Bengals First 50: Running Backs

As a part of the celebration of the Bengal's 50th year of existence, the organization is having fans vote on a "First 50" team of the 50 greatest past Bengals players. The voting period has officially ended, but I thought it might be fun to discuss who you'd pick by position.

Given the percent of running backs from the total pool of players to choose from, you should be able to pick 7 RB's and still keep a fairly even distribution from among other positions.

You can check out the players in the link and look at some basic info on their individual careers with the team. Bengals First 50

RUNNING BACKS:

1) Alexander, Charles

2) Ball, Eric

3) Benson, Cedric

4) Brooks, James

5) Clark, Boobie

6) Dillon, Corey

7) Elliott, Lenvil

8) Green, Harold

9) Griffin, Archie

10) Johnson, Essex

11) Johnson, Pete

12) Johnson, Rudi

13) Kinnebrew, Larry

14) Neal, Lorenzo

15) Phillips, Jess

16) Robinson, Paul

17) Woods, Ickey

For me it's Corey Dillon and it's not even close. I can't imagine what he would have done with even a half way decent passing attack.

For me it's Corey Dillon and it's not even close. I can't imagine what he would have done with even a half way decent passing attack.

Okay, that's one...now who are your other six?

Most dynamic back was James Brooks so he's on the list.

Essex Johnson

Dillon

Rudi

Harold Greene

Pete Johnson

In no order:

Dillon, Corey

Brooks, James

Johnson, Essex

Robinson, Paul

Woods, Ickey

Griffin, Archie

Johnson, Rudi

In no order:

 

Dillon, Corey

Brooks, James

Johnson, Essex

Robinson, Paul

Woods, Ickey

Griffin, Archie

Johnson, Rudi

I left Ickey off due to how short his career was.

I left Ickey off due to how short his career was.

Ickey all day, every day over Harold Green. Seriously, Clyde, you are better than that, Ickey's one season is better than Green's entire Bengal career.

Dillon

Brooks

Rudi Johnson

Pete Johnson

Ickey Woods

Ickey all day, every day over Harold Green. Seriously, Clyde, you are better than that, Ickey's one season is better than Green's entire Bengal career.

Almost 3X rushing yards. Easy call.

James Brooks was the best.

Isn't Pete Johnson the All Time Bengals leader in Touchdowns?

Pound for pound,James brooks is the best back they ever had. Essex Johnson,the best open field,and maybe the fastest back they had.Can't argue with Corey Dillon for maybe the toughest.

Boobie Clark,underrated!!! He was one of the first big backs,who also had some speed. He and Essex Johnson,ran for over 900 yards in one season.Mid "70"s. Not sure what year. Love the poll,and the debate. Keep it going gentlemen

My bad. Forgot about Paul Robinson! The Bengals first real star.Well,him and Greg Cook. Robinson ran for 1,000 yards his rookie season.And that was a 14 game regular season,for all you youngsters.

I spoke with Ken Anderson about Earl Campbell and he spoke nicely of him but said Pete was so underrated. He said they were very similar but EC got the ball 40 times a game.

For me and what I watched, Brooks is #1 and he NEVER shied from contact. Dillon and PJ. I'll put Clark and Robinson on list just cause my pop spoke of them a bunch.

I spoke with Ken Anderson about Earl Campbell and he spoke nicely of him but said Pete was so underrated. He said they were very similar but EC got the ball 40 times a game.

For me and what I watched, Brooks is #1 and he NEVER shied from contact. Dillon and PJ. I'll put Clark and Robinson on list just cause my pop spoke of them a bunch.

Imo if Corey Dillon played on Bengals teams that were good, that people would have him be number 1 and it not even be close. As great as Brooks was running and catching. He also played with good qbs. He had a qb who was a mvp one year. Teams couldn't just key on him. On the other hand Dillon was the guy all teams keyed on, and he still was great. He broke the rushing record against the number 1 rush defense, and his qb only completing 2 passes. Dillon was able to get the tough yards but also break the big plays. He was Adrian Peterson before Adrian Peterson imo.

The way I look at it. Is if you switch him and Brooks. Brooks probably does nothing with the Bengals if he played with Akli Smith and no wrs. While Dillon probably would be a HOF if he played with the players Brooks played with.