Franco Harris was the man during The Renaissance, and Jerome Bettis was the man in The Modern Era. James Conner is at the forefront . Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. The on-field portion of the NFL Combine begins on Thursday, marking the start of the testing circuit that propels some prospects into the stratosphere while ruining the stock of others. From 2010-13, Johnson rushed for 4,731 yards and 27 touchdowns. 6:02; See All. On a better team, Jones-Drew may have been able to flourish for longer than three seasons, but from 2009-11, he was one of the best backs in the league. The first requirement is an intimidating defense that dominates opponents and makes it tough for them to put points on the board. Some teams also used them as receivers, and fullbacks like Larry Centers made a living catching passes out of the backfield. The quick-footed big guy ran over, through and around defenders for nine years with the Steelers. At 244 pounds, Morris was a load running behind the offensive line and his numbers backed up his train rushing efforts. He ran for 5,378 yards while playing at Heinz Field. It was thought by the Steelers coaching staff and fans alike that Pittsburgh had found their new star running back. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Frequently Asked Questions about the NFL and Football, Pro-Football-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREE. It wasn't too long ago that Freeman was regarded as a top-five back in the league. 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. 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. His best season came in 2015, which was the year after Williams departed, when he rushed for 989 yards and six touchdowns for the 15-1 Panthers. 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. Rob Burns / AP Photo. The following is the Pittsburgh Steelers all-time roster, browsable by last name or position. February 27, 2023 3 min Watch. Over the past 50 years, the Steelers have had three coaches, and each has used a different style of offense. He is currently the third leading rusher in Steelers history. Of course we are talking about the Immaculate Reception. Of course, we all know why. In the previous nine years, however, the Steelers had a top-15 player seven times. 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. The controversy surrounds what is called by many as the Greatest play in NFL history. Morris peaked as a rookie, rushing for 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2012. In just a three-year period, from 2010-12, he posted 5,702 yards from scrimmage and 47 touchdowns. 2022 AFC North Standings. Rashard Mendenhall only played five seasons with the Steelers but rushed for a respectable 3,549 yards in 57 games. In Dick Hoak's 10 years as a Steeler, he only saw two winning seasons. Matte took over for another fantastic white running back, former Heisman Trophy winner and 1958 NFL Championship Game hero Alan Ameche. During the decade, he has 8,834 rushing yards five 1,000-yard seasons and 71 touchdowns. For his service in the war, Bleier received the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. 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. 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. All-time Scoring Leader: Gary Anderson 1,343 points The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some great tight ends throughout the franchises history. Bleier only ranks ninth in all-time rushing yards for the franchise, and he never made the Pro Bowl, but there is no denying the impact this gutsy running back had in winning four Steelers' Super Bowl championships. Today, Johnson is one of the former Steelers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, injuries have slowed him over the last couple of years and prevented him from running for more than 865 yards in a season. He caught 57 passes for 338 yards as well. Franco Harris gets most of the credit for that infamous incident, but Terry Bradshaws passing attempt on that play was originally intended for Fuqua who was decleated by Jack Tatum. Who the heck is this guy, we all wondered aloud, but in much more colorful language. Nick Chubb finished first the AFC North in 2021 with 1,259 rushing yards, despite finishing third with 228 carries. 5. In 2005, speedy Willie Parker took advantage of paths cleared by Kreider, and the Steelers won the Super Bowl. Harris was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. He is currently a free agent and the third oldest running back in the NFL, as well as the second oldest active running back. The top photos of RB Le'Veon Bell throughout 2014 season. Lucrative opportunities to leave. 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. Pittsburgh Steelers Draft History. The role of the fullback changed dramatically when the I-formation came into vogue in the 1980s. It worked perfectly with the maulers he had in front of him in Pittsburgh as he has some Xbox like highlight reels to show for it. As the tight end position increasingly becomes more of a focal point in offensive schemes , one. Le'veon Bell also earned a reputation as one of the most patient RBs in the NFL. A good scoring drive based on running plays eats up the clock and keeps the ball out of the hands of the other team's offense. Meanwhile, Myles Jack's cap hit grows significantly from $4.75 million last year to $11.25 million in 2023. (Fullback Roosevelt Nix spent most of 2019 injured and did not appear to have a viable replacement.) (Note: The Steelers signed Derek Watt during the 2020 offseason and released Nix, who signed with Indianapolis. Franco Harris was a fullback, as was Merril Hoge and John Henry Johnson. Bam Morris: Morris story is a sad, tragic, and unfulfilled one. As a Steeler, Bettis crashed his way for 10,571 rushing yards and 78 rushing touchdowns, both second-best in team history. See the full player roster for the 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers. Barry Foster first came to the attention of Steeler Nation in 1990 when he treated a kickoff as a punt, stood aside, and watched the ball bounce along the ground until the opposing team recovered it. Le'Veon Bell was one of the best Steelers running backs of all time. Injuries hurt Foster later in his career, but he did record 1,246 rushing yards in 2014. Johnson was a bruising fullback who spent time in San Francisco and Detroit before coming to Pittsburgh in 1960. 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. He sill holds the single season record for rushing for Pittsburgh with 1,690 yards gained in 1992. 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. It is tough to guess what the future holds for Connor in the NFL. The Steelers haven't shied away from targeting lesser-valued positions by the modern standard early in recent drafts, such as running back, linebacker and maybe to a lesser degree, safety. Fuqua to this day refuses to give his take on what actually took place. I could be wrong. 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. RASHARD MENDENHALL came to the Steelers as a first-round pick in 2008, and after spending the bulk of his rookie season on the injured reserve list, he rushed for 3,309 yards on 812 carries (4.1 average) and 29 touchdowns from 2009-11. 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. 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 TEAM SEASON GP REC W% W L T TD PTS PPG OPP PTS OPP PPG 1DWN 3DWN% 4DWN% Pittsburgh Steelers: 2013: 16: 8-8.500: 8: 8: 0: 41: 379 . We present them here for purely educational purposes. Which of these tight ends has left a lasting legacy in the city of Pittsburgh? Quite a contrast to kick off this list. Fuqua will be forever remembered by Steelers fans as the intended receiver of Terry Bradshaws Immaculate Reception pass, which ricocheted into the arms of Franco Harris. 2. Over the past 50 years, the Steelers have tallied 36 winning seasons . But he's rushed for more than 1,000 yards in a season twice, and he led the league with 18 rushing touchdowns in 2016. More like he will get exposed yet again as being the most overrated running back in the league . He also was a punt returner, bringing back 20 punts with a 14.0 average per return. 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. 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 . His teammate Terry Hanratty, the QB at Notre Dame during that tenure became a Steeler as well. 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 . Yes, that was his average. No NFL team has enjoyed the consistent level of success the Pittsburgh Steelers have enjoyed since the AFL-NFL merger of 1970. He posted 1,000-yard rushing seasons in each of the first three years of the decade. In the I-formation, the fullback lines up behind the quarterback, and the halfback (tailback) lines up behind the fullback. 7. But during the Super Bowl seasons of 1978 and 1979, Sidney Thornton played a significant role in the Steelers' rushing attack. If he had played in those games, Bell is easily in the top five on this list and maybe close to the top. 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. But twice he rushed for more than 1,400 yards, and as a rookie in 2012 Martin posted 1,926 yards from scrimmage. He scored seven touchdowns and caught the ball 22 times for an additional 204 yards and a 9.3 yards-per-reception mark. Williams led the NFL in touchdowns last season with 17. 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. He's posted 2,987 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns over the last three years. All rights reserved. Standing 5-foot-11 and 195-pounds, Spears passes the . List of Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterbacks, "1933 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1934 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1935 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1936 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1937 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1938 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1939 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1940 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1941 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1942 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1943 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1944 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1945 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1946 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1947 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1948 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1949 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1950 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1951 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1952 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1953 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1954 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1955 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1956 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1957 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1958 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1959 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1960 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1961 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1962 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1963 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1964 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1965 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1966 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1967 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1968 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1969 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1970 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1971 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1972 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1973 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1974 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1975 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1976 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1977 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1978 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1979 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1980 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1981 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1982 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1983 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1984 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1985 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1986 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1987 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1988 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1989 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1990 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1991 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1992 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1993 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1994 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1995 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1996 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1997 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1998 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "1999 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2000 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2001 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2002 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2003 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2004 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2005 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2006 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2007 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2008 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2010 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2011 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2012 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2013 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2014 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2015 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2016 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2017 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2018 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2019 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2020 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2021 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", "2022 Pittsburgh Steelers Statistics & Players", Pittsburgh Steelers Franchise Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Pittsburgh_Steelers_starting_quarterbacks&oldid=1132399114, This page was last edited on 8 January 2023, at 18:18. All-time Scoring Leader: Gary Anderson 1,343 points In 1999 the Chiefs cut him and his life spiraled out of control with drug problems and jail time. Murray made the All-Pro team and Pro Bowl that year. He was also an excellent receiver, both out of the backfield and split out as a wide receiver. 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. Even putting a left end at right end can cause a drop. 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. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports. Last season he was in the top five among running backs in several categories. 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. A dominant defense and an unstoppable running gamethats Steelers Football. Pittsburgh Steelers player information and depth chart order. His 4.3 yards-per-carry average for his career is second only to John Henry Johnsons 4.4 and ties him with Wille Parker among Pittsburghs top ten rushers in history for yardage. Lists that rank the greatest players and coaches in the history of the NFL franchise. John Fuqua ( 1970-76) Before Franco Harris, there was John "Frenchy" Fuqua. He was Le'Veon Bell when Bell was at Michigan State. He led the Steelers in rushing from 1961 to 1964 and made three straight Pro Bowls from 1962 to '64. The Tigers picked up their sixth commitment for the 2024 recruiting cycle - and their first running back - Wednesday with the public . Copyright 2023 YB Media, LLC. He's been named All-Pro and led the NFL in rushing touchdowns during each of the last two years too. 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. Here's the final tally of Steelers Now's consensus preseason 2022 power rankings of AFC North running backs. In 2015 Williams rejuvenated his career with the Steelers, filling in for the suspended and injured Le'Veon Bell for 10 games. Still, Bleier became a starter in the backfield with Harris and shined. Took pay cuts, and continued to stay. 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. 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. The 32-year-old has yet to post a 1,000-yard season this decade, and judging by the fact he had only six rushing attempt last season, he's probably going to end the 2010s without one. crate and barrel ceramic bowls,