Pitt - Browns RBs
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Not sure what your point is. What are we supposed to do with this?
You want REAL Browns/Steelers RB comparison, then you want to go:
Jim Brown v. John Henry Johnson
Leroy Kelly v. Franco Harris
Marion Motley vs. Bill Dudley.
Bobby Mitchell vs. ??
ALL of the above are HOF!!
And see this:
1. Jim Brown, 1957-65 118 2,359 12,312 5.2 80t 106 2. Leroy Kelly, 1964-73 136 1,727 7,274 4.2 70t 74 3. Mike Pruitt, 1976-84 124 1,593 6,540 4.1 77t 47 4. Greg Pruitt, 1973-81 118 1,158 5,496 4.7 78t 25 5. Kevin Mack, 1985-93 99 1,291 5,123 4.0 65 46 6. Earnest Byner, 1984-88,94-95 99 862 3,364 3.9 54 27 7. Ernie Green, 1962-68 89 668 3,204 4.8 72 15 8. Isaiah Crowell, 2014-17 64 737 3,118 4.2 85t 21 9. Jamal Lewis, 2007-10 40 720 2,806 3.9 66t 13 10. Nick Chubb, 2018-19 32 490 2,490 5.1 92t 16 11. Bobby Mitchell, 1958-61 50 423 2,297 5.4 90t 16 12. Cleo Miller, 1975-82 95 546 2,286 4.2 50 16 13. Eric Metcalf, 1989-94 88 592 2,229 3.8 55 11 14. Leroy Hoard, 1990-95 90 550 2,203 4.0 52 10 15. Bo Scott, 1969-74 73 554 2,124 3.8 63t 18 16. William Green, 2002-07 46 568 2,109 3.7 64t 9 17. Reuben Droughns, 2005-06 30 529 1,990 3.8 75t 6 18. Peyton Hillis, 2010-11 26 431 1,764 4.1 48 14 19. Marion Motley, 1946-53 47 337 1,688 5.0 69 5 20. Dub Jones, 1948-55 72 344 1,449 4.2 61 15 21. Jerome Harrison, 2006-10 51 302 1,401 4.6 72t 6 22. Fred Morrison, 1954-56 36 293 1,398 4.8 56 6 23. Jamel White, 2000-03 59 349 1,324 3.8 54 9 24. Duke Johnson, 2015-19 64 299 1,286 4.3 39 5 25. Ken Brown, 1970-75 Compare to this:
Rushing
Rushing Rk Player From To G Pos AV Att Yds TD Lng Y/A Y/G Fmb 1 Franco Harris 1972 1983 165 FB 133 2881 11950 91 75 4.1 72.4 90 2 Jerome Bettis 1996 2005 145 RB 78 2683 10571 78 50 3.9 72.9 28 3 Willie Parker 2004 2009 79 RB 47 1253 5378 24 80 4.3 68.1 17 4 Le'Veon Bell 2013 2017 62 RB 60 1229 5336 35 81 4.3 86.1 8 5 John Henry Johnson 1960 1965 67 FB 41 1006 4381 26 87 4.4 65.4 26 6 Frank Pollard 1980 1988 111 RB 37 953 3989 20 56 4.2 35.9 30 7 Dick Hoak 1961 1970 135 HB 44 1132 3965 25 77 3.5 29.4 31 8 Barry Foster 1990 1994 62 RB 34 915 3943 26 69 4.3 63.6 19 9 Rocky Bleier 1968 1980 140 RB 52 928 3865 23 70 4.2 27.6 32 10 Rashard Mendenhall 2008 2012 57 RB 28 864 3549 29 68 4.1 62.3 9 11 Walter Abercrombie 1982 1987 79 RB 35 842 3343 22 50 4.0 42.3 15 12 Fran Rogel 1950 1957 96 FB 900 3271 17 58 3.6 34.1 28 13 Merril Hoge 1987 1993 109 FB 41 819 3115 21 41 3.8 28.6 22 14 John Fuqua 1970 1976 87 RB 41 699 2942 21 85 4.2 33.8 18 15 Tom Tracy 1958 1963 60 HB 16 737 2717 15 64 3.7 45.3 24 16 Kordell Stewart 1995 2002 113 QB 65 496 2561 35 80 5.2 22.7 37 17 Terry Bradshaw 1970 1983 168 QB 137 444 2257 32 39 5.1 13.4 84 18 Preston Pearson 1970 1974 62 RB 27 573 2243 8 53 3.9 36.2 19 19 Lynn Chandnois 1950 1956 73 RH 593 1934 16 38 3.3 26.5 28 20 Earnest Jackson 1986 1988 37 RB 16 470 1921 9 39 4.1 51.9 8 21 Amos Zereoue 1999 2003 66 RB 19 434 1698 7 42 3.9 25.7 5 22 James Conner 2017 2019 37 RB 16 363 1581 16 30 4.4 42.7 5 23 Sidney Thornton 1977 1982 74 RB 15 356 1512 18 75 4.2 20.4 22 24 Bill Dudley 1942 1946 26 K 365 1504 10 66 -
Or, if you just want to compare the present/near future.
Any day of the week you would take Chubb/Hunt over Conner/Snell.
But I think the Squibs may have drafted a pretty good back out of Maryland....we shall see.
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I think Chubb will jump up into 6th place on Browns all time list after this, only his 3rd year.
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Also, based on one stat from above, I think that we can conclude that the Steelers have generally been a bigger "running team" than the Browns...by virtue of this:
Since 1950 when the Browns entered the NFL The Browns in that history have only had 6 RBs with 800 or more carries. The Steelers have had 13 RBs with 800 or more....more than double. That surprised me.
Steelers have had 4 RBs make HOF, including Dudley who was pre 1950. (Franco/Bettis/JHJ). Though, for some reason, Dudley is listed as a Kicker above (maybe he kicked also), but he is not in HOF as a kicker, but as a runner. The Browns have also had 4 including Motley who was part pre-1950, part post 1950. Motley, Brown, Kelley, Mitchell, who was half runner, half receiver.
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A little shocking to me is Franco had 1 less fumble than his career TD's...than all i can add is.... f'k Merril Hoge.. id rather hear nothing when it comes to his football analysis...click-her!
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A little shocking to me is Franco had 1 less fumble than his career TD's...than all i can add is.... f'k Merril Hoge.. id rather hear nothing when it comes to his football analysis...click-her!
A little shocking to me is Franco had 1 less fumble than his career TD's...than all i can add is.... f'k Merril Hoge.. id rather hear nothing when it comes to his football analysis...click-her!
That is interesting. Note that other Steelers were just as bad: John Henry Johnson had the same 1:1 ratio: 26 TDs, 26 fumbles. Frank Pollard 20TDs/30 fumbles. Hoak 25/31. Rocky Bleier 23/32. Here are the same ratios for some Browns:
Jim Brown 106/57
Kelley 74/35
Motley 31/9
M. Pruitt 47/37
Mack 46/30
Chubb 16/3
but here is the one that hurts: Greg Pruitt....25 TDs/59 fumbles. Ouch! He, of course was a different kind of runner/receiver, more daring I would say. Plus, he may have gotten a fair share of those in the return game.
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Or, if you just want to compare the present/near future.
Any day of the week you would take Chubb/Hunt over Conner/Snell.
But I think the Squibs may have drafted a pretty good back out of Maryland....we shall see.
Or, if you just want to compare the present/near future.
Any day of the week you would take Chubb/Hunt over Conner/Snell.
But I think the Squibs may have drafted a pretty good back out of Maryland....we shall see.
Their OL is becoming weak. And I'd also take Chubb/Hunt over Conner/Snell any day. McFarland is the wildcard. He gouged OSU.
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What comes to mind?
Pitt 1990 - Foster, Worley, Hoge
Clev - 1990 - Metcalf, Mack.
Pitt 1993 - Foster, Hoge.
Cleve - Metcalf, Vardell, Hoard
Pitt 1995 - Pegram, JL Williams, Bam Morris.
Cle - Hoard, Lorenzo White
Pitt 1999 - Bettis, Zereoue
Clev - Terry Kirby, Abdul Jabbar
Pitt 2003 - Bettis, Zereoue
Cle - Willie Greene, James Jackson.
Pitt 2006 - Willie Parker, Davenport
Cle - Droughns, Terrell Smith
Pitt 2009 - Mendenall, Mewelde Moore
Cle - Jamal Lewis, Harison
Pitt 2012 - Dwyre, Redman
Clev - Trent Richardson
Pitt 2015 - Bell, Williams
Cle - Crowell, Duke Johnson
Pitt 2019 - Conner, Snell
Clev - Chubb, Hunt
What comes to mind?
First thing that came to mind was who had the better backfield, so I went with that.
These are only eye test opinions. I'll let someone with a lot of time on their hands to look up stats.
Pitt 1990 - Foster, Worley, Hoge
Clev - 1990 - Metcalf, Mack.
US
Pitt 1993 - Foster, Hoge.
Cleve - Metcalf, Vardell, Hoard
A WASH
Pitt 1995 - Pegram, JL Williams, Bam Morris.
Cle - Hoard, Lorenzo White
A WASH
Pitt 1999 - Bettis, Zereoue
Clev - Terry Kirby, Abdul Jabbar
Them
Pitt 2003 - Bettis, Zereoue
Cle - Willie Greene, James Jackson.
Them
Pitt 2006 - Willie Parker, Davenport
Cle - Droughns, Terrell Smith
Them by a hair
Pitt 2009 - Mendenall, Mewelde Moore
Cle - Jamal Lewis, Harison
US
Pitt 2012 - Dwyre, Redman
Clev - Trent Richardson
A WASH
Pitt 2015 - Bell, Williams
Cle - Crowell, Duke Johnson
THEM
Pitt 2019 - Conner, Snell
Clev - Chubb, Hunt
US
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What comes to mind?
First thing that came to mind was who had the better backfield, so I went with that.
These are only eye test opinions. I'll let someone with a lot of time on their hands to look up stats.
Pitt 1990 - Foster, Worley, Hoge
Clev - 1990 - Metcalf, Mack.
US
Pitt 1993 - Foster, Hoge.
Cleve - Metcalf, Vardell, Hoard
A WASH
Pitt 1995 - Pegram, JL Williams, Bam Morris.
Cle - Hoard, Lorenzo White
A WASH
Pitt 1999 - Bettis, Zereoue
Clev - Terry Kirby, Abdul Jabbar
Them
Pitt 2003 - Bettis, Zereoue
Cle - Willie Greene, James Jackson.
Them
Pitt 2006 - Willie Parker, Davenport
Cle - Droughns, Terrell Smith
Them by a hair
Pitt 2009 - Mendenall, Mewelde Moore
Cle - Jamal Lewis, Harison
US
Pitt 2012 - Dwyre, Redman
Clev - Trent Richardson
A WASH
Pitt 2015 - Bell, Williams
Cle - Crowell, Duke Johnson
THEM
Pitt 2019 - Conner, Snell
Clev - Chubb, Hunt
US
Mostly agree, but I think you may be underestimating Foster a little. Remember when he gouged the Browns for like 300 yards in a playoff game? He was a top 3 RB at the time. The only way Pitt comes even close to the Browns' RB talent this year is if that rookie from MD, McFarland, goes off like he did when he shredded OSU to pieces.
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Mostly agree, but I think you may be underestimating Foster a little. Remember when he gouged the Browns for like 300 yards in a playoff game? He was a top 3 RB at the time. The only way Pitt comes even close to the Browns' RB talent this year is if that rookie from MD, McFarland, goes off like he did when he shredded OSU to pieces.
Mostly agree, but I think you may be underestimating Foster a little. Remember when he gouged the Browns for like 300 yards in a playoff game? He was a top 3 RB at the time. The only way Pitt comes even close to the Browns' RB talent this year is if that rookie from MD, McFarland, goes off like he did when he shredded OSU to pieces.
Yeah I remember Foster now being a stud RB. I think he also retired early, was in his prime if I'm not mistaken.
I think we still have the better backfield even if McFly does well.
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A little shocking to me is Franco had 1 less fumble than his career TD's...than all i can add is.... f'k Merril Hoge.. id rather hear nothing when it comes to his football analysis...click-her!
That is interesting. Note that other Steelers were just as bad: John Henry Johnson had the same 1:1 ratio: 26 TDs, 26 fumbles. Frank Pollard 20TDs/30 fumbles. Hoak 25/31. Rocky Bleier 23/32. Here are the same ratios for some Browns:
Jim Brown 106/57
Kelley 74/35
Motley 31/9
M. Pruitt 47/37
Mack 46/30
Chubb 16/3
but here is the one that hurts: Greg Pruitt....25 TDs/59 fumbles. Ouch! He, of course was a different kind of runner/receiver, more daring I would say. Plus, he may have gotten a fair share of those in the return game.
That is interesting. Note that other Steelers were just as bad: John Henry Johnson had the same 1:1 ratio: 26 TDs, 26 fumbles. Frank Pollard 20TDs/30 fumbles. Hoak 25/31. Rocky Bleier 23/32. Here are the same ratios for some Browns:
Jim Brown 106/57
Kelley 74/35
Motley 31/9
M. Pruitt 47/37
Mack 46/30
Chubb 16/3
but here is the one that hurts: Greg Pruitt....25 TDs/59 fumbles. Ouch! He, of course was a different kind of runner/receiver, more daring I would say. Plus, he may have gotten a fair share of those in the return game.
Good stuff Gips! Greg Pruitt was still one of my faves to watch running the ball for us. The only guy since him to average better than 4.7 yards per carry is Nick Chubb. Like Pruitt, Chubb can score from anywhere on the field and get a lot of yards after contact. Unlike Pruitt, Chubb doesn't fumble during yards after contact time. Having said that, Pruitt was a better receiver out of the backfield.
I like our RB tradition. IMO, this team is built to run the ball down the esophagus - which will open doors for the play-action pass game. I think both of our new starting tackles are better run blockers than the last 2 we had; where Chubb still averaged over 5 yards per carry. When he gets a breather, the opponent gets Kareem'd while they're still sucking gas. Not a bad 1-2 punch...
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That is interesting. Note that other Steelers were just as bad: John Henry Johnson had the same 1:1 ratio: 26 TDs, 26 fumbles. Frank Pollard 20TDs/30 fumbles. Hoak 25/31. Rocky Bleier 23/32. Here are the same ratios for some Browns:
Jim Brown 106/57
Kelley 74/35
Motley 31/9
M. Pruitt 47/37
Mack 46/30
Chubb 16/3
but here is the one that hurts: Greg Pruitt....25 TDs/59 fumbles. Ouch! He, of course was a different kind of runner/receiver, more daring I would say. Plus, he may have gotten a fair share of those in the return game.
Good stuff Gips! Greg Pruitt was still one of my faves to watch running the ball for us. The only guy since him to average better than 4.7 yards per carry is Nick Chubb. Like Pruitt, Chubb can score from anywhere on the field and get a lot of yards after contact. Unlike Pruitt, Chubb doesn't fumble during yards after contact time. Having said that, Pruitt was a better receiver out of the backfield.
I like our RB tradition. IMO, this team is built to run the ball down the esophagus - which will open doors for the play-action pass game. I think both of our new starting tackles are better run blockers than the last 2 we had; where Chubb still averaged over 5 yards per carry. When he gets a breather, the opponent gets Kareem'd while they're still sucking gas. Not a bad 1-2 punch...
Good stuff Gips! Greg Pruitt was still one of my faves to watch running the ball for us. The only guy since him to average better than 4.7 yards per carry is Nick Chubb. Like Pruitt, Chubb can score from anywhere on the field and get a lot of yards after contact. Unlike Pruitt, Chubb doesn't fumble during yards after contact time. Having said that, Pruitt was a better receiver out of the backfield.
I like our RB tradition. IMO, this team is built to run the ball down the esophagus - which will open doors for the play-action pass game. I think both of our new starting tackles are better run blockers than the last 2 we had; where Chubb still averaged over 5 yards per carry. When he gets a breather, the opponent gets Kareem'd while they're still sucking gas. Not a bad 1-2 punch...
On RB tradition. Browns are very good, but so are other teams. Besides Browns and Steelers here are other teams that had at least 3 HOF RBs/HBs/FBs play for them at some point. Note, Bold means that the team was a "Primary" team that that player played for. Unbold means that the player only had a cup of coffee for that team:
Cardinals: Charlie Trippi, Ernie Nevers, Ollie Matson, Edgerrin James, Emmit Smith, Jim Thorpe
Bears: Bronco Nagurski, Red Grange, George McAffee, Gale Sayers
Broncos: Floyd Little, Terrell Davis, Tony Dorsett
Lions: Barry Sanders, Bill Dudley, Doak Walker, John Henry Johnson, Ollie Matson, Hugh McElhenny
Packers: Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung, Tony Canadeo, Johnny Blood McNally
Colts: Edgerrin James, Eric Dickerson, Lenny Moore, Marshall Faulk
Rams: Elroy Hirsch, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Ollie Matson, Jerome Bettis
Giants: Alphonse Leemans, Frank Gifford, Hugh McElhenny, Jim Thorpe, Larry Csonka (Saquon Barkley could end up being this team's best)
49ers: Hugh McElhenny, Joe Perry, John Henry Johnson, OJ Simpson
Jets: Curtis Martin, LaDanian Tomlinson, John Riggins
Washington Team: Bill Dudley, Bobby Mitchell, Cliff Battles, John Riggins
(It seems that Bill Dudley, Hugh McElhenny and John Henry Johnson played for like half the teams in the league)
Browns, Steelers ,the team formerly known as the Redskins, Rams, Colts, Packers, Bears, are the only teams with 4 "Primary" HOF RBs.
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And how about this question: What RBs are future HOF candidates? Ones that have retired, or are really along in their careers to be considered?
Right now I just see: Adrian Peterson, and Frank Gore. LeSean McCoy? I think just outside the bubble. Marshawn Lynch? Bugged out early...not even sure if he is going to be playing....also just outside the bubble.
Leveon Bell? He has a TON of work to do. In 7 years he has only gained 6125 yards. Sitting out didn't help. Yes, he is a good receiver, but, I don't know....I think to even be considered he has to be over 10,000 rush yards. McCoy and Lynch at least have gotten there.
Way too early on young guns like Barkley and Chubb and the Tits guy.....but someday, one day perhaps.
Eddie George. Also outside the bubble. But at least over 10K.
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Good stuff Gips! Greg Pruitt was still one of my faves to watch running the ball for us. The only guy since him to average better than 4.7 yards per carry is Nick Chubb. Like Pruitt, Chubb can score from anywhere on the field and get a lot of yards after contact. Unlike Pruitt, Chubb doesn't fumble during yards after contact time. Having said that, Pruitt was a better receiver out of the backfield.
I like our RB tradition. IMO, this team is built to run the ball down the esophagus - which will open doors for the play-action pass game. I think both of our new starting tackles are better run blockers than the last 2 we had; where Chubb still averaged over 5 yards per carry. When he gets a breather, the opponent gets Kareem'd while they're still sucking gas. Not a bad 1-2 punch...
On RB tradition. Browns are very good, but so are other teams. Besides Browns and Steelers here are other teams that had at least 3 HOF RBs/HBs/FBs play for them at some point. Note, Bold means that the team was a "Primary" team that that player played for. Unbold means that the player only had a cup of coffee for that team:
Cardinals: Charlie Trippi, Ernie Nevers, Ollie Matson, Edgerrin James, Emmit Smith, Jim Thorpe
Bears: Bronco Nagurski, Red Grange, George McAffee, Gale Sayers
Broncos: Floyd Little, Terrell Davis, Tony Dorsett
Lions: Barry Sanders, Bill Dudley, Doak Walker, John Henry Johnson, Ollie Matson, Hugh McElhenny
Packers: Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung, Tony Canadeo, Johnny Blood McNally
Colts: Edgerrin James, Eric Dickerson, Lenny Moore, Marshall Faulk
Rams: Elroy Hirsch, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Ollie Matson, Jerome Bettis
Giants: Alphonse Leemans, Frank Gifford, Hugh McElhenny, Jim Thorpe, Larry Csonka (Saquon Barkley could end up being this team's best)
49ers: Hugh McElhenny, Joe Perry, John Henry Johnson, OJ Simpson
Jets: Curtis Martin, LaDanian Tomlinson, John Riggins
Washington Team: Bill Dudley, Bobby Mitchell, Cliff Battles, John Riggins
(It seems that Bill Dudley, Hugh McElhenny and John Henry Johnson played for like half the teams in the league)
Browns, Steelers ,the team formerly known as the Redskins, Rams, Colts, Packers, Bears, are the only teams with 4 "Primary" HOF RBs.
On RB tradition. Browns are very good, but so are other teams. Besides Browns and Steelers here are other teams that had at least 3 HOF RBs/HBs/FBs play for them at some point. Note, Bold means that the team was a "Primary" team that that player played for. Unbold means that the player only had a cup of coffee for that team:
Cardinals: Charlie Trippi, Ernie Nevers, Ollie Matson, Edgerrin James, Emmit Smith, Jim Thorpe
Bears: Bronco Nagurski, Red Grange, George McAffee, Gale Sayers
Broncos: Floyd Little, Terrell Davis, Tony Dorsett
Lions: Barry Sanders, Bill Dudley, Doak Walker, John Henry Johnson, Ollie Matson, Hugh McElhenny
Packers: Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung, Tony Canadeo, Johnny Blood McNally
Colts: Edgerrin James, Eric Dickerson, Lenny Moore, Marshall Faulk
Rams: Elroy Hirsch, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Ollie Matson, Jerome Bettis
Giants: Alphonse Leemans, Frank Gifford, Hugh McElhenny, Jim Thorpe, Larry Csonka (Saquon Barkley could end up being this team's best)
49ers: Hugh McElhenny, Joe Perry, John Henry Johnson, OJ Simpson
Jets: Curtis Martin, LaDanian Tomlinson, John Riggins
Washington Team: Bill Dudley, Bobby Mitchell, Cliff Battles, John Riggins
(It seems that Bill Dudley, Hugh McElhenny and John Henry Johnson played for like half the teams in the league)
Browns, Steelers ,the team formerly known as the Redskins, Rams, Colts, Packers, Bears, are the only teams with 4 "Primary" HOF RBs.
Man, hard to believe Freeman McNeil didn't make the list. No Tiki.
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Good stuff Gips! Greg Pruitt was still one of my faves to watch running the ball for us. The only guy since him to average better than 4.7 yards per carry is Nick Chubb. Like Pruitt, Chubb can score from anywhere on the field and get a lot of yards after contact. Unlike Pruitt, Chubb doesn't fumble during yards after contact time. Having said that, Pruitt was a better receiver out of the backfield.
I like our RB tradition. IMO, this team is built to run the ball down the esophagus - which will open doors for the play-action pass game. I think both of our new starting tackles are better run blockers than the last 2 we had; where Chubb still averaged over 5 yards per carry. When he gets a breather, the opponent gets Kareem'd while they're still sucking gas. Not a bad 1-2 punch...
On RB tradition. Browns are very good, but so are other teams. Besides Browns and Steelers here are other teams that had at least 3 HOF RBs/HBs/FBs play for them at some point. Note, Bold means that the team was a "Primary" team that that player played for. Unbold means that the player only had a cup of coffee for that team:
Cardinals: Charlie Trippi, Ernie Nevers, Ollie Matson, Edgerrin James, Emmit Smith, Jim Thorpe
Bears: Bronco Nagurski, Red Grange, George McAffee, Gale Sayers
Broncos: Floyd Little, Terrell Davis, Tony Dorsett
Lions: Barry Sanders, Bill Dudley, Doak Walker, John Henry Johnson, Ollie Matson, Hugh McElhenny
Packers: Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung, Tony Canadeo, Johnny Blood McNally
Colts: Edgerrin James, Eric Dickerson, Lenny Moore, Marshall Faulk
Rams: Elroy Hirsch, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Ollie Matson, Jerome Bettis
Giants: Alphonse Leemans, Frank Gifford, Hugh McElhenny, Jim Thorpe, Larry Csonka (Saquon Barkley could end up being this team's best)
49ers: Hugh McElhenny, Joe Perry, John Henry Johnson, OJ Simpson
Jets: Curtis Martin, LaDanian Tomlinson, John Riggins
Washington Team: Bill Dudley, Bobby Mitchell, Cliff Battles, John Riggins
(It seems that Bill Dudley, Hugh McElhenny and John Henry Johnson played for like half the teams in the league)
Browns, Steelers ,the team formerly known as the Redskins, Rams, Colts, Packers, Bears, are the only teams with 4 "Primary" HOF RBs.
On RB tradition. Browns are very good, but so are other teams. Besides Browns and Steelers here are other teams that had at least 3 HOF RBs/HBs/FBs play for them at some point. Note, Bold means that the team was a "Primary" team that that player played for. Unbold means that the player only had a cup of coffee for that team:
Cardinals: Charlie Trippi, Ernie Nevers, Ollie Matson, Edgerrin James, Emmit Smith, Jim Thorpe
Bears: Bronco Nagurski, Red Grange, George McAffee, Gale Sayers
Broncos: Floyd Little, Terrell Davis, Tony Dorsett
Lions: Barry Sanders, Bill Dudley, Doak Walker, John Henry Johnson, Ollie Matson, Hugh McElhenny
Packers: Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung, Tony Canadeo, Johnny Blood McNally
Colts: Edgerrin James, Eric Dickerson, Lenny Moore, Marshall Faulk
Rams: Elroy Hirsch, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Ollie Matson, Jerome Bettis
Giants: Alphonse Leemans, Frank Gifford, Hugh McElhenny, Jim Thorpe, Larry Csonka (Saquon Barkley could end up being this team's best)
49ers: Hugh McElhenny, Joe Perry, John Henry Johnson, OJ Simpson
Jets: Curtis Martin, LaDanian Tomlinson, John Riggins
Washington Team: Bill Dudley, Bobby Mitchell, Cliff Battles, John Riggins
(It seems that Bill Dudley, Hugh McElhenny and John Henry Johnson played for like half the teams in the league)
Browns, Steelers ,the team formerly known as the Redskins, Rams, Colts, Packers, Bears, are the only teams with 4 "Primary" HOF RBs.
Great subject - nice job! While I mostly only give a rat about Cleveland - I will always be a fan of the RUNNING GAME so here's a few piggybacks/honorable mentions:
The backfield for the undefeated 72 Dolphins team may not have had 3 HOF backs (only Csonka); but they were tough for teams to match up with. Opponents that tried to congest the box, had to worry about HOF WR and speedster Paul Warfield over the top. A lot of people forget, they didn't have their starting QB for something like 9 of regular season games and part of the post season. They had an old man everyone thought was washed up (Earl Morral) when Shula brought him over from Baltimore to Miami.
Rams had another very good RB (Lawrence McCutcheon) that made 5 consecutive Pro Bowls in 73, 74, 75, 76, and 77 back when they only played 14 regular season games. In 73, he actually averaged 5.2 yards a carry. 4 of those years he had over 1000 yards and the other was over 900 yards (which would have been over 1000 if they played 16 games)
I'd probably include Freeman McNeil in comparison to other NY Jets RBs in that franchise history. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry, made 3 Pro Bowls and gained 8074 yards in a 12 year career which isn't spectacular (but like Greg Pruitt - he was spectacular enough to wonder what would have been if he did stay healthy). While his role got reduced his last 4 years - he averaged 4.6 yards per carry when he was 31 and 5.9 yards a carry when he was 32. He had some durability issues that caused him to miss a lot of games throughout the career and water down his overall rushing stats.
Other thought: The HOF is a great achievement but I'm not a fan of some of their decisions/criteria. For example, Jerome Bettis had 7 different seasons in Pitt where he didn't even average of 4 yards per carry on a team that usually put about 2 of their OL in the Pro Bowl and sometimes as many as 3. His career ended at 3.9 yards per carry. He had a long career and he played for Pittsburgh so the HOF accepted good instead of elite IMO. If they're gonna tell us Clay Matthews isn't good enough for the HOF - then I'm going to say neither is Bettis. ALOT of RBs - even a non drafted Willie Parker ran well in their philosophy and system. People defend him with length of career, reliability, frequency of post season appearances. Okay, didn't Clay do all of the same things? During my lifetime as a fan (I'm 56 so let's start this question at about 1970) has Cleveland ever frequented the playoffs more than they did throughout the 80s when Clay started at several different LB positions in our 3-4 and 4-3? HOF OG Joe DeLamielleure was asked at a Browns Backers Banquet - who was the biggest challenge he had. Without hesitation he said "Clay Matthews is the toughest SOB I've ever faced. Trust me, I had to face him in practice all the time." Then he brought up the "Jack of all Trades" where he said Clay usually upgraded the LB spot he moved into for an injured starter. Sounds like he was saying Clay was the Master of all Trades pertaining to the LB position. IMO, that's criteria that should be counted not neglected.
What was the reason, they waited all the way until Gene Hickerson was senile in a wheel chair wearing diapers? Then they went and let a punk like Terrell Owens in A LOT quicker. Me-O was an absolute brat that never stopped putting "I before team."
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I think the 49ers were the only team to have 3 HOF RBs play for them at the same time. Johnson Perry McElhaney
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I think the 49ers were the only team to have 3 HOF RBs play for them at the same time. Johnson Perry McElhaney
I think the 49ers were the only team to have 3 HOF RBs play for them at the same time. Johnson Perry McElhaney
And they had Y.A. Tittle at QB, and never even made it to a NFL Championship Game.
The Rams and Lions were tough in the Western Conference in that era.
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