The "Million Dollar Backfield"

racepug · Post by **racepug** » Sat Jul 02, 2022 4:27 pm

A few days behind on my newspapers and I was reading an obituary of "The King" Hugh McElhenny. With those four future H.o.F.ers in their backfield can anyone explain why those San Francisco 49ers didn't enjoy more success?

Sonny9 · Post by **Sonny9** » Sat Jul 02, 2022 5:18 pm

Bad defense
Having to split the carries. 1954 they led the league in rushing yards. The next 2 seasons they were slightly under the league average yardage wise.

GameBeforeTheMoney · Post by **GameBeforeTheMoney** » Sat Jul 02, 2022 5:23 pm

Yes to above - the defense was a weak spot -- plus the fact that the NFL West had some really good teams -- the Lions could be considered the team of the decade, the Rams had some great seasons, the Bears in 56, the Colts were coming on in the late 50s. There weren't expanded playoffs -- they only played in one playoff game after they tied for the div crown. Lost a big lead to the Lions in the playoff.

Brian wolf · Post by **Brian wolf** » Sat Jul 02, 2022 5:43 pm

Very tough division but with the talent surrounding him, YA Tittle just couldnt win enough big games.
I still feel Shaw deserves the HOF however ...

racepug · Post by **racepug** » Sat Jul 02, 2022 8:23 pm

GameBeforeTheMoney wrote:Lost a big lead to the Lions in the playoff.

I do believe that's the last time (to date) that the Lions won a road playoff game!

rhickok1109 · Post by **rhickok1109** » Sun Jul 03, 2022 9:43 pm

The original "Million Dollar Backfield" at least helped the Cardinals to their second and most recent NFL championship (1947).

Jay Z · Post by **Jay Z** » Mon Jul 04, 2022 1:05 am

racepug wrote:
GameBeforeTheMoney wrote:Lost a big lead to the Lions in the playoff.
I do believe that's the last time (to date) that the Lions won a road playoff game!

They've only won one playoff game since 1957.

Brian wolf · Post by **Brian wolf** » Mon Jul 04, 2022 11:24 am

In addition to the four HOF players in the backfield, you also had a HOF tackle in Bob St Clair and Billy Wilson at receiver who has his own HOF case. On defense, there was HOF Nomellini and other talented players like Hazeltine at LB and Dick Moegle in the secondary who intercepted 20 passes his first three seasons before getting hurt. A lot of talent on the squad. In 1957, when the Niners lost in the postseason, it was one of Joe Perry's least productive seasons running. Go figure. Towards the end of the decade, JD Smith and RC Owens were also productive players ...

RichardBak · Post by **RichardBak** » Mon Jul 04, 2022 10:38 pm

I think the Million Dollar Backfield actually was collectively paid about $65K in the mid-50s.

racepug · Post by **racepug** » Fri Jul 08, 2022 10:01 am

RichardBak wrote:I think the Million Dollar Backfield actually was collectively paid about $65K in the mid-50s.

Ahhhh - but what's that in today's dollars?

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The "Million Dollar Backfield"

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