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12. Eric Dickerson

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12. Eric Dickerson

Drafted second overall from SMU in 1983, Eric Dickerson would become the most explosive Running Back in the National Football League.  As a rookie, Dickerson would win the Offensive Rookie of the Year in a season where he led the league in Rushing Yards with 1,808 Yards and 18 Touchdowns, the former being good enough to finish first.  That was good, but in 1984 what he would accomplish would be ten shades of incredible.

Dickerson would become break O.J. Simpson’s rushing record with 2,105 Yards, a record that still stands today.  He would also finish first in Rushing Touchdowns with 14.  With “only” 1,234 Rushing Yards in 1985, Dickerson again had over 1,800 Yards on the ground in 1986.  In his first four seasons in professional football the former SMU Mustang would three times be named a First Team All-Pro, was a Rushing Leader, and the top finisher in All-Purpose Yards.  He was also a First Team All-Pro in 1987, but as most of you are aware he was traded in a mega-trade to Indianapolis after having contract disputes with the Rams.

Granted, the tenure of Eric Dickerson in Los Angeles was not long in relative terms but his overall skills while there earned him this high rank.

Dickerson was chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.  HIs number 29 was also retired by the team.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Running Back
  • Acquired: Selected in the 1st Round, 2nd Overall in the NFL Draft 4/26/83.
  • Departed: Traded to the Indianapolis Colts as part of a three-team trade.  Los Angeles would receive Greg Bell, Owen Gill, Buffalo’s 1988 1st Round Pick (which would be Aaron Cox), Buffalo’s 1989 1st and 2nd Round Pick (which would be Cleveland Gary and Darryl Henley), Indianapolis’ 1988 1st and 2nd Round Pick (which would be Gaston Green and Fred Strickland) and Indianapolis’ 1989 2nd Round Pick (which would be Frank Stams).  The Buffalo Bills would receive Cornelius Bennett.  10/31/87.
  • Games Played: 65
  • Notable Statistics:

    64 Games Started
    1,525 Rushing Attempts
    7,245 Rushing Yards
    56 Rushing Touchdowns
    123 Receptions
    912 Receiving Yards
    2 Receiving Touchdowns
    1 Pass Completion
    2 Pass Attempts
    15 Passing Yards
    1 Passing Touchdown
    1 Interception
    57 Approximate Value

    6 Playoff Games
    133 Rushing Attempts
    674 Rushing Yards
    3 Rushing Touchdowns
    12 Receptions
    26 Receiving Yards
    1 Pass Completion
    1 Pass Attempt
    1 Passing Yard
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    The Sporting News Player of the Year (1983)
    AP Offensive Player of the Year (1986)
    UPI Offenisve Player of the Year (1983, 1984 & 1986)
    First Team All-Pro (1983, 1984, 1986 & *1987)
    Pro Bowl (1983, 1984, 1986 & *1987)
    AP Offensive Rookie of the Year (1983)
    UPI Rookie of the Year (1983)
    PFWA Rookie of the Year (1983)
    All-Rookie (1983)
    Most Rushing Attempts (1983 & 1986)
    Most Rushing Yards (1983, 1984 & 1986)
    Most Rushing Touchdowns (1984)
    Most Rushing Yards per Game (1983, 1984, 1986 & *1987)
    Most Yards from Scrimmage (1983, 1984 & 1986)
    Most All-Purpose Yards (1983, 1984 & 1986)

    *Traded midway through the season to the Indianapolis Colts
Last modified on Friday, 05 August 2022 22:38
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