This should be a four-way race between Mathis, Snell, Riggins, and Anderson, but I figured I'd throw in a few other names just for the heck of it. Bill Mathis (1960-62 Titans, 1963-69 Jets)- 1961 1st team All-AFL; Pro Bowl in 1961 and 1963 Matt Snell (1964-72)- 1964 and 1965 2nd team All-AFL; 1969 1st team All-AFL; Pro Bowl in 1964, 1966, and 1969 John Riggins (1971-75); Pro Bowl in 1975 Clark Gaines (1976-80) Tony Paige (1984-86)- scored 8 TDs in 1984 and 10 in 1985 Brad Baxter (1989-95)- scored 11 rushing TDs in 1991 which led the AFC Richie Anderson (1993-2002); Pro Bowl in 2000 Jerald Sowell (1997-2005)
Riggens was the best player of the group but did most of his best work at RB and for another team. Taking him out of the equation I would say Richie Anderson. Whoever said Sowell should remember that Anderson started over Sowell and made the pro bowl (Sowell never made the pro bowl).
Roooogggerrr Vick!!! But I'd have to go with Richie Anderson since I saw him. His pass-catching was excellent, and the screen against Indy in the 41-0 blowout is still fresh in my mind...
How could Marion Barber not be on this list? <----------- Only kidding of course, no need to pounce. (I loved him coming out of college though, injuries and other circumstances prevented him from ever gettiong a real shot to play consistently. He did become a very good special teams player, but that isn't what you hope for in a 2nd round pick. When they took Freeman McNeil with their 1st and MB 2nd, an oustanding 1-2 punch was envisioned. Oh well, they were half right). I've gotta think about this one before I vote.
I liked 'The Total Package', TP. A hard-nosed blocker and useful rusher and receiver. Richie Anderson was a better receiver and Brad Baxter was a better carrier of the ball, but TP was a good one. The fact he had some good years for the Dolphins is a downer...
jets alltime leading special teams tackler and chad pennington's favorite target...jerald sowell but i am only 22 so it was between him and anderson for me
I meant for this to only be about the players' careers with the Titans/Jets. Riggins was the fullback from 1971-75. Emerson Boozer was the halfback. Obviously, the fullback position has changed in the past 30+ years, but Riggins was indeed the Jets fullback.
It's obvious how many young people are on this board. Anderson couldn't carry Snell's jock. You could make an argument that Snell was the MVP of the Super Bowl. He was a punishing runner and blocker. Anderson was a pass receiver and a decent blocker. What people seem to forget about Anderson is his propensity for turnovers - and in big games and inopportune times. Anderson just put the ball on the ground too much. Snell is an All-time Jet. Anderson was merely a good, but flawed player. It's really no contest.
re: 9, 10 I considered putting Barber and Augustyniak on the list, but Barber was mostly a backup and Augustyniak only played 27 games. I put eight guys in the poll. I think that was enough.
Riggins was the best player by a considerable margin, but based on Cakes' rules in post 14 JWWS is correct - it's Snell by about a mile-and-a-half. Guys like Sowell and Anderson were not even remotely in his class.
Best one I got see play was Richie Anderson. I don't consider Riggins a fullback because he was used like a tailback with a lot of power sweeps, something that was more done with a Franco Harris type tailback than a John Brockington type fullback.
