You hear the name Charles Sims get kicked around some. He’s the running back the Bucs selected in the third round last year. He had an injury plagued rookie year, but he’s got some talent and as we all like to say, now he’s had the benefit of being around for a year and better knowing the offense and the pro game. Maybe they kick Doug Martin to the curb and make Sims their guy.
But Sims was awfully awful last year. He averaged only 2.8 yards per carry, and he actually lost yards at an alarming rate. He carried the ball 66 times, and on 15 of those runs he actually didn’t even make it back to the line of scrimmage.
By my count, among running backs with at least 50 attempts, that’s the worst by anyone in the last 10 years.
A couple other backs from last year also show up on this worst of list, and I’ve got them in bold.
HEADED IN WRONG DIRECTION | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Player | Att | Lost | Pct |
2014 | Charles Sims, T.B. | 66 | 15 | 22.7% |
2010 | Chester Taylor, Chi | 112 | 24 | 21.4% |
2005 | Michael Bennett, Min. | 126 | 27 | 21.4% |
2012 | Ryan Williams, Ariz. | 58 | 12 | 20.7% |
2011 | Deji Karim, Jac. | 63 | 13 | 20.6% |
2010 | C.J. Spiller, Buff. | 74 | 15 | 20.3% |
2013 | Bryce Brown, Phil. | 75 | 15 | 20.0% |
2012 | Brandon Bolden, N.E. | 56 | 11 | 19.6% |
2012 | LaRod Stephens-Howling, Ariz. | 110 | 21 | 19.1% |
2011 | Javon Ringer, Tenn. | 59 | 11 | 18.6% |
2005 | Steven Jackson, St.L. | 254 | 47 | 18.5% |
2010 | Ryan Torain, Wash. | 164 | 30 | 18.3% |
2008 | Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG | 67 | 12 | 17.9% |
2011 | Jacquizz Rodgers, Atl. | 57 | 10 | 17.5% |
2010 | Jahvid Best, Det. | 171 | 30 | 17.5% |
2012 | Bryce Brown, Phil. | 115 | 20 | 17.4% |
2008 | Dominic Rhodes, Ind. | 152 | 26 | 17.1% |
2011 | Kendall Hunter, S.F. | 112 | 19 | 17.0% |
2005 | J.J. Arrington, Ariz. | 112 | 19 | 17.0% |
2014 | C.J. Spiller, Buff. | 78 | 13 | 16.7% |
2006 | LaMont Jordan, Oak. | 114 | 19 | 16.7% |
2012 | Vick Ballard, Ind. | 211 | 35 | 16.6% |
2006 | DeAngelo Williams, Car. | 121 | 20 | 16.5% |
2011 | LeSean McCoy, Phil. | 273 | 45 | 16.5% |
2014 | James Starks, G.B. | 85 | 14 | 16.5% |
2007 | Larry Johnson, K.C. | 158 | 26 | 16.5% |
2007 | Jesse Chatman, Mia. | 128 | 21 | 16.4% |
2009 | Bernard Scott, Cin. | 74 | 12 | 16.2% |
2012 | DeAngelo Williams, Car. | 173 | 28 | 16.2% |
2013 | Roy Helu Jr., Wash. | 62 | 10 | 16.1% |
2012 | Jonathan Stewart, Car. | 93 | 15 | 16.1% |
2010 | Justin Forsett, Sea. | 118 | 19 | 16.1% |
2009 | Steve Slaton, Hou. | 131 | 21 | 16.0% |
—Ian Allan