milesl
7/10/2006, 09:07 AM
http://www.newsok.com/article/1908228/?template=sports/ou
Sims sits atop the list, but it could be Peterson after this season
By Berry Tramel
We had a little fun last week. The Oklahoman polled five OU football historians, plus your trusty scribe here, on the top 10 running backs in Sooner history.
Expert panel
No running back prompted such a wide difference of opinion as Adrian Peterson.
One voter ranked Peterson third. Two rated Peterson fourth. Another placed Peterson ninth. Two did not list Peterson, apparently wishing to let his career settle before declaring his place in history.
I don’t know for sure where Peterson belongs. But I know where he’s going.
To the top.
Come December, Adrian Peterson likely will be the greatest Sooner running back ever, and it’s possible there won’t be a debate.
2006 almost surely will be Peterson’s last rodeo. The NFL beckons, and Peterson will go early, very early, on draft day. Maybe even at high noon as the first overall pick.
But one more year might be all Peterson needs. He already is the No. 6 career rusher in OU history. Peterson has played only two Sooner seasons, but that’s 24 games worth, one fewer than the entire career of Billy Vessels, who was pegged OU’s greatest runner by four of our historians.
I did a top-10 list for Sooner Spectator magazine earlier this year, and I didn’t have Vessels No. 1. I went with a different Heisman Trophy winner, and frankly, it was the easiest decision of making the top 10.
Billy Sims is OU’s greatest running back by virtually every method of analysis:
Statistical. Sims holds the OU career rushing record of 4,118 yards, plus the second-best and fifth-best single-season totals.
And he did it in fewer carries than his chief competitors. Joe Washington, second on the all-time rushing list, had 82 more carries than did Sims. Quentin Griffin, third on the list, had 151 more carries. Steve Owens, fourth on the list, had 365 more carries.
Honors. Sims won the 1978 Heisman and finished second in the ’79 Heisman race to USC’s Charles White.
The only other Sooner runner to get close to Sims’ Heisman finishes is Pruitt, who was third and second (1971-72).
The only players in college football history with better Heisman portfolios are Ohio State’s Archie Griffin, the only two-time winner, and the Army duo of Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard, who each won a Heisman and thrice each placed in the top four of voting.
Talent. Sims wins any live-action eyeball test.
Step aside, Davis and Blanchard. Sims was Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside. He could run through defenders and away from the same.
NFL scouts agreed. Sims was the No. 1 pick in the 1980 NFL draft and proved to be a pro star until a knee injury wrecked his career.
Sims was the total package.
The Sooners have had a bushel of great running backs. Tommy McDonald and Vessels from the Bud Wilkinson era. Owens from the 1960s. Pruitt and Washington from the Barry Switzer days. Now Peterson.
To rank Nos. 2 through 7, grab a hat and pull out names. I had Owens No. 2, then reshuffled and eventually made him seventh. I had McDonald No. 6 but eventually slotted him at No. 2.
But Sims is a clear No. 1.
Not for long, apparently. Peterson seems headed for a big year in 2006. He gained 1,108 yards in 11 games last season, in what was considered an off year. Quarterback struggles, an ineffective offensive line.
Rhett Bomar figures to be much improved in 2006. The blocking might not be top shelf, but it can’t be worse. Barring injury, Peterson figures to be closer to his freshman production (1,925 yards) than his sophomore year.
Peterson as an artist is the second coming of Sims. Physical and fast. Tough off tackle, dangerous on the corner. He is in the Sims-Vessels (and Marcus Dupree, who’s on a different list) class of pure talent.
“Here’s a guy who can run 4.3 and weighs 220 pounds,” Sooner coach Bob Stoops said. “He absolutely destroys the weight room when you look at his ability to explode and exert all his power in his lifts. And he loves it. He goes at it hard and he has amazing stamina.
“From day one when he walked in here, it was just amazing what he could handle. So he’s got all that and he has a great knack with his vision and ability to run past or around or make people miss or run through them”
Sounds like the new and improved Billy Sims.
Which is what Peterson is. Peterson is poised to supplant Sims as OU’s career rushing leader. Peterson needs 1,086 yards to pass Sims; Peterson could break the record by mid-season.
If Peterson wins a Heisman, there’s no debate. He’s the greatest. But even sans Heisman, with a monster year, he takes a run at Sims.
Best running back schools
Oklahoma’s tradition of running backs is stout. But it’s not the most impressive in college football history. The 10 best running back schools, based on Heisman Trophy results, consensus All-Americans and NFL production:
1. OHIO STATE: Five Heisman winners, including Archie Griffin twice, Eddie George, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz and Howard Cassady. But the Buckeyes don’t stop there - John Brockington, Matt Snell, Jim Otis, Keith Byars, Robert Smith.
2. SOUTHERN CAL: Five Heisman winners - Mike Garrett, O.J. Simpson, Charles White, Marcus Allen and Reggie Bush. But Ricky Bell and Anthony Davis weren’t far behind, and Frank Gifford and Clarence Davis were pro stars.
3. OKLAHOMA: Three Heisman winners - Billy Vessels, Steve Owens and Billy Sims - with Adrian Peterson a runner-up as a freshman in 2004. Also making consensus All-American were Leon Heath, Tommy McDonald, Clendon Thomas, Jim Grisham, Greg Pruitt and Joe Washington.
4. PENN STATE: Only one Heisman winner, John Cappelletti, but some epic names among both college and NFL runners - Lenny Moore, Franco Harris, Lydell Mitchell, Curt Warner, D.J. Dozier, Blair Thomas, Ki-Jana Carter, Curtis Enis, Larry Johnson.
5. SYRACUSE: Only Ernie Davis won the Heisman, but Jimmy Brown is the greatest running back of all time, and Larry Csonka, Floyd Little, Jim Nance, Joe Morris and Daryl Johnston were stars in college and the NFL.
6. TEXAS: Ricky Williams and Earl Campbell won Heismans; Cedric Benson wanted a Heisman; wishbone backs Roosevelt Leaks, Chris Gilbert and Steve Worster made All-American; and Priest Holmes is an NFL great.
7. AUBURN: Bo Jackson won a Heisman, but remarkable run of quality tailbacks. Tucker Frederickson in the ’60s; Joe Cribbs and James Brooks in the ’70s; Brent Fullwood and Jackson in the ’80s; Stephen Davis in the ’90s; and Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams this decade.
8. GEORGIA: Herschel Walker is as good a pick as any for greatest running back in college football history, but he’s not the only great Bulldog - Garrison Hearst, Tim Worley, Terrell Davis and Rodney Hampton.
9. OKLAHOMA STATE: Barry Sanders won a Heisman and Thurman Thomas kept him on the bench for two years, but the Cowboys also had All-Americans Bob Fenimore and Terry Miller, plus Walt Garrison.
10. UCLA: No superstars, but one excellent tailback after another, for 40 years - Mel Farr, Kermit Johnson, Wendell Tyler, Theotis Brown, Freeman McNeil, Gaston Green, Skip Hicks, Karim Abdul-Jabbar, DeShaun Foster and Maurice Drew.
By Berry Tramel
OU rushing records
Career
1. Billy Sims 4,118
2. Joe Washington 4,071
3. Steve Owens 4,041
4. Quentin Griffin 3,938
5. DeMond Parker 3,403
6. Stanley Wilson 3,198
7. Adrian Peterson 3,033
8. Greg Pruitt 3,122
9. Lydell Carr 2,910
10. Mike Gaddis 2,726
Season
1. Adrian Peterson (2004) 1,925
2. Billy Sims (1978) 1,896
3. Quentin Griffin (2002) 1,884
4. Greg Pruitt (1971) 1,760
5. Billy Sims (1979) 1,670
6. Steve Owens (1968) 1,649
7. Steve Owens (1969) 1,523
8. Mike Gaddis (1991) 1,344
9. Joe Washington (1974) 1,321
10. DeMond Parker (1996) 1,184
Sims sits atop the list, but it could be Peterson after this season
By Berry Tramel
We had a little fun last week. The Oklahoman polled five OU football historians, plus your trusty scribe here, on the top 10 running backs in Sooner history.
Expert panel
No running back prompted such a wide difference of opinion as Adrian Peterson.
One voter ranked Peterson third. Two rated Peterson fourth. Another placed Peterson ninth. Two did not list Peterson, apparently wishing to let his career settle before declaring his place in history.
I don’t know for sure where Peterson belongs. But I know where he’s going.
To the top.
Come December, Adrian Peterson likely will be the greatest Sooner running back ever, and it’s possible there won’t be a debate.
2006 almost surely will be Peterson’s last rodeo. The NFL beckons, and Peterson will go early, very early, on draft day. Maybe even at high noon as the first overall pick.
But one more year might be all Peterson needs. He already is the No. 6 career rusher in OU history. Peterson has played only two Sooner seasons, but that’s 24 games worth, one fewer than the entire career of Billy Vessels, who was pegged OU’s greatest runner by four of our historians.
I did a top-10 list for Sooner Spectator magazine earlier this year, and I didn’t have Vessels No. 1. I went with a different Heisman Trophy winner, and frankly, it was the easiest decision of making the top 10.
Billy Sims is OU’s greatest running back by virtually every method of analysis:
Statistical. Sims holds the OU career rushing record of 4,118 yards, plus the second-best and fifth-best single-season totals.
And he did it in fewer carries than his chief competitors. Joe Washington, second on the all-time rushing list, had 82 more carries than did Sims. Quentin Griffin, third on the list, had 151 more carries. Steve Owens, fourth on the list, had 365 more carries.
Honors. Sims won the 1978 Heisman and finished second in the ’79 Heisman race to USC’s Charles White.
The only other Sooner runner to get close to Sims’ Heisman finishes is Pruitt, who was third and second (1971-72).
The only players in college football history with better Heisman portfolios are Ohio State’s Archie Griffin, the only two-time winner, and the Army duo of Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard, who each won a Heisman and thrice each placed in the top four of voting.
Talent. Sims wins any live-action eyeball test.
Step aside, Davis and Blanchard. Sims was Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside. He could run through defenders and away from the same.
NFL scouts agreed. Sims was the No. 1 pick in the 1980 NFL draft and proved to be a pro star until a knee injury wrecked his career.
Sims was the total package.
The Sooners have had a bushel of great running backs. Tommy McDonald and Vessels from the Bud Wilkinson era. Owens from the 1960s. Pruitt and Washington from the Barry Switzer days. Now Peterson.
To rank Nos. 2 through 7, grab a hat and pull out names. I had Owens No. 2, then reshuffled and eventually made him seventh. I had McDonald No. 6 but eventually slotted him at No. 2.
But Sims is a clear No. 1.
Not for long, apparently. Peterson seems headed for a big year in 2006. He gained 1,108 yards in 11 games last season, in what was considered an off year. Quarterback struggles, an ineffective offensive line.
Rhett Bomar figures to be much improved in 2006. The blocking might not be top shelf, but it can’t be worse. Barring injury, Peterson figures to be closer to his freshman production (1,925 yards) than his sophomore year.
Peterson as an artist is the second coming of Sims. Physical and fast. Tough off tackle, dangerous on the corner. He is in the Sims-Vessels (and Marcus Dupree, who’s on a different list) class of pure talent.
“Here’s a guy who can run 4.3 and weighs 220 pounds,” Sooner coach Bob Stoops said. “He absolutely destroys the weight room when you look at his ability to explode and exert all his power in his lifts. And he loves it. He goes at it hard and he has amazing stamina.
“From day one when he walked in here, it was just amazing what he could handle. So he’s got all that and he has a great knack with his vision and ability to run past or around or make people miss or run through them”
Sounds like the new and improved Billy Sims.
Which is what Peterson is. Peterson is poised to supplant Sims as OU’s career rushing leader. Peterson needs 1,086 yards to pass Sims; Peterson could break the record by mid-season.
If Peterson wins a Heisman, there’s no debate. He’s the greatest. But even sans Heisman, with a monster year, he takes a run at Sims.
Best running back schools
Oklahoma’s tradition of running backs is stout. But it’s not the most impressive in college football history. The 10 best running back schools, based on Heisman Trophy results, consensus All-Americans and NFL production:
1. OHIO STATE: Five Heisman winners, including Archie Griffin twice, Eddie George, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz and Howard Cassady. But the Buckeyes don’t stop there - John Brockington, Matt Snell, Jim Otis, Keith Byars, Robert Smith.
2. SOUTHERN CAL: Five Heisman winners - Mike Garrett, O.J. Simpson, Charles White, Marcus Allen and Reggie Bush. But Ricky Bell and Anthony Davis weren’t far behind, and Frank Gifford and Clarence Davis were pro stars.
3. OKLAHOMA: Three Heisman winners - Billy Vessels, Steve Owens and Billy Sims - with Adrian Peterson a runner-up as a freshman in 2004. Also making consensus All-American were Leon Heath, Tommy McDonald, Clendon Thomas, Jim Grisham, Greg Pruitt and Joe Washington.
4. PENN STATE: Only one Heisman winner, John Cappelletti, but some epic names among both college and NFL runners - Lenny Moore, Franco Harris, Lydell Mitchell, Curt Warner, D.J. Dozier, Blair Thomas, Ki-Jana Carter, Curtis Enis, Larry Johnson.
5. SYRACUSE: Only Ernie Davis won the Heisman, but Jimmy Brown is the greatest running back of all time, and Larry Csonka, Floyd Little, Jim Nance, Joe Morris and Daryl Johnston were stars in college and the NFL.
6. TEXAS: Ricky Williams and Earl Campbell won Heismans; Cedric Benson wanted a Heisman; wishbone backs Roosevelt Leaks, Chris Gilbert and Steve Worster made All-American; and Priest Holmes is an NFL great.
7. AUBURN: Bo Jackson won a Heisman, but remarkable run of quality tailbacks. Tucker Frederickson in the ’60s; Joe Cribbs and James Brooks in the ’70s; Brent Fullwood and Jackson in the ’80s; Stephen Davis in the ’90s; and Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams this decade.
8. GEORGIA: Herschel Walker is as good a pick as any for greatest running back in college football history, but he’s not the only great Bulldog - Garrison Hearst, Tim Worley, Terrell Davis and Rodney Hampton.
9. OKLAHOMA STATE: Barry Sanders won a Heisman and Thurman Thomas kept him on the bench for two years, but the Cowboys also had All-Americans Bob Fenimore and Terry Miller, plus Walt Garrison.
10. UCLA: No superstars, but one excellent tailback after another, for 40 years - Mel Farr, Kermit Johnson, Wendell Tyler, Theotis Brown, Freeman McNeil, Gaston Green, Skip Hicks, Karim Abdul-Jabbar, DeShaun Foster and Maurice Drew.
By Berry Tramel
OU rushing records
Career
1. Billy Sims 4,118
2. Joe Washington 4,071
3. Steve Owens 4,041
4. Quentin Griffin 3,938
5. DeMond Parker 3,403
6. Stanley Wilson 3,198
7. Adrian Peterson 3,033
8. Greg Pruitt 3,122
9. Lydell Carr 2,910
10. Mike Gaddis 2,726
Season
1. Adrian Peterson (2004) 1,925
2. Billy Sims (1978) 1,896
3. Quentin Griffin (2002) 1,884
4. Greg Pruitt (1971) 1,760
5. Billy Sims (1979) 1,670
6. Steve Owens (1968) 1,649
7. Steve Owens (1969) 1,523
8. Mike Gaddis (1991) 1,344
9. Joe Washington (1974) 1,321
10. DeMond Parker (1996) 1,184