Why are there so few tall running backs in the NFL?

I suppose we need to start by defining tall in this context. The average American male is 69.2″ tall — or just over 5′9″ (CDC report, see page 16). Taller than average, then, would be any running back taller than 5′9″. The lower quartile (bottom 25%) is under 67. read more

To add to the other great answers, there are so few tall running backs in the NFL because there are fewer tall running backs in college. The NFL game has changed. Where it once was a league where teams used the running game to set up the pass, now it has flipped to where they use the pass to set up the run. read more

Through the 2008 season, 2: 1) Eric Dickerson - 5,194 yards for the Colts and 7,245 yards for the Rams. read more