Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

I view this similar to the shift in mindset that will have to occur with SP's and the Baseball HOF in the near future. You're not going to have guys hitting typical historical markers. Shorter career guys will become more the norm than the exception. I'd assume you'd see more Terrell Davis types making it. How will the HOF view guys like CJ2k? Derrick Henry? How will they balance it against guys like Shaun Alexander, LeSean McCoy, Jamal Lewis? You have to think Gore/AP are the last of their kind in terms of longevity.

Hopefully, versatility will get more due recognition. When RBs are gaining over 14,000 scrimmage yards or being known more for great blocking, it may stop the one-dimensional emphasis on running yards. Counting postseason, Shaun Alexander has 120 career TDs, which is productive no matter what critics say but having less than 10,000 rushing yards will continue to be a thorn in his side.

Unfortunately for a back like Ottis Anderson, he gets penalized for playing in an era that produced Payton, Dorsett, Campbell, Allen, Dickerson, Riggins, ALL HOF players with outstanding seasons from Sims, Andrews, Craig, Tyler, Warner, Cribbs, Muncie, Rogers, Brooks and McNeil as well, so the accolades could be light, though he was on a HOF pace -- like Sims and Andrews-- before his knee injury in 1985. Anderson is still the first back to cross 10,000 yards rushing yards without making the HOF and he could catch the ball as well, though not as well as Craig but these backs are overlooked for being versatile. Hopefully other versatile backs like Tiki Barber, Walker, James Brooks, Ricky Watters, LeShaun McCoy and others will get longer looks as the emphasis on longevity and rushing yards, lessen ...

Had to revisit this thread again. The future NFL running backs will be lucky to play 8 years. Teams simply will not pay them. The news about Ekeler in SD is incredible. The guy is no bellcow, though his average per carry is good and mostly catches the football but the last two seasons he has led the NFL in total TDs with 38 and cant get a pay raise from 6.5 million? Meanwhile, Beckham at WR gets a 15 million bonus from Baltimore coming back from a knee injury? They havent even signed Lamar Jackson yet. Backs are undervalued but if coaches think rookies can come in and pick up blitzes, while running and catching the ball, some can but most cant. They will get better but the money simply wont be there after their rookie contract expires. More and more backs will have shorter careers, then without the longevity that Hail Casares pointed out, the backs with over 9,000 rushing yards--heaven forbid receiving or return yards--will get more a chance at reevaluation and consideration for the HOF.

Clinton Portis is a great example ... His first seven years in the league, he averaged over 1600 scrimmage yards per year with high TDs scored as well but succumbed to injuries his final two seasons in Washington. Right now, he isnt considered a HOF player but ten years from now, he might get more a Terell Davis reevaluation to his career ... we will see.

This thread is relevant with many running backs knowing they wont get paid like they once did. Though coaches now believe the way Hank Stram did ... using a stable of them, with no true bell cow.

Brian wolf wrote:This thread is relevant with many running backs knowing they wont get paid like they once did. Though coaches now believe the way Hank Stram did ... using a stable of them, with no true bell cow.

Brian, I just added this here on the same topic: https://profootballresearchers.com/foru ... f=8&t=7244

And then saw this.

Absolutely relevant with today's RB payment discussion, along with the voters elevating Fred Taylor as a 4x semifinalist and next man in, despite not having the accolades, season stats, other career stats and impact beyond just being the next man up in career yards after Peterson and Gore.

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Tue Aug 02, 2022 9:32 pm Hopefully, versatility will get more due recognition. When RBs are gaining over 14,000 scrimmage yards or being known more for great blocking, it may stop the one-dimensional emphasis on running yards. Counting postseason, Shaun Alexander has 120 career TDs, which is productive no matter what critics say but having less than 10,000 rushing yards will continue to be a thorn in his side.

Unfortunately for a back like Ottis Anderson, he gets penalized for playing in an era that produced Payton, Dorsett, Campbell, Allen, Dickerson, Riggins, ALL HOF players with outstanding seasons from Sims, Andrews, Craig, Tyler, Warner, Cribbs, Muncie, Rogers, Brooks and McNeil as well, so the accolades could be light, though he was on a HOF pace -- like Sims and Andrews-- before his knee injury in 1985. Anderson is still the first back to cross 10,000 yards rushing yards without making the HOF and he could catch the ball as well, though not as well as Craig but these backs are overlooked for being versatile. Hopefully other versatile backs like Tiki Barber, Walker, James Brooks, Ricky Watters, LeShaun McCoy and others will get longer looks as the emphasis on longevity and rushing yards, lessen ...

As of the end of the 2023 regular season, Derrick Henry is the active leader in career rushing yards with 9,502. The only other player with more than 6,522 rushing yards is Ezekiel Elliott who has 8,904.

Also, Lamar Jackson is currently at 5,258 career rushing yards.

Two questions I have if you would be so kind:

1. Could Henry or Elliott be the last running back to rush for 10,000 yards for a very long time?
2. Could we reach a point where Lamar Jackson is the active leader in career rushing yards?

No knock on the talent of any running backs active right now, but let's face it, teams are running less often a a percentage of plays, and the best running backs today might be getting a lower percentage of their team's carries than their predecessors did.

What do you think?

SeahawkFever wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 3:18 am
As of the end of the 2023 regular season, Derrick Henry is the active leader in career rushing yards with 9,502. The only other player with more than 6,522 rushing yards is Ezekiel Elliott who has 8,904.

Also, Lamar Jackson is currently at 5,258 career rushing yards.

Two questions I have if you would be so kind:

1. Could Henry or Elliott be the last running back to rush for 10,000 yards for a very long time?
2. Could we reach a point where Lamar Jackson is the active leader in career rushing yards?

No knock on the talent of any running backs active right now, but let's face it, teams are running less often a a percentage of plays, and the best running backs today might be getting a lower percentage of their team's carries than their predecessors did.

What do you think?

Christian McCaffrey being hurt two years cost him. He has shot at 10,000 --- if he's healthy and plays 5 more years but the way guys wear down he may become a 3rd down back later in career.

It's a good question to speculate on because of how RBs are used ... will good athletes choose not to even play RB? Someone who has the choice would pick another position ... if they can. DBs make more than RBs don't they?

Dalvin Cook gets his chance to show the Ravens what he can do. If he has a good postseason, it could help him wherever he ends up next year. I still feel like Nick Chubb, both could get to 10,000 rushing yards.

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 7:17 pm Dalvin Cook gets his chance to show the Ravens what he can do. If he has a good postseason, it could help him wherever he ends up next year. I still feel like Nick Chubb, both could get to 10,000 rushing yards.

As someone who has seen all of Dalvin Cook's touches this season I'd be stunned if he showed anything good in the playoffs.