Look upon Marshall Faulk, and despair

Sometimes I just surf around pro-football-reference.com, find things that amaze me, and then feel like sharing.

From 1999 to 2001, Marshall Faulk may have been the best football player ever.

Let's look at his numbers:

1999: 16 games, 1,381 yards rushing (5.5 average), 87 catches, 1,048 yards receiving (12.0 average), 2429 total yards and 12 total TDs

2000: 14 games, 1,359 yards rushing (5.4 average), 81 catches, 830 yards receiving (10.2 average), 2189 total yards and 26 total TDs

2001: 14 games, 1,382 yards rushing (5.3 average), 83 catches, 765 yards (9.2 average), 2147 total yards and 21 total TDs

Let's just try to define how impressive this three year period was by marking off some of the specific feats Faulk accomplished.

1. three consecutive seasons with 1,300+ rushing yards and 80 receptions.
2. three consecutive seasons averaging significantly over 5 yards per rush (5.5, 5.4, and 5.3 is outstanding)
3. 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in 1999
4. NFL record 2,429 yards from scrimmage in 1999
5. Then NFL record 26 TDs in 2000.
6. Average of 5.5 yards per rush and 12.0 yards per reception in 1999
7. three consecutive seasons with 2,100+ yards from scrimmage.

During this time, the Faulk's Rams were 37-11 in the regular season, 5-2 in the postseason (including two Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl win).

Faulk's 1999 season may be the best season ever for a RB, and his three year stretch of dynamic productivity alone should put him in the Hall of Fame. Let's just take this moment to stand back and appreciate the body of work.