But during the Super Bowl seasons of 1978 and 1979, Sidney Thornton played a significant role in the Steelers' rushing attack. The 34-year-old made All-Pro twice, in 2008 and 2009, but he added two more All-Pro nominations during 2012 and 2015. In 2005, speedy Willie Parker took advantage of paths cleared by Kreider, and the Steelers won the Super Bowl. Still, I think he is deserving of the number 16 spot on this list of all-time great Steelers backs. The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some great tight ends throughout the franchise's history. As the tight end position increasingly becomes more of a focal point in offensive schemes , one can only imagine what this list will look like in years down the road. That changed over the last decade or so, due to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's emergence as an elite . From 1974 to 1979, Harris topped the 1,000-yard milestone every season and carried the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories. 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. Reports this off-season show he weighed in at 244 pounds from 232 last season. This list of past Steelers tight ends features former greats, current impact players, and even future stars. Who the heck is this guy, we all wondered aloud, but in much more colorful language. Franco Harris is not only the best Steelers running back in franchise history, but one of the greatest Steelers of all time. 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. Johnson was a bruising fullback who spent time in San Francisco and Detroit before coming to Pittsburgh in 1960. Eight players have been recognized as having held the career rushing yards record in the NFL. He was an example of how great players can not only break the rules and succeed, but sometimes even make up their own rules. One return went to the house. (Fullback Roosevelt Nix spent most of 2019 injured and did not appear to have a viable replacement.) All rights reserved. James Conner was thrust into the spotlight in 2018 when halfback LeVeon Bell held out for the entire season. While one is considered a fullback and the other a halfback, they share more commonalities than differences in their duties. The only exception in madden 22 was a glitched out ray Lewis that was 97 at mlb but 99 at r/lolb. 1. He also was a punt returner, bringing back 20 punts with a 14.0 average per return. Adrian Peterson is a running back with over thirteen years in the NFL. See the full player roster for the 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers. Is the fullback truly gone, banished into the deep recesses of pro football history? Just look back to last year when he was able to make cuts and find holes. Pittsburgh Steelers player information and depth chart order. Fullback Franco Harris came to the Steelers in the 1972 draft and made an immediate impact. 9-Rocky Bleier. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Rocky Bleier: For some Steelers fans it might be hard to believe that Robert Patrick Bleier, known best in Steelers Nation as Rocky turned 69 years of age this year. 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. Yes, that was his average. Only other is safeties at sub lb and doesn't change their ratings just where they are on the field. He seemed to violate every rule young players are taught about playing running back, yet he thrived. 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. name the pittsburgh steelers running back to the last 10 years. His professional career started in 2007 when he decided to skip the last year of college and enter the NFL Draft. Pittsburgh Steelers Stats: The official source for Pittsburgh Steelers game statistics . 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. 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. The move closes the latest chapter of Wentz's career after just one season in Washington. He spent much of 2019 injured, and team injuries across the board made it difficult to judge his performance fairly. He spent his first year in the NFL with the Giants before coming to the Steelers in 1970. Ibrahim, who . Najee Harris warming to Steelers' running back-by-committee approach. During that year, Peterson won league MVP the last running back to do so. Who Is The Best Wide Receiver In The NFL Right Now? Joey Porter. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. Fran Rogel was also a local product having grown up in North Braddock, Pennsylvania. Last season he rushed for only 885 yards, but that came in 12 games. In Pittsburgh, he was everything but. Frequently Asked Questions about the NFL and Football, Pro-Football-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREE. The team has selected second overall once, and third overall four times. 6:02; See All. During the decade, he has posted 9,187 yards five 1,000-yard seasons and 56 touchdowns. 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 . Lucrative opportunities to leave. 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. He made the Pro Bowl three times, from 2014-16. 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. In 79 games with the Steelers, he carried the ball for 3,343 yards and 22 touchdowns. 12. Vote below for who you think is the best Pittsburgh Steelers tight end of all time, then head over and check out the top Pittsburgh Steelers players ever. Los Angeles' running backs are in a bit of a limbo right . In the last 10 years, 10 different backs have led the league in PPR scoring. Bleier believed the doctors were wrong and reported to Steelers training camp a year after he left the war. 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. 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. He led the Steelers in rushing from 1961 to 1964 and made three straight Pro Bowls from 1962 to '64. Meanwhile, at No. Reportedly, a local sportswriter told Rooney that Kiesling purposely made his lineman jump offsides so they could run their bread-and-butter Rogel running play first. In nine seasons all as a Steeler, Pollard scored 20 touchdowns. Williams led the NFL in touchdowns last season with 17. All-time Rushing Leader: Franco Harris 2,881 att, 11,950 yds, 91 TD . In 2015 he finished second in the league in rushing and earned a spot on the All-Pro Team. While those numbers may not seem impressive by todays standards, they were good enough to earn Tracy Pro Bowl appearances with the Steelers in 1958 and 1960. A fullback is not required in this type of offensive game plan. Another big bruising back that also has surprising quickness, Bell at 244 pounds is turning into a super star in the NFL. The days of Jim Brown or John Riggins getting 40 carries a game are gone. He has held the all-time rushing yards record since 2002 and is the only player with over 17,000 regular season rushing yards. 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. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. The Tigers picked up their sixth commitment for the 2024 recruiting cycle - and their first running back - Wednesday with the public . Abercrombie played one more season in 1988 with the cross state Philadelphia Eagles before retiring. Each offense makes its own set of demands on running backs, and every back mentioned in this article needed a specific set of attributes to succeed. 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. Franco Harris arrives during the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Today, Johnson is one of the former Steelers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He would retire with 3,965 yards on the ground, second best in history for the Steelers at that time. In later years Bleier helped pen a book about himself and a movie was made about his story titled Fighting Back.. Last season he was in the top five among running backs in several categories. Beast Mode's freakish combination of power and finesse was unlike any running back that came before him. His rookie contract was voided after his fourth season, after just one in Pittsburgh, and there were opportunities to leave. Bettis will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2015 in August, and the accomplishments to be praised that day are only part of why he was the man during his 10 seasons with the Steelers. Fuqua led the . Chances are it is an announcer who remembers some of the great backs in Steelers history and how they dominated the game. In 2015 Williams rejuvenated his career with the Steelers, filling in for the suspended and injured Le'Veon Bell for 10 games. 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. Merril Hoge was a versatile fullback who could carry the ball, catch passes, and block. It is unfortunate, and I would guess I am not alone in wishing the Steelers would return to their roots and play power football again. Injuries hurt Foster later in his career, but he did record 1,246 rushing yards in 2014. A dominant defense and an unstoppable running gamethats Steelers Football. If he had played in those games, Bell is easily in the top five on this list and maybe close to the top. He's rushed for only 2,599 yards this decade, but everyone knows he's far more than just a running back. Matte took over for another fantastic white running back, former Heisman Trophy winner and 1958 NFL Championship Game hero Alan Ameche. 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. Included are player stats for the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) from 1945-2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) from 1940-1942 and the Pittsburgh Pirates (NFL) from 1933-1939. . Some readers are probably going to argue this is too high for Forte. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers. To prepare, we at Chargers Wire are previewing players from every position. Bam Morris: Morris story is a sad, tragic, and unfulfilled one. John Fuqua ( 1970-76) Before Franco Harris, there was John "Frenchy" Fuqua. 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. In many ways, this style of offense is the polar opposite of the methods the Steelers used to win six Super Bowls. Wanting the jersey number 26 which he wore at Notre Dame, Preston Pearson held those digits so Rocky settled for No. Chubb is not the most dangerous or highly . Hunt offers some stability in the pass-game as he had 44 . NICK CHUBB, CLEVELAND BROWNS. Williams had his first 1,000-yard season and averaged 13.3 ppg. After a slow start (for a seventh overall draft pick from . All-time Receiving Leader: Hines Ward 1,000 rec, 12,083 yds, 85 TD . For years, the Pittsburgh Steelers were considered a team that dominated with the run. He'll continue to split time with Nick Chubb in the backfield, but the Browns are a run-first team that will use the talents of both. Rocky Bleier came to the Steelers in 1968. All-time Scoring Leader: Gary Anderson 1,343 points 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. Find out more. The quick-footed big guy ran over, through and around defenders for nine years with the Steelers. The 30-year-old has failed to rush for 500 yards in four of his seven seasons in the NFL. 22. He ranks fourth all-time in franchise history for rushing yards and eighth all-time in receptions. Rob Burns / AP Photo. It wasn't too long ago that Freeman was regarded as a top-five back in the league. 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. He had the highest usage rate among running backs at 35.8% and was third in red-zone touches with 61. It was thought by the Steelers coaching staff and fans alike that Pittsburgh had found their new star running back. 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. Today we ranked the Pittsburgh Steeler Running Backs throughout their franchise! Read on to find out why. 10 on the Steelers' all-time rushing list with 3,549 yards. 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. Fuqua led the Steelers in rushing in 1970 and 1971 and totaled 2,942 yards on the ground during his time in Pittsburgh. But Stewart posted 5,366 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns in the decade. And that's with missing the 2016 season because of retirement. All-time Rushing Leader: Franco Harris 2,881 att, 11,950 yds, 91 TD . 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. Since reliable yardage statistics were not recorded prior to 1932, the first NFL player recognized as the career leader in rushing yards was Cliff Battles, who played from 1932 to 1937 for the Boston Braves / Boston Redskins / Washington Redskins. . By his second season as a Steeler, he had become the heir apparent to Jerome Bettis. But twice he rushed for more than 1,400 yards, and as a rookie in 2012 Martin posted 1,926 yards from scrimmage. Not entirely. 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. Barkley reminded the NFL world this past season that he's one of the best running backs in the league by rushing for a career-high 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns. The top photos of RB Le'Veon Bell throughout 2014 season. Rashard Mendenhall only played five seasons with the Steelers but rushed for a respectable 3,549 yards in 57 games. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports. 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. Barkley was a huge reason why the Giants returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. In 2011 Jones-Drew led the league with 1,606 rushing yards and 386 touches. 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. 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. In one of his final interviews before his . He returned to put . In his first three seasons, Ingram ran for more than 600 yards in a season just once. 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. 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. Sadly, the days of Steelers Football seem to have gone the way of the dropkick. 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. 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. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a long history of smash-mouth football dating back to before they ever won their first Super Bowl. His 6-foot-2, 230 pound frame made it virtually impossible for one defender to take him down. 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). Foster timed his career perfectly for this list, breaking out with 1,616 yards, leading the league in rushing, in 2010. 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. He ranks 23rd all-time among Pittsburgh rushers having gained 1,504 yards as a Steeler. 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.

Miller Analogies Test To Iq Conversion, Apartments For Rent In Marysville, Pa, Northfield Mount Hermon Wrestling, Glass Blowing Workshop Chicago, Articles S