Jim Brown - Donovan McNabb

[Delmar]

Of course, Davis never got a chance to play. Brown's pro record is just off the charts incredible. In 1963 he rushed for 1,863 yards in 14 games with 6.4 yards per carry. In a few of those games he had less than 15 carries. If he had been trying to break a record, who knows what he might have done. He averaged over 100 yards per game, (12,312 in 118 games) and averaged over 5 yds. a carry for his career.

Some here can dish better statistics than I can, but that's just getting started.

 

[SWC75]

I wrote this a few years ago:

NFL's All Time Leading Rushers

Here are the top ten running backs in NFL History as ranked by total yardage and how they break down into the catagories of years played, games played, yardage gained, attempts, touchdowns and the averages. If you wonder who is the NFL's best ever running back, the fog may clear when you look at the averages.

Player Years Games Att Yards TD Yds/Att Yds/Game Att/TD TD/game

E. Smith 15 226 4409 18355 164 4.16 81.2 26.9 0.73

W. Payton 13 190 3838 16726 110 4.36 80.3 35.9 0.58

B. Sanders 10 153 3062 15269 99 4.99 99.8 30.9 0.65

E. Dickerson 11 146 2996 13259 90 4.43 90.8 33.3 0.62

T. Dorsett 12 173 2936 12739 77 4.34 73.6 38.1 0.45

J. Brown 9 118 2329 12312 106 5.29 104.3 22.0 0.90

M. Allen 16 221 3022 12243 123 4.05 55.4 24.6 0.56

F. Harris 13 173 2949 12120 91 4.11 70.1 32.4 0.53

T. Thomas 13 182 2877 12074 65 4.20 66.3 44.3 0.36

J. Riggins 14 175 2916 11352 104 3.89 64.9 28.2 0.59

Late additions:

J. Bettis 12 179 3369 13294 82 3.95 74.3 41.1 0.46

C. Martin 10 156 3298 13336 85 4.04 85.5 38.8 0.54



What if they all had 300 carries in a season? Based on their career numbers:

Brown 1586 yards 14 TDs

Sanders 1496 yards 10 TDs

Dickerson 1328 yards 9 TDs

Payton 1307 yards 9 TDs

Dorsett 1302 yards 8 TDs

Thomas 1259 yards 7 TDs

Smith 1249 yards 11 TDs

Harris 1233 yards 9 TDs

Allen 1215 yards 12 TDs

Martin 1213 yards 8 TDs

Bettis 1184 yards 7 TDs

Riggins 1168 yards 11 TDs


Basically, Ruth = Brown = Chamberlain = Gretzy

 

[Macky44]

Always very conflicted on Jim Brown. He threw a woman off a hotel balcony and has had numerous domestic violence issues. That whole going to prison thing when he didn't need to go. He never really gave a crap about SU. We had to kiss his ass to get him to come back and get involved. Than he tries to dictate our policies. He had former AD Gross in his pocket. He seems to like having people to talk about him this is why he wants his number retired. No one can doubt his talent on the football field. He was likely screwed on the Heisman because of racism. It is easy for me to say get over it because I personally haven't had to deal with this kind of situation. I just always felt like Jim Brown is a self centered jerk.

McNabb was always the perceived good guy with his donations to athletics and membership on the board of trustees. He was a good advocate in the community. He was always a good citizen at Syracuse. No major arrests or violence stuff. Yet now he seems to be a drunk and irresponsible goof.

Everything i have read about Ernie Davis makes it seem like the guy walked on water. Maybe Billy Joel was right in that only the good die young. Ernie didn't live long enough to make any waves.

I am far from perfect so I shouldn't expect our football icons to be the same. I admire their abilities on the field. But to make them saints is not fair to anyone involved.

Maybe they are legends but I am kind of tired of this hero worship.

Noone is talking about any of these guys as legends OFF the field. Ernie and Floyd yes..but not the others.

 

[Macky44]

I wrote this a few years ago:

NFL's All Time Leading Rushers

Here are the top ten running backs in NFL History as ranked by total yardage and how they break down into the catagories of years played, games played, yardage gained, attempts, touchdowns and the averages. If you wonder who is the NFL's best ever running back, the fog may clear when you look at the averages.

Player Years Games Att Yards TD Yds/Att Yds/Game Att/TD TD/game

E. Smith 15 226 4409 18355 164 4.16 81.2 26.9 0.73

W. Payton 13 190 3838 16726 110 4.36 80.3 35.9 0.58

B. Sanders 10 153 3062 15269 99 4.99 99.8 30.9 0.65

E. Dickerson 11 146 2996 13259 90 4.43 90.8 33.3 0.62

T. Dorsett 12 173 2936 12739 77 4.34 73.6 38.1 0.45

J. Brown 9 118 2329 12312 106 5.29 104.3 22.0 0.90

M. Allen 16 221 3022 12243 123 4.05 55.4 24.6 0.56

F. Harris 13 173 2949 12120 91 4.11 70.1 32.4 0.53

T. Thomas 13 182 2877 12074 65 4.20 66.3 44.3 0.36

J. Riggins 14 175 2916 11352 104 3.89 64.9 28.2 0.59

Late additions:

J. Bettis 12 179 3369 13294 82 3.95 74.3 41.1 0.46

C. Martin 10 156 3298 13336 85 4.04 85.5 38.8 0.54



What if they all had 300 carries in a season? Based on their career numbers:

Brown 1586 yards 14 TDs

Sanders 1496 yards 10 TDs

Dickerson 1328 yards 9 TDs

Payton 1307 yards 9 TDs

Dorsett 1302 yards 8 TDs

Thomas 1259 yards 7 TDs

Smith 1249 yards 11 TDs

Harris 1233 yards 9 TDs

Allen 1215 yards 12 TDs

Martin 1213 yards 8 TDs

Bettis 1184 yards 7 TDs

Riggins 1168 yards 11 TDs


Basically, Ruth = Brown = Chamberlain = Gretzy

I like that list actually... cause i always felt after Brown that Sanders was the next best in history.

 

[SWC75]

 

[JrodCuse]

Shouldn't Ladanian Tomlinson be on that list as well?

 

[stuckinbig11]

Brown. No contest.

 

[xc84]

and I'm surprised Al Davis isn't in as a contributor.

He's in there.

Jim Brown , Larry Csonka , Al Davis* , Floyd Little , John Mackey , Art Monk , Jim Ringo - See more at: http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/colleges.aspx#sthash.Sdjrfl1c.dpuf

 

[Delmar]

Always very conflicted on Jim Brown. He threw a woman off a hotel balcony and has had numerous domestic violence issues. That whole going to prison thing when he didn't need to go. He never really gave a crap about SU. We had to kiss his ass to get him to come back and get involved. Than he tries to dictate our policies. He had former AD Gross in his pocket. He seems to like having people to talk about him this is why he wants his number retired. No one can doubt his talent on the football field. He was likely screwed on the Heisman because of racism. It is easy for me to say get over it because I personally haven't had to deal with this kind of situation. I just always felt like Jim Brown is a self centered jerk.

Not to dismiss or condone the issues of domestic violence at all, which are damning; to take in the full picture of the man, we need to put alongside of that the substantial work he has done with prison populations. Brown is a complicated person.

 

[OrangePA]

I believe I know the answer but who is a bigger legend for y'all. I'll hand up and listen.

Jim Brown.

And I don't think it's even close.

 

[Trueblue25]

Riley Dixon

 

[Bortukal]

I wish I had been alive to watch Jim Brown play. His highlight reel is by far the greatest I've ever watched.

 

[OrangeDW]

If you give me those three, man that's tough. Each played in a different era and each did something substantial. Cannon helped win a NC and won The Heisman. Charles The Great finished in the Hiesman voting and still holds the record for most yards averaged per game. And Kevin Faulk. He is responsible for helping Bring Back The Magic after the very dark days of the early 90's. I'd go with Cannon because he won football's highest award and a NC. But there is another ...

I loved watching Kevin Faulk and kind've adopted LSU as a that I casually rooted for back then. I remember he had "All Eyez On 3" shaved in the back of his head, LOL. Also remember watching an LSU game with a major fire going on near the stadium or something...the broadcast kept showing it.

 

[OrangeDW]

With FOUR nominees this year there is a chance we go to eight in 2016. Marvin Harrison definitely gets in at some point. Gary Anderson probably deserves it. Can certainly make a case for Daryl Johnston but tough to evaluate a fullback's contributions. Keith Bullock's nomination is just a tribute to longevity I think. Though he had some exceptional seasons I don't think anyone truly views him as a HOFer. In the next couple of years I think we'll see Tom Coughlin get in - no brainer almost with 2 Super Bowl rings. Dwight Freeney helped revolutionize the DE position and is certainly deserving IMO. Donovan McNabb will at least be a strong candidate who will get a significant number of votes (table the debate for now, guys) and I'm surprised Al Davis isn't in as a contributor.

I feel like if Keith Bulluck played the prime of his career somewhere else he would've gotten a lot more credit. He was overlooked/underrated in the NFL. He was one of the best LB's in the league for awhile, but never got the "accomplishments"(pro bowls, all pro) that he should've. He should've been a pro bowler for about 5-6 years in a row, but only made it once I believe.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

I wish I had been alive to watchamazing.own play. His highlight reel is by far the greatest I've ever watched.

Also, didn't they change LAX rules because of his skills. I always found that amazing.

 

[tbonezone]

larry csonka has 2 Super Bowl rings and was MVP of his undefeated team. (probably more had the wfl not broke up the fins)
maybe not jim brown type numbers but certainly in the conversation. dude was a wrecking ball.

 

[CuseCPT]

I feel like if Keith Bulluck played the prime of his career somewhere else he would've gotten a lot more credit. He was overlooked/underrated in the NFL. He was one of the best LB's in the league for awhile, but never got the "accomplishments"(pro bowls, all pro) that he should've. He should've been a pro bowler for about 5-6 years in a row, but only made it once I believe.

I played in a pickup basketball game with Keith in Archibold once. Dude was an absolute beast and incredibly athletic for his size.

 

[retro44]

With FOUR nominees this year there is a chance we go to eight in 2016. Marvin Harrison definitely gets in at some point. Gary Anderson probably deserves it. Can certainly make a case for Daryl Johnston but tough to evaluate a fullback's contributions. Keith Bullock's nomination is just a tribute to longevity I think. Though he had some exceptional seasons I don't think anyone truly views him as a HOFer. In the next couple of years I think we'll see Tom Coughlin get in - no brainer almost with 2 Super Bowl rings. Dwight Freeney helped revolutionize the DE position and is certainly deserving IMO. Donovan McNabb will at least be a strong candidate who will get a significant number of votes (table the debate for now, guys) and I'm surprised Al Davis isn't in as a contributor.

Just about every number McNabb had was better than Jim Kelley's. I saw the comparison a few years and it did surprise me.

 

[Briancuse]

I wish I had been alive to watch Jim Brown play. His highlight reel is by far the greatest I've ever watched.

My Grandfather played against him in hs, and he used to tell me stories, I would have loved to see him play too.

 

[SWC75]

My Grandfather played against him in hs, and he used to tell me stories, I would have loved to see him play too.

My Dan knew Bill Eschenfelder who was on Be's staff in the 50's and he said the used to love to just watch Jim Brown eat and watch his neck muscles move.

More:

 

[orangefog]

My Dan knew Bill Eschenfelder who was on Be's staff in the 50's and he said the used to love to just watch Jim Brown eat and watch his neck muscles move.

More:
YouTube Video

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

[longtimefan]

YA Tittle.

Billy Cannon?

 

[OrangeDW]

I played in a pickup basketball game with Keith in Archibold once. Dude was an absolute beast and incredibly athletic for his size.

I bet. He made plays all over the field at Cuse. One of my favorite players.

 

[bt4421]

I would consider Don McPherson at least equally close to legend status as McNabb. Many think McPherson was robbed of the Heisman finishing second to Tim Brown.

There have been so many "Greats"...

However, would apply "legend" status to Brown, Little, and Davis.

 

[Watson18]

I loved watching Kevin Faulk and kind've adopted LSU as a that I casually rooted for back then. I remember he had "All Eyez On 3" shaved in the back of his head, LOL. Also remember watching an LSU game with a major fire going on near the stadium or something...the broadcast kept showing it.

Hahahahahaha. That was the barn burning game! The link below is to the only video I could find on it... Mystery Science Theater 3000 for sports.