Carolina Panthers: Ranking the top 5 RBs in franchise history
By Dean Jones
Who are the top-five running backs in the short history of the Carolina Panthers?
The Carolina Panthers have had some outstanding running backs over their 25-year history. This has played a leading role in their success. And although the team has yet to win a Super Bowl, they have had a couple of near-misses.
Running back might seem like a position that is becoming more irrelevant with every passing year in the NFL. But that cannot be said for the way that the Carolina Panthers go about things. The franchise has always focused heavily on the run game, which became even more devastating thanks to the presence of do-it-all quarterback Cam Newton over the last decade.
While there have been plenty of players that failed to live up to expectations at the position. Others have simply thrived under the spotlight during glittering careers in Carolina.
Ranking the best players of all-time for an organization is never easy. But here are our top-five Panthers’ running backs.
87. . . . STEPHEN DAVIS. 5. player
Carolina Panthers All-Time RBs: Stephen Davis (No. 5)
When one looks back at the career of Stephen Davis with the Carolina Panthers, it will always be tinged with a hint of sadness. The player made his presence felt with the organization from the moment he stepped onto the field after a high-profile move from the Washington Redskins in 2003. But devastating injuries meant he spent just three seasons on the roster.
Davis was nothing short of sensational during his first year in Carolina. The gifted running back made the Pro Bowl after gaining 1,444 yards and eight touchdowns from 318 carries. This resulted in a yards-per-carry average of 4.5.
The player managed to play just two games the following season thanks to injury. And he was never the same after that. Davis gained 549 yards from 180 carries in 2005. But he was released following season and lasted just one more year in the NFL before calling it a day.
This was a real shame for Davis and the Panthers. But it should not detract from what a special talent he was on the field.