Running Back
Barry Sanders: DET 1989-1998
Lions Career Stats:
3,062 rushing attempts, 15,269 career rushing yards, 99 rushing touchdowns, 5.0 rushing yards per attempt, 99.8 rushing yards per game, 2,921 receiving yards, 10 receiving touchdowns, 8.3 yards per reception, 18,190 yards from scrimmage
6x All-Pro (1989-1991, 1994-1995, 1997)
10x Pro Bowls (1989-1998)
1989 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
2x Bert Bell Award Winner (1991, 1997)
4x NFL Rushing Leader (1990, 1994, 1996, 1997)
1994 NFL Offensive Player of the Year
2,000+ Yard Rushing Season (1997)
1997 NFL Offensive Player of the Year
1997 NFL Most Valuable Player
1990s All-Decade Team
Detroit Lions All-Time Leading Rusher
Pro Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2004)
Case for making the team: I don’t think there was really any doubt as to who the running back would be on this team! Barry is widely considered by many as the greatest of all time at his position and I echo that sentiment.
If it wasn’t for his humility and early retirement, Sanders would have most definitely broken the NFL’s all-time rushing record which was held at the time by legendary Chicago Bear, Walter Payton.
Fullback
Cory Schlesinger: DET 1995-2006
Lions Career Stats:
197 receptions, 1,445 receiving yards, 7.3 yards per reception, 9 receiving touchdowns, 167 rushing attempts, 473 rushing yards, 5 rushing touchdowns, 1,918 yards from scrimmage
Case for making the team: This former sixth round draft pick outworked everyone en route to 181 games played over a 12 year career. A bruising player by nature, he made his name by making holes for his hall of fame backfield mate to dart through.
Cory Schlesinger was a “do your job”, blue collar style player that perfectly embodied the city of Detroit.