SideLion Report
FanSided

The Detroit Lions All-Time Offensive Team

By Tredell Suber

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: Madden 25 Cover Player, Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders announces that the Detroit Lions picked Ezekiel Ansah of the BYU Cougars with the #5 overall pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: Madden 25 Cover Player, Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders announces that the Detroit Lions picked Ezekiel Ansah of the BYU Cougars with the #5 overall pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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Barry Sanders #20, Running Back for the Detroit Lions during the National Football Conference Central game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on 10 November 1991 at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida, United States. The Buccaneers won the game 30 – 21. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty Images
Barry Sanders #20, Running Back for the Detroit Lions during the National Football Conference Central game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on 10 November 1991 at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida, United States. The Buccaneers won the game 30 – 21. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty Images /

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.

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