (Terrell Davis, etc.), and (3) start career slowly (Priest Holmes, Tiki Barber, etc.) as back-up but become featured back in mid-career and enjoy 3 or more very good to excellent seasons into early 30's.

4. Most good RBs (groups 1 and 2 above) have their best seasons from their 3rd season to 6th season. There are exceptions, but the 4th or 5th season is usually the biggest year of career (except for category 3 RBs who become featured back later in career).