Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

OK, not pro football, but worth noting anyway ....

In 1960 Mike Stock of Northwestern placed fifth in rushing for the Big 10, with 536 yards. But despite carrying the ball 133 times, he didn't score a single touchdown.

That same season, he caught a measly FOUR passes -- and three of them went for touchdowns.

Stock wasn't the only running back who had trouble getting across the goal line, either. In 1956 four of the top six rushers failed to score, and in 1959 the only one of the top five to reach pay dirt was Herb Adderley, who did it just twice.

Adderley was key to the Packers dynasty but what if Lombardi kept him on offense? Could he have had 4000 career rushing yards, there or somewhere else? With him and Pitts, would Lombardi had drafted Grabowski and Anderson?

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Thu Jan 01, 2026 3:40 pm Adderley was key to the Packers dynasty but what if Lombardi kept him on offense? Could he have had 4000 career rushing yards, there or somewhere else? With him and Pitts, would Lombardi had drafted Grabowski and Anderson?

Aside from being more valuable in the secondary, I think the feeling was Adderly wouldn't be able to take the every-down pounding as a RB. I don't know how good of a blocker Herb was, either, but all backs in Lombardi's offense were expected to block. Another DB, Mel Renfro, also comes to mind.