Best Ever One-Dimensional Running Backs

[Gary Najman]

Speaking of dimensional backs, though his receiving wasnt much and he was more a role player, Rocky Bleier just had his 1968 rookie jersey put out by Ebbets.com. I had no idea he wore #26. After injuries in Nam, he was lucky to ever play again. They released a cool #15 1947 jersey from Steve Van Buren as well and Sonny Jurgensen's 1957 #9 jersey for interested fans.

Bleier had his great TD catch against Dallas in Super Bowl XIII, where Myron Cope said that he would have never know that Rocky would turn into Nijinsky, a famous ballet dancer.

[JohnTurney]

Then there was Don McCauley, who was two dimensional. Third down receiver (even though the team already threw to Lydell Mitchell a lot) and goal line rushing. I guess he couldn't block either!

Glad you brought him up. What an interesting player.
Played 11 years, only 2 as a started, rookie year, backup, makes sense. Earns starting
spot in 2nd year and keeps it a year, makes sense, starters hurt then purged (Nottingham also starter in 72, similar reasons)

But then a backup for last 8 years as you point out as a SYGL guy and a third-down back.

When you usually think of a third-down back he's not also a tough, inside runner. I think of, anyway, a Ronnie Harmon
or a Preston Pearson - guys more like that.

When I think of short-yardage specialists I think of guys bigger than 211 or whatever McCauley weighed. I think of guys
225 or so . . . squattier.

Would be interesting to see a breakdown of his career, the success rate on 3rd and 4th down, 1-2 yards to go, maybe just 1.
Also his third down catches---it's not as though the Colts didn't have a guy who could catch who was a starter...

There are some late-1970s Colts games on Youtube and you can see how they used McCauley. He's unique in his dual roles.
Can't be too many like him.