Vardell wasn't really slow and plodding. He was pretty quick for a big guy, the problem is back then the only guys that got a chance were bulked up to block most of the time. Then when they did get the ball it was usually out of the fullback spot in the modern i formation 3 or 4 yards behind the los, no time to set up your blocks, cut or bounce it to the outside if the lane is clogged up, its just running straight ahead and getting a few yards. This is why whites got stereotyped as slow plodding straight ahead runners, misuse by coaches. Brad Muster averaged 4 ypc mostly running out of the fullback spot. The few times Vardell was used out of the tailback spot he looked like a promising runner, someone who could have had a similar career to someone like Jerome Bettis.
Im not sure about Hoge, Ive only seen him in two playoff games. They lined him up in multiple spots but his two biggest rushes were from the tailback spot in a single back set which put him over the 100 yard spot, not sure if he got many carries like this in the regular season. We are now seeing a similar thing with Gerhart, even when he got to play, there were quite a few carries where he was lined up as a fullback with Percy Harvin lined up as tailback.
Last year was really the first year we saw White guys used exclusively at the tailback spot in modern formations, Woodhead and Hillis. Alstott was the only one with a decent amount carries as a tailback, but even he was lined up as a fullback at times. Before these guys it was the old formations, split back sets 5 yards back instead of the modern 7 yards back (except in shotgun). Even Hillis was screwed his 1st couple of games when he was the Broncos rb. Shanahan was afraid to let him loose and had mostly inside zone which is pretty much straight ahead. Then against the Jets they started using more variation in the run plays and he had his breakout game.
I understand your post but there isn't any need to put White players of the past down. All of those guys weren't in ideal situations, they had to add extra weight to block most of the game for the "real" backs and then get a few quick fb dives.
Like I said I don't know about Hoge (maybe an Ironhead type role, he was no slower than LeGarrette Blount, running a 4.7) but Vardell couldve had a much better career, as well as Brad Muster. Hopefully we will see more backs at their natural positions used to their fullest ability and not ask to put on more weight.
The problem I see is our smaller scat backs are moved to slot receiver and safety, if they aren't completely ignored.