Last week, I ranked the top ten quarterbacks in Bears history. This week, I'm going to rank the top ten running backs. By running backs, I mean both halfbacks and fullbacks. The start of the list was easy to rank, but towards the end of the list, I really struggled where to rank some of these running backs. The hardest ones to rank were the backs from the late 50's and early 60's because George Halas ran a 2-3 back system. Anyway, I think number one won't come as a shock...it's Cedric Benson of course! Haha! I'm joking of course.
Top Ten Bears Runningbacks (Reverse Order):
10. Matt Suhey (FB- 1980-1989)
Best season: 1983 (681 r.yds, 4 TD, 149 att., 4.6 YPC, 49 rec., 429 rec. yds, 1 TD)
9. Anthony Thomas (HB- 2001-2004; NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2001)
Best season: 2001 (1,183 r.yds, 7 TD, 278 att., 4.3 YPC, 22 rec., 178 rec. yds, 0 TD)
8. Thomas Jones (HB- 2004-2006)
Best season: 2005 (1,335 r.yds, 9 TD, 314 att., 4.3 YPC, 26 rec., 143 rec. yds, 0 TD)
7. Beattie Feathers (HB- 1934-1937; 2-time all-pro, First 1,000 yard rusher in NFL history)
Best season: 1934 (1,004 r.yds, 8 TD, 119 att., 8.4 YPC, 6 rec., 174 rec. yds, 1 TD)
6. Willie Galimore (HB- 1957-1963; 1-time pro bowler, 2-time all-pro)
Best season: 1958 (619 r.yds, 8 TD, 130 att., 4.7 YPC, 50 rec., 434 rec. yds, 4 TD)
5. Rick Casares (FB- 1955-1964; 5-time pro bowler, 4-time all-pro)
Best season: 1956 (1,126 r.yds, 12 TD, 234 att., 4.8 YPC, 23 rec., 203 rec. yds, 2TD)
4. Neal Anderson (HB- 1986-1993; 4-time pro bowler, 4-time all-pro)
Best season: 1989 (1,275 r.yds, 11 TD, 274 att., 4.7 YPC, 50 rec., 434 rec. yds, 4 TD)
3. Bronko Nagurski (FB- 1930-1937, 1943; 7-time pro bowler, 3 NFL Championships, Hall of Famer)
Best season: 1934 (586 r.yds, 7 TD, 123 att., 4.8 YPC, 3 rec., 32 rec. yds, 0 TD)
2. Gale Sayers (HB- 1965-1971; 4-time pro bowler, 5-time all-pro, Hall of Famer)
Best season: 1965 (867 r.yds, 14 TD, 166 att., 5.2 YPC, 29 rec., 507 rec. yds, 6 TD)
1. Walter Payton (HB- 1975-1987; 9-time pro bowler, 9-time all-pro, MVP in 1977, Super Bowl XX, 2nd All-time leading rusher, Hall of Famer)
Best season: 1977 (1,852 r.yds, 14 TD, 339 att., 5.5 YPC, 27 rec, 269 rec. yds, 2 TD)
