Monday, January 02, 2017

Top Ten NFL Rookie Seasons

Tuned in late for the NFL Network's Top Ten Rookie Seasons, so I missed some of the "Best of the Rest."

HM: Mike Ditka TE
HM: Bob Hayes WR
HM: Barry Sanders RB
10. Adrian Peterson RB
9. Ben Rothlisberger QB
8. Odel Beckham WR
7. Earl Campbell RB
6. Bob Waterfield QB (they had to throw in one old guy)
5. Dan Marino QB
4. Gale Sayers RB
3. Lawrence Taylor LB
2. Eric Dickerson RB
1. Randy Moss

First let's compare the running backs:

rush.TD..L..avg.rec.yd.TD.L.ret.TD.combined
1341 12 73 5.6 19 268 1 60 421 0 2021 AP
1450 13 81 4.8 12 048 0 00 000 0 1498 EC
0867 14 61 5.2 29 507 6 80 898 2 2272 GS
1808 18 85 4.6 51 404 2 00 000 0 2212 ED
1470 14 34 5.3 24 282 0 00 118 0 1870 BS
0737 12 84 4.9 76 837 2 84 374 1 1712 HW nfl
1812 17 80 4.4 53 489 1 00 000 0 2301 HW usfl

In his first season for the Cowboys Herschel outgained Earl Campbell's rookie numbers by over 200 yards. His USFL rookie season totals were more than any of the other running backs mentioned. 

Peterson's longest run was 73 yards. Dickerson had an 85 yard run. Sayers had a 61 yard run, 80 yard reception, 85 yard punt return, and a 96 yard kickoff return.
 
In his first year in the NFL, Herschel Walker had an 84 run AND an 84 yard reception - in the same game. He also had a 93 yard kickoff return. Walker shared the backfield duties with Tony Dorsett, but still scored 14 touchdowns  and caught an amazing 76 passes.

Herschel's receiving stats compare favorably with those of the four receivers on the list:

rec.yard.TD.L...ret.combined
91 1305 12 80 171 1511 Beckham
69 1313 17 61 000 1317 Moss
46 1003 12 82 603 1598 Hayes
56 1076 12 76 000 1076 Ditka
76 0837 14 84 374 1712 Walker

You'd think Herschel's rookie season in the NFL would at least merit mention.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/herschel-walker-hall-of-fame-belongs-usfl-nfl-combined-records/ow2zrpiimnnm1654d5sg29zo3 

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