Thursday, June 2, 2011

O.J. Simpson vs. Thurman Thomas

Who was the greatest running back in Buffalo Bills history?

Thurman Thomas
   The Bills haven't had the best luck during their 50-plus year history.  But few franchises have enjoyed their consistent success in running the ball.
   In Buffalo's early AFL years, fullback Cookie Gilchrist was the league's first 1,000-yard rusher and set a record in 1962 with 13 touchdowns scored.  In the eighties, Joe Cribbs was one of the NFL's top young rushers and was voted to three Pro Bowls while with the Bills.  Most recently, the team has gotten strong performances from players like Travis Henry, Willis McGahee and Marshawn Lynch.
O.J. Simpson
   And then somewhere in between, you have a couple other guys...named O.J. Simpson and Thurman Thomas. 
   On the field, Simpson (6'2, 212 lbs.) and Thomas (5'10, 200 lbs.) had drastically different styles and played in very different eras of the sport.  But both were dominant producers, extremely elusive and easily among the best to ever play the running back position.  Both were easy inductions into the Hall of Fame - Simpson in 1985 and Thomas in 2007. 
   The question is: who was the better player?  If you could pick an "All-Time Buffalo Bills Team" and could only take one running back, which would you select?

Statistics:

Simpson -  11 NFL seasons (9 as a Bill)
                11,236 yards rushing;  4.7 yards per carry;  61 rushing touchdowns
                203 receptions;  2,142 yards receiving;  14 receiving touchdowns

Thomas -   13 NFL seasons (12 as a Bill)
                12,074 yards rushing;  4.2 yards per parry;  65 rushing touchdowns
                472 receptions;  4,458 yards receiving;  23 receiving touchdowns

   The easiest way to compare players is through raw production.  
   At first glance, Thomas has a slight edge in the statistical department, especially when it came to catching passes out of the backfield and overall scoring.  However, on the ground, Simpson was more efficient - averaging almost a half yard more per carry.
   The two players were almost identical in overall yards from scrimmage (1,216 average yards per season for Simpson, against 1,271 for Thomas) and in overall touchdowns (both had approximately 6.8 touchowns per season).  
    It cannot be ignored that Simpson played only 14 games per season, while Thomas benefitted from 16 each year.  At the same time, Thomas suffered through more "wear and tear" from his additional postseason contests.

Recognition/Awards

Simpson -   Hall of Fame inductee;  1-time NFL MVP
                  6 Pro Bowls;  5 time All-Pro selection

Thomas -    Hall of Fame inductee; 1-time NFL MVP
                  5 Pro Bowls;  2 time All-Pro selection

   Both running backs established great reputations in college and continued them into the NFL.  Simpson was selected #1 overall after winning the Heisman Trophy at USC.  Thomas was a Heisman candidate at Oklahoma State, only slipping into the draft's second round because of a knee injury.
   Both have already taken their place in Canton, and both were selected as the NFL's top player for a single season (Simpson in 1973, Thomas in 1991).  The Juice has an edge in total awards though, being named to an additional Pro Bowl and three more All-Pro squads.
   Simpson will go down in history as the first player to ever record a 2,000-yard season - even more amazing considering it was during a 14-game season.  Meanwhile, Thomas pioneered the "dual threat" back, being the first to lead the league in yards from scrimmage in four straight seasons.
   
Winning Percentage

Simpson  -   Overall 43-81-2 team record (34.7 pct.);  0-1 playoff record

Thomas -     Overall 124-68 team record (64.6 pct.);  11-10 playoff record

   While the individual accomplishments are fairly even, Thomas stands head and shoulders above Simpson in terms of team success.  While much of that can be attributed to the talent around the two players, it's something that cannot be completely ignored.
   The Bills became a regular playoff participant during Thomas' rookie season and haven't made it back to the postseason since he left the team.  During 12 seasons in Buffalo, the Bills made the playoffs ten times, won the AFC East six times and made the Super Bowl four times.
   Simpson, despite his brilliance on the field, was never able to help the Bills win.  Even with such a great runner, Buffalo was always one of the NFL's worst teams.  Overall, they had one playoff appearance during Simpson's tenure with the Bills, and never once finished at the top of the division.
   As I stated, the supporting cast was very much in Thomas favor.  He was blessed with a team that included coach Marv Levy, along with Jim Kelly, Andre Reed and James Lofton on offense, and Bruce Smith, Cornelius Bennett and Darryl Talley on defense.  Simpson had arguably, the better offensive line (known as the Electric Company) - headed by Joe DeLamielleure and Reggie McKenzie.  

Highlights





The debate rages on.  Who do you think was better?
  

  


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