In just a three-year period, from 2010-12, he posted 5,702 yards from scrimmage and 47 touchdowns. Gordon averaged a career-best 5.1 yards per carry in 2018. Dudley also scored on a lateraled pass and has kicked point-after-touchdowns as well as making successful field goals. Lists that rank the greatest players and coaches in the history of the NFL franchise. His teammate Terry Hanratty, the QB at Notre Dame during that tenure became a Steeler as well. 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. Running backs are not the commodities they once were. As a Steeler, Famous Amos ran the ball 434 times for 1,698 yards and was a powerful running back at 205 pounds on a 58 frame. In a move many in the NFL community felt was inevitable, the Washington Commanders released quarterback Carson Wentz on Monday in a move that will save the team $26.12 million against their 2023 salary cap. NFL combine: How elite draft prospect Bijan Robinson represents league Steeler running backs Franco Harris, Rocky Bleier, Jerome Bettis, Willie Parker, Sidney Thornton and Rashard Mendenhall all helped bring Lombardi Trophies to Pittsburgh. But you cant throw just any ball carrier out there and hope to have success; it takes a certain kind of player to fit into a power running offensive scheme. 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. With teams shifting more to the passing game, these old-school running backs are becoming obsolete. 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. More like he will get exposed yet again as being the most overrated running back in the league . The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some great tight ends throughout the franchise's history. ALL-MODERN ERA: Running backs - Pittsburgh Steelers Photos from the career of former Steelers running back and Hall of Fame finalist Jerome Bettis. John Fuqua ( 1970-76) Before Franco Harris, there was John "Frenchy" Fuqua. Foster's 1,690 yards set a team record that season and earned him Pro Bowl and All-Pro nominations. 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. 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. 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. His best season was in 1985 when he rushed for 991 yards. In 1980, Thornton would average five yards-per-carry while carrying the rock 78 times. He caught 57 passes for 338 yards as well. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? It is tough to guess what the future holds for Connor in the NFL. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. Murray is another back who put together three strong seasons during his career and led the league in rushing once. 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. 22. Some teams also used them as receivers, and fullbacks like Larry Centers made a living catching passes out of the backfield. The top photos of RB Le'Veon Bell throughout 2014 season. Which of these tight ends has left a lasting legacy in the city of Pittsburgh? 11 because of four straight 1,000-yard seasons to begin the decade. 4. Daily Fantasy Football Week 16: Predicting DraftKings Top Performers In Pittsburgh, he was everything but. As it is, he has 5,336 rushing yards and nearly 8,000 yards from scrimmage since coming into the league in 2013. Until recently, the fullback was an important player in the Steelers' offense. He spent his first year in the NFL with the Giants before coming to the Steelers in 1970. Morris peaked as a rookie, rushing for 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2012. Postseason. 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. 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. 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. Williams led the NFL in touchdowns last season with 17. 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. Rashard Mendenhall: Like Barry Foster before him, Rashard Mendenhall was done with professional football by the age of 26. Tackles. The former Titan had only 28 catches for 294 yards last year . Dudley owns 44 touchdowns to his credit. That's Steelers football. The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more. If it was Fuqua who the ball last touched, it would not be a legal catch by Harris according to the rules in 1972. DeAngelo Williams Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images. In nine seasons all as a Steeler, Pollard scored 20 touchdowns. The Tigers picked up their sixth commitment for the 2024 recruiting cycle - and their first running back - Wednesday with the public . The stud running back finished with 3,943 yards which lands him seventh on Pittsburghs all-time list. 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. 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. 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 . NFL combine: CB prospect hoping for on-field family reunion Included are players that played for the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) from 1945-2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) from 1940-1942 and the Pittsburgh Pirates (NFL) from 1933-1939. He made the Pro Bowl three times, from 2014-16. Other teams (like the Steelers) have one but rarely use him. 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. Rocky Bleier came to the Steelers in 1968. 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 . 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. While Gore has never led the league in rushing or made All-Pro, his consistency lands him at 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. 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. Foster made one attempt to come out of retirement with the Cincinnati Bengals that same year but after just a few days with the club he decided on retirement at the tender age of 26. 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. 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. 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. He led the Steelers in rushing from 1961 to 1964 and made three straight Pro Bowls from 1962 to '64. 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. He spent his first year in the NFL with the Giants before coming to the Steelers in 1970. It was thought by the Steelers coaching staff and fans alike that Pittsburgh had found their new star running back. Today he is 68 and still colorful. Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach history 2. Overall, Foster registered 6,270 rushing yards and 8,523 yards from scrimmage playing for the Texans and Dolphins from 2010-16. As a punter, he kicked the ball 18 times during his career and averaged 32 yards per punt. Both men had the unfortunate circumstance of being behind other great players on the roster, Franco Harris and Terry Bradshaw. During this decade, he earned two Pro Bowl nominations and an All-Pro bid. Across the decade, Martin has posted 5,356 rushing yards and 32 total touchdowns. [2] He led the NFL with 576 yards in 1932 and held on to the record throughout his career. Just look back to last year when he was able to make cuts and find holes. Sutton not only enjoyed the best year of his career, but he also arguably played like a top-10 cornerback. The All-Modern Era team is made up of 26 players 11 on offense, 11 on defense, and four specialists. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports. Lynch was an underrated pass-catcher in his prime too. 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. Visit ESPN to view the Pittsburgh Steelers team depth chart for the current season List of National Football League career rushing yards leaders In the end Rocky Bleier rushed for 3,865 yards, 1,294 yards receiving on 136 catches and scored 25 times. 4M; . 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. Quite a contrast to kick off this list. Fuqua led the Steelers in rushing in 1970 and 1971 and totaled 2,942 yards on the ground during his time in Pittsburgh. Running Back Contracts and Salaries | Over The Cap Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 Stats | NFL.com 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. He finished his career in Pittsburgh with 3,115 rushing yards, 241 receptions, and 34 total touchdowns. 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. 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. In the I-formation, the fullback lines up behind the quarterback, and the halfback (tailback) lines up behind the fullback. Harris managed to get 691 rushing yards, with an average of five yards. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a long history of smash-mouth football dating back to before they ever won their first Super Bowl. Myles Jack 61 Minkah Fitzpatrick . 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. Ibrahim, who . The Senate passed the bill . In 1944 he led Army to an undefeated record with 12 victories and was named the teams Most Valuable Player. Steelers 2020 Training Camp Preview: Running Backs - Pro Football Network The last two seasons, with now-departed James Conner the No. Joey Porter. 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. 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. He's another back who never led the league in rushing and never made All-Pro. They will be joined by this year's selection, making six for the 2022 season. 2022 Offseason Positional Review - Running Back - Steelers Depot Still young at 38 years of age, Zereoue stays in shape these days by playing soccer for a New York amateur club called the Central Park Rangers FC. In many ways, this style of offense is the polar opposite of the methods the Steelers used to win six Super Bowls. With the 2019 season, there is still time to influence who lands where among a list of the best running backs of the decade. The team has selected second overall once, and third overall four times. All-time Rushing Leader: Franco Harris 2,881 att, 11,950 yds, 91 TD . Washington Commanders Release QB Carson Wentz | The 33rd Team Williams had his first 1,000-yard season and averaged 13.3 ppg. This list of past Steelers tight ends features former greats, current impact players, and even future stars. Do you have a blog? Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Draft History - Pro-Football-Reference.com 'Top 10, he would not get laughs' Thirty-five picks elapsed before a team drafted a running back last year. Parker was perhaps the fastest running back ever to play for the Steelers. He seemed to violate every rule young players are taught about playing running back, yet he thrived. Reports this off-season show he weighed in at 244 pounds from 232 last season. Meanwhile, Myles Jack's cap hit grows significantly from $4.75 million last year to $11.25 million in 2023.