peak-Wilbert Montgomery vs peak-Roger Craig

[74_75_78_79_]

Perhaps from the immediate surface this may look lopsided. Craig had a longer career, did play on a Dynasty, and had a massive rep for being an all-purpose back. Wilbert not so bad himself at that. He had over 2,000 in ‘79 and over 1,900 in ‘81. Craig has 4 Pro Bowls to Wilbert’s 2 but ‘81 - the year Montgomery didn’t get selected - can be argued as his best at 4.9 per carry (Roger also had himself a 4.9 season, in ‘85). Montgomery has two All-Pros (‘78 & ‘79), however, to Craig’s single one (‘88) and also has a career rushing average of 4.4 to his 4.1. Craig will make it to Canton before Montgomery can even make HOVG, it seems, but judging each strictly by their peak years, #31 does have some artillery. Thoughts?

[Bryan]

Perhaps from the immediate surface this may look lopsided. Craig had a longer career, did play on a Dynasty, and had a massive rep for being an all-purpose back. Wilbert not so bad himself at that. He had over 2,000 in ‘79 and over 1,900 in ‘81. Craig has 4 Pro Bowls to Wilbert’s 2 but ‘81 - the year Montgomery didn’t get selected - can be argued as his best at 4.9 per carry (Roger also had himself a 4.9 season, in ‘85). Montgomery has two All-Pros (‘78 & ‘79), however, to Craig’s single one (‘88) and also has a career rushing average of 4.4 to his 4.1. Craig will make it to Canton before Montgomery can even make HOVG, it seems, but judging each strictly by their peak years, #31 does have some artillery. Thoughts?

Craig had two big years in his career (85 & 88) and was fairly reliable in the postseason. I liked him as a player, but IMO Montgomery was better. Early on, Craig was the #2 ball carrier behind Wendell Tyler...85 was the only year in which Craig was the offensive centerpiece (his 1000/1000 year). Rice emerged in 86. I think Montgomery was the centerpiece for that Eagles offense from 1978-1982...that's a long time for one guy to shoulder the load, and Montgomery wasn't very big.

I doubt Craig makes it to Canton. Montgomery can hold his own against most of the RBs who have played in the NFL.

[74_75_78_79_]

The irony of Montgomery's career is 1980, his Super Bowl year, not at all being amongst his best. Yes, he only played 12 games but you adjust/stretch the numbers out to 16 games, it still doesn't stack up to '78, '79 or '81. However, 4.0 Y/A is still not shabby and his TD output that year (8) matches '81 and is just one shy of '78 & '79 (nine TDs each). Heck, he scored 7 TDs in strike-shortened '82.

His very best playoff game, of course, was that monstrous '80 NFCC-performance vs Dallas! 26 carries for 194 yards (7.46 Y/A), 1 rushing TD (should have been another; was called back) and also a 14-yard TD reception (actually his only catch that game). Funny, the week prior vs 9-7 Vikes, he also had 26 carries but for only 74 yards (2.85 Y/A). Even an obvious past-peak Wilbert in '84 (Year Two now under Swamp Fox) had a respectable campaign; still an all-purpose back with a balanced almost-800 rushing yards and 501 receiving - just two TDs, however.

I also liked Roger Craig as a player. He was quite integral (along with Rathman) to that SF Dynasty but can't help but to feel that an at-peak Wilbert was even better and just imagine he on that squad. He simply didn't have a long enough career but would hope he makes HOVG someday soon. Still like that nice color shot of he outrunning the blue jersey-ed Cowboys in the bitter Philly-cold on the back cover of that thick hand-held '81 NFL preview book that I had in 5th grade (forgot again the name of it; some of you in here have told me already) now in a box in my Mom's basement. #31 is a nice, unique number for a RB; and wish the Eagles would go back to those exact 'Invincible'-unis.

[Gary Najman]

I have always wanted to compare Montgomery with contemporaries William Andrews and Billy Sims. There was a time in the early 80s when they seemed to be future Hall of Famers, bbut injuries derailed their careers.

[74_75_78_79_]

I have always wanted to compare Montgomery with contemporaries William Andrews and Billy Sims. There was a time in the early 80s when they seemed to be future Hall of Famers, bbut injuries derailed their careers.

That would have been a better idea for a thread. Even if Falcons win it all in ‘80, and he wins SB MVP, I think Andrews remains very historically overlooked to this day. I forgot he also wore #31. From what I remember, Sims seemed to have a greater rep than Andrews or Montgomery; considered top-shelf. Looking at all three’s career stats, each very comparable to each other; each one’s ‘window’ of greatness basically the same amount of years. Each have a 4.9 YPC season to their credit. Andrews has the (4) Pro Bowl selections over the other two. All three true all-purpose backs but without compromising their greatness at strictly running the ball. Not sure I’d put him quite up there with these three (perhaps a slight notch below), but very worthy a mention, Andrews’ former Auburn teammate...Joe Cribbs.

[BD Sullivan]

I have always wanted to compare Montgomery with contemporaries William Andrews and Billy Sims. There was a time in the early 80s when they seemed to be future Hall of Famers, bbut injuries derailed their careers.

That would have been a better idea for a thread. Even if Falcons win it all in ‘80, and he wins SB MVP, I think Andrews remains very historically overlooked to this day. I forgot he also wore #31. From what I remember, Sims seemed to have a greater rep than Andrews or Montgomery; considered top-shelf. Looking at all three’s career stats, each very comparable to each other; each one’s ‘window’ of greatness basically the same amount of years. Each have a 4.9 YPC season to their credit. Andrews has the (4) Pro Bowl selections over the other two. All three true all-purpose backs but without compromising their greatness at strictly running the ball. Not sure I’d put him quite up there with these three (perhaps a slight notch below), but very worthy a mention, Andrews’ former Auburn teammate...Joe Cribbs.

Sims was the top pick in the '80 Draft and had won the Heisman in '78, whereas Andrews (3rd rounder) and especially Montgomery (6th rounder) came in with much less fanfare,

[NWebster]

I have always wanted to compare Montgomery with contemporaries William Andrews and Billy Sims. There was a time in the early 80s when they seemed to be future Hall of Famers, bbut injuries derailed their careers.

That would have been a better idea for a thread. Even if Falcons win it all in ‘80, and he wins SB MVP, I think Andrews remains very historically overlooked to this day. I forgot he also wore #31. From what I remember, Sims seemed to have a greater rep than Andrews or Montgomery; considered top-shelf. Looking at all three’s career stats, each very comparable to each other; each one’s ‘window’ of greatness basically the same amount of years. Each have a 4.9 YPC season to their credit. Andrews has the (4) Pro Bowl selections over the other two. All three true all-purpose backs but without compromising their greatness at strictly running the ball. Not sure I’d put him quite up there with these three (perhaps a slight notch below), but very worthy a mention, Andrews’ former Auburn teammate...Joe Cribbs.

I believe that Auburn team also had James Brooks, quite a stockpile of college RB's!