Chances are it is an announcer who remembers some of the great backs in Steelers history and how they dominated the game. 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. Quite a contrast to kick off this list. By his second season as a Steeler, he had become the heir apparent to Jerome Bettis. [2] He led the NFL with 576 yards in 1932 and held on to the record throughout his career. DWTS Alum Shares Heartbreaking Posts Following Wife's Death He ran for 5,378 yards while playing at Heinz Field. 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. After five seasons of never finishing higher than RB34, Williams had a career year in 2022, finishing as the overall RB18. In 1982, he was Pittsburghs first overall pick in the draft coming in at number 12. 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. Year-to-year repeatability among the top fantasy running backs Yes, that was his average. Steelers Stats | Pittsburgh Steelers - Steelers.com The speedy running backs, the classic old power running back, and the mixed, well-rounded, good running back. This decade, Sproles has also led the league in punt return yardage twice. Hunt only played eight games with the Browns last season after serving an eight-game suspension. The Steelers had a reputation of big bruising backs but Parker spelled that philosophy with speed and elusiveness. Since missing the last five games of 2010, Gore has sat out just two games over the last eight years. 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. 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. All rights reserved. In the last 10 years, 10 different backs have led the league in PPR scoring. 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. In 2015 Williams rejuvenated his career with the Steelers, filling in for the suspended and injured Le'Veon Bell for 10 games. Conner responded with a Pro Bowl performance and gave Steeler Nation hope that hed become the next great Pittsburgh running back. Meanwhile, at No. Top-15 NFL Seasons by Running Backs in the 2010s As a punter, he kicked the ball 18 times during his career and averaged 32 yards per punt. In 2005, speedy Willie Parker took advantage of paths cleared by Kreider, and the Steelers won the Super Bowl. 'We'll probably move a little slower than most of our peers, but we don't worry about the Jonses', 28-14 victory caps 7-2 finish, but season ends because Miami's win claims final playoff spot, 'He drinks the Kool-Aid that is Pittsburgh, Pa., he's a Steeler, he teaches it to the young guys', His 111 yards rushing, 10-yard catch for a TD, and physical presence throughout keyed 16-13 win, 'His versatility, his experience allows us to move him and Minkah to diversify our attack', 'The most challenging component of the weather, man, are the poor fans sitting in the stands', Dan Rooney: 'One of the finest, most thoughtful human beings I have ever known', 'I wanted to see Mitch's ability to bounce back from the last game relative to taking care of the ball', Three interceptions, blocked FG prove to be insurmountable mistakes in 16-14 defeat, 'You can take the energy out of an arena on the road when you do some of the things he does', The 19-16 victory represents first winning streak of season and is the third in last four games, The defense made some plays, such as Heyward's sack, but also allowed two 90-yard TD drives, 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers. Rashard Mendenhall only played five seasons with the Steelers but rushed for a respectable 3,549 yards in 57 games. Allain died on February 21, 2023, following a . Meanwhile, Myles Jack's cap hit grows significantly from $4.75 million last year to $11.25 million in 2023. In Pittsburgh, he was everything but. 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. But Harris and the Steelers' rushing attack were just getting started. Ranking the Top 10 Steelers running backs of the Mike Tomlin era 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. Join our linker program. Regular season. 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 . By 1995, Foster was out of Pittsburgh and out of the NFL, thus ending his short, dramatic, and bizarre pro football career. That changed over the last decade or so, due to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's emergence as an elite . Outside linebacker Joey Porter came to Pittsburgh in 1999. name the pittsburgh steelers running back to the last 10 years. He was Le'Veon Bell when Bell was at Michigan State. But it was his story of injury during the war that gave him notoriety at the start of his career. The following is the Pittsburgh Steelers all-time roster, browsable by last name or position. John Fuqua ( 1970-76) Before Franco Harris, there was John "Frenchy" Fuqua. The 25 best running backs of the 2010s | Yardbarker Barkley was a huge reason why the Giants returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. His teammate Terry Hanratty, the QB at Notre Dame during that tenure became a Steeler as well. In 2012 he was just a mere few yards away from the single-season rushing record with 2,097 yards. It's a smaller sample size, but Elliott has also posted 131.2 yards from scrimmage per game in his three seasons. The Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-of-Fame running back Franco Harris died Wednesday, just before the 50-year anniversary of his "Immaculate Reception" play. 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. 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. 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. Still, I think he is deserving of the number 16 spot on this list of all-time great Steelers backs. The 2016 All-Pro had his own issue staying on the field because of a suspension in 2017, but despite that Elliott has 4,048 rushing yards and led the league in rushing twice in three years. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. 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. With the 2019 season, there is still time to influence who lands where among a list of the best running backs of the decade. He's been named All-Pro and led the NFL in rushing touchdowns during each of the last two years too. Pittsburgh Steelers Depth Chart | ESPN Fuqua would have to be the most colorful player in Steelers history as well as the most controversial. Dudley owns 44 touchdowns to his credit. Abercrombie played one more season in 1988 with the cross state Philadelphia Eagles before retiring. Took pay cuts, and continued to stay. 10 potential bargains NFL teams should target in free agency The former Heisman Trophy winner is another example of a highly regarded college back getting off to a slow start in the NFL. As the tight end position increasingly becomes more of a focal point in offensive schemes , one. Some readers are probably going to argue this is too high for Forte. He already has as many touchdowns rushing as Bam Morris Unfortunately, before the season began last year, Bell was arrested with LeGarrette Blount for a DWI and possession of marijuana. In later years Bleier helped pen a book about himself and a movie was made about his story titled Fighting Back.. 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. Watt is a fullback who saw a lot of snaps during his time with the Chargers.). Fran Rogel: For Steelers fans who watched the team in the 1950s they would be familiar with a famous nursery rhyme with a Pittsburgh Steelers twist. He has held the all-time rushing yards record since 2002 and is . With the Redskins, Cowboys and 49ers, Morris has 5,931 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns in the 2010s. Sowhos the greatest tight end in Pittsburgh Steelers history? 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. He started alongside Franco Harris in four Super Bowl victories and both backs ran for over 1,000 yards in 1976. The running back fell just short of 1,000 yards from scrimmage last season after finishing with 1,414 yards in his rookie campaign. See the full player roster for the 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers. He'll likely end up with a good chunk of dough in free agency, but it's hard to believe . The following is another in a series that picks a Steelers All-Modern Era Team. Last season he was in the top five among running backs in several categories. All-time Scoring Leader: Gary Anderson 1,343 points Franco Harris arrives during the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Switched Tyler Lockett the Running Back and it Jacked Him to 99 overall Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Zero Running Back Strategy John Fuqua: How could any Steelers fan in the Nation of Black and Gold not smile when speaking of John Frenchy Fuqua. Keep in mind that accomplishments made only during this decade were considered for these rankings. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports. 1, Pittsburgh didn't have a top-25 running back. Gurley led the NFL in yards from scrimmage and won the Offensive Player of the Year award. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Of course, we all know why. He also posted at least 1,500 yards from scrimmage during 2013 and 2014 when the Seahawks went to two Super Bowls. Power Ranking AFC North Running Backs | Steelers Now Harris played 980 offensive snaps during the regular season . Morris peaked as a rookie, rushing for 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2012. The Steelers went 6-10 in his first season, but along with players like Hines Ward, Jerome Bettis, and Alan Faneca . Bill Dudley also played with the Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins after leaving the Steelers, and finished his career with 3,057 yards rushing, 1,383 yards receiving, punted the ball for a total of 7,304 yards, and on defense intercepted 23 passes. [3], List of National Football League career rushing yards leaders, Players with at least 10,000 rushing yards, Players with at least 1,000 postseason rushing yards. Both men had the unfortunate circumstance of being behind other great players on the roster, Franco Harris and Terry Bradshaw. Still, Bleier became a starter in the backfield with Harris and shined. Rob Burns / AP Photo. He would retire with 3,965 yards on the ground, second best in history for the Steelers at that time. The last Steelers running back taken in the first round before Najee Harris, Mendenhall won a Super Bowl as a rookie despite spending most of the season on injured reserve. He's posted 2,987 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns over the last three years. Winning three Super Bowls helps earn you a spot on this list too. He has six 1,000-yard seasons and six Pro Bowl nominations with the Eagles and Bills during the 2010s. Bell made three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams as a Steeler. During the decade, he has posted 9,187 yards five 1,000-yard seasons and 56 touchdowns. The concussion was so bad that Hoge had to learn to read again and suffered from memory loss as well as encountering headaches and confusion. 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. Greatest Power Backs in NFL History | Stadium Talk Of course we are talking about the Immaculate Reception. Clemson running backs coach CJ Spiller got his man. 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. 25 Greatest Running Backs in NFL History - AthlonSports.com 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. Bleier starred in Super Bowl XIII with a touchdown reception and a recovered onside kick to seal Pittsburghs third NFL title. 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. During that year, Peterson won league MVP the last running back to do so. He made nine straight Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team and finished his career as the leading rusher in team history and No. The stud running back finished with 3,943 yards which lands him seventh on Pittsburghs all-time list. Every Tight End In Pittsburgh Steelers History, Ranked By Fans It was a hard task to actually rank all of the great running backs . Le'veon Bell also earned a reputation as one of the most patient RBs in the NFL. 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. Murray rushed for 7,174 yards and 49 touchdowns with the Cowboys, Eagles and Titans in the 2010s. Bam Morris: Morris story is a sad, tragic, and unfulfilled one. Injuries hurt Foster later in his career, but he did record 1,246 rushing yards in 2014. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Drafted by the Steelers in 1942 and in his rookie season led the NFL in rushing with 696 yards. Posted August 12, 2019 Emmitt Smith leads with 18,365 yards and is also the postseason leader with 1,586. The running back said that he was only trying to stimulate conversation about the topic but because of it he lost an endorsement deal with Champion Sports. They got a lot of carries in an era when both the fullback and halfback needed to contribute to the running game. In two seasons, he is already 18th among all Steelers backs in rushing. Picking Le'Veon Bell here might be one of those choices that spurs debate among fans, but it comes down to the belief he's going to become the Steelers' version of Marshall Faulk. Beast Mode's freakish combination of power and finesse was unlike any running back that came before him. PITTSBURGH (AP) Mike Tomlin wasn't ready to go there, with all due respect. The Steelers have always had great defensive playersand that hasn't changedbut the Steelers of today have fallen into the trendy traps of modern offenses with little use for a fullback. In 1966 when the Fighting Irish won the national title, Rocky was a member of that team. In 1999 the Chiefs cut him and his life spiraled out of control with drug problems and jail time. Franco Harris was the man during The Renaissance, and Jerome Bettis was the man in The Modern Era. In many ways, this style of offense is the polar opposite of the methods the Steelers used to win six Super Bowls. 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. does st martin parish have school tomorrow. Only stats for Regular Season Games have been included. 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. He also was a punt returner, bringing back 20 punts with a 14.0 average per return. It has been said that Rooney responded with the declaration that he would never again attempt to call a play for his team. Or write about sports? All-time Receiving Leader: Hines Ward 1,000 rec, 12,083 yds, 85 TD . In 1980, Thornton would average five yards-per-carry while carrying the rock 78 times. The only exception in madden 22 was a glitched out ray Lewis that was 97 at mlb but 99 at r/lolb. He ranks 23rd all-time among Pittsburgh rushers having gained 1,504 yards as a Steeler. MORE: 2023 Dynasty Rookie Rankings. 'Top 10, he would not get laughs' Thirty-five picks elapsed before a team drafted a running back last year. (Note: The Steelers signed Derek Watt during the 2020 offseason and released Nix, who signed with Indianapolis. 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. All-time Receiving Leader: Hines Ward 1,000 rec, 12,083 yds, 85 TD . 2. 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. Let us know your thoughts down in the comments!For Business Inquiries: insid. In the previous nine years, however, the Steelers had a top-15 player seven times. 1 1. 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. From 1974 to 1979, Harris topped the 1,000-yard milestone every season and carried the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories. Pittsburgh Steelers player information and depth chart order. He peculiarly retired after that one campaign with the Cardinals. Breaking down the 10 best running backs in Steelers' history Franco Harris is the Pittsburgh Steelers career leader in rushing yards with 11,950. Adrian Peterson is a running back with over thirteen years in the NFL. The next ingredient is a tough, hard-nosed rushing attack that controls the ball and methodically plows through opposing defenses. Dudley also found himself on kickoff returns where he fielded 11 of those for 298 yards (27.0 average). NFL combine: CB prospect hoping for on-field family reunion In fact, no back has even finished top-two in consecutive years, and only Adrian Peterson (second in 2009 and 2015; first in 2012) and Le'Veon Bell (first in 2014; second in 2017) have even had more than one top-two year in a decade. 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. Pittsburgh Steelers Career Rushing Leaders | The Football Database He also had three catches in that loss for 18 yards. Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Trump can be sued by cops United States 11:10 am - 10,090 views; Train crash toll now 57 Greece 9:38 am - 3,746 views; Snow, rain end drought California 9:32 am - 1,290 views; More World News By the time the fourth quarter rolls around, it is easy to see why opposing defenses would wish they were somewhere else. Player ratings with position rankings. Running Back Contracts and Salaries | Over The Cap It is tough to guess what the future holds for Connor in the NFL. Fuqua led the . In Dick Hoak's 10 years as a Steeler, he only saw two winning seasons. He's rushed for only 2,599 yards this decade, but everyone knows he's far more than just a running back. At 244 pounds, Morris was a load running behind the offensive line and his numbers backed up his train rushing efforts. But Hoak is probably best remembered for his ever-so-long tenure as the Running Backs coach with Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher. In his rookie season, Morris rushed for 836 yards and a 4.2 yards-per-carry average.