Still, "CJ2K" comes in at No. But he stayed. 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. He returned to put . The move closes the latest chapter of Wentz's career after just one season in Washington. In 2015 Williams rejuvenated his career with the Steelers, filling in for the suspended and injured Le'Veon Bell for 10 games. 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. The Steelers won a lot of games in the late-90s to mid-2000s by lining up 250-pound running back Jerome Bettis behind 250-pound fullback Dan Kreider and bulldozing any defense that came before them. Franco Harris was the man during The Renaissance, and Jerome Bettis was the man in The Modern Era. Mendenhall provided the following reason for retiring so young: Football was pretty cool, but I dont want to play anymore. 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. Fuqua would have to be the most colorful player in Steelers history as well as the most controversial. However, from 2010-14 he was the best all-purpose back in the league. In Pittsburgh, he was everything but. Gordon averaged a career-best 5.1 yards per carry in 2018. The Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-of-Fame running back Franco Harris died Wednesday, just before the 50-year anniversary of his "Immaculate Reception" play. The real results of who touched it first is still undetermined to this day. He would end up moving to the Dallas Cowboys where he would get a chance to face off against his former team in two more Super Bowls (X and XIII). The 32-year-old has been a bit of a journeyman, playing for five different teams this decade. It's hard to rank Sproles. But Foster ended up as a one-hit wonder because when he was at peak ability he really didn't love the game, and then it became too late. And that's with missing the 2016 season because of retirement. Franco Harris arrives during the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. If youve followed the Steelers, you've probably heard the term "Steelers Football." March 1, 2023 2:19 pm PT. Harris is my fourth-ranked running back for the 2022 season. Running backs are not the commodities they once were. He was intensive care for 48 hours and this forced his retirement. Still, I think he is deserving of the number 16 spot on this list of all-time great Steelers backs. 1. However, it's not too early to break down the best from the 2010s either. He also had three catches in that loss for 18 yards. Greatest Power Backs in NFL History. Draft Henry with absolute confidence this season if you have a top-five pick. 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. TODAY: Running backs. 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. Current team members are listed in bold. Allain died on February 21, 2023, following a . 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. Lists that rank the greatest players and coaches in the history of the NFL franchise. 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. Overall, he ran for 4,731 yards and 28 touchdowns playing for the Rams, Falcons and Patriots from 2010-15. With teams shifting more to the passing game, these old-school running backs are becoming obsolete. James Conner was thrust into the spotlight in 2018 when halfback LeVeon Bell held out for the entire season. Fuqua to this day refuses to give his take on what actually took place. The Steelers had a reputation of big bruising backs but Parker spelled that philosophy with speed and elusiveness. In 1984 while beating the Denver Broncos in the playoffs, Pollard ran for 99 yards and two scores, a game won by Pittsburgh 24-17. He made the Pro Bowl three times, from 2014-16. By his second season as a Steeler, he had become the heir apparent to Jerome Bettis. In 1982, he was Pittsburghs first overall pick in the draft coming in at number 12. Find out more. Just look back to last year when he was able to make cuts and find holes. 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. 20 and retired with that number despite the departure of Pearson to Dallas. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Bettis came to the team at a time of free agency where the franchise didn't have the financial wherewithal that since has been created by Heinz Field, and yet he stayed. 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. The 30-year-old has failed to rush for 500 yards in four of his seven seasons in the NFL. Of course, we all know why. Last season he was in the top five among running backs in several categories. 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. While that trio may be the best-best-of-the best to run behind Pittsburghs all-time offensive lines, there have been more than a handful of outstanding running backs for Pittsburgh since they began play in 1933. He is currently a free agent and the third oldest running back in the NFL, as well as the second oldest active running back. Jackson never led the league in rushing and never made the All-Pro team. Former season 27 " Dancing With the Stars " competitor John Schneider has returned to social media following the death of his wife, Alicia Allain. Franco Harris is the Pittsburgh Steelers career leader in rushing yards with 11,950. It is tough to guess what the future holds for Connor in the NFL. While the team continued to utilize the same rushing attack that had earned them four Lombardi Trophies in the '70s, the cast of characters and the results were not the same. From 1974 to 1979, Harris topped the 1,000-yard milestone every season and carried the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories. Meanwhile, at No. If it was Fuqua who the ball last touched, it would not be a legal catch by Harris according to the rules in 1972. Touchdowns. James Conner finished his career in Pittsburgh as the #17 ranked rusher in Steelers history. He caught 57 passes for 338 yards as well. Watt is a fullback who saw a lot of snaps during his time with the Chargers.). 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. He sill holds the single season record for rushing for Pittsburgh with 1,690 yards gained in 1992. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Meanwhile, Myles Jack's cap hit grows significantly from $4.75 million last year to $11.25 million in 2023. does st martin parish have school tomorrow. The following is another in a series that picks a Steelers All-Modern Era Team. Winning three Super Bowls helps earn you a spot on this list too. Williams recorded at least 730 rushing yards in a season four times during the 2010s, and he ended the decade with 4,246 rushing yards. He tailed off to 928 the following season and then suffered injuries in 2012 playing in just six games before the Steelers cut him loose where he signed with the Arizona Cardinals lasting just one season after 687 yards on the ground. Najee Harris warming to Steelers' running back-by-committee approach. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Still, Bleier became a starter in the backfield with Harris and shined. Pollard played most of his career at a time when the Steelers struggled. The role of the fullback changed dramatically when the I-formation came into vogue in the 1980s. Former Tulane Green Wave running back Tyjae Spears made a big splash at the Senior Bowl, but that was hardly the first time he put on a show. 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. Do you have a sports website? | 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. He has six 1,000-yard seasons and six Pro Bowl nominations with the Eagles and Bills during the 2010s. It's hard to believe, but the second decade of the 21st century is nearly complete. 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. Franco Harris was a fullback, as was Merril Hoge and John Henry Johnson. Bam Morris: Morris story is a sad, tragic, and unfulfilled one. There was a time when almost every NFL offense was predicated on a feature back that got most of the carries and earned a big paycheck. From 2010-13, Johnson rushed for 4,731 yards and 27 touchdowns. Lynch was an underrated pass-catcher in his prime too. In just a three-year period, from 2010-12, he posted 5,702 yards from scrimmage and 47 touchdowns. OTHERS TO CONSIDER Starting this list chronologically is as good a way as any. 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. Chances are it is an announcer who remembers some of the great backs in Steelers history and how they dominated the game. Peterson then signed with the . The Pittsburgh Steelers are loaded with high-end fantasy talent, and Mike Tomlin's team has been producing every week.The Steelers have scored 30 or more points in six straight games, and they are in a position to earn a spot in the AFC playoffs if they can win their final two games of the season.It's all lining up to be a happy holiday season in Pittsburgh because they close the year with . Since missing the last five games of 2010, Gore has sat out just two games over the last eight years. This decade, Sproles has also led the league in punt return yardage twice. In 2005, speedy Willie Parker took advantage of paths cleared by Kreider, and the Steelers won the Super Bowl. In 2012, the Steelers found themselves with JONATHAN DWYER as their leading rusher, which is what led to the spending of a second-round pick in the following draft on Le'Veon Bell. Emailed daily. He ranks fourth all-time in franchise history for rushing yards and eighth all-time in receptions. For the Steelers he would rush for 2,243 yards five seasons. Parker ran for 1,200 yards or better in three straight seasons and led the Steelers to two Super Bowl wins. name the pittsburgh steelers running back to the last 10 years. He came to the Steelers after three seasons with the Rams which had earned him a reputation as a problem player. In the second concussion he encountered, it resulted in Hoge having to be resuscitated when he stopped breathing. Rob Burns / AP Photo. Outside linebacker Joey Porter came to Pittsburgh in 1999. In his first three seasons, Ingram ran for more than 600 yards in a season just once. His entire career was with the Steelers and he would finish those six seasons with 1,512 yards and 18 touchdowns. He'll likely end up with a good chunk of dough in free agency, but it's hard to believe . Player Team Age Total Value Avg./Year Total Guaranteed Fully Guaranteed Free Agency; Christian McCaffrey: 49ers: 27: $64,063,412: $16,015,853: $36,346,412: $30,062,500 That's Steelers football. Thornton was also a member of the Super Bowl winning teams for Pittsburgh in 1979 and 1980. Maybe I am just nostalgic for the days when Steelers backs carried the ball 30 times and took total control over a game by the fourth quarter. How an 8-year-old inspired Najee Harris' 5-TD performance vs. Ole Miss. He signed as an undrafted free agent who had run a 4.23-second 40 at the Scouting Combine the previous spring. 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 . Across the decade, Martin has posted 5,356 rushing yards and 32 total touchdowns. In many ways, this style of offense is the polar opposite of the methods the Steelers used to win six Super Bowls. 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. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. As a Steeler running back, Hoak would spend his entire career with Pittsburgh that began in 1961 as a seventh round draft pick after running for the Penn State Nittany Lions. Insider insists Tom Brady could sign with 49ers in 2023, The 'Most recent first-round NFL quarterbacks' quiz, Seven Cubs pitchers combine for spring no-hitter vs. Padres, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones comments on Tony Pollard rumor, Ben Simmons suffers back injury while rehabilitating, Insider: It's Packers, Jets 'or bust' for Aaron Rodgers, QB Anthony Richardson doesn't understand his 'project' label, Vikings HC reveals 'crazy' thoughts about star WR, XFL player released for giving another team plays from own playbook. Sproles has nearly as many receptions (460) as carries (516) since 2010, and he has 3,936 receiving yards. In Dick Hoak's 10 years as a Steeler, he only saw two winning seasons. Parker set the record for longest rushing touchdown from scrimmage in a Super Bowl (XL) with a romp of 75 yards which still stands today. Sidney Thornton: Another stout running back for Pittsburgh was the bullish Thornton who weighed in at 230 pounds during his play days in Pittsburgh from 1977 to 1982. 9-Rocky Bleier. Hunt only played eight games with the Browns last season after serving an eight-game suspension. 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. Dudley also scored on a lateraled pass and has kicked point-after-touchdowns as well as making successful field goals. In the I-formation, the fullback lines up behind the quarterback, and the halfback (tailback) lines up behind the fullback. 22. Pittsburgh Steelers player information and depth chart order. [5] Through 2021, eight Steeler first-round picks have gone on to have playing careers deemed worthy of enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Bill Dudley, Len Dawson, Joe Greene, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Lynn Swann, Rod Woodson, Troy Polamalu, and Alan . Amos Zereoue: Another fan favorite was West Virginia University product, Famous Amos Zereoue. He made another Pro Bowl in 1993 but only rushed for half as many yards due to injuries. Morris peaked as a rookie, rushing for 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2012. In 2007, Fuqua created a candy and marketed it as The Immaculate Confection. But aside from that 1972 playoff game with the Oakland Raiders, Fuqua could be seen off the field wearing the flashiest of clothes that included shoes with see-through heals and live fish in them. If I were to ask you to name the sixth-leading rusher in Steelers history, I bet youd say a lot of names before you got to Frank Pollard. 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. Today's NFL teams do not use fullbacks as often as they once did, instead favoring spread offenses and dynamic passing attacks featuring three or more wide receivers and multiple tight ends. In his rookie season, Morris rushed for 836 yards and a 4.2 yards-per-carry average. Took pay cuts, and continued to stay. It was thought by the Steelers coaching staff and fans alike that Pittsburgh had found their new star running back. February 27, 2023 3 min Watch. Even putting a left end at right end can cause a drop. As it is, he has 5,336 rushing yards and nearly 8,000 yards from scrimmage since coming into the league in 2013. The quick-footed big guy ran over, through and around defenders for nine years with the Steelers. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Jerome Bettis (1996-2005). (Fullback Roosevelt Nix spent most of 2019 injured and did not appear to have a viable replacement.) Sutton not only enjoyed the best year of his career, but he also arguably played like a top-10 cornerback. Anderson was traded mid-season in 1986; he played four games for the Cardinals and eight for the Giants. 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. Who should be on top of the Steelers NFL Free Agency board? He stepped in for a banged-up Willie Parker in 2009 and ran for 1,108 yards and seven touchdowns. He ended his career with only 1,512 rushing yards, but with two Super Bowl rings. Some teams also used them as receivers, and fullbacks like Larry Centers made a living catching passes out of the backfield. Bell will pay the price this season with a three-game suspension to start the 2015 season. Emmitt Smith has held the record since surpassing Walter Payton's long-standing total in 2002. 11 because of four straight 1,000-yard seasons to begin the decade. I could be wrong. This list of past Steelers tight ends features former greats, current impact players, and even future stars. While Gore has never led the league in rushing or made All-Pro, his consistency lands him at No. 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. 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. 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. The Senate passed the bill . In Super Bowl XXX when the Steelers lost to the Dallas Cowboys that many thought that Pittsburgh could have won if not for Neil ODonnells errant interceptions, Morris rushed for 73 yards on 19 carries and scored a touchdown. 9, we . With the 2019 season, there is still time to influence who lands where among a list of the best running backs of the decade. Jerome Bettis was a 250-pound battering ram with incredible quickness for a man his size. 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. He is currently the third leading rusher in Steelers history. LISTEN: Hounds, world soccer, PGA with Mike Grau, Steelers: Need for QB of the Future is More Apparent than Ever, Steelers: Defense Needs to Take Advantage of Inconsistent Bills Passing Attack, Steelers: Devlin Hodges Has Chance to Make Lasting Impression in Week 14, Steelers: James Washingtons Emergence Could Make Offense Dangerous. In 1966 when the Fighting Irish won the national title, Rocky was a member of that team. 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. Jerome "The Bus" Bettis tops our list as the Steelers best running back of all time. 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 33rd Team. Keep in mind that accomplishments made only during this decade were considered for these rankings. The team made it to the playoffs ten times ( 1992-1997 , 2001-2002 , 2004-2005 ) and had a 12-9 record under Coach Hoak in playoff games. Best: Franco Harris. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. The top photos of RB Le'Veon Bell throughout 2014 season. The running back ran for 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns on 307 carries, and caught 74 passes for 467 yards and three touchdowns. The Steelers ran out the pro set for most of the 1970s and 1980s under head coach Chuck Noll. Bleier was injured during his tour of duty and told he would never play football again, but he returned to the Steelers and fought his way back into football shape, eventually playing 10 more seasons in the NFL. 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. LeVeon Bell got off to a late start in his rookie season due to injuries but then proved he was worthy of his second round draft selection. 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 . No NFL team has enjoyed the consistent level of success the Pittsburgh Steelers have enjoyed since the AFL-NFL merger of 1970. 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. The first requirement is an intimidating defense that dominates opponents and makes it tough for them to put points on the board. If he had played in those games, Bell is easily in the top five on this list and maybe close to the top. Starters per season [ edit] These quarterbacks have started at least one game for the Pittsburgh Steelers . He lasted just five seasons but they were filled with success. Joey Porter. In 1944 he led Army to an undefeated record with 12 victories and was named the teams Most Valuable Player. Over the past 50 years, the Steelers have tallied 36 winning seasons . Former Steelers running back Willie Parker (39) acknowledges the crowd during a 2018 against the Chargers at Heinz Field. Damien Harris (New England Patriots) The 2021 season will only be Damien Harris' second full season with the Patriots as a running back, but he's shown his level of skill. It wasn't too long ago that Freeman was regarded as a top-five back in the league. 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. He amassed an incredible 449 touches in 2014 on his way to 1,845 rushing yards and 2,261 yards from scrimmage. West Virginia's Senate passed a bill Monday that would give $25,000 in tax credits to former residents who move back to the state to work. Or write about sports? Who the heck is this guy, we all wondered aloud, but in much more colorful language. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports. Playing players out of position in mut will make there overall go down now. Williams recorded at least 730 rushing yards in a season four times . 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. He ranks 23rd all-time among Pittsburgh rushers having gained 1,504 yards as a Steeler. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. Dudley owns 44 touchdowns to his credit. LeVeon Bell: Finally we have our current star in the making. Fuqua was not an original Steelers having been drafted by the New York Giants and then traded to Pittsburgh. He also posted many of his best seasons in the previous decade, which robbed him of a chance at the top 10 on this list. Only stats for Regular Season Games have been included. Charles also ran for 1,509 yards in 2012 and 1,033 yards in 2014. Rashard Mendenhall: Like Barry Foster before him, Rashard Mendenhall was done with professional football by the age of 26. Sowhos the greatest tight end in Pittsburgh Steelers history? Time to profile some of the outstanding and popular running backs to suit up for the Steelers. The number of games they started during the season is listed to the right of their name: These quarterbacks have the most starts for the Steelers in regular season games. He started alongside Franco Harris in four Super Bowl victories and both backs ran for over 1,000 yards in 1976. 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. That changed over the last decade or so, due to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's emergence as an elite . The Best Pittsburgh Steelers Tight Ends Of All Time, Vote up the players who had the most success playing tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2015 he finished second in the league in rushing and earned a spot on the All-Pro Team. Which of these tight ends has left a lasting legacy in the city of Pittsburgh? Over the past 50 years, the Steelers have had three coaches, and each has used a different style of offense. Of course we are talking about the Immaculate Reception. The Steelers will win 5 games this year, Canada will be fired, and Tomlin will "resign." . Standing 5-foot-11 and 195-pounds, Spears passes the . As the tight end position increasingly becomes more of a focal point in offensive schemes , one. 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. He earned the Super Bowl MVP award after running for 158 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings in Super Bowl IX. Harris played 980 offensive snaps during the regular season . 6:02; See All. Dave Holcomb began working as a sports writer in 2013 after graduating from Syracuse University. He finished with 585 yards and scored six touchdowns including a 75-yard run. LeVeon Bell made his mark with the Steelers running in this kind of offense. Really, he will just be doing what teams like the Steelers did for decades. This list of past Steelers tight ends features former greats, current impact players, and even future stars.
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