Lone Horseman.... The Forgotten RB - Lee.Flex's Blog

Lee.Flex's Blog

Lone Horseman.... The Forgotten RB

Posted on September 10, 2009 at 01:21 AM.

(0)

Best of the Best Series
Vol - 1

"The Lone Horseman"

Emmith Smith, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton and Jim Brown have always been the praised 4 horseman of Running Backs. Arguments seamlessly break out between friends and family on "Who the greatest RB of All-Time" was and why. Smith for his yards, Sanders "would have" if he hadn't retired, Walter Payton for his flash and consistency, and Jim Brown for his Dominance in only 9 seasons. Yet, there is one RB that was more feared than Smith, Sanders, Brown and Payton. There is one running back that played in less games, got less carries, and still managed 15,396 total yards and 96 touchdowns.

(2,105) Season Yards *1st All Time
(1,808) Rookie Yards *1st All Time
(18) Most Touchdowns *1st All Time
(4) Most Seasons Leading League *T-2nd All Time
(2) Most Consecutive Leading Seasons *T-3rd All Time
(64) 100+ Yards Rushing *4th All Time
(6) Time Pro-Bowler
(5) Time All-Pro

" Eric Dickerson was the most feared man in the Nation Football League. When ever you played him he seemed unstoppable."
Bill Walsh

220 lbs
6-3 in

At 6'3 and 220 lbs, running a 10.4 100m dash, Eric Dickerson was not only the fastest running back of his time, but he was on of the most balanced. Sliding through pockets with grace and pounding the ball on 3rd and inches, Eric Dickerson was the total package.

He would arrive on the national scene in 1979 at Southern Methodist University. He would run in Ron Meyer's Pony Express offense, which besides no liking at first, adjusted to it rather quickly. He would set the SWAC record for rushing yards with 4,450, breaking the previous record held by Earl Campbell. His 48 touchdowns tied Doak Walker's SMU All Time record. Even despite sharing carries with RB Craig James, Dickerson still finished 3rd in Heisman voting and was a 1st Team All American in 1982.

As his college career came to and end, Dickerson wanted to join the Los Angeles Express of the USFL, but his mother talked him into joining the NFL. With the 2nd overall pick in the 1983 draft, the Los Angeles Rams selected Dickerson. He was an overwhelming success in his first season, running for a rookie record 1,808 yards and 18 TD's. He earned Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year honors as well as a Pro-Bowl and All-Pro status. As he entered his second season everyone was talking about OJ Simpson's single season rushing record and the thought pondered as the whether the young player from SMU could break it. Dickerson did not disappoint. He ran for a league record 2,105 yards in 16 games and led the Rams to the playoffs.

In his 3rd season, Dickerson held out of the first 2 games due to contract disputes. He went on to play in the next 14 games and gain 1,234 yards. Dickerson also led the Rams to a playoff victory over the Dallas Cowboys and set a league playoff rushing record with 248 yards.

Contract problems would follow Dickerson around the next season, and in 1987 due to the NFL strike, Dickerson only played 3 games for them. He instead played more games with the Indianapolis Colts as part of a 3 way trade involving the Rams, Colts and Bills. In 1988 he would rush for 1,659 yards and was the league leader. In 1989 he rushed for 1,311 yards and became the fastest player to reaching 10,000 yards rushing in league history. He also set a league record for 7 consecutive 1,000+ yard seasons.

In 1990, further contract disputes and un-happiness with the Colts earned him a spot on the un-active roster and he sat out for 7 games. On his return in 1990, Dickerson jumped Jim Brown on the All-Time rushing list to #3 and was just behind Walter Payton and Tony Dorsett. In 1991 everything with the Colts finally came crashing down. He was suspened for 3 games and Injured for several others. He sqeeked out 536 yards and was traded to the Los Angeles Raiders in the off-season for a 4th and 5th round pick. While with the Raiders in 1992, Dickerson ran for 729 yards and collected his 63rd and 64th 100+ yard game. Dickerson would go to Atlanta in 1993 but only played 4 games. The next season he would fail a physical with the Green Bay Packers and retire the #2 All Time Rushing Leader. Dickerson was one of the greatest Running Backs to ever play the game. His accomplishments on the field are however over-shadowed because of his off the field problems.

So why should we talk about the man in "Best All Time RB" conversation? Because he deserves. Plain and simple. Look at his stats, watch his highlights, and judge him as a player on the field and not as a distraction off the field.

Here are some Interesting stats as compared to other top backs.

Dickerson -
146 Games Played
2,996 Carries
13,259 Rushing Yards
4.4 Yards Per Carry
90 Rushing TD
281 Receptions
2,137 Reception Yards
96 Total TD
(No fumbles until 11th season in league, only lost 1)

Smith
226 Games Played
4,409 Carries
18,355 Rushing Yards
4.2 Yards Per Carry
164 Rushing TD
515 Receptions
3,224yrds Reception Yards
175 Total TD
(54 Career Fumbles)

Sanders
153 Games Played
3,062 Carries
15,269 Rushing Yards
5.0 Yards Per Carry
99 Rushing TD
353 Receptions
2,921Reception Yards
109 Total TD
(27 Career Fumbles)

Payton
190 Games Played
3,838 Carries
16,726 Rushing Yards
4.4 Yards Per Carry
76 Rushing TD
492 Receptions
4,538yrds Reception Yards
110 Total TD
(No Fumbles Recorded)

The biggest difference in the stats above is the # of carries. Dickerson had 66 fewer carries than Sanders, 842 less than Payton and 1,413 fewer than Smith. He also played in fewer games than the other players. The closest statistical compare is with Sanders, who played in only a hand full more games and only got 66 carries more.

With my conclusion, I would like to put in My vote for Eric Dickerson as one of the best Running Backs of All - Time. In years past he has not gotten much respect or notable mention by the water cooler so I will try to keep him in honorable mention when classic football comes up in conversation.