Was Moreno best tailback since Herschel?
Who has been Georgia’s best tailback since Herschel Walker? Bulldawg Illustrated’s Jeff Dantzler asks that question and concludes Knowshon Moreno might have unseated Rodney Hampton as his favorite. But he gives consideration to some of the other great backs since No. 34, including Tim Worley, Garrison Hearst and Robert Edwards. Among Dantzler’s honorable mentions are fullback Keith Henderson, who “would have been a dynamite tailback, but he was around at the same time as Worley and Hampton.”
Hampton, who averaged over 7 yards per run in 1987, was indeed a great one in his three years with the Dawgs. And there’s no denying Moreno’s talent, though we’ll never know how great he ultimately might have been if he had not been redshirted and had played more than two seasons. I think maybe he was the best we’ve had since Herschel, yet I hesitate to give him the nod based on his short UGA career.
Had he been a running back from the start and not been hampered by injury, I think Edwards might well have been the obvious answer to this question. The way he could shift gears was a thing of beauty, and by his senior season he was a superb back.
Then there’s the reliable Hearst, who racked up impressive numbers despite playing during the pass-heavy Ray Goff era and ranks only behind Walker in season and career rushing records. And what about Musa Smith? He didn’t have the consistency of some of the others, maybe, but by his junior season in 2002 he was a great offensive weapon and he ranks only behind Walker, Hearst and Moreno for the single-season rushing record.
So who do you think is the best tailback the Dawgs have had since Herschel?
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139 comments Add your comment
MA Merrill
June 17th, 2009
2:12 pm
Moreno….for sure! Not only was he an incredible runner, he was exciting and inspriring to watch. He got the crowd into the plays better than any other back since Herschel. He has my vote and I would kill for 2 more years with him!
DB
June 17th, 2009
2:15 pm
Garrison Hearst was easily the best since Herschel. He had a more celebrated college career, but Knowshon will be the better pro!
Native Atlantan
June 17th, 2009
2:15 pm
Moreno is third behind #34 and Garrison Hearst. I can only imagine what Moreno would have been if he ever had an experienced OL at UGA. Keith Henderson is my 4th since he played both Fullback and Tailback (mostly FB) and posed a tremendous threat on simple fullback dive plays. Hampton is my 5th. He could cut well and sometimes looked like his feet didn’t touch the ground.
DB
June 17th, 2009
2:18 pm
Native Atlantan, you think Henderson was a better fullback than Mack Strong?
GT fan
June 17th, 2009
2:18 pm
I realize my opinion may not count much as a Tech fan, but I think Garrison Hearst and Rodney Hampton both had better careers at UGA than Moreno had. I think Knowshon was a talented runner and exceptional athlete, but he disappeared in quite a few games. He seemed to shut it down if he got hit in the mouth early in games..
I’d love to see a stats comparison between Knowshon, Hampton, and Hearst. I’m also surprised you’re not including Terrell Davis in the mix- I think a couple of Super Bowl wins should qualify him even though he didn’t blow up in college. I played against Robert Edwards while he was at UGA and he was a stud, too. UGA has loads of good runners to choose from. Personally, I think its a huge stretch to put Knowshon at #2.
ugadog311
June 17th, 2009
2:20 pm
Probably Moreno…..but the whole situation really is a shame. The coaches knew pretty early on in 2006 that Moreno was the real deal—there was tons of media coverage (in this paper and probably this blog) about his work on the scout team against the starting defense. With a struggling QB carrousel, they should have yanked that redshirt—Moreno was so good that he made Thomas Brown a heck of a lot better. Brown ran more and more like moreno as the 2007 season wore on (think: great run vs. auburn).
The short lived careers of Stafford and Moreno really are a shame. Think about how long it seemed that we were hearing David Greene, David Pollack, Fred Gibson, Reggie Brown’s names…….moreno and Stafford came and went in the blink of an eye. Kind of deflating.
GT fan
June 17th, 2009
2:20 pm
Knowshon needs to get a tougher chin if he is going to have a better career than Garrison Hearst. After all, how many years did Garrison last in the league? Quite a few.. Don’t forgot TD either.. He wasn’t a bad pro either.
uga_b
June 17th, 2009
2:21 pm
I think Moreno was a fantastic runner, but to expound on MA Merrill’s point, his energy was infectious and had an impact on the whole team. That may give him the edge. I always though Musa was a boring runner. He was great at hitting one cut and squaring his shoulders; just not really special. Wish I had seen more of the other Dawgs mentioned!
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 17th, 2009
2:21 pm
Jasper Sanks
Saint Simons MOM
June 17th, 2009
2:21 pm
Dear Dawg fans
I recently found my sons stash of playgirl magazines and some glossy photos of The Village People under his bed. While slapping his little butt cherry red he also admitted he’s been posting in this blog.
Please forgive my little boy. I’ve been trying hard to break his thumb sucking habit this year and it’s made him extra naughty. Time to increase his nap time I guess?
Again sorry for his silly immature posts. Please let me know if he does it again?
Mom
Hiawatha Berry
June 17th, 2009
2:23 pm
Why is my name not on your list?
Ken
June 17th, 2009
2:24 pm
Knowshon #2
PTC DAWG
June 17th, 2009
2:26 pm
I would have to say Hearst…
No way
June 17th, 2009
2:26 pm
Knowshon couldn’t hold Garrison Hearst’s jock. Or Hampton for that matter. Stats would be helpful but based on memory alone, I clearly recall more consistency from Hearst and Hampton. My guess is that a lot of the kids chiming in on this blog never had a chance to see Hearst or Hampton.
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 17th, 2009
2:28 pm
Reggie Ball
LifelongDawg
June 17th, 2009
2:28 pm
Good one, MOM…
Bryan G.
June 17th, 2009
2:30 pm
It’s not even close. Moreno is the only back not named Herschel to run for over 1000 yards in two years at UGA. And he ran for more than 1300 for two years in a row. His average yards per year is 2nd only to #34.
Hearst was a great, great back. But in 1991 he only ran for around 800 yards with no one worth a damn in the backfield (Larry Ware…really?).
Edwards would have been all-world had he not broken his foot in 1995. He never even ran for 1000 yards.
I’d say since Herschel its:
1. Moreno
2. Hearst
3. Hampton
4. Edwards
5. Musa
Honorable mention: Worley, Henderson, Brown, Gary
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 17th, 2009
2:31 pm
Hey mom….will Saint Simons still make it to this weekends’ tool tickle pile? We had a spot reserved and his dumbarse invited Reggie Ball again so he must show up.
Otto
June 17th, 2009
2:33 pm
Hearst and Hampton were on par will Moreno. IMO to close to call. Moreno reminded me alot of Hearst in their style quick and shifty with decent power. Hampton, Davis, and Lumpkin were not as shifty but more power.
http://www.sicemdawgs.com/football/records/ann_rush.php for some stats
Looking at that list UGA has had some great backs.
The Dogfighter Returns
June 17th, 2009
2:33 pm
Tim Worley was by far was the best back since that country arse meathead set foot in Athens.
Bryan G.
June 17th, 2009
2:33 pm
“No way”:
Moreno had 2700 yards in two years. Hearst had 3200 in 3 years. Hampton had 1059 in his BEST year of his 3.
Based on the stats, it’s not close. #24 all the way.
Rabun Dawg
June 17th, 2009
2:40 pm
Have to say Garrison 2nd behind Walker. Robert Edwards could have been a great one if not for the injuries.And, if I am not mistaken, was it Goff or Donnan who had Edwards playing defense to begin with? Knowshon was truly exciting, but too bad he didn’t stick around longer to really add to his legacy!
Dorsey Hill
June 17th, 2009
2:41 pm
Moreno didn’t have a year like Hearst had in 1992, but moreno’s 2 years were better than Hearst’s 3. Garrison was kind of a disappointment his first two years. Moreno was fantastic from his first game on. I do had Edwards stayed healthy it would be him. The second half vs. USC and the first half vs. UT in 1995 was the best performance since Herschel. Hell maybe the best ever.
No way
June 17th, 2009
2:45 pm
Rabun Dawg, it was Goff who had Edwards at DB instead of RB.
No way
June 17th, 2009
2:48 pm
I’d love to see a breakdown of the teams that Knowshon racked up his yards against versus those that Garrison/Hampton did. I’m guessing that a lot of Knowshon’s yards came against cupcake teams. Central Michigan, Arkansas State, etc, etc.
Huh?
June 17th, 2009
2:49 pm
Knowshon also had 30 touchdowns in only two years while it too Heart 3 years to get 33.
Knowshon all the way. I don’t think there was anything he couldn’t do.
Otto
June 17th, 2009
2:49 pm
Bryan,
Moreno averaged 5.74 yards and Hearst averaged 6.03 yards in the very pass happy Eric Z years.
IMO it is to close to call sure Moreno had more yards but Hearst did the best he could in the offense of the time. I think hearst would get Moreno like #s in the current system and vice versa.
Hampton average 7 yards a carry and Tim Worley was the leading back with over 1,000 yards averaging 6.366 yards which isn’t bad. Hampton had more competition for playing time than Hearst or Moreno. Don’t forget only Moreno and Samuel were healthy for parts of last season.
Robert
June 17th, 2009
2:49 pm
Bryan G’s list is pretty much on-point, especially talent wise.
Otto
June 17th, 2009
2:58 pm
Lars Tate and Worley were both good backs but were overshadowed being so close to the Herschel Years. Hampton competed against these 2 for carries in 87 and 88.
Saint Simons MOM
June 17th, 2009
2:59 pm
Ramble On
I’ve called your mother as well. No way all that sticky goo came from just my son? You just wait until your father gets out of prison.
Mom
Huh?
June 17th, 2009
3:00 pm
Pass happy offense = more yards per carry for running back. It doesn’t sound like Hearst saw defenses crowding the line of scrimmage trying to stop him like Moreno did. All the more reason to vote for Moreno.
This debate is over. Good day.
Bad Beat
June 17th, 2009
3:01 pm
Hearst, he should have won the Heisman instead of Gino Torreta back in 1992. And he did not pull himself out of games like Moreno. I would put Hampton at #3, Moreno #4.
Diamond Dave
June 17th, 2009
3:01 pm
Keith Montgomery
Bad Beat
June 17th, 2009
3:03 pm
How about a list of the ones that were supposed to be great, but did not turn out so well. Names like Jasper Sanks, Sterling Boyd, “Oh Hell, It’s Odell” Collins to name a few.
Wil Walton
June 17th, 2009
3:05 pm
Umm, did everyone forget about Lars Tate? Also good ones: “Elec”Tron Jackson, Larry Ware, Hines Ward, and Danny Ware. Not so mentionable: Keith Montgomery, Torin Kirtsey, Patrick Pass, Brett Millican, and Jasper Sanks. Putting out an APB for Michael Cooper. anyone know what happened to him after transferring?
The Mole
June 17th, 2009
3:05 pm
Willie McClendon
Otto
June 17th, 2009
3:05 pm
Huh? well Stafford must not have been very good in this explosive offense if Moreno was getting crowded at the line. The defense was better than you say.
Wil Walton
June 17th, 2009
3:07 pm
Dang! Forgot about Odell Collins and Sterling Boyd. Here’s some more (may have played FB): Barry Young, Alphonso Ellis, Frank Harvey, Larry Bowie, and Verron Haynes. Man, listing these guys bring back some memories.
Bad Beat
June 17th, 2009
3:09 pm
Did we not at one time have all of the following on campus at the running back position: Lars Tate, Tim Worley, Keith Henderson, “Pulpwood” Smith, and Cleveland Gary. The position was so deep Gary had to transfer to Miami to play and went on to be a first round NFL Draft pick by the LA Rams. And I think Hampton came along the next year to be added into the mix after “Pulpwood” was sent packing for not going to class.
Wil Walton
June 17th, 2009
3:10 pm
Bad Beat, I believe you are correct sir!
Huh?
June 17th, 2009
3:11 pm
No Otto, I think Stafford did just fine if his 3,500 yards and 25 TDs were any indication. Defenses were keying on Moreno and he obviously benefited, just like any good quarterback would. I guess, according to you, when Stafford saw wide open receivers down field he should have just thrown the ball away to give our poor ole defense a breather. Maybe he should have scaled back on all those touchdown passes perhaps so that our defense didn’t have to back out on the field and do their jobs? Stafford’s school record 25 TD passes last year are why we lost those 3 games. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
Good grief son.
GT
June 17th, 2009
3:12 pm
No one scared us like Herschel Walker. The was the only time we ever went to a Georgia game knowing we were going to lose because we couldn’t stop him. We would even worry about guarding wideouts, everybody was close in trying to gang tackle this character. Hell we beat Georgia this year which tells you there was not a Herschel on the field and what was second was not in the same league if Tech beat them.
Otto
June 17th, 2009
3:12 pm
Also Hearst first year was under Talley. The final 2 pass happy year Hearst average 6.7 a carry a ful yard more the Moreno. IMO Moreno did not show up in some games last year and backed down something I don’t remember from Hearst.
I still go with a toss up given same play calling the stats would be virtually the same.
Hampton was playing the 3 yards and clould of dust offense and getting 6 or 7 yards a carry. If you argue with crowding the line Hampton is the best back.
SEC
June 17th, 2009
3:13 pm
Why has only one person mentioned Terrell Davis
Otto
June 17th, 2009
3:15 pm
Stafford also tossed 10 INTs his final 2 years and 13 his Fr. year before. That sure helped the defense out.
Bad Beat
June 17th, 2009
3:16 pm
No one has menioned Terrell Davis because we had a running back so great that Davis could not get on the field except for 6-7 plays per game. And that backs name was Garrison Hearst. Too bad Davis was not here to back up Moreno, he would have had lots of opportunity.
Otto
June 17th, 2009
3:21 pm
Davis was a good pro but his UGA was nothing to vrag about. Granted ‘93 and ‘94 were his best years which were also the dark Goff years. Look at the stats link I post above.
Herschel Talker
June 17th, 2009
3:22 pm
Who cares? Why does this blog focus so much on the past. Can we focus on where we’re headed?
The Truth
June 17th, 2009
3:25 pm
Terrell Davis missed a lot of opportunities in games because he suffered from migraines.
Wil Walton
June 17th, 2009
3:25 pm
Herschel Talker, ok, let’s do that. Which back will pull away and lead the talented UGA backfield for the next 2-3 years? Caleb King, Richard Samuel, Carlton Thomas, Dontavius Jackson, or Washaun Ealey?