Most underrated RB

[mrags]

18 hours ago, mannc said:

 

More recent:  Priest Holmes, undrafted free agent, but was one of the best backs in the league for three or four years.  Could do it all.

Probably 3-4 years of the very best football I have ever seen. Regardless of position. He was just absolutely dominant 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Larry Centers anyone? He has over 800 catches as a RB.

I wonder what would have happened if Cribbs, Butler, Ferguson, and Knox could have all stayed together and healthy in the early 80’s.

 

FYI Ronnie Harmon is listed as 7th best pass catching RB of all time.

[SouthNYfan]

1 hour ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

 

 

...always liked the Dunn kid...ON and OFF the field......damn good ambassador for the sport IMO.....

 

Not like tiki ??

Stephen Davis was pretty solid.

 

[KD in CA]

15 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

Roger Craig

Ricky Waters

Fred Taylor

 

Waters for sure, he was super talented.  

15k yards from scrimmage.

[HOUSE]

[Buddy Hix]

My pick would be Fred Taylor. Taylor is ranked 17th all time, had seven 1000 yard seasons and only got one pro bowl nod and a 2nd team all pro in the same year. Zero recognition other than that, criminal.

[Stank_Nasty]

1 hour ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

 

Stephen Jackson is a great call. 

His numbers are staggering really. A massive 235 lb dual threat back that ran for 1000 eight years in a row and retired 20th all time in scrimmage yds amongst ALL players at over 15,000. 

 

Poor guy saw the playoffs his rookie year and then never again until he was a fringe player on the pats his final year. 

26 minutes ago, Buddy Hix said:

My pick would be Fred Taylor. Taylor is ranked 17th all time, had seven 1000 yard seasons and only got one pro bowl nod and a 2nd team all pro in the same year. Zero recognition other than that, criminal.

I agree. I had posted about him earlier. The poor dude didn’t even get a pro bowl nod when he ran for 1500 one year. Haha 

[LSHMEAB]

5 hours ago, DuckyBoys said:

He had that gruesome leg injury where he got caught in a pile and his leg broke at the need and folded the wrong way  I think that ended football for him

Wrong Napolean. That was McCallum. How in the world have the Raiders had two RUNNING BACKS named Napolean? Crazy.

[BillsBlue]

11 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

Fred was a great guy, but not a game changer.  He wasn't an every game back and on  bad teams with modest offensive weapons, he didn't dominate with his legs.

 

But in the spirit of "underrated", it has to be a truly great back who is not often mentioned with other great backs.

 

So:

 

C Martin

E James

Ricky Williams

 

 

 

I agree about Ricky Martin but you don't remember when free was in his prime making marshawn expendable as well as cj spiller....you don't remember his mvp all pro pace that he was on that year before injury where he was unstoppable??? Fred could do it all and do it all above average and had some of the best balance and instincts I've ever seen in a rb...he made the absolute most of his touches  ....im worry I'm a Freddy homer but the dudes my hero haha

[Augie]

Mini Max Anderson. Under the radar, under the limbo bar......

[BillsBlue]

11 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

Fred was a great guy, but not a game changer.  He wasn't an every game back and on  bad teams with modest offensive weapons, he didn't dominate with his legs.

 

But in the spirit of "underrated", it has to be a truly great back who is not often mentioned with other great backs.

 

So:

 

C Martin

E James

Ricky Williams

 

 

 

Yeah it was 2011 in 10 games played he had 1370 yards from scrimmage he was finally being given the role of a workhorse that he needed

[mannc]

1 hour ago, mrags said:

Probably 3-4 years of the very best football I have ever seen. Regardless of position. He was just absolutely dominant 

Surprised no one else has mentioned Priest.  Borderline HoF, I think. Check out his receiving numbers, too.

[eanyills]

Steven Jackson. Guy could have went down as one of the best of all time but his entire career was wasted on a garbage Rams team.

[mrags]

4 minutes ago, eanyills said:

Steven Jackson. Guy could have went down as one of the best of all time but his entire career was wasted on a garbage Rams team.

When I lived in Vegas he used to come into my Buffalo Wild Wings. Just so happened that one of the times I had an official NFL ball in the trunk of my car that he gladly signed. 

 

He he was always a super cool guy. Very humble, respectful.

 

i wonder how much that ball is worth now 

[BobChalmers]

20 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

You rarely hear his name when discussing the top 10 or 20 RB's of all time.  Ten straight 1,000 yard seasons is ridiculous.

 

hehe - I am pretty comfortable leaving Curtis Martin out of any and all discussions of top 10 all time - maybe top 20

 

Just off the top of my head...

 

Jim Brown

Barry Sanders

Emmitt Smith

Earl Campbell

Eric Dickerson

Walter Payton

Thurman Thomas

OJ Simpson

Marshall Faulk

Marcus Allen

LaDainian Tomlinson

Gayle Sayers

Franco Harris

Tony Dorsett

Adrian Peterson

 

That's 15 already - where does Martin go on that list? 

 

[NoSaint]

20 hours ago, mannc said:

Curtis is so underrated that he’s in the Hall of Fame.  What more recognition do you think he deserves?

 

People here were outraged about him getting in

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

49 minutes ago, mrags said:

When I lived in Vegas he used to come into my Buffalo Wild Wings. Just so happened that one of the times I had an official NFL ball in the trunk of my car that he gladly signed. 

 

He he was always a super cool guy. Very humble, respectful.

 

i wonder how much that ball is worth now 

 

How has he fared in voting for canton... does he have an Andree Reed sort of shot? Respect to 83 just comparing the journey 

[Orlando Tim]

I had forgotten about half these backs- and i have watched a ton football since the end of 80's. Most of these guys played a few spectacular years or a lot of great years but not many have both. I though have yet tp see the guy who is 4th all time- Frank Gore. I always knew he was great but top 4 all time shocked me.

[Doc Brown]

3 minutes ago, BobChalmers said:

 

hehe - I am pretty comfortable leaving Curtis Martin out of any and all discussions of top 10 all time - maybe top 20

 

Just off the top of my head...

 

Jim Brown

Barry Sanders

Emmitt Smith

Earl Campbell

Eric Dickerson

Walter Payton

Thurman Thomas

OJ Simpson

Marshall Faulk

Marcus Allen

LaDainian Tomlinson

Gayle Sayers

Franco Harris

Tony Dorsett

Adrian Peterson

 

That's 15 already - where does Martin go on that list? 

 

Gil Brandt has him at #13 ahead of Thurman, Allen, and Harris (on your list).  Fifth all time in total rushing yards.  Led the league in rushing at 31 years old.  Ten straight 1,000 yard seasons (only Barry Sanders has also accomplished that feat) out of 11 seasons played.  Five pro bowls.  Parcells valued him so much he gave up a 1st and 3rd to snag him from the Pats.  Despite all that, he didn't make the HOF until his 2nd year of eligibility.  

[Stranded in Boston]

Most won''t remember him, but Lydell Mitchell was a beast for the Colts in the 1970s. Great shifty runner and prolific receiver out of the backfield (before it became fashionable). Another great back of the 70s-80s was Chuck Muncie, incredible combination of size, power and speed. The guy had stretches when he was damn near unstoppable. He scored 19 rushing TDs in 1981, I believe a record at the time. Muncie could have been the next Jim Brown -- if not for his cocaine habit. 

[mrags]

1 hour ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

 

How has he fared in voting for canton... does he have an Andree Reed sort of shot? Respect to 83 just comparing the journey 

Statistically, he deserves it much more than Reed does. Not to mention Reed was a serious POS off the field. 

[Augie]

3 hours ago, HOUSE said:

 

This was clearly before GPS. 

[Charles Romes]

17 hours ago, the skycap said:

Joe Cribbs

 

 

He’s in the Hall if his USFL seasons are in the NFL. 

[Bookie Man]

Have to agree with whoever said Priest Holmes. The guy had an INSANE run from 2001-2003. 6500+ yards, 206 rec, 66 TD. 

[Bookie Man]

Steven Jackson also. 8 straight 1000 yard seasons. Good receiver for a big back. Had 90 catches one year. Crazy stuff.

[CSBill]

22 hours ago, BigdaddyinOrlando said:

Kenneth Davis! 

 He came in and we never seemed to skip a beat at all on offense!

 

Except for that drop against the Browns.

9 hours ago, HOUSE said:

 

?

[CommonCents]

Tomlinson tapped out of a playoff game, I’m surprised to see him mentioned at all. He got plenty of attention during his career, he got small when things got big. 

[freddyjj]

2 hours ago, CSBill said:

 

Except for that drop against the Browns.

 

?

Not sure if you are joking given emoji after gif 

 

Ronny Harmon dropped the pass in end zone vs CLE in 89 playoff game. 

[Dr. K]

22 hours ago, Jay_Fixit said:

Ray Lewis played MLB.

Ray didn't hold the knife.

[mannc]

12 hours ago, Buffalo Timmy said:

I had forgotten about half these backs- and i have watched a ton football since the end of 80's. Most of these guys played a few spectacular years or a lot of great years but not many have both. I though have yet tp see the guy who is 4th all time- Frank Gore. I always knew he was great but top 4 all time shocked me.

The fact that you’re shocked is an indication that Gore was never that great and that his numbers are largely a product of longevity.  Gore has had one really good year and that’s about it.

[DuckyBoys]

21 hours ago, LSHMEAB said:

Wrong Napolean. That was McCallum. How in the world have the Raiders had two RUNNING BACKS named Napolean? Crazy.

lol getting old  Kaufman had the big guns

[DuckyBoys]

21 hours ago, LSHMEAB said:

Wrong Napolean. That was McCallum. How in the world have the Raiders had two RUNNING BACKS named Napolean? Crazy.

it was kaufmann

 

https://www.quora.com/Whats-the-most-gruesome-injury-to-a-football-player-during-an-NFL-game

[DisplacedBillsFan]

Sammy Morris never had the chance to really be a feature back but could have shined given a better opportunity. He had a 4.1 career ypc average on 736 rushes and scored a TD about every 28 touches. In 2008 with NE he had the most attempts of his career, 156, and had 4.7 ypc and also scored nearly once per 22 rushes.

 

[Orlando Tim]

8 hours ago, mannc said:

The fact that you’re shocked is an indication that Gore was never that great and that his numbers are largely a product of longevity.  Gore has had one really good year and that’s about it.

You and i will have to disagree- if you end up top 5 in total rushing yards without having an incredible offensive line and also have 4K in catching makes you great. I would not have had him my top 5 during his career period much less top 5 all time is stats.

[YodaMan79]

^^^^ I see a difference in having a great career and being great.  I give Gore credit for squeezing every ounce of talent he's got and putting it on the field.  He must have one heck of a drive and be very disciplined.  His injury history in college would have lead many of his peers to give up.  He's proven that durability/availability is just as important as raw talent.  I don't know how he could be kept out of the HOF?  I don't think he's an automatic first ballot guy, but he does deserve the honor.  I too was shocked at his standings.

[LSHMEAB]

19 minutes ago, YodaMan79 said:

^^^^ I see a difference in having a great career and being great.  I give Gore credit for squeezing every ounce of talent he's got and putting it on the field.  He must have one heck of a drive and be very disciplined.  His injury history in college would have lead many of his peers to give up.  He's proven that durability/availability is just as important as raw talent.  I don't know how he could be kept out of the HOF?  I don't think he's an automatic first ballot guy, but he does deserve the honor.  I too was shocked at his standings.

Gore has played 14 seasons and compiled 95 total touchdowns. Todd Gurley has played 4 seasons and compiled 56 total touchdowns. Gore is a really good back who's longevity is a testament to hard work and determination. He's not a true difference maker. I think he'll probably get in the hall, but I don't know that he deserves it. Running backs have come and gone, but Gore has never been the best at his position. 

[Tcali]

Gore is a great RB..along the lines of Thurman or Emmit Smith....Among the very elite like OJ,JB,Barry,Campbell?? NO. But a HofFamer for sure.1st ballot may be slightly tight.

 

[BillsFan1988]

I don't know if anyone mentioned this Back but he was really fun to watch. 

 

Charlie Garner  Eagles & Raiders 

[mannc]

10 hours ago, Tcali said:

Gore is a great RB..along the lines of Thurman or Emmit Smith....Among the very elite like OJ,JB,Barry,Campbell?? NO. But a HofFamer for sure.1st ballot may be slightly tight.

 

Please...Gore isn’t even in the same discussion with Thurman or Emmitt Smith.  Those guys put up at least 1800 yards from scrimmage year after year and each was among the top three or four backs in the league during that time.  And of course both were star players on the dominant teams of their era.

 

Gore has never come close to any of those achievements and, save one season when he was second team all-pro, he has never even been one of the top five backs in the league.   He’s an above average back who’s stuck around for a long time.  That’s it.

Edited April 2, 2019 by mannc

[Stank_Nasty]

43 minutes ago, mannc said:

Please...Gore isn’t even in the same discussion with Thurman or Emmitt Smith.  Those guys put up at least 1800 yards from scrimmage year after year and each was among the top three or four backs in the league during that time.  And of course both were star players on the dominant teams of their era.

 

Gore has never come close to any of those achievements and, save one season when he was second team all-pro, he has never even been one of the top five backs in the league.   He’s an above average back who’s stuck around for a long time.  That’s it.

I think you are drastically underrating the value of consistency. He’s had seven 1,100 yd rushing seasons. He may get to 100 td. Made 5 pro bowls. He’s always been a catcher out of the backfield. The guy is 5th all time in scrimmage yds. And will most likely end up 4th at the end of the year. 

 

And just for some context.... Thurman averaged just over 1,200 scrimmage yds a season over his 13 years. Gore has averaged over 1,300 a season over 14 years now. He’s had 5 different 40+ catch seasons. IMO you are seriously undervaluing his production. 

 

I get it. You weigh shorter spans of pure dominance more over consistently. But I think both have serious merit. Gore wasnt just consistently solid his whole career. I would argue he was consistently really good(not great) for longer than almost any other back there’s been. I’ll wager its not IF he gets in, but just WHEN. 

Edited April 2, 2019 by Stank_Nasty