30 Mar

steelers running backs last 10 years

Still, I think he is deserving of the number 16 spot on this list of all-time great Steelers backs. Who Is The Best Wide Receiver In The NFL Right Now? Playing players out of position in mut will make there overall go down now. As a Steelers, he was occasionally brilliant but more often disappointing. Perhaps one of the most popular and beloved Steelers players of all-time, Bleier became famous before he ever established himself as Franco Harriss partner in crime based on his experiences in the Vietnam War. The next ingredient is a tough, hard-nosed rushing attack that controls the ball and methodically plows through opposing defenses. Today we ranked the Pittsburgh Steeler Running Backs throughout their franchise! Hoak's record as the team's running backs coach was 149-90-1, making him the third-most successful running backs coach in Pittsburgh Steelers history. Steelers running back James Conner (30) runs for a short gain past Titans cornerback Kristian Fulton (26) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. All Rights Reserved. He was intensive care for 48 hours and this forced his retirement. 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. He made four Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team as a Steeler and inspired a Pittsburgh Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XLone of the greatest wins in Steelers history. Steelers all-time 53-man roster: '70s legends, 'Killer Bs' headline In later years Bleier helped pen a book about himself and a movie was made about his story titled Fighting Back.. Franco Harris was the man during The Renaissance, and Jerome Bettis was the man in The Modern Era. 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. In 1966 when the Fighting Irish won the national title, Rocky was a member of that team. He's another back who never led the league in rushing and never made All-Pro. In 1979, he started 10 games in place of Bleier and ran for 585 yards and six touchdowns. Overall contributions to the Steelers franchise. To prepare, we at Chargers Wire are previewing players from every position. Touchdowns. 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. 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. Today, with the explosion of the passing game, a star running back is a helpful asset but no longer a requirement. His entire career was with the Steelers and he would finish those six seasons with 1,512 yards and 18 touchdowns. Hunt only played eight games with the Browns last season after serving an eight-game suspension. [2] He led the NFL with 576 yards in 1932 and held on to the record throughout his career. He ranks fourth all-time in franchise history for rushing yards and eighth all-time in receptions. | Merril Hoge: Lasting until the 10th round in the 1987 NFL draft, Merril Hoge was a tough as nails runner for the Steelers who suffered a rash of concussion injuries that would cost him his career. Steelers running backs - Fantasy Index The power running back is a dying breed in football. He ran for over 1,000 yards in his first season and scored 10 rushing touchdowns on his way to winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. The team has selected second overall once, and third overall four times. Well, he's worth a lot more now. This means two backs in the backfield, usually lined up side by side. Dickerson was traded mid-season in 1987; he played three games for the Rams and nine for the Colts. Seasons: 90 (1933 to 2022) Record (W-L-T): 666-585-23 Playoff Record: 36-27 Super Bowls Won: 6 (8 Appearances) Championships Won *: 6 . Time to profile some of the outstanding and popular running backs to suit up for the Steelers. Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Draft History - Pro-Football-Reference.com Pittsburgh Steelers: 15 best running backs in franchise history He also posted at least 1,500 yards from scrimmage during 2013 and 2014 when the Seahawks went to two Super Bowls. Switched Tyler Lockett the Running Back and it Jacked Him to 99 overall In 2012, he made the All-Pro team with 1,590 rushing yards and 1,786 yards from scrimmage. He spent his first year in the NFL with the Giants before coming to the Steelers in 1970. 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. That's the equivalent of more than two seasons. Ibrahim, who . But Stewart posted 5,366 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns in the decade. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? We present them here for purely educational purposes. He caught 57 passes for 338 yards as well. Bettis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. 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. To no ones surprise, Art Rooney Sr. mailed a post card to his running back while in recovery that said, Rock We need you. That was the kind of man The Chief was. In 1992, we found out who the heck that guy was: the man who would run for more yards in one season than any Steelers running back in team history. Outside linebacker Joey Porter came to Pittsburgh in 1999. The controversy arose when the ball deflected off of Tatum or Frenchy. Emailed daily. During recent years, he's become somewhat forgotten in Buffalo, but McCoy has both All-Pro seasons and multiple 1,000-yard campaigns to his credit this decade. Including last season when Bell sat out because of a contract dispute, the two-time All-Pro has missed 34 games in his six-year career. The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2020 running back room has the assortments of all the skillsets you could find around the NFL. If Lions general manager Brad Holmes follows that plan exactly, Minnesota Golden Gophers' Mohamed Ibrahim would be a great late-round running back prospect for Detroit to target. He also was a punt returner, bringing back 20 punts with a 14.0 average per return. In both seasons, he made All-Pro. By the time the fourth quarter rolls around, it is easy to see why opposing defenses would wish they were somewhere else. This led to fans chanting Hey Diddle Diddle, Rogel Up the Middle. There was just one occasion that the Steelers failed to use Rogel on the games first play. 25 Greatest Running Backs in NFL History - AthlonSports.com In one of his final interviews before his . Seasons: 90 (1933 to 2022) Record (W-L-T): 666-585-23 Playoff Record: 36-27 Super Bowls Won: 6 (8 Appearances) Championships Won *: 6 . One of the best free agent signings of the Mike Tomlin era, DeAngelo Williams was never thought to be more than a top backup running back. 1. By, Tom Rothenberg/Zuma Press/Icon Sportswire, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Jamaal Williams Dynasty Profile: Fantasy Outlook, Value, Projections 2022 Fantasy Football - Top 10 RBs - Faceoff Sports Network With the Bears and Jets, Forte posted 7,629 rushing yards and 11,353 yards from scrimmage from 2010-17. 2023 NFL free agent running backs: Ranking top 10 seeking new deals Frank Pollard: In the mid-1980s, a stout Frank Pollard became the Steelers primary running back. Unfortunately for Johnson, his 2,000-yard season came in 2009, so it just missed the cut for counting on this list. The first requirement is an intimidating defense that dominates opponents and makes it tough for them to put points on the board. His best season was in 1985 when he rushed for 991 yards. Pittsburgh has fielded plenty of those defensive units over the years, and there are more than a few Steelers defenders in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was a hard task to actually rank all of the great running backs . The controversy surrounds what is called by many as the Greatest play in NFL history. He joins Franco Harris and John Henry Johnson. He spent much of 2019 injured, and team injuries across the board made it difficult to judge his performance fairly. 2022 AFC North Standings. The following is the Pittsburgh Steelers all-time roster, browsable by last name or position. For the Steelers he would rush for 2,243 yards five seasons. He made the Pro Bowl three times, from 2014-16. 11 because of four straight 1,000-yard seasons to begin the decade. He holds the team record for most rushing yards in a career (11,950) as well as most rushing touchdowns (91) and total touchdowns (100). Hoak made a Pro Bowl in 1968 and is currently ranked seventh in Steelers' history for all-time rushing yards with 3,965. His 6-foot-2, 230 pound frame made it virtually impossible for one defender to take him down. Fuqua will be forever remembered by Steelers fans as the intended receiver of Terry Bradshaws Immaculate Reception pass, which ricocheted into the arms of Franco Harris. Peterson missed all but one game in 2014 because of a child abuse case, but he returned to lead the NFL in rushing during 2015. The role of the fullback changed dramatically when the I-formation came into vogue in the 1980s. But he still turned in two more 1,000-yard seasons and recorded at least 800 yards from scrimmage in four seasons this decade. Bleier starred in Super Bowl XIII with a touchdown reception and a recovered onside kick to seal Pittsburghs third NFL title. Unfortunately, injuries have slowed him over the last couple of years and prevented him from running for more than 865 yards in a season. Daily Fantasy Football Week 16: Predicting DraftKings Top Performers 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. 2013 Steelers 2014 Steelers 2015 Steelers 2016 Steelers 2017 Steelers 2018 Steelers 2019 Steelers 2020 Steelers 2021 Steelers 2022 Steelers 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 8-8 11-5 10-6 11-5 13-3 9-6-1 8-8 12-4 9-7-1 9-8. Steelers Stats | Pittsburgh Steelers - Steelers.com During the 2021 offseason, Pittsburgh declined to re-sign Conner, making him a free agent and creating an opportunity for the Arizona Cardinals to scoop him up. Charles also ran for 1,509 yards in 2012 and 1,033 yards in 2014. The speedy running backs, the classic old power running back, and the mixed, well-rounded, good running back. They will be joined by this year's selection, making six for the 2022 season. Bill Dudley was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966 and 10 year prior was inducted into College Footballs Hall of Fame. The Senate passed the bill . Posted August 12, 2019 From the time Fran Rogel became the teams starting running back in 1950 until his retirement in 1957, Pittsburghs first play from scrimmage in every game Rogel was in the backfield began with a handoff to the California State Teachers College and Penn State University product with a rush into the middle of the offensive line. The move closes the latest chapter of Wentz's career after just one season in Washington. Having gone through a tough contract negotiation in 1995, the Steelers instead of trying to settle traded Foster over to the Carolina Panthers who then cut the running back in training camp due to a failed physical. But since then injuries have slowed him, and he's averaging 3.6 yards per attempt. Great Pittsburgh Steelers players such as Heath Miller, Bennie Cunningham, and Eric Green, who could count among the best NFL players ever, have gone down as some of the best tight ends in Steelers franchise history. Postseason. Dudley also served his country during World War II as a member of the Army and played for that team while away from the NFL. Overall, he ran for 4,731 yards and 28 touchdowns playing for the Rams, Falcons and Patriots from 2010-15. It's an inspiring story, but if Bleier wasn't one of the best running backs in Steelers' history, he wouldn't have made this list. At 244 pounds, Morris was a load running behind the offensive line and his numbers backed up his train rushing efforts. 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. In 2015 he finished second in the league in rushing and earned a spot on the All-Pro Team. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. 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. He would eventually become the feature back, but in 2009 he suffered Jack Lamberts injury, turf toe and was replaced by Rashard Mendenhall in the process. Every Steelers First-Round Draft Pick Since 2000 A dominant defense and an unstoppable running gamethats Steelers Football. Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. He also earned the first of two consecutive First-Team All-Pro selections. 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. Williams didn't post a 1,000-yard season in this decade mostly due to the fact he shared the backfield with another player on our list. I want to travel the world and write. If that wasnt strange enough, Mendenhall got himself into hot water in 2011 as a Steeler when he tweeted a controversial reaction to the United States elimination of Osama bin Laden. He spent his first year in the NFL with the Giants before coming to the Steelers in 1970. Anderson was traded mid-season in 1986; he played four games for the Cardinals and eight for the Giants. What those teams dont have is a legacy of bullying and dominating opponents, and that is what brought the Steelers six Super Bowl championships. The Steelers will win 5 games this year, Canada will be fired, and Tomlin will "resign." . With the 2019 season, there is still time to influence who lands where among a list of the best running backs of the decade. In 1982, he was Pittsburghs first overall pick in the draft coming in at number 12. It's hard to believe, but the second decade of the 21st century is nearly complete. He also made the Pro Bowl in 2013 and 2016, the last of which with the Titans. Harris was a part of four championship team and would be named to the Pro Bowl nine times. TODAY: Running backs. He'll get the chance to continue his career with the Browns, but he'll miss the first eight games of 2019 because of a suspension. In 1999 the Chiefs cut him and his life spiraled out of control with drug problems and jail time. Dick Hoak: The running backs coach for the Steelers for an incredible 35 years, Hoak was also an excellent player at the position he would spend so many years coaching up. ALL-MODERN ERA: Running backs - Pittsburgh Steelers Bell was a unique back in Steelers history due to both the wide-open offense he played in and his careful, patient running style. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Emmitt Smith has held the record since surpassing Walter Payton's long-standing total in 2002. The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some great tight ends throughout the franchise's history. Clemson gets its running back: 'Something very special at Clemson Winning three Super Bowls helps earn you a spot on this list too. In the second concussion he encountered, it resulted in Hoge having to be resuscitated when he stopped breathing. Najee Harris warming to Steelers' running back-by-committee approach. . By Ross Kelly and Tony Adame, updated on October 18, 2022. The Steelers ran out the pro set for most of the 1970s and 1980s under head coach Chuck Noll. With teams shifting more to the passing game, these old-school running backs are becoming obsolete. Bleier was an outstanding lead blocker as well as being able to run the ball well and also had solid hands as a receiver. The Steelers have had several players enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame after being a part of the Pittsburghs ground game for most of or all of their entire careers. Always free! John Fuqua: How could any Steelers fan in the Nation of Black and Gold not smile when speaking of John Frenchy Fuqua. He only spent six seasons with the Steelers, but it was enough to rack up 4,381 rushing yards and land him at number five for all-time leading rushers in Pittsburgh history. In nine seasons all as a Steeler, Pollard scored 20 touchdowns. He's rushed for only 2,599 yards this decade, but everyone knows he's far more than just a running back. Beast Mode's freakish combination of power and finesse was unlike any running back that came before him. MORE: 2023 Dynasty Rookie Rankings. Lucrative opportunities to leave. 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. 10 Best Linebackers in Steelers History (+Honorable Mentions) In his first three seasons, Ingram ran for more than 600 yards in a season just once. NFL combine: CB prospect hoping for on-field family reunion A bruising Hall of Famer running back, Franco Harris was the perfect embodiment of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense during their championship runs in the 1970s. Top 12 Fantasy Running Backs: Hall of Fame Week Edition 8. While one is considered a fullback and the other a halfback, they share more commonalities than differences in their duties. Only other is safeties at sub lb and doesn't change their ratings just where they are on the field. In the last 10 years, 10 different backs have led the league in PPR scoring. Clemson running backs coach CJ Spiller got his man. He sill holds the single season record for rushing for Pittsburgh with 1,690 yards gained in 1992. But since then he has a pair of 1,000-yard rushing years and 4,545 yards on the ground in five years. Photos from the career of former Steelers running back and Hall of Fame finalist Jerome Bettis. but every NFL team has talented players. Mendenhall is currently No. It's a smaller sample size, but Elliott has also posted 131.2 yards from scrimmage per game in his three seasons. He earned the Super Bowl MVP award after running for 158 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings in Super Bowl IX. Reports this off-season show he weighed in at 244 pounds from 232 last season. Le'veon Bell also earned a reputation as one of the most patient RBs in the NFL. It wasn't too long ago that Freeman was regarded as a top-five back in the league. Still, "CJ2K" comes in at No. Morris signed with Baltimore Ravens where he lasted just two seasons before the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs took a chance on him in 1998. Lynch was an underrated pass-catcher in his prime too. He had the highest usage rate among running backs at 35.8% and was third in red-zone touches with 61. steelers running backs last 10 years Harris managed to get 691 rushing yards, with an average of five yards. Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 Player Roster | NFL.com It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Which of these tight ends has left a lasting legacy in the city of Pittsburgh? Others were blocking fullbacks who spent their careers opening holes for star backs. Williams led the NFL in touchdowns last season with 17. WILLIE PARKER had difference-making speed at the NFL level, but because he wasn't built physically to withstand the 913 carries he got from 2005-07, he got worn down and then his speed wasn't as difference-making at the NFL level. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. Fran Rogel was also a local product having grown up in North Braddock, Pennsylvania. Greatest Power Backs in NFL History. Greatest Power Backs in NFL History | Stadium Talk After a slow start (for a seventh overall draft pick from . Franco Harris gets most of the credit for that infamous incident, but Terry Bradshaws passing attempt on that play was originally intended for Fuqua who was decleated by Jack Tatum. Best: Franco Harris. Ranking every NFL running back drafted in Round 1 since 2000: LaDainian However, it's not too early to break down the best from the 2010s either. Looking at an NFL game today, something seems to be missing. Ranking every player on the Steelers free agency board Jerome Bettis is the latest Steelers running back to become a member in Canton, Ohio. Jerome Bettis was a 250-pound battering ram with incredible quickness for a man his size. In an era that de-emphasizes the workhorse back, McCoy has nearly amassed 10,000 rushing yards and more than 13,000 yards from scrimmage this decade. All Rights Reserved. Every Tight End In Pittsburgh Steelers History, Ranked By Fans All-time Receiving Leader: Hines Ward 1,000 rec, 12,083 yds, 85 TD . 16 Best Pittsburgh Steelers Running Backs of All Time Gordon averaged a career-best 5.1 yards per carry in 2018. Regular season. Read on to find out why. Bullet Bill Dudley is also in the record books for the National Football League as the only man to run for a touchdown, catch a touchdown pass, return a punt for a score, run to the end zone on a kickoff return, intercept a pass for a pick-six, pick up a fumble and reach pay dirt, and throw a touchdown pass. Top-15 NFL Seasons by Running Backs in the 2010s 9-Rocky Bleier. Foster's 1,690 yards set a team record that season and earned him Pro Bowl and All-Pro nominations. In 2016 he had one of the best seasons for a running back in recent memory, accumulating a league-high 2,118 yards from scrimmage, including at least 100 yards in the first 15 games of the year. The former Titan had only 28 catches for 294 yards last year . The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4M; . Not entirely. That one instance came in 1956 when Art Rooney Sr. uncharacteristically was frustrated with a head coach and instructed the then Head Coach Walt Kiesling to negate the opening Rogel rush and throw the ball instead. Today, Abercrombie spends his days atsthe Executive Director for his alma mater leading the Baylor B Association which is an organization of previous letter winners for the university. Wanting the jersey number 26 which he wore at Notre Dame, Preston Pearson held those digits so Rocky settled for No. All-time Passing Leader: Ben Roethlisberger 5,440/8,443, 64,088 yds, 418 TD, All-time Rushing Leader: Franco Harris 2,881 att, 11,950 yds, 91 TD, All-time Receiving Leader: Hines Ward 1,000 rec, 12,083 yds, 85 TD, All-time Scoring Leader: Gary Anderson 1,343 points, All-time AV Leader: Ben Roethlisberger 208 AV, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 2:32PM.