CSC All-Time Saints Team Nominations: Running Back
by Dave Cariello on Jul 27, 2010 6:00 AM CDT
in CSC All-Time New Orleans Saints Team
100 comments
Ladies and gentleman, the moment I am sure many of you have been waiting for has arrived. We are now ready to begin the selection process and choose the running back for our CSC all-time Saints team. This may not be as hot a topic as all-time Saints quarterback (coming soon!) but I definitely expect some good discussion and argument today. Just keep it clean and respectful. Or maybe I'm totally wrong and this is a no-brainer.
Below is a list of players I've researched and deemed worthy of inclusion in our discussion of great Saints running backs. As usual I will leave it up to you guys, the readers, to nominate any other players you feel should be included or tell me why the ones nominated don't deserve to be.
The poll will open at 6am Central tomorrow morning and will be open for exactly 48 hours, ending on Friday, July 30th.
I now open it up for any other nominations of players that you just can't believe I missed or to have one of the players listed below removed from tomorrows ballot. There very well may be a glaring omission or a player you just can't believe I missed. Talk it out below. I would also love to hear some personal rumination from our readers who've actually watched these guys play. Remember, this isn't just about choosing a player but allowing readers to share their memories of these players and educating those of us who never had a chance to see them.
Deuce McAllister
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 232 lbs.
D.O.B.: 12/27/1978
College: Mississippi
NFL Experience: 8 seasons
Seasons with Saints: 2001-2008
Notables: Two-time Pro Bowler (2002, 2003). Saints all-time leader in career rush yards. Played entire career with Saints.
Dalton Hilliard
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 204 lbs.
D.O.B.: 1/21/1964
College: LSU
NFL Experience: 8 seasons
Seasons with Saints: 1986-1993
Notables: One-time Pro Bowler (1989). Played entire career with Saints.
George Rogers
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 228 lbs.
D.O.B.: 12/8/1958
College: South Carolina
NFL Experience: 7 seasons
Seasons with Saints: 1981-1984
Notables: Two-time Pro Bowler (1981, 1982) and one-time First Team All-Pro (1981).
Tony Galbreath
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 228 lbs.
D.O.B.: 1/29/1954
College: Missouri
NFL Experience: 12 seasons
Seasons with Saints: 1976-1980
Chuck Muncie
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 227 lbs.
D.O.B.: 3/17/1953
College: California
NFL Experience: 9 seasons
Seasons with Saints: 1976-1980
Notables: Three-time Pro Bowler (1979, 1981, 1982).
0 recs |
100 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
my personal fave
the man has 10lb balls… each
NEVER QUIT!
by DrewBreesManCrush on Jul 27, 2010 8:28 AM CDT up reply actions 10 recs
BOOM rec'd it too
That was awesome. What a thrill. Still get a tear in my eye when I see it. Look at the Eagles standing there: “I thought you stopped him.” “I thought YOU stopped him.” “GAAA!!!!!”
Good times are comin',
but they sure comin' slow.
does anyone know of an NFL replay or DVD of this game?
I’d sure like to own it…
Sean Payton and the players need to focus on the upcoming season and defending the title but I don’t.
One of my all-time favorite Saints moments too.
It’s probably second only to winning the SB. I respect what the other candidates gave to our team during their tenure, but Deuce will forever be my favorite Saint. There’s a reason “26” appears in my screen name.
"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jul 27, 2010 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Deuce.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AoOa-Fz2kw
…there can be only one.
Who Dat? TWO DAT! Do dat AGAIN!!!
I like both Duece and Dalton.
I’m not as familar with the rest, due to I started watching the Saints around the time with Dalton Hilliard. I know Dalton was an ex LSU player, so he is the best., joking. My memory sucks so I can’t remember any specific plays with Dalton. I just know I thought he was always a good player and played tough.
Deuce is great. He will be always a fan favorite. I teared up a little last season when I found out he was re-signed for the one game. I really wanted to see him run the ball again. He is a very classy player.
What about puttting Ricky Williams on this list? I’m just kidding about him being on this list. I just need my officially signed rookie card from him to gain some value. I had high hopes for Ricky as a Saint. Yes, I was one of the suckers that thought Ditka knew what he was doing.
by rustdog74 on Jul 27, 2010 7:08 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
“What about puttting Ricky Williams on this list? I’m just kidding about him being on this list.”
It’s not much of a joke, considering his per game production. His 82.3 average is just a hair below Rogers’s 83.7 for best in franchise history.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
This is not a joke! Ricky was good, the Saints were bad!
What about Reuben Mayes. I think he at least deserves a mention….No way he’ll win!
by Saint for life on Jul 27, 2010 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions
There's No Way
That anybody beats Deuce in this vote.
Underestimate No One, Take Nothing For Granted
by SaintsFanInIraq on Jul 27, 2010 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Galbreath was primarily a FB. He’s definitely worthy of all-time consideration, but was already got beaten out by Heyward the first go round. I’d leave him off the ballot this time out.
Rueben Mayes, Mario Bates and Ricky Williams all belong on this list. From a career standpoint, so do Jim Taylor and Earl Campbell. Fortunately, both fall under the FB umbrella as well, so if we enforce that position uniformly, that’s two short-timers we won’t have to sweat.
Bates and Williams each led the team in rushing three times, which is more often than anyone outside of Rogers and McAllister. They are the team’s 8th and 5th all-time leading rushers respectively. Williams was the first Saint to record back-to-back 1,000 yard rushing seasons and has gone on to lead the NFL in rushing, just one year removed from the franchise.
Mayes led the team twice, despite splitting carries with Hilliard, is the team’s 4th all-time leading rusher, won Rookie of the Year honors and played in two Pro Bowls.
The team’s RB history isn’t particularly strong on the whole, at least on an individual basis, but from the Stram to Haslett eras, it’s been one of steady production collectively, and each of these backs have contributed to that tradition.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
Mario Bates was terrible
there is no way he belongs on a list with Deuce, Dalton, Reuben, Muncie and Rogers. He was not good.
He wasn’t terrible whatsoever. He wasn’t utilized as often as most of these others, due to the team’s propensity for playing from behind, after Jim Finks let our defense fall apart. Jim Everett’s passing numbers attest to that fact. You don’t lead an NFL team in rushing three straight years, if you suck.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
Bates’ stats while in N.O. are actually very very close to Tony Galbreath’s
"I want to hand this trophy to the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and the MVP of the entire league.''
-- Saints coach Sean Payton, handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Drew Brees after Super Bowl 44.
Bates amassed 409 more all-purpose yards than Pierre Thomas over almost exactly the same number of games. Granted, his per carry average is lower, but that’s pretty much to be expected. He wasn’t splitting carries with two other backs and the offense was even less balanced than it has been under Payton.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
If you look at yards per carry among running backs that have had a significant number of carries for the Saints, Pierre Thomas may be one of the best RBs the team has ever had. I agree that he hasn’t done enough yet to warrent consideration for this list, but maybe one day…
"I want to hand this trophy to the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and the MVP of the entire league.''
-- Saints coach Sean Payton, handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Drew Brees after Super Bowl 44.
by VAsaintsfan on Jul 27, 2010 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions
On considerably fewer carries, though. Averages are a better comparative tool than cumulative yards, but you at least have to be in the same ballpark on number of attempts. Thomas also has yet to play an entire season, even in a time share role. Don’t get me wrong, he’s clearly the best we have at present. I just don’t see him as anywhere near the back some of these other guys were. Bates = Thomas? I could buy into that.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
Earl Campbell is an all time great, but he wasn’t great for the Saints. We got him at the end of his career when he didn’t have much left in the tank. His Saints career was around 800 rushing yards in 2 years and only 1 TD.
Reuben Mayes was great for a short time. He was plagued by injuries and never quite made it back to where he was during his Rookie of the Year season. But he was a 2X All-Pro. I guess I can see Mayes maybe being on the list, but not Campbell.
"I want to hand this trophy to the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and the MVP of the entire league.''
-- Saints coach Sean Payton, handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Drew Brees after Super Bowl 44.
Gonna throw a curveball out there....
Archie Manning. He’s 10th on the Saints career rushing list while not actually playing the RB position. At 5.8 yards per carry, just imagine what he could do if he got more rushing attempts!
Oh yeah, those 62 fumbles is also a team record….
Forget I mentioned it.
"I want to hand this trophy to the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and the MVP of the entire league.''
-- Saints coach Sean Payton, handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Drew Brees after Super Bowl 44.
Maybe CP knows the answer to this....
I recall hearing that Manning was the leading rusher on the team one season. Is that true? Even though I watched the games back then, it’s hard to believe they were once that bad.
secret aliases be damned
Mario Bates
Dalton Hilliard
Dulymus McAllister
Rueben Mayes
Harry Muncie
George Rogers
Errick Williams
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
Dalton was great!
But Deuce was the best….Could you imagine Hilliard on this years team?
Pierre, Reggie and Dalton….don’t even play the season just hand the trophy over now!
They’d still struggle to convert 3rd and short. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Hilliard … but he wouldn’t bring much more to the table in a three back rotation than Bell did.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
Reuben Mayes and Ricky Williams
deserve to be on this list. Will they win, no, but much like when it came time to decide the kicker battle, we put up the best list we could. Despite people’s seemingly dislike of Ricky he deserves to be there as most definitely does Reuben.
Unlike CP, however, i feel Mario Bates should be an honorable mention at best.
“Unlike CP, however, i feel Mario Bates should be an honorable mention at best.”
Based on number of games played, I agree. He made the most out of those games, though. Moreso than Pierre Thomas has. And on a much less explosive offense.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
I won’t disagree with that assessment. He made the most of what he had, just don’t view him as an all time Saints great.
LSU love fests aside, it has to either be McAllister or Rogers, imo.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
by coldpizza on Jul 27, 2010 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
It’ll be McAllister…and even playing devil’s advocate i can’t really argue against it. He is after all our all time leading rusher and rushing TD record holder.
I’m not big on cumulative totals. Rogers gained more yards per game and slightly more yards per carry. He was also the more explosive of the two. That being said, Deuce’s steady utilization in the passing game, TD (per carry/game) advantage and sugar-free septum are what ultimately give him the overall edge, imo.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
boom rec'd it
I loved George Rogers. For a distant Saints fan (preinternet era), that was some real hope. Crushed and scattered like paper in the wind, but a high point in franchise history anyway.
Tried to find some video on Rogers and failed.
wikipedia:
In his first season, Rogers led the league in rushing with 1,647 yards, which set a high for rookies at that time. He was selected as the NFL Rookie of the Year for 1981 and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl. Rogers would spend his first four seasons in New Orleans, and his running ability is credited with bringing the Saints out of its perennial cellar. He played alongside quarterback Archie Manning in 1981 and eventually running back Earl Campbell, who was brought in during the 1984 season.
Good times are comin',
but they sure comin' slow.
George was great
I love George. I felt like dying when he went to the Redskins. But I’m also a firm backer of time spent with the team, and four years just isn’t enough in my opinion to give him the nod.
“Tried to find some video on Rogers and failed.”
I didn’t. Includes 1981 highlights from Rogers’s phenomenal rookie season, a class that also included Lawrence Taylor, our own Rickey Jackson and the late, great Joe Delaney.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
1:49-2:08 on that Rogers highlight (singular), btw.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
by coldpizza on Jul 27, 2010 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
BOOM rec'd it
Well, there’s Joe Delaney at :23.
Man, George was a big stand up tall runner with speed.
Good times are comin',
but they sure comin' slow.
Deuce or Dalton
wow, i knew the day would come where i’d have to make a decision on this…gotta go with Deuce…how can you argue with those pictures?
by A DOG NAMED DEUCE on Jul 27, 2010 10:07 AM CDT reply actions
Here's my question.
Deuce came back from knee injuries to continue to contribute and further his career. If Dalton had the medical treatments that Deuce had (strictly from medical advancements during that time) would this even be an issue of who to vote for, or a bygone conclusion in favor of Dalton? Before he got hurt, Dalton could smell an end zone like a fat man to a buffet, and I’d know.
In the same vein, what if Randy Mueller had lived up to his word and played Williams and McAllister in the same backfield? Both 1st rounders we recouped from Miami went to waste on Jonathan Sullivan. That means the only thing we gained in getting rid of Williams was more opportunities to see Deuce carry the ball. Judging from his history of injuries — including at Ole Miss (that was the big knock on him coming out, if you remember correctly — that could just as easily be viewed as a bad thing, as it can a good thing. Even if you factor in a year or two solo time while Ricky “finds himself”, you’re still talking about several years less wear and tear on a physical runner. That likely translates into D’Brickshaw Feguson in ’06, Jammal Brown at RT and, in all likelihood, one or two additional playoff appearances between then and now.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
“Judging from his history of injuries — including at Ole Miss (that was the big knock on him coming out, if you remember correctly) — that could just as easily be viewed as a bad thing, as it can a good thing.”
The same can be said of Williams, btw. They were both victims of overuse as Saints. A shared backfield would have behooved both of them equally. Of course, you’re talking about a sh** load of cap space. Maybe we can’t afford Brees, if all that goes down.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
and...
if your sister married your uncle and your cousin had a kid, then you’d be your own grandfather
by A DOG NAMED DEUCE on Jul 27, 2010 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions
good POINT, CP
That’s one of my big disappointments from 2001 and 2002 – the promise Randy Mueller never delivered on – seeing Deuce and Ricky used as twin terrors in the backfield – or would that be Haslett’s error, or Mike McCArthy’s error?
I was so excited when we drafted Deuce and thought we’d have them both for 8 years, tearing it up for us as they extended each others’ careers…
Sean Payton and the players need to focus on the upcoming season and defending the title but I don’t.
I'll second that. due to his explosiveness, excitement, and fanfare
But Deuce’s numbers are better at this point.
by ReggieVilma on Jul 27, 2010 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Put the @ sign in front of and behind whatever you want in that font
And dont put spaces between the at sign and the words your trying to change.
by ReggieVilma on Jul 27, 2010 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions
PJ Hill
for future accomplishments. Most likely eclipsing the 100k yard mark in a season.
He has a better shot at clearing waivers 100k times.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
Uh OH!
Prepare to feel Stu’s wrath. You might have just gotten yourself added to the accountability index. That’s OK, though. I’m already on there concerning PJ.
"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jul 27, 2010 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions
PJ Hill, 100,000 yards in a season??
I don’t put drunks on the List.
Good times are comin',
but they sure comin' slow.
don't drink and predict
Sean Payton and the players need to focus on the upcoming season and defending the title but I don’t.
This would have come off better
With “Friends don’t let friends drink and predict.”
Underestimate No One, Take Nothing For Granted
by SaintsFanInIraq on Jul 28, 2010 12:05 AM CDT up reply actions
true, true
friends don’t let friends drink and BLOG
Sean Payton and the players need to focus on the upcoming season and defending the title but I don’t.
Sayonara.
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.
by Just 'Nother Day on Jul 28, 2010 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions
I was just kidding and riffing on the "drunks on the list" comment above in relation to PJ Hill gaining 100,000 yards
I meant no personal attack or judgements on anyone’s blogging habits, so if that’s how it was perceived, I retract my statement and fully apologize.
Sean Payton and the players need to focus on the upcoming season and defending the title but I don’t.
Maybe I sounded too serious.
I should have said, “Sayonara, knucklehead!” :-)
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.
by Just 'Nother Day on Jul 28, 2010 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions
good, I was worried for a bit there
(also I don’t want to be a hypocrite either – as I have enjoyed a beer or two before perusing this site)
Sean Payton and the players need to focus on the upcoming season and defending the title but I don’t.
If we are going off of future accomplishments...
Then Baylen Brees for his future HOF career with the Saints which includes 8 straight superbowl victories by rushing for 25 Tds a season even though he will be a QB.If we are going to be sane about it, DEUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE!!
Going to be sane about it?
But I was counting on that. Well, almost. The way I see it, Baylen’s going to be an OG paving the way for Old Papa Brees to put up those stats in 2035. The future has Baylen porking up a bit. You can see it in his cheeks.
Is there any doubt that Deuce will win this
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene and Jerry Kramer
"He Twittered that pitch" Steve Blass
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
It doesn't matter if there's any doubt.
What matters is honoring those who deserve to have their names placed next to his. It’s about honoring all the players that deserve to be recognized before a final decision is made.
I got in on this stream a little late so let me be brief:
Deuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce.
You may go ‘bout yo’ bidness now.
Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!
I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.
by Just 'Nother Day on Jul 27, 2010 11:44 AM CDT reply actions
Deeeeuuucccceeeee!!!!
Deuce has always been a favorite of mine, one of my fondest memories was going to the hotel where the players stayed and getting Deuce to sign my jersey after the Superbowl (no i am not a stalker). As a kid, i was a big Dalton Hilliard fan and Ironhead fan. They always seemed to be able to get those tough yards. Hated seeing Ironhead go to the Falcons, but in my eyes he was always a Saint.
No Ray Zellars?
"I want to hand this trophy to the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and the MVP of the entire league.''
-- Saints coach Sean Payton, handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Drew Brees after Super Bowl 44.
1.Dulymus
2.Dalton
3.G.Rogers
4.R.Mayes
5.C.Muncie
5a.Ricky Williams
You think you know, and you don't know, and you never, ever will.-Jim Mora Sr.
no idea Galbreath played 12 years
and that only 5 of them were with the Saints
see his career year-by-year stats here
and I must say, the U. of Mizzou has been pretty good to the Saints.
Sean Payton and the players need to focus on the upcoming season and defending the title but I don’t.
I'm voting for Deuce
Sean Payton and the players need to focus on the upcoming season and defending the title but I don’t.
mario bates
should get an honorable mention for Best Broken Jaw by a Team Mate
"These two teams just should not play each other" ...John Madden during a 1991 Saints-Eagles game
Deuce McAllister
Is arguably my favorite Saint of all time. He was fearless on the field and unfortunately his body suffered dearly for it. He gets my vote.
Does there even need to be a ballot?
If I know anything – which is not much, yet – it’s what happens to Saints fans when you say the name Deuce.
Breesus Is My Homeboy
by SarahT on Jul 28, 2010 12:51 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
DEUCE DAT!!
The youth of our nation are supposed to be the leaders of tomorrow, but how can that be when they are the idots of today?
SaintsFanInIraq
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Canal Street Chronicles
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
