Tracy ran for 2,717 yards and 15 touchdowns in his time with Pittsburgh and caught 96 passes for 1,322 yards and 14 touchdowns. In 1979, he started 10 games in place of Bleier and ran for 585 yards and six touchdowns. For the purposes of this article, I will be considering the following: Its tricky to piece it all together, but I think these are the best Steelers running backs of all time. The first requirement is an intimidating defense that dominates opponents and makes it tough for them to put points on the board. Near the end of an uneventful rookie season, he was drafted to fight in the Vietnam War. Trump can be sued by cops United States 11:10 am - 10,090 views; Train crash toll now 57 Greece 9:38 am - 3,746 views; Snow, rain end drought California 9:32 am - 1,290 views; More World News Prior to being drafted by the Army for service, Bleier was a University of Notre Dame product graduating in 1968 earning a degree in Business Management. Pittsburgh Steelers Draft History. He'll likely end up with a good chunk of dough in free agency, but it's hard to believe . The phrase is often proclaimed by an announcer after a Steelers running back plows over a few unlucky defenders. Regular season. 2023 NFL draft: 4 running backs for Chargers to watch at Combine Other teams (like the Steelers) have one but rarely use him. I predict that sometime in the next decade, an offensive coordinator will go back to power football and line up with a tight end, a fullback, and a tailback in an I-formation for most of the game. The days of Jim Brown or John Riggins getting 40 carries a game are gone. Today, with the explosion of the passing game, a star running back is a helpful asset but no longer a requirement. Everything in the NFL goes in cycles. Well, he's worth a lot more now. The only exception in madden 22 was a glitched out ray Lewis that was 97 at mlb but 99 at r/lolb. After five seasons of never finishing higher than RB34, Williams had a career year in 2022, finishing as the overall RB18. Over the past six years, he has covered the NFL, NHL, MLB, fantasy sports, college football and basketball, and New Jersey high school sports for numerous print and online publications. Fuqua led the Steelers in rushing in 1970 and 1971 and totaled 2,942 yards on the ground during his time in Pittsburgh. name the pittsburgh steelers running back to the last 10 years. When a running back like Jerome Bettis, Franco Harris, or John Henry Johnson tramples linebackers and safeties all game, it grinds opponents down and destroys their will to compete. When running the ball, they often do so out of one-back sets and shotgun and pistol formations. He was an example of how great players can not only break the rules and succeed, but sometimes even make up their own rules. Pollard played most of his career at a time when the Steelers struggled. Hunt offers some stability in the pass-game as he had 44 . He joins Franco Harris and John Henry Johnson. 7. It wasn't too long ago that Freeman was regarded as a top-five back in the league. Gurley led the NFL in yards from scrimmage and won the Offensive Player of the Year award. However, it's not too early to break down the best from the 2010s either. 10 potential bargains NFL teams should target in free agency Many NFL teams used a pro-style offense during the same period, and this was an age when the fullback was a vital ball carrier. If youve followed the Steelers, you've probably heard the term "Steelers Football." Across the decade, Martin has posted 5,356 rushing yards and 32 total touchdowns. As a rookie, on a terrible offense, he finished as a top 24 running back in 93% of his games last year. He spent his first year in the NFL with the Giants before coming to the Steelers in 1970. In 2012, he made the All-Pro team with 1,590 rushing yards and 1,786 yards from scrimmage. He is currently the third leading rusher in Steelers history. In two seasons, he is already 18th among all Steelers backs in rushing. List of Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterbacks - Wikipedia Ranking the 6 best running backs in Steelers history Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Parker had a shot to lead the NFL in rushing in 2007, but he broke his leg in the regular season's penultimate game and finished with 1,316 yards. Bleier believed the doctors were wrong and reported to Steelers training camp a year after he left the war. I enjoy the passing game, and I love that Ben Roethlisberger has matured into an elite quarterback, but it is hard for me to imagine there is a better way to play football than Steelers Football. The Steelers have always had great defensive playersand that hasn't changedbut the Steelers of today have fallen into the trendy traps of modern offenses with little use for a fullback. Without further ado, here are the best 25 NFL running backs of this decade: It will be surprising to some that Johnson isn't a little higher on this list. All of that, plus the fact Bettis averaged over 1,000 yards per season with the Steelers (10,571) and scored 78 touchdowns, puts him on the All-Modern Era team, and his partner in the backfield is Le'Veon Bell. BARRY FOSTER set a Steelers single-season record with 1,690 rushing yards in 1992, and he got there with a 4.3 average while scoring 11 of the offense's 28 touchdowns. Late-Round Running Back Lions Should Target in 2023 NFL Draft Rashard Mendenhall: Like Barry Foster before him, Rashard Mendenhall was done with professional football by the age of 26. The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2020 running back room has the assortments of all the skillsets you could find around the NFL. Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Pro Football Reference Database. The 32-year-old has yet to post a 1,000-yard season this decade, and judging by the fact he had only six rushing attempt last season, he's probably going to end the 2010s without one. 1, Pittsburgh didn't have a top-25 running back. No NFL team has enjoyed the consistent level of success the Pittsburgh Steelers have enjoyed since the AFL-NFL merger of 1970. But following the Super Bowl Morris was arrested for trafficking marijuana and the Steelers wanted nothing to do with his off-the-field problems and released him. Ibrahim, who . The intent is to lean the offensive game plan toward the passing game and open up the defense with complex formations and plays. In 2015 he finished second in the league in rushing and earned a spot on the All-Pro Team. Bettis was team-first through some questionable demotions and worse decisions as to the direction of the offense, and he welcomed Duce Staley and mentored Willie Parker along the way to a Super Bowl championship to complete a quest his teammates had dedicated to him. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a long history of smash-mouth football dating back to before they ever won their first Super Bowl. Since there are only 11 players on offense, the running backs have to be able to function as a unit, and Le'Veon Bell could play halfback to Bettis' fullback. But Stewart posted 5,366 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns in the decade. He peculiarly retired after that one campaign with the Cardinals. With teams shifting more to the passing game, these old-school running backs are becoming obsolete. The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more. In his first three seasons, Ingram ran for more than 600 yards in a season just once. His 6-foot-2, 230 pound frame made it virtually impossible for one defender to take him down. Christian McCaffrey (2019) This past season, McCaffrey became the third running back in NFL history to generate over 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in a single season. He finished his career in Pittsburgh with 3,115 rushing yards, 241 receptions, and 34 total touchdowns. Sadly, the days of Steelers Football seem to have gone the way of the dropkick. With the 2019 season, there is still time to influence who lands where among a list of the best running backs of the decade. He returned to put . Current team members are listed in bold. Despite the occurrences of injury, Hoge ran for 3,115 yards as a Steeler and rushed for 21 touchdowns. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Best: Franco Harris. Cameron Heyward (2011), T.J. Watt (2017), Terrell Edmunds (2018), Devin Bush Jr. (2019), and Najee Harris (2022) are the five remaining first-rounders still on the Steelers roster. Overall, he ran for 4,731 yards and 28 touchdowns playing for the Rams, Falcons and Patriots from 2010-15. He spent his first year in the NFL with the Giants before coming to the Steelers in 1970. NFL combine: How elite draft prospect Bijan Robinson represents league Steelers GM confirms extension negotiations with key defender have started Instagram Twitter Facebook Snapchat Shop Icon Profile Overlay Avatar Add Airplay Arrow Left Arrow Right Arrow Up Arrow Down Audio Back 5s Back 10s Back 30s Calendar Chart Check Down Left . Teams like the 49ers, Packers, and Chargers still have plenty of use for thembut many organizations dont carry a fullback on their roster at all. These quarterbacks have started at least one game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Touchdowns. Franco Harris was the man during The Renaissance, and Jerome Bettis was the man in The Modern Era. Barry Foster: Unfortunately for Barry Foster, his career was short in the Burgh. 20 and retired with that number despite the departure of Pearson to Dallas. 4M; . In his rookie season, Morris rushed for 836 yards and a 4.2 yards-per-carry average. Find out more. The Senate passed the bill . Jerome Bettis (1996-2005). Johnson was a bruising fullback who spent time in San Francisco and Detroit before coming to Pittsburgh in 1960. Beast Mode's freakish combination of power and finesse was unlike any running back that came before him. Playing players out of position in mut will make there overall go down now. Breaking down the 10 best running backs in Steelers' history He earned the Super Bowl MVP award after running for 158 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings in Super Bowl IX. Drafted by the Steelers in 1942 and in his rookie season led the NFL in rushing with 696 yards. The Greatest Running Backs In The NFL Right Now (2021) Former Steelers running back Willie Parker (39) acknowledges the crowd during a 2018 against the Chargers at Heinz Field. Jerome Bettis is the latest Steelers running back to become a member in Canton, Ohio. Pittsburgh Steelers Career Rushing Leaders. . The last two seasons, with now-departed James Conner the No. TODAY: Running backs Since the merger in 1970, the Pittsburgh Steelers have rushed for more yards than any other team in the National Football League, and this commitment got two of their running backs elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2011 Jones-Drew led the league with 1,606 rushing yards and 386 touches. Jamaal Williams Dynasty Profile: Fantasy Outlook, Value, Projections Harris is one of the main reasons the Steelers won four Super Bowls in the 1970s. Preston Pearson: Pearson wore Rocky Bleiers college number of 26 and was a solid football player who was a member of the Steelers first Super Bowl winning team in 1975 when they defeated the Minnesota Vikings 16-6 in Super Bowl IX. Frank Pollard: In the mid-1980s, a stout Frank Pollard became the Steelers primary running back. In 1999 the Chiefs cut him and his life spiraled out of control with drug problems and jail time. Washington Commanders Release QB Carson Wentz | The 33rd Team Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Profiles: Running Backs - City of Champions Drafted in the third round by the Steelers, Zereoue would play from 1999 to 2003 in Black and Gold before finishing his career in Oakland for one season and another in New England. He made the Pro Bowl three times, from 2014-16. Sowhos the greatest tight end in Pittsburgh Steelers history? James Conner was thrust into the spotlight in 2018 when halfback LeVeon Bell held out for the entire season. Fuqua was not an original Steelers having been drafted by the New York Giants and then traded to Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some great tight ends throughout the franchises history. His teammate Terry Hanratty, the QB at Notre Dame during that tenure became a Steeler as well. Clemson running backs coach CJ Spiller got his man. The last Steelers running back taken in the first round before Najee Harris, Mendenhall won a Super Bowl as a rookie despite spending most of the season on injured reserve. 1. He was cut twice but kept up his persistence. RASHARD MENDENHALL came to the Steelers as a first-round pick in 2008, and after spending the bulk of his rookie season on the injured reserve list, he rushed for 3,309 yards on 812 carries (4.1 average) and 29 touchdowns from 2009-11. Unfortunately, his tenure with the Steelers came to a dramatic end with a contract dispute in 2018, but during his time with the team, he was one of the greatest. Copyright 2023 YB Media, LLC. The running back said that he was only trying to stimulate conversation about the topic but because of it he lost an endorsement deal with Champion Sports. What those teams dont have is a legacy of bullying and dominating opponents, and that is what brought the Steelers six Super Bowl championships. PITTSBURGH (AP) Mike Tomlin wasn't ready to go there, with all due respect. Unfortunately for Johnson, his 2,000-yard season came in 2009, so it just missed the cut for counting on this list. He ranks 23rd all-time among Pittsburgh rushers having gained 1,504 yards as a Steeler. The role of the fullback changed dramatically when the I-formation came into vogue in the 1980s. These honorable mentions may not have a place on this list of all-time best Steelers running backs, but if you are a Steelers fan, there is a good chance you'll remember them fondly. Over the entire decade, he posted 6,417 rushing yards and 7,909 yards from scrimmage with the Titans, Jets and Cardinals from 2010-17. All rights reserved. In many ways, this style of offense is the polar opposite of the methods the Steelers used to win six Super Bowls. The Tigers picked up their sixth commitment for the 2024 recruiting cycle - and their first running back - Wednesday with the public . He has six 1,000-yard seasons and six Pro Bowl nominations with the Eagles and Bills during the 2010s. In 2015 Williams rejuvenated his career with the Steelers, filling in for the suspended and injured Le'Veon Bell for 10 games. In 1980, Thornton would average five yards-per-carry while carrying the rock 78 times. Murray is another back who put together three strong seasons during his career and led the league in rushing once. That couldn't have been further from the truth. He's posted 2,987 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns over the last three years. On a better team, Jones-Drew may have been able to flourish for longer than three seasons, but from 2009-11, he was one of the best backs in the league. Fran Rogel was also a local product having grown up in North Braddock, Pennsylvania. Franco Harris is the Pittsburgh Steelers career leader in rushing yards with 11,950. Daily Fantasy Football Week 16: Predicting DraftKings Top Performers He's rushed for only 2,599 yards this decade, but everyone knows he's far more than just a running back. The stud running back finished with 3,943 yards which lands him seventh on Pittsburghs all-time list. Draft criticism still fuels Steelers' Najee Harris - New York Post 1. Nick Chubb finished first the AFC North in 2021 with 1,259 rushing yards, despite finishing third with 228 carries. In the following AFC title game against Miami, Pollard was held to just 48 yards rushing. But it was his story of injury during the war that gave him notoriety at the start of his career. Conner responded with a Pro Bowl performance and gave Steeler Nation hope that hed become the next great Pittsburgh running back. No matter what happens with the evolution of this position, these Pittsburgh tight ends have left a legacy for this that cant be taken away. Emailed daily. They got a lot of carries in an era when both the fullback and halfback needed to contribute to the running game. A bullet pierced his left thigh in Vietnam and further injuries occurred when a grenade exploded near him putting shrapnel in his lower right leg. Ranking the Top 10 Steelers running backs of the Mike Tomlin era Allain died on February 21, 2023, following a . The mid-'80s were a tough time for Steeler Nation. He spent much of 2019 injured, and team injuries across the board made it difficult to judge his performance fairly. Bam Morris: Morris story is a sad, tragic, and unfulfilled one. His professional career started in 2007 when he decided to skip the last year of college and enter the NFL Draft. Yes, the Pittsburgh Steelers coach understands the symmetry between Saturday night's 13-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders and a playoff victory over the same franchise 50 years ago, the one that ended with Steelers running back Franco Harris snagging a deflected . Emmitt Smith leads with 18,365 yards and is also the postseason leader with 1,586. Ranking Every Steelers Running Back of All Time! - TIER LIST Offseason Strategy: Already having their starting running back for the immediate future, the offseason as it concerns the running back position will be dedicated solely toward seeking out quality . Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Zero Running Back Strategy Clemson gets its running back: 'Something very special at Clemson Chubb is not the most dangerous or highly . Pittsburgh Steelers Career Rushing Leaders | The Football Database Who the heck is this guy, we all wondered aloud, but in much more colorful language. . Doctors had told him following the enemy attack that his football days were over. Overall, Charles recorded 8,110 yards from scrimmage during the decade with the Chiefs, Broncos and Jaguars from 2010-18. Four of those were LeVeon Bell, but three were different players who stepped up in those seasons: Mendenhall (Pittsburgh's last first-round running back), Williams, Conner. In 2006 he tried to make a comeback in the Arena Football League and the National Indoor Football League but that last just part of one season. In the previous nine years, however, the Steelers had a top-15 player seven times. During his career, he's averaged 128.9 yards from scrimmage per game. Always free! NFL combine: CB prospect hoping for on-field family reunion If he had played in those games, Bell is easily in the top five on this list and maybe close to the top. Jerome "The Bus" Bettis tops our list as the Steelers best running back of all time. He made another Pro Bowl in 1993 but only rushed for half as many yards due to injuries. Dudley also found himself on kickoff returns where he fielded 11 of those for 298 yards (27.0 average). In 2015 Williams rejuvenated his career with the Steelers, filling in for the suspended and injured Le'Veon Bell for 10 games. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Teams run RPOs, or run-pass option plays, where the quarterback decides after the snap whether he will hand the ball off or throw a pass. NAME GP RUSH YDS ATT YPC RUSH YDS/G RUSH TD REC YDS REC TRG AVG REC YDS/G REC TD; Felix Jones: 16: 184: 48: 3.8: 11.5: 0: 63: 9: 13: 7.0: 3.9: 0: Isaac Redman: 3: 12: 10: 1.2 . In 2012 he was just a mere few yards away from the single-season rushing record with 2,097 yards. The fullback might get the ball once or twice a game in short-yardage situations, but for the most part, he was turned into a blocking specialist. He also made the Pro Bowl in 2013 and 2016, the last of which with the Titans. Barkley was a huge reason why the Giants returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. He's been named All-Pro and led the NFL in rushing touchdowns during each of the last two years too. But since then injuries have slowed him, and he's averaging 3.6 yards per attempt. NFL Draft: 10 best running backs available in 2023 - Page 6 Last edited on 19 February 2023, at 18:43, Boston Braves / Boston Redskins / Washington Redskins, List of National Football League records (individual), List of National Football League rushing champions, List of National Football League career rushing touchdowns leaders, List of National Football League annual rushing touchdowns leaders, "NFL Rushing Yards Career Playoffs Leaders", "History of the Career Rushing Yards Record", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_National_Football_League_career_rushing_yards_leaders&oldid=1140354500, This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 18:43. Despite suffering continuing pain and losing weight down to 180 pounds, Rocky spent the next two years putting on weight and fighting for a roster spot. He led the Steelers in rushing in 1965, 1968, and 1969. Pittsburgh Steelers History: Top 10 Running Backs Of All-Time The 33rd Team. His rookie contract was voided after his fourth season, after just one in Pittsburgh, and there were opportunities to leave. Today he is 68 and still colorful. Switched Tyler Lockett the Running Back and it Jacked Him to 99 overall Najee Harris Stats, News, Bio | ESPN Dave Holcomb began working as a sports writer in 2013 after graduating from Syracuse University. The 23-year-old was on his way to two straight special years to begin his NFL career before the Chiefs cut him following his involvement with a woman in a domestic dispute. Of course, we all know why. Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. name the pittsburgh steelers running back to the last 10 years This is a list of National Football League running backs by total career rushing yards, and includes the 31 running backs who have rushed for at least 10,000 yards, for which sixteen of them have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.. Emmitt Smith leads with 18,365 yards and is also the postseason leader with 1,586. Joey Porter. At the time of the second injury, he was no longer with the Steelers but playing for the Chicago Bears and sued that teams doctor resulting in a $1.55 million judgment in favor of Hoge. Postseason. The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. but every NFL team has talented players. The 25 best running backs of the 2010s | Yardbarker Players active with the Pittsburgh . In 27 games Hunt has 2,151 rushing yards, 2,984 yards from scrimmage and 25 touchdowns. However, from 2010-14 he was the best all-purpose back in the league. Injuries hurt Foster later in his career, but he did record 1,246 rushing yards in 2014. He scored seven touchdowns and caught the ball 22 times for an additional 204 yards and a 9.3 yards-per-reception mark. Year Top Defense. Hopefully the Christmas edition of DraftKings top performers and busts finds you warm among family and friends as we unwrap the matchups in daily fantasy football for Week 16.The difficulty and uneasiness of lineup construction is increasing as more and more players we havent heard of become viable DFS starters in 2015s closing act.Use the list below to fill your roster with glad tidings while . He seemed to violate every rule young players are taught about playing running back, yet he thrived. Lynch was an underrated pass-catcher in his prime too. Steelers Great Franco Harris, In One Of His Last Interviews, Recalled He is more famously known for his post-retirement with ESPN as an analyst which he has excelled at and has become one of that networks finest announcers.
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Michael O'donoghue Neurologist, Oceanside Football Coach, Pros And Cons Of Force Theory, Falmouth, Ma Voting Precincts, Hoi4 Change Leader Command, Articles S