Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

I was thinking today how fortunate the Browns were to have Leroy Kelly (immediately) follow Jim Brown.
Then tonight's NFL channel show (on the Fog Bowl) reminded me of Neal Anderson following in Walter Payton's footsteps.
Those are pretty good successive starting running backs!

What other examples come to mind?
Who do you think was the best pair of "back-to-back" starting running backs for a team (though it is going to be damn hard to beat Brown/Kelly)?
Any three (or more) in a row come to mind?

Marshall Faulk followed by Edgerrin James for Indianapolis is a darned good back-to-back pairing.

There’s a three year gap between Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith for Dallas, otherwise they’d rival Brown/Kelly.

Dallas went from DeMarco Murray in 2014 to Ezekiel Elliott in 2016.

The 1932-33 Boston Redskins (Cliff Battles in 1932 and Jim Musick in 1933) and the 1986-87 Rams (Eric Dickerson in 1986 and Charles White in 1987) were the only teams in NFL history that had different running backs lead the NFL in rushing while playing for the same team in consecutive seasons.

Rupert Patrick wrote: the 1986-87 Rams (Eric Dickerson in 1986 and Charles White in 1987) were the only teams in NFL history that had different running backs lead the NFL in rushing while playing for the same team in consecutive seasons.

And the very next season, 1988, Greg Bell ranked 4th in rushing and 1st in rushing TD's for the Rams.

I think Brown-Kelly is the clear winner.

But a strong possibility for #2 is Marshall Faulk- Steven Jackson for the Rams.

While not in the same league as Brown-Kelly the Cowboys transition from Don Perkins to rookie Calvin Hill in 1969 should get a mention. If Hill had not missed 2 games with turf toe he may well have led the NFL in rushing in 1969. Then there was Duane Thomas in 1970 and 1971 when Hill nursed injuries, but reclaimed the top spot in 1972 and 1973.

From 1998 to 2006, the Broncos had 1000-yard rushing seasons from Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson (twice), Clinton Portis (twice), Reuben Droughns and Tatum Bell. That is six different running backs posting a 1000-yard rushing season for a single franchise in nine years. I am sure it has never happened before or since.

The ironic part is by 2008, the Broncos fell on hard times when Peyton Hillis led the team with 343 yards rushing. Without checking, I would have to think the 343 yards would have to be among the half dozen lowest team leading totals of any non-strike team since 1970.

Rupert Patrick wrote: The ironic part is by 2008, the Broncos fell on hard times when Peyton Hillis led the team with 343 yards rushing. Without checking, I would have to think the 343 yards would have to be among the half dozen lowest team leading totals of any non-strike team since 1970.

That is an amazing stat. 343 yards represents the lowest total for a Broncos yearly rushing leader. Gerald Wilhite is the next closest with 347 rushing yards during the strike shortened 1982 season. From 1977 through 1980 no Denver running back hit the 500 yard mark. This was primarily due to Red Miller's philosophy of rotating running backs.

Retro Rider wrote:

Rupert Patrick wrote: The ironic part is by 2008, the Broncos fell on hard times when Peyton Hillis led the team with 343 yards rushing. Without checking, I would have to think the 343 yards would have to be among the half dozen lowest team leading totals of any non-strike team since 1970.

That is an amazing stat. 343 yards represents the lowest total for a Broncos yearly rushing leader. Gerald Wilhite is the next closest with 347 rushing yards during the strike shortened 1982 season. From 1977 through 1980 no Denver running back hit the 500 yard mark. This was primarily due to Red Miller's philosophy of rotating running backs.

Peyton Hillis didn't play (six starts) that much and averaged five yards a carry when he did.

For the 1971 Houston Oilers, Robert Holmes was the leading rusher with 288 yards at 3.2 yards per carry in eight games after being traded from Kansas City. Woody Campbell was second with 259 yards with a 2.7 average per carry.

bachslunch wrote:Marshall Faulk followed by Edgerrin James for Indianapolis is a darned good back-to-back pairing.

There’s a three year gap between Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith for Dallas, otherwise they’d rival Brown/Kelly.

Speaking of Marshall Faulk ... Marshall Faulk followed by Steven Jackson with the Rams.

Dan Towler - Tank Younger. During the 50's, Dan Towler had some great years starting in 1951 and led the NFL in rushing in 1952. Dan started to slip a little bit in 1954, so Younger started getting more playing time at fullback and Tank had a succession of great years.

Funny thing, Towler and Younger were about the same age. Younger was a good linebacker and played at that position while Towler was the starting fullback during the early 50's, but Younger took over when Towler started slipping due to injuries or something.

Deacon Dan Towler and Paul Tank Younger were two big, strong running backs for the Los Angeles Rams and were both pretty good.