Biabreakable

I'm a Vikings fan but even I haven't seen that much of Chuck Foreman playing. Before my time. I have heard he was very good though and he is ok as a local media source.

My cousin has been looking up college numbers on these guys. Barry was amazing at the college level.

Yeah Thurman Thomas was like Faulk before Faulk. He didn't score TD as much as he could have though. Barry was no doubt the most exciting RB of that time. He has more class than Emmitt. He retired still in his prime unlike Emmitt, so its hard for me to say he had the best career. Thurman Thomas definitely belongs in the conversation though. Which is I guess why my Cousin could come up with 20 guys he thinks were better than Emmitt. There have been a lot of great players.

FWIW my cousin doesn't think Emmitt would make his top 20 list. He still hates the Cowboys more than I do though. For me the original question was where would you rank Emmitt all time. To me all time means who had the best career. Thats Emmitt. All these hypotheticals about if Barry played for Dallas or if Emmitt played for the Lions do not really matter as far as my understanding of the original question.

Probably. Barry was a great RB. Never seen anyone like him since, which is why the Barkley comparisons to Sanders seemed over the top to me. Barkley is very good though.

Well it was a long time ago. 1997 Lions 4th in points and 2nd in total yards in the NFL 1995 Lions 2nd in points and 1st in total yards in the NFL The Cowboys offense was in the top 10 in these categories more times than the Lions were but that does not mean the Lions didn't have a good offense, despite the poor QB play.

I didn't say Barry couldn't run between the tackles or play with a FB. So I am not sure what you are disagreeing with. He was not used this way in Detroit though and his runs were often off script with him reversing field a ton looking for an opening.

I don't think we have enough information to know for sure what will happen if Ware is fully healthy next week. I was looking at snap counts and utilization for KC and Hunt was getting about 70% of the offensive snaps on average before they cut him. Ware was getting a small share in relief and no Williams. Since the bye and release of Hunt vs Raiders Ware 49 offensive snaps (69%) 14 rushing attempts 47 yards 1 TD 1 target 1 reception 5 yards Williams 19 offensive snaps (27%) 5 rushing attempts 38 yards 2 targets 2 receptions 7 yards vs Ravens Ware 41 offensive snaps (48%) 15 rushing attempts 75 yards 5 target 5 reception 54 yards Williams 43 offensive snaps (50%) 8 rushing attempts 14 yards 5 targets 4 receptions 16 yards vs Chargers Damien Williams 44 offensive snaps (73%) 14 rushing attempts 49 yards 2 TD 6 targets 6 receptions 74 yards Darrell Williams 15 offensive snaps (25%) 2 rushing attempts 13 yards 2 targets 2 receptions 19 yards 1 TD I still think Ware is the better RB but the split between the two may be more even if Ware returns from injury than it was against the Raiders. Darrell Williams is an interesting RB and he scored in last nights game. Due to inexperience I do not think he will be very involved unless Ware is out again. I wouldn't feel comfortable with starting Williams next week unless Ware was out. Congrats to those who started Williams, he did better than he usually does with his touches.

I always liked Batch. I don't think Aikman was all that great of a QB. He had play action to Invin or Novacheck. The only reason I bring it up is to point out the different style of offenses. The Lions were running an offense more similar to what teams have been doing the last 5 years than the offense that Emmitt and several of these other RB were in. Its an advantage for the RB to have more blocking, its also a disadvantage if the team is running the ball more than they pass. The Lions were a more balanced offense with great skill players. They never really filled the QB position. Scott Mitchel got a huge contract (for the time) to be that guy but it never really worked out. The WR were great though. I just remember this as a Vikings fan having to play against the Lions twice a year. The Lions were the best offense in the old NFC Central until Favre went to the Packers.

I have speculated the same things and I do agree the Lions offensive line not as good or well known as the Cowboys line at that time. However the Lions had a more potent passing offense than the Cowboys did with Moore and some other good WR at the same time they had Barry. Overall Detroit was a good offense, one of the run and shoot offenses is what they called it at the time. They played a lot of 3 and 4 WR. The Cowboys on the other hand a traditional pro style offense that used a fullback and a TE most of the time. I don't think Smith would have been as good in the run and shoot as Barry. I would think Barry would have been better with the Cowboys also. More carries and better blocking. They were a more successful overall team largely benefiting from the Vikings trading them 3 years of 1st round draft picks, plus 2nd round picks for Hershel Walker. I have hated the Cowboys ever since, but Emmitt was perhaps the best RB for their offense. He kept the offense on schedule and manageable 3rd down situations. Better for play action as the run action of the plays is more consistent. You never know what will happen with Barry. The Vikings defense was coached to just stay in their lane and wait. Eventually Barry will be coming back to you.

Oh no doubt I would rather watch Barry. More fun. Emmitt wouldn't lose you yards though.

Yeah he was very good. He isn't as amazing as Barry Sanders to watch though. He is so tuned in that he is cutting before he has to make such a crazy move like Barry lived on all the time. I don't think his play stands out like some of the other greats do. He was just solid all around great at everything. I do think Elliot is similar to Emmitt as far as talent level and play style.

Curtis Martin was on my mind when I said that. Frank Gore has been solid for a long time as well. Gore never really had the monster workload that Martin and Emmitt had though. I know Emmitt and Martin are not the most exciting RB to watch, but man were they reliable. When I look at rookie RB and try to grade them or rank them, Emmitt and Martin are the ideal I am shooting for. I don't like RB who take too many big hits. I know a lot of people love that. As a dynasty owner I don't. I want a RB to take care of themselves like Emmitt and Martin did.

While I can get what some of you are saying about Emmitt perhaps not being as impressive as some of these other RB such as Barry (no one like him) Dickerson or Faulk. I don't necessarily think that they were better RB or had better careers. If I am a GM for any NFL team the model of consistency and durability I am looking for is Emmitt Smith. I absolutely love Barry Sanders, but I would rather have the consistency of Emmitt Smith to support my offense than Barry or any of these other RB.

Maybe. I wouldn't count on it though. Rudolph just isn't very good. Sure he did great with Bradford who was afraid to throw it to anyone else. Most of those catches that year did not lead to first downs. Just check downs. I thought Cousins went to Rudolph a few times when he had better options. I hate Kyle Rudolphs crappy blocking though, so I may be a bit biased in regards to his value for fantasy. I would stick with Thomas. Good player.