Comparing Rushing Leaders At 32

[rafini]

Reading about Marshall Faulk's decline and - being a glutton-for-punishment Steelers fan - trying to put Jerome Bettis' season in context for RBs his age, I looked up stats for the all-time rushing leaders in the year they turned 32. I was actually somewhat surprised how well Bettis' season stacked up compared to the top-15 all-time rushers:

1. Emmitt Smith 261-1021-3.9-3
2. Walter Payton 321-1333-4.2-8
3. Barry Sanders DNP
4. Curtis Martin 2005 season
5. Jerome Bettis 250-941-3.8-13
6. Eric Dickerson 187-729-3.9-2
7. Tony Dorsett 184-748-4.1-5
8. Jim Brown DNP
9. Marcus Allen 67-301-4.5-2
10. Franco Harris 140-604-4.3-2
11. Thurman Thomas 93-381-4.1-2
12. Marshall Faulk 2005 season
13. John Riggins 195-714-3.7-13
14. O.J. Simpson 120-460-3.8-3
15. Rickey Watters 72-318-4.4-1

The weirdest stats are Riggins, though. He went on to rush for 1347 and 1239 yards at 34 and 35.

[rkmsuf]

that wasn't a great season out of Bettis. They had nobody else and he got 250 carries.

I guess it's impressive he lasted 250 carries.

[rafini]

When you consider only two guys on that list had more carries or yards than Bettis the year they turned 32, I think it's a pretty impressive season.

Was it a great season for a 28-year-old in his prime ... no. Was it a great season for a 32-year-old with over 3,000 career carries ... yes.

[Senator]

Nicely done. I love stuff like this. I would like to see the list carried forward for ages 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38 just for my curiosity.

Running back is one of those positions that you can almost "know" when the decline will begin.

PS. I would have loved to see what Barry Sanders would have done. I feel so cheated.

[Senator]

Dola:

And Curtis Martin needs to start getting some press for his continual fine play.

[rafini]

Originally Posted by Senator

Nicely done. I love stuff like this. I would like to see the list carried forward for ages 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38 just for my curiosity.

Harris and Riggins are the only players to rush for 1,000 yards past the age of 32.

Smith:
33: 975 yards
34: 256
35: 937

Payton:
33: 533 (final season)

Dickerson:
33: 91 (played 4 games)

Dorsett:
33: 456
34: 703

Allen (another good RB in his mid-30s):
33: 764
34: 709
35: 890
36: 830

Harris:
33: 1007
34: 170

Riggins:
33: 553
34: 1347
35: 1239
36: 677
(Really shows you how amazing those two seasons late in his career really were).

* Of note: Larry Csonka rushed for 837 yards at 33 - his final season.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

that wasn't a great season out of Bettis. They had nobody else and he got 250 carries.

I guess it's impressive he lasted 250 carries.

He was the short yardage back for the first 6 games and still almost got 1000 yards. I'd hardly say that it "wasnt a great season." It may not have been the best season ever. Duce Staley was running really good until he got hurt.

[rkmsuf]

It wasn't a great season anyway you cut it. It was good.

Was it great for a guy who was on his way out a year ago sure if you want to quality it like that.

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by rafini

Harris and Riggins are the only players to rush for 1,000 yards past the age of 32.


Riggins:
33: 553
34: 1347
35: 1239
36: 677
(Really shows you how amazing those two seasons late in his career really were).

This is why more running backs need to breathe from an oxygen mask on the sidelines.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by rafini
Harris and Riggins are the only players to rush for 1,000 yards past the age of 32.


Riggins:
33: 553
34: 1347
35: 1239
36: 677
(Really shows you how amazing those two seasons late in his career really were).

Steroids.

[moriarty]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

Steroids.

More likely in Riggins case, he finally got to the age where he couldn't get drunk before and after every game so he actually played sober and w/out a headache for a few years.

Gotta love the Riggo.