Was just thinking. Will Gopher fans recall Cobb w/ same reverence as Maroney/Barber?

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supadupafly

supadupafly

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Personally, I believe Cobb has earned that reverence and that degree of respect. Yes, Cobb has only been a starter for two seasons, but boy have they been two great seasons to watch him play. And he has put up some really good stats and captured some program records. The way he has progressed and grown as a RB has been outstanding.

Thoughts?
 

supadupafly said:
Personally, I believe Cobb has earned that reverence and that degree of respect. Yes, Cobb has only been a starter for two seasons, but boy have they been two great seasons to watch him play. And he has put up some really good stats and captured some program records. The way he has progressed and grown as a RB has been outstanding.

Thoughts?
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Yes, now frost the cake.
 

I don't think so for a couple of reasons. 1) "Maroney and Barber" their names go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly. The fact that there was two of them is going to stick in peoples minds longer. 2) Cobb wasn't flashy. Cobb was very good, but didn't have the hype that the other two had. Which is fine, he represents the team he plays on. A hard working, serious team. There isn't anything flashy about the 2014 (and 1/1/15) Gophers other than they work their butts off.

Personally, I think Cobb is just as good as them, but but don't think he will be put in the same category as Maroney and Barber.
 

That's a really interesting question. I tend to agree with what MNfootballfan said. It's not a knock on Cobb, but MB3 and Maroney had the "wow" factor and received a TON of national attention for the program as a result. That's not to take anything away from Cobb this year who was amazing.

Go Gophers!!
 

Probably unfair to him, but my guess is it will depend on what happens going forward. If he has a big game on Jan. 1, we win, and the program continues to improve over the next few years, I think he will. He'd be a big reason why the program turned the corner.

I think he deserves it no matter what, but will probably be remembered even more if the program excels in the near future.
 


I think I will remember Cobb as the greatest running back of my memory (don't really remember Thompson). Maroney and especially Barber were great but they played together and were part of a great running attack that had other great backs (Tapeh, Russell), and the best O-line Minnesota likely has ever had, It was so good that Terry Jackson II and Amir Pinnix also got 1000 yards.

Cobb, however, was on his own- literally. No real back-ups played, no change of pace back and the guy was indestructible. Think how many times Cobb pulled himself out of the game- almost never. Cobb consistently showed up for big games even though there was no passing attack and everyone keyed on him.

My top ten (like Wisconsin, college football started in the 90s for me as well):
1. Cobb
2. Barber
3.Maroney
4. Tapeh
5. Redmon
6. Russell
7. Darkins
8. Pinnix
9.Jackson
10. Bennett (though I am probably missing someone form the mid 1990s)
 

Was just thinking. Will Gopher fans recall Cobb w/ same reverence as Maroney/...

Whether or not he has a long NFL career will play into it too. Maroney and Barber were in the league for 6 or 7 years.

We would have a much different opinion of Maroney, Barber and Decker if they fizzled out in the NFL after 2 years.

Same with Hageman. His NFL career will have a large impact on how Gopher fans remember him.

It might not be fair, but that's how the vast majority think.
 

Winnipegopher said:
I think I will remember Cobb as the greatest running back of my memory (don't really remember Thompson). Maroney and especially Barber were great but they played together and were part of a great running attack that had other great backs (Tapeh, Russell), and the best O-line Minnesota likely has ever had, It was so good that Terry Jackson II and Amir Pinnix also got 1000 yards.

Cobb, however, was on his own- literally. No real back-ups played, no change of pace back and the guy was indestructible. Think how many times Cobb pulled himself out of the game- almost never. Cobb consistently showed up for big games even though there was no passing attack and everyone keyed on him.

My top ten (like Wisconsin, college football started in the 90s for me as well):
1. Cobb
2. Barber
3.Maroney
4. Tapeh
5. Redmon
6. Russell
7. Darkins
8. Pinnix
9.Jackson
10. Bennett (though I am probably missing someone form the mid 1990s)
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Great points. Thanks for sharing.
 

Winnipegopher said:
I think I will remember Cobb as the greatest running back of my memory (don't really remember Thompson). Maroney and especially Barber were great but they played together and were part of a great running attack that had other great backs (Tapeh, Russell), and the best O-line Minnesota likely has ever had, It was so good that Terry Jackson II and Amir Pinnix also got 1000 yards.

Cobb, however, was on his own- literally. No real back-ups played, no change of pace back and the guy was indestructible. Think how many times Cobb pulled himself out of the game- almost never. Cobb consistently showed up for big games even though there was no passing attack and everyone keyed on him.

My top ten (like Wisconsin, college football started in the 90s for me as well):
1. Cobb
2. Barber
3.Maroney
4. Tapeh
5. Redmon
6. Russell
7. Darkins
8. Pinnix
9.Jackson
10. Bennett (though I am probably missing someone form the mid 1990s)
Click to expand...

Good list and a lot of work too. Thomas Hamner should be remembered also. He had led the Gophers in rushing for 4 seasons, 1996 through 1999. Rushed three times for over 800 yards and in 1999 got 1,426 years and 10 touchdowns. Rushed for 3,810 yards. Only Thompson and Maroney had more.

People always seem to forget him, maybe because he was more of a workhorse then breakaway runner.


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afurry91 said:
Whether or not he has a long NFL career will play into it too. Maroney and Barber were in the league for 6 or 7 years.

We would have a much different opinion of Maroney, Barber and Decker if they fizzled out in the NFL after 2 years.

Same with Hageman. His NFL career will have a large impact on how Gopher fans remember him.

It might not be fair, but that's how the vast majority think.
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Maroney's career kind of did fizzle out. He had three solid years at NE (plus one injury plagued year) and then a short stint at Denver and that's it. 21 career rushing TDs. Certainly nothing to sneeze at, but he's definitely not revered by Gopher fans due to his time in the NFL.

Go Gophers!!
 

Was just thinking. Will Gopher fans recall Cobb w/ same reverence as Maroney/...

BleedGopher said:
Maroney's career kind of did fizzle out. He had three solid years at NE (plus one injury plagued year) and then a short stint at Denver and that's it. 21 career rushing TDs. Certainly nothing to sneeze at, but he's definitely not revered by Gopher fans due to his time in the NFL.

Go Gophers!!
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He had two solid seasons. Then a season cut short because of a shoulder injury. Then a bounce back season and then got arrested and no one would touch him.

He didn't have a lengthy career but I'd certainly say he had a decent career for a running back in the NFL. He made it and was effective.
 

BleedGopher said:
That's a really interesting question. I tend to agree with what MNfootballfan said. It's not a knock on Cobb, but MB3 and Maroney had the "wow" factor and received a TON of national attention for the program as a result. That's not to take anything away from Cobb this year who was amazing.

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...

I think you are mistaking best offense with best RB. Without question the 2003 had the best O. Look at the talent:
http://ericthrall.com/gophers/football/2003/roster_pos.html

QB: AAk as a senior
RB: 4 on the roster who would run for 1000 at some point in their career. Two- (Barber and Maroney) to NFL
FB: Tapeh (solid NFL career until injured)
TE: Two NFL tight ends Spaeth and Utecht. People forget how good Utecht was. He was similar to Williams as a pass catcher
WR: Ellerson, Hosack, Wheelright, Payne, Patterson etc. All better than any wr on the 14 team.
OL: Eslinger as one the best college players ever, Setterstrom as solid NFL guy.

Compare this today: Cobb, Williams and a good but not great O-line.
 

Iceland12 said:
Good list and a lot of work too. Thomas Hamner should be remembered also. He had led the Gophers in rushing for 4 seasons, 1996 through 1999. Rushed twice for over 800 yards and in 1999 got 1,426 years and 10 touchdowns. Rushed for 3,810 yards. Only Thompson and Maroney had more.

People always seem to forget him, maybe because he was more of a workhorse then breakaway runner.


<img id="ums_img_tooltip" class="UMSRatingIcon">
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I knew I was forgetting someone. I would have Hamner at 4 or 5.
 



MNfootballfan said:
I don't think so for a couple of reasons. 1) "Maroney and Barber" their names go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly. The fact that there was two of them is going to stick in peoples minds longer. 2) Cobb wasn't flashy. Cobb was very good, but didn't have the hype that the other two had. Which is fine, he represents the team he plays on. A hard working, serious team. There isn't anything flashy about the 2014 (and 1/1/15) Gophers other than they work their butts off.

Personally, I think Cobb is just as good as them, but but don't think he will be put in the same category as Maroney and Barber.
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This. I am a huge Cobb fan (e.g. jersey) and he's one of my favorites. But he's not flashy and sort of quietly snuck up on the rushing record. It would be interesting to see the number of +20 or +40/yard runs Maroney had vs. Cobb.

EDIT: Oh.. and that's not fair to Cobb, but I think it's the truth.
 

One thing I am fairly sure about, Maroney would not have excelled with the 2014 line-up. Barber might have though.

Maroney seems quite similar to Melvin Gordon to me. A very good back with great speed- but one who needs a little space to excel.
 

Cobb's legacy will be being the first Jerry Kill era runningback to dominate, likely though not the last. Take a look at the backs Kill and Limegrover have had over the years, it's impressive.
He'll be remembered in reverence as a guy who helped build whatever this coaching staff ends up building here. Let's say for example, we do finally reach that promised land Rose Bowl under Kill, then Cobb is the guy who proved Jerry's teams can run it down throats in the B1G.
His game isn't flashy enough, and this team wasn't quite good enough to cement him as the greatest ever, but he's top 5 and #1 in the Kill era now.
 

I think he will mainly because I think he is going to have a really nice NFL career. The guy is built perfectly for the pro level with his vision and ability to get the extra yards.
 

Love Cobb but I think its a little different. Maroney was an absolute star and a dominant player that picked up chunks of yardage for a really good offense while Cobb was more of a grind it out guy for a decent at best offense.
 

Cobb has to be in the same category as Maroney and Barber. O-Line play = not as good as in 2003/4. Wr play = not as good as in 2003/4. Qb play = not as good as in 2003/4. Cobb was our savior in a lot of ways. Easily our MVP the last two seasons imo.

Hamner was a very solid RB for us and should be ranked ahead of Tapeh, Jackson, Redmon, and Pinnix imo.
 

I agree with Winni, I think it's hard to compare them all because they played for different O-lines and QBs. I'm leaning towards Cobb being my favorite. I was a big fan of Maroney and Barber back then, but I don't know if they'd be any better than Cobb on the same offense. We have no passing threat at all, and yet Cobb still had a record year. Last year, Cobb had 1200+, and didn't even start until the 4th or 5th game (can't remember). And let's face it, you can see the difference in the run game when Cobb isn't in there, as opposed to any other RB we played this year.
 

tikited said:
Cobb has to be in the same category as Maroney and Barber. O-Line play = not as good as in 2003/4. Wr play = not as good as in 2003/4. Qb play = not as good as in 2003/4. Cobb was our savior in a lot of ways. Easily our MVP the last two seasons imo.

Hamner was a very solid RB for us and should be ranked ahead of Tapeh, Jackson, Redmon, and Pinnix imo.
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+1
 

BarnBoy said:
This. I am a huge Cobb fan (e.g. jersey) and he's one of my favorites. But he's not flashy and sort of quietly snuck up on the rushing record. It would be interesting to see the number of +20 or +40/yard runs Maroney had vs. Cobb.

EDIT: Oh.. and that's not fair to Cobb, but I think it's the truth.
Click to expand...

Also to see the yards per carry and number of carries difference between the 3. I would imagine Cobb had more carries per season, but with a lower yards per carry. He had to do it the hard way.
 

Winnipegopher said:
I think you are mistaking best offense with best RB. Without question the 2003 had the best O. Look at the talent:
http://ericthrall.com/gophers/football/2003/roster_pos.html

QB: AAk as a senior
RB: 4 on the roster who would run for 1000 at some point in their career. Two- (Barber and Maroney) to NFL
FB: Tapeh (solid NFL career until injured)
TE: Two NFL tight ends Spaeth and Utecht. People forget how good Utecht was. He was similar to Williams as a pass catcher
WR: Ellerson, Hosack, Wheelright, Payne, Patterson etc. All better than any wr on the 14 team.
OL: Eslinger as one the best college players ever, Setterstrom as solid NFL guy.

Compare this today: Cobb, Williams and a good but not great O-line.
Click to expand...

Cobb and the OL will be remembered. What will be remembered most about this TEAM is when they needed a yard or four to seal the game, they got it. As much as I love Maroney(have a framed game photo), he was more of a homerun hitter. Most of Cobb's yards were between the tackles when keyed on. Eslinger and co. put up lots of yards, but forth and one with the game on the line, I'd choose this line. Unsung, but got the job done. Lunch pail guys like Setterstrom.
 

minibeaver said:
Also to see the yards per carry and number of carries difference between the 3. I would imagine Cobb had more carries per season, but with a lower yards per carry. He had to do it the hard way.
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For the most part, yes. Although Cobb is averaging more per carry this year than Maroney did his last season as a Gopher (5.3 vs. 5.2).
 

Cobb was a better pure football player than about all of them (maybe tied with MBIII?).

A step or two faster and Cobb's a Heisman finalist.

Alas.
 


tikited said:
Cobb has to be in the same category as Maroney and Barber. O-Line play = not as good as in 2003/4. Wr play = not as good as in 2003/4. Qb play = not as good as in 2003/4. Cobb was our savior in a lot of ways. Easily our MVP the last two seasons imo.

Hamner was a very solid RB for us and should be ranked ahead of Tapeh, Jackson, Redmon, and Pinnix imo.
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Cobb should be right there with Barber and Maroney in my opinion too. He had big games this year even against the better defenses in the conference without much of a passing threat to keep defenses honest. His amount of yards after contact is very impressive also.
 

I'll always remember Cobb as a beast who was able to get yards dragging a number of defenders along with him. He went from third string to starter because of his heart and determination. Just like the rest of this team, he did not give up.
 

Cobb should absolutely be remembered with the same reverence as the others, and time will tell if he deserves a little more. If he had just a little more top end speed, he would have been on all of these award lists. And when you remember that he just kept working and working until he got his chance, then made the most of it, that's a lesson you can preach to kids for years to come.
 

Any discussion of Minnesota Running Backs has to start with Darrell Thompson. He featured a power game, at 6 foot and about 220 he could run over or sprint past defenders. Running from the wishbone or I he could take it to the house. He was a force in the screen game. He is still the career rushing leader. If you were not lucky enough to have seen him, the only question I have is why he didn't get more carries.
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