Other than “The Greatest,” who are the greatest running backs in Browns history?
Jim Brown, who is referred to as “The Greatest” by those media members covering the Browns, was recently named the best running back ever in pro football history by three Pro Football Hall of Fame voters and a historian of the sport.
That’s nothing new. It is the umpteenth time over the years that Brown, who rushed for 12,312 yards and 106 touchdowns while averaging 5.22 yards per carry in a nine-year career that lasted from 1957-65, has earned that honor in various rankings.
In my opinion, the top 10 Browns backs in history not named Jim Brown are:
*1. Marion Motley (1946-53) – Like Brown, the 6-foot-1, 232-pounder was big, strong and powerful, and as such extremely difficult to bring down. In the four years of the All-America Football Conference, he rushed for 3,024 yards and 26 touchdowns and averaged 6.2 yards a carry.
*2. Leroy Kelly (1964-73) – He is second to Brown in both yards with 7,274 and rushing TDs (74) despite being almost exclusively a punt returner for his first two seasons. When Brown retired just before training camp began in 1966, he told the Browns not to worry because they would be just fine with Kelly running the ball. And he was right on point.
*3. Greg Pruitt ((1973-81) – He is fourth in rushing yards with 5,496, but he’s also the third-leading pass-catcher with 323.
*4. Mike Pruitt (1976-84) – Perhaps because he had fumbling problems his first two years, he doesn’t get the credit he deserves for rushing for 6,540 yards and 47 scores.
*5. Kevin Mack (1985-93) – Another in the long line of tough, rugged, physical Browns backs, he once ran over Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Greg Lloyd and knocked him out cold. In all, he rushed for 5,123 yards and 46 TDs. Not bad. Not bad at all.
*6. Ernie Green (1962-68) – Brown’s and Kelly’s bakfield mate had 3,204 rushing yards and a 4.8 average along with 195 receptions.
*7. Earnest Byner (1984-88, 1994-95)– Another great threat as a receiver (tied for 10th with 276), he also rushed for 3,364 yards.
*8. Bobby Mitchell (1958-61) – Also tremendous in catching the ball out of the backfield, his average yards per carry (5.4) was better than that of Brown.
*9. Eric Metcalf (1989-94) – He rushed for 2,229 yards (11th) and caught 297 passes (eighth). And he was electrifying.
*10. Cleo Miller (1975-82) – As unsung as they come, all he did was produce when called upon (10th with 2.286 yards rushing to go along with 128 receptions).
