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49ers All-Time Running Back

First, congratulations to Harris Barton who joins Bob St. Clair at tackle on our offensive line.  I'd imagine Barton, St. Clair, McIntyre, Cross and Sapolu would be a pretty amazing offensive line.  Even more amazing is the fact that at one point 4 of the 5 were on the same team.  Not too shabby.

We spent the last few weeks putting together our offensive line and now it's time to get back to a glamor position: running back.  The running back position has always been talented, but the last twenty five years has seen an amazing array of talents fill the role.  Combined with other historical 49ers, we're left with plenty of guys who unfortunately cannot make the cut.  I put up the FanPost about Frank Gore, because he is one of those guys on the fence.  As you see below, I decided to include him.

Roger Craig (1983-1990): Not a whole lot needs to be said about the man who is #2 in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, #3 in receptions and #9 in receiving yards.  Before Marshall Faulk, there was Roger Craig.  In 1985, Craig became the first running back to finished with 1,000 rushing AND receiving yards.  The previous season he became the first player ever to score three touchdowns in a Super Bowl.  Roger Craig went to 4 Pro Bowls and was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1988 as he finished with 2,036 total yards.  Craig still stands as the only running back to ever lead the NFL in receptions in a season.  He finished his career with 13,143 total yards and 73 total touchdowns.

Hugh McElhenny (1952-1960): McElhenny was the 49ers first round pick in 1952 and was immediately a hit on the field.  He won Rookie of the Year, along with back to back Pro Bowl and 1st Team All Pro appearances his first two seasons.  Over the course of his career, McElhenny went to six Pro Bowls and finished his 49ers career with 4,288 rushing yards, 2,666 receiving yards and 50 total touchdowns.

Garrison Hearst (1997-2003): I don't know of anybody who doesn't like Garrison Hearst.  One big reason is this short little run.  Hearst finished his time with the 49ers with 5,535 rushing yards.  That number would have likely been quite a bit higher if not for the nasty broken ankle he suffered against Atlanta on the first play from scrimmage in the Divisional playoffs.  He developed the necrosis condition that led to Bo Jackson's retirement and seemed finished, although the 49ers kept him on the roster.  Two years later, Hearst came backa nd rushed for 1,206 yards, winning his second Comeback Player of the Year award.  The next two years saw him slowly phased out of the offense, replaced by the immortal Kevan Barlow.

Frank Gore (2005-present): Gore has only been a 49er for three years, a starting running back for two of them.  In that time he has set the 49ers single season rushing record and twice led the team in receptions.  Gore currently stands #10 in the 49ers all-time rushing list.  Considering he's 5,284 yards out of first place and signed for the next four seasons, Gore could definitely get within striking distance of the #1 spot.  I'm guessing he won't reach Roger Craig's receptions by a running back number, but considering how active he is in the passing game (particularly now with the addition of Mike Martz), Gore could finish his career challenging Roger Craig as the best running back in team history.

Poll
Who should be our All-Time Running Back?
Roger Craig
238 votes
Hugh McElhenny
31 votes
Garrison Hearst
22 votes
Frank Gore
54 votes

345 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 25 comments

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Comments

Display:

I had forgotten about

T.O.’s huge block late in that Hearst TD run.

by sam23 on Jul 18, 2008 10:54 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

someone who doesn't care much for Hearst

It has nothing to do with his playing ability but rather the bigoted homophobic comments he made back in 2002 when he stated he “wouldn’t want no faggots on my team.”
Just because many other players share his views don’t excuse them.

That said, my vote’s for Craig. No other back and player epitomized Bill Walsh’s offense the way he did.

God is whatever you perform for.

-Built to Spill

by spgphil on Jul 18, 2008 11:07 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

totally forgot about that

Yea, that was definitely not a good thing to say. Even if a person feels the need to believe that stuff, I never understand how players talk about it knowing the potential backlash. Just not smart all around.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Jul 18, 2008 11:36 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Built to Spill

Awesome sig, dude.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Jul 18, 2008 11:59 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Craig

Hands down, it’s gotta be Roger. And judging by the early results, I’d say I’m not alone in that opinion. And while I never saw Hugh play, the other three backs were all just awesome. Before I even clicked the link, I knew exactly what play you were linking (the Hearst 96 yard run). It’s funny how to this day, that play stands out in my mind! Just an amazing run!

And I just wouldn’t be me if I didn’t include a little smart-assery. It’s part of my Standard Operating Procedure…

How on earth could you have left the immortal Kevan Barlow off this list???

Funny enough, I was at a Niners-Saints game one time, where Barlow caught a pass in the flat and took it some 60+yards for the touchdown. It was awesome! Meanwhile, my friend was scouring the ‘Stick, looking for an ATM so she could buy another round of boozles. Missed the whole thing! I felt badly about that. But I digest, that’s actually one of my only good memories of Barlow. That and the day I heard we traded him.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Jul 18, 2008 12:04 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Didn’t Kevan Barlow call Nolan a nazi or something along those lines?
I remember he said something about him, but or the life of me I can’t remember what was said.

Simply by pulling on both ends, Patrick Willis can stretch diamonds back into coal

by 49erLou on Jul 18, 2008 12:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Barlow comments

Check out the section on his time with the Jets: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevan_Barlow

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Jul 18, 2008 12:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

thanks

Ahh Thanks. It’s amazing the things athletes/clebrities will say even though they know they are under a media microscope.

Simply by pulling on both ends, Patrick Willis can stretch diamonds back into coal

by 49erLou on Jul 18, 2008 12:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Digest? Do you mean digress?

I’m not trying to be a jerk. I’m just curious because I’ve never seen that phrase the way you put it.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 18, 2008 12:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's essentially a Blue Harvest reference

That Family Guy Star Wars episode… In the rolling exposition, he says, “But I digest.” It was funny to me, I thought I’d steal it.

You’re right, it’s digress, though. And you’re still a jerk. =)

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Jul 18, 2008 1:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I voted for Craig but

I’m betting if more of us had seen McElhenny play we may have voted differently.

by Buckblog on Jul 18, 2008 2:32 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

true

Unfortunately for some of the older guys they lose out because of lack of exposure.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Jul 18, 2008 2:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Voted for Craig too, but this was good.

Not sure he could overtake Craig, but anyone who hasn’t seen this clip should watch. McElhenny was featured on NFL network’s Top 10 Elusive Runners. Pretty good stuff if I say so myself.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80747c9b

by lacrosse_cat on Jul 18, 2008 2:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Boy, that sure makes him feel legendary. I almost feel bad for voting for Craig now….

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 18, 2008 3:59 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's why I posted it.

Not to make anyone feel bad, but just to try and spread some knowledge. But you should never feel bad voting for Craig. Guys like him are the reason we even do all-time teams. But McElhenny sure is one hell of a runner-up. Not a bad thing at all, Just an indicator of how good a franchise this has been.

by lacrosse_cat on Jul 18, 2008 11:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It’s just too bad that I haven’t gotten to the McElhenney years in the history. Considering how much I’ve fallen in love with guys like Alyn Beals and Billy Wilson, there’s I good chance I would have been deeply in love with Hugh (and a good chance I still will be).

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 20, 2008 11:03 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Catfish

Formerly known as phutmasterflex
Warriors, A's, 49ers... the only three that matter to me right now.

by PHUT! on Jul 18, 2008 5:49 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Glad to see Gore made to list, also glad to see he won’t win. He absolutely deserves to be considered, and if the vote were a few years from now, he just might win, but longevity matters—that’s why Craig is my pick here.

"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK

by Josh from Hollywood on Jul 18, 2008 8:28 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You got to give it up to McElhenny

Back in the day when the running back position was not as productive and fullbacks cut into the amount of carries a running back would get, McElhenny was a stud. He went to six different Pro-bowls, and while his rushing and receiving yards total may be low by todays standards, he was among the top five for RBs in both categories for the majority of his career. Just comparing it to todays standards he would be liken to LT or perhaps a Tom Brady of RBs. He was damn good and definitely deserves a nod for his excellence in an era of Running Back mediocrity.

Needless to say I voted for Roger Craig.

Next year will be our year! (copyright 2003*, been used each of last five years)

by StrictlyFootball on Jul 18, 2008 11:10 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good point,

About comparing stats within the era. Sure makes a stronger case for Hugh. I still think Craig is the guy though.

by lacrosse_cat on Jul 18, 2008 11:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I remember when Hearst started out

He was considered a bit of a disappointment. Sometimes it takes a change of scenery or a little bit of time.

by save10 on Jul 19, 2008 1:31 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

aww where is terry kirby?

Rafael Rodriguez: Felipe loves him almost as much as Jim Brower

by BrianBokake on Jul 21, 2008 4:54 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

but seriously

the hall of famer should take it over the should-be hall of famer. vote for hugh!

Rafael Rodriguez: Pretty young!

by BrianBokake on Aug 13, 2008 11:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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