Career touchdown passes (1 Viewer)

[Raider Nation]

(Because it's Thursday. And I'm bored. And I'm killing time until 1:00 on Sunday)

Career Touchdown Passes

Jim Druckenmiller - 1

Dan McGwire - 2

Art Schlicter - 3

Brock Huard -4

Akili Smith - 5

Kellen Clemens - 5

LaDainian Tomlinson - 7

Almost on this elite list:

Ken Dorsey - 8

Browning Nagle - 8

Todd Marinovich - 8

Brooks Bollinger - 8

Dare to dream:

Bruce Gradkowski - 9

Sad fact of the day. LT has exactly half as many career TD passes as Ryan Leaf.

 

[kaso]

I was surprised to see that Akili only had 5....

 

[Steady Mooobin]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

 

[Ozymandias]

Watch out for Ronnie Brown and the rebirth of the single wing.

 

[David Yudkin]

LT has thrown the most TD passes by a RB since 1960 . . . and by a decent margin.

Here are the only players that have thrown more than one:

LaDainian Tomlinson 7

Dalton Hilliard 4

Clinton Portis 3

Alfred Anderson 2

Jerome Bettis 2

 

[yellowdog]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

7>1

 

[Chase Stuart]

LT has thrown the most TD passes by a RB since 1960 . . . and by a decent margin.

Here are the only players that have thrown more than one:

LaDainian Tomlinson 7

Dalton Hilliard 4

Clinton Portis 3

Alfred Anderson 2

Jerome Bettis 2

The Dominator (where I assume you got the data) was done pre-new-PFR.Walter Payton has eight.

 

[David Yudkin]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

I wouldn't bet the ranch on that.Through 114 games played, LT already has 117 rushing TD (more than 1 a game .Emmitt called it a career with 164 rushing TD. So Tomlinson is only 47 behind. He could get that many in two full seasons beyond this one if he stays healthy.

 

[Wrigley]

LT has thrown the most TD passes by a RB since 1960 . . . and by a decent margin.

Here are the only players that have thrown more than one:

LaDainian Tomlinson 7

Dalton Hilliard 4

Clinton Portis 3

Alfred Anderson 2

Jerome Bettis 2

The Dominator (where I assume you got the data) was done pre-new-PFR.Walter Payton has eight.

Just looking this upNot even close

 

[David Yudkin]

LT has thrown the most TD passes by a RB since 1960 . . . and by a decent margin.

Here are the only players that have thrown more than one:

LaDainian Tomlinson 7

Dalton Hilliard 4

Clinton Portis 3

Alfred Anderson 2

Jerome Bettis 2

The Dominator (where I assume you got the data) was done pre-new-PFR.Walter Payton has eight.

Then got Doug on it, chop chop.

 

[Chreesto]

LT has thrown the most TD passes by a RB since 1960 . . . and by a decent margin.

Here are the only players that have thrown more than one:

LaDainian Tomlinson 7

Dalton Hilliard 4

Clinton Portis 3

Alfred Anderson 2

Jerome Bettis 2

You're forgetting that Walter Payton has 8 career TD passes. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PaytWa00.htm

 

[Raider Nation]

Has anyone mentioned the fact that Sweetness threw 8 TDs?

 

[Chreesto]

LT has thrown the most TD passes by a RB since 1960 . . . and by a decent margin.

Here are the only players that have thrown more than one:

LaDainian Tomlinson 7

Dalton Hilliard 4

Clinton Portis 3

Alfred Anderson 2

Jerome Bettis 2

You're forgetting that Walter Payton has 8 career TD passes. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PaytWa00.htm

Also don't forget about hall of famersaul Hornung (3 since 1960)

Marcus Allen (6)

Curtis Martin (2-Future HOF?)

Jim Brown (3)

Leroy Kelly (2)

And non-hall of famers:

Dave Megget (4)

Chuck Muncie (4)

Ernest Byner (3)

Dan Reeves (2 including in the Ice Bowl)

Harvey Williams (2)

Craig James (3)

This list is by no means all inclusive but is a good idea of how many guys weren't on your list.

 

[David Yudkin]

LT has thrown the most TD passes by a RB since 1960 . . . and by a decent margin.

Here are the only players that have thrown more than one:

LaDainian Tomlinson 7

Dalton Hilliard 4

Clinton Portis 3

Alfred Anderson 2

Jerome Bettis 2

You're forgetting that Walter Payton has 8 career TD passes. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PaytWa00.htm

Also don't forget about hall of famersaul Hornung (3 since 1960)

Marcus Allen (6)

Curtis Martin (2-Future HOF?)

Jim Brown (3)

Leroy Kelly (2)

And non-hall of famers:

Dave Megget (4)

Chuck Muncie (4)

Ernest Byner (3)

Dan Reeves (2 including in the Ice Bowl)

Harvey Williams (2)

This list is by no means all inclusive but is a good idea of how many guys weren't on your list.

Talk to the database administrator.

 

[Chreesto]

LT has thrown the most TD passes by a RB since 1960 . . . and by a decent margin.

Here are the only players that have thrown more than one:

LaDainian Tomlinson 7

Dalton Hilliard 4

Clinton Portis 3

Alfred Anderson 2

Jerome Bettis 2

You're forgetting that Walter Payton has 8 career TD passes. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PaytWa00.htm

Also don't forget about hall of famersaul Hornung (3 since 1960)

Marcus Allen (6)

Curtis Martin (2-Future HOF?)

Jim Brown (3)

Leroy Kelly (2)

And non-hall of famers:

Dave Megget (4)

Chuck Muncie (4)

Ernest Byner (3)

Dan Reeves (2 including in the Ice Bowl)

Harvey Williams (2)

This list is by no means all inclusive but is a good idea of how many guys weren't on your list.

Talk to the database administrator.

I'm not trying to nerd-assault you, I'm just shocked that, as a football fan, you looked at that little list and didn't think something was wrong, especially with Craig James on the list.

 

[The Man With No Name]

Greg Pruitt had 6 touchdown passes.

 

[Sinrman]

What's more amazing is that he's only behind Emmitt and Marcus Allen in TDs. He's what? Like 9 behind Allen and about 50 behind Emmitt? And he's got this many in half as many seasons?

 

[Steady Mooobin]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

I wouldn't bet the ranch on that.Through 114 games played, LT already has 117 rushing TD (more than 1 a game .Emmitt called it a career with 164 rushing TD. So Tomlinson is only 47 behind. He could get that many in two full seasons beyond this one if he stays healthy.

I should have been clear. I meant yardage.

 

[yellowdog]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

I wouldn't bet the ranch on that.Through 114 games played, LT already has 117 rushing TD (more than 1 a game .Emmitt called it a career with 164 rushing TD. So Tomlinson is only 47 behind. He could get that many in two full seasons beyond this one if he stays healthy.

I should have been clear. I meant yardage.

Well, that would have cleared things up a bit.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

LT has played half as many years as emmitt and is on pace to smash all his records. So dont go getting all excited.THe rushing record should be Barry's anyway, but he's quiter

 

[WiDDoW_MaKeR]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

LT has played half as many years as emmitt and is on pace to smash all his records. So dont go getting all excited.THe rushing record should be Barry's anyway, but he's quiter

Why on earth should the record be Barry's? He didn't break the record... so the record shouldn't be his. He didn't have what it took to finish. That is part of the game. Emmitt finished with over 3,000 more yards than Barry. How can anyone pretend to know if Barry still had 3,000 more yards left in him after 10 years in the league? I am inclined to believe that Barry knew that he didn't have much left in the tank, which is why he really retired.

 

[Raider Nation]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

LT has played half as many years as emmitt and is on pace to smash all his records. So dont go getting all excited.THe rushing record should be Barry's anyway, but he's quiter

Why on earth should the record be Barry's? He didn't break the record... so the record shouldn't be his. He didn't have what it took to finish. That is part of the game. Emmitt finished with over 3,000 more yards than Barry. How can anyone pretend to know if Barry still had 3,000 more yards left in him after 10 years in the league? I am inclined to believe that Barry knew that he didn't have much left in the tank, which is why he really retired.

Good point. I doubt he would have had ANYTHING left after his 1,771 total yards his final season.

 

[WiDDoW_MaKeR]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

LT has played half as many years as emmitt and is on pace to smash all his records. So dont go getting all excited.THe rushing record should be Barry's anyway, but he's quiter

Why on earth should the record be Barry's? He didn't break the record... so the record shouldn't be his. He didn't have what it took to finish. That is part of the game. Emmitt finished with over 3,000 more yards than Barry. How can anyone pretend to know if Barry still had 3,000 more yards left in him after 10 years in the league? I am inclined to believe that Barry knew that he didn't have much left in the tank, which is why he really retired.

Good point. I doubt he would have had ANYTHING left after his 1,771 total yards his final season.

I guess he didn't... because he didn't gain a yard after it. He already admitted that he lost his competitive spirit at that point. So... what's the argument? He couldn't take it mentally... he was through... and he retired.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

LT has played half as many years as emmitt and is on pace to smash all his records. So dont go getting all excited.THe rushing record should be Barry's anyway, but he's quiter

Why on earth should the record be Barry's? He didn't break the record... so the record shouldn't be his. He didn't have what it took to finish. That is part of the game. Emmitt finished with over 3,000 more yards than Barry. How can anyone pretend to know if Barry still had 3,000 more yards left in him after 10 years in the league? I am inclined to believe that Barry knew that he didn't have much left in the tank, which is why he really retired.

Good point. I doubt he would have had ANYTHING left after his 1,771 total yards his final season.

I guess he didn't... because he didn't gain a yard after it. He already admitted that he lost his competitive spirit at that point. So... what's the argument? He couldn't take it mentally... he was through... and he retired.

yeah maybe if barry hung on and on with the cards he would have the record

 

[WiDDoW_MaKeR]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

LT has played half as many years as emmitt and is on pace to smash all his records. So dont go getting all excited.THe rushing record should be Barry's anyway, but he's quiter

Why on earth should the record be Barry's? He didn't break the record... so the record shouldn't be his. He didn't have what it took to finish. That is part of the game. Emmitt finished with over 3,000 more yards than Barry. How can anyone pretend to know if Barry still had 3,000 more yards left in him after 10 years in the league? I am inclined to believe that Barry knew that he didn't have much left in the tank, which is why he really retired.

Good point. I doubt he would have had ANYTHING left after his 1,771 total yards his final season.

I guess he didn't... because he didn't gain a yard after it. He already admitted that he lost his competitive spirit at that point. So... what's the argument? He couldn't take it mentally... he was through... and he retired.

yeah maybe if barry hung on and on with the cards he would have the record

That might have made sense... if it wasn't for the fact that Emmitt broke the record while he was with the Cowboys.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

the fact is Barry retired because of Bobby Ross. Not to a decline in skills.

Playing for the Lions wears on players.

 

[Raider Nation]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

LT has played half as many years as emmitt and is on pace to smash all his records. So dont go getting all excited.THe rushing record should be Barry's anyway, but he's quiter

Why on earth should the record be Barry's? He didn't break the record... so the record shouldn't be his. He didn't have what it took to finish. That is part of the game. Emmitt finished with over 3,000 more yards than Barry. How can anyone pretend to know if Barry still had 3,000 more yards left in him after 10 years in the league? I am inclined to believe that Barry knew that he didn't have much left in the tank, which is why he really retired.

Good point. I doubt he would have had ANYTHING left after his 1,771 total yards his final season.

I guess he didn't... because he didn't gain a yard after it. He already admitted that he lost his competitive spirit at that point. So... what's the argument? He couldn't take it mentally... he was through... and he retired.

Which is it... he couldn't take it mentally, or he didn't have much left in the tank? You're all over the place.

 

[TommyGilmore]

Okay, now tell me the career leaders in TD passes for...

- kickers (Blanda doesn't count)

- punters (Tupa and Danny White don't count)

- tight ends

And then tell me the career leaders in field goals/extra points for non-kickers. (Wes Welker?)

 

[Steady Mooobin]

I am probably Emmitt Smiths biggest fan. I can't say he is the unquestioned best back ever. I can argue that he was the most complete back. I would certainly take a player like him over a player like Sanders every time.

Having said that, Barry would have crushed that record. Probably 20,000+. He did quit, retire, or whatever. Maybe he didn't care for the game anymore. Playing in Detroit for 10 years will do that to most men.

But to say he didn't have anything left is just lunacy.

 

[dgreen]

And then tell me the career leaders in field goals/extra points for non-kickers. (Wes Welker?)

Many guys used to kick PATs and FGs. Paul Hornung attempted 140 FGs and 194 PATs.

 

[Steady Mooobin]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

LT has played half as many years as emmitt and is on pace to smash all his records. So dont go getting all excited.THe rushing record should be Barry's anyway, but he's quiter

LT has been remarkable so far. But so have a lot of RB's their first 7 years. Now is the difficult part. Avoiding injuries and age is where it gets tricky.

 

[WiDDoW_MaKeR]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

LT has played half as many years as emmitt and is on pace to smash all his records. So dont go getting all excited.THe rushing record should be Barry's anyway, but he's quiter

Why on earth should the record be Barry's? He didn't break the record... so the record shouldn't be his. He didn't have what it took to finish. That is part of the game. Emmitt finished with over 3,000 more yards than Barry. How can anyone pretend to know if Barry still had 3,000 more yards left in him after 10 years in the league? I am inclined to believe that Barry knew that he didn't have much left in the tank, which is why he really retired.

Good point. I doubt he would have had ANYTHING left after his 1,771 total yards his final season.

I guess he didn't... because he didn't gain a yard after it. He already admitted that he lost his competitive spirit at that point. So... what's the argument? He couldn't take it mentally... he was through... and he retired.

Which is it... he couldn't take it mentally, or he didn't have much left in the tank? You're all over the place.

What's the difference? Either way... he couldn't... and wouldn't compete anymore. If you don't have it mentally, then you can't do it physically either. I thought that any diehard football fan would understand how important the mental aspect of the game is. Most players don't start declining just because they physically aren't capable of performing... most of them stop having the drive that it takes to get themselves prepared to be physically able to perform. Either way... it doesn't make a difference. So... if he lost his competitive spirit (as Barry himself said)... then he knew that he wasn't going to be able to put in the work any longer in order to perform in the way that he had in the past. If you are going to argue with me... then you are arguing with Barry himself.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

For non-kickers kicking I like mine to be linemen. Give me Jerry Kramer for field goals and P.A.T.s, and Dave Purifoy for kicking off.

 

[Zow]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

LT has played half as many years as emmitt and is on pace to smash all his records. So dont go getting all excited.THe rushing record should be Barry's anyway, but he's quiter

Why on earth should the record be Barry's? He didn't break the record... so the record shouldn't be his. He didn't have what it took to finish. That is part of the game. Emmitt finished with over 3,000 more yards than Barry. How can anyone pretend to know if Barry still had 3,000 more yards left in him after 10 years in the league? I am inclined to believe that Barry knew that he didn't have much left in the tank, which is why he really retired.

Pretty certain Emmit himself said the title should have been Barry's

 

[WiDDoW_MaKeR]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

LT has played half as many years as emmitt and is on pace to smash all his records. So dont go getting all excited.THe rushing record should be Barry's anyway, but he's quiter

Why on earth should the record be Barry's? He didn't break the record... so the record shouldn't be his. He didn't have what it took to finish. That is part of the game. Emmitt finished with over 3,000 more yards than Barry. How can anyone pretend to know if Barry still had 3,000 more yards left in him after 10 years in the league? I am inclined to believe that Barry knew that he didn't have much left in the tank, which is why he really retired.

Pretty certain Emmit himself said the title should have been Barry's

Here we go with the "should have" again. Makes no sense. As if he earned it... and someone didn't give it to him. The man was through with football, and retired. There isn't any reason why the record "should" have been Barry's. (he didn't break the record before he retired)

 

[awesomeness]

How can there be 35 posts so far in this thread and no mention of Walter Payton's 8 TD passes?

 

[thayman]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

LT has played half as many years as emmitt and is on pace to smash all his records. So dont go getting all excited.THe rushing record should be Barry's anyway, but he's quiter

Why on earth should the record be Barry's? He didn't break the record... so the record shouldn't be his. He didn't have what it took to finish. That is part of the game. Emmitt finished with over 3,000 more yards than Barry. How can anyone pretend to know if Barry still had 3,000 more yards left in him after 10 years in the league? I am inclined to believe that Barry knew that he didn't have much left in the tank, which is why he really retired.

Pretty certain Emmit himself said the title should have been Barry's

Here we go with the "should have" again. Makes no sense. As if he earned it... and someone didn't give it to him. The man was through with football, and retired. There isn't any reason why the record "should" have been Barry's. (he didn't break the record before he retired)

It makes sense when Emmit himself is saying that Barry was superior.

 

[WiDDoW_MaKeR]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

LT has played half as many years as emmitt and is on pace to smash all his records. So dont go getting all excited.THe rushing record should be Barry's anyway, but he's quiter

Why on earth should the record be Barry's? He didn't break the record... so the record shouldn't be his. He didn't have what it took to finish. That is part of the game. Emmitt finished with over 3,000 more yards than Barry. How can anyone pretend to know if Barry still had 3,000 more yards left in him after 10 years in the league? I am inclined to believe that Barry knew that he didn't have much left in the tank, which is why he really retired.

Pretty certain Emmit himself said the title should have been Barry's

Here we go with the "should have" again. Makes no sense. As if he earned it... and someone didn't give it to him. The man was through with football, and retired. There isn't any reason why the record "should" have been Barry's. (he didn't break the record before he retired)

It makes sense when Emmit himself is saying that Barry was superior.

If only that wasn't a flat out lie... then you also might have a point. Wow.. you people will say anything. Emmitt Smith has never said that Barry Sanders was superior to him. Even if Emmitt ever would say something like that... you would be able to chalk it up as him being a nice guy. People say things like that, because when presented with questions like that... it would be somewhat rude to talk about how much better you were then them. However... this doesn't take away from the point that Emmitt NEVER said that Barry was superior to himself. However, Barry DID say that he lost his competitive spirit. So... we don't even need to have this debate.... Barry ended it for us. The record should NOT be his... because he didn't have the drive needed to compete anymore. He did great in his time... but just like many backs before him... could sustain his greatest for a long enough period of time.

 

[Raider Nation]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

LT has played half as many years as emmitt and is on pace to smash all his records. So dont go getting all excited.THe rushing record should be Barry's anyway, but he's quiter

Why on earth should the record be Barry's? He didn't break the record... so the record shouldn't be his. He didn't have what it took to finish. That is part of the game. Emmitt finished with over 3,000 more yards than Barry. How can anyone pretend to know if Barry still had 3,000 more yards left in him after 10 years in the league? I am inclined to believe that Barry knew that he didn't have much left in the tank, which is why he really retired.

Pretty certain Emmit himself said the title should have been Barry's

Here we go with the "should have" again. Makes no sense. As if he earned it... and someone didn't give it to him. The man was through with football, and retired. There isn't any reason why the record "should" have been Barry's. (he didn't break the record before he retired)

It makes sense when Emmit himself is saying that Barry was superior.

If only that wasn't a flat out lie... then you also might have a point. Wow.. you people will say anything. Emmitt Smith has never said that Barry Sanders was superior to him. Even if Emmitt ever would say something like that... you would be able to chalk it up as him being a nice guy. People say things like that, because when presented with questions like that... it would be somewhat rude to talk about how much better you were then them. However... this doesn't take away from the point that Emmitt NEVER said that Barry was superior to himself. However, Barry DID say that he lost his competitive spirit. So... we don't even need to have this debate.... Barry ended it for us. The record should NOT be his... because he didn't have the drive needed to compete anymore. He did great in his time... but just like many backs before him... could sustain his greatest for a long enough period of time.

Barry got disgusted playing for the LIONS. (And who wouldn't?) He got tired of playing for a team which wasn't committed to winning. There were rumblings that Vinny Cerrato and the Redskins wanted badly to trade for him, but there was no way Detroit would send him elsewhere after he renewed his contract only two years prior.EDIT for Wiki quote:

Several years after retirement, and repeated refusals to discuss the abruptness of it, Sanders finally admitted that the culture of losing in the Lions' organization was too much to deal with even though he said that he could still play.

 

[WiDDoW_MaKeR]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

LT has played half as many years as emmitt and is on pace to smash all his records. So dont go getting all excited.THe rushing record should be Barry's anyway, but he's quiter

Why on earth should the record be Barry's? He didn't break the record... so the record shouldn't be his. He didn't have what it took to finish. That is part of the game. Emmitt finished with over 3,000 more yards than Barry. How can anyone pretend to know if Barry still had 3,000 more yards left in him after 10 years in the league? I am inclined to believe that Barry knew that he didn't have much left in the tank, which is why he really retired.

Pretty certain Emmit himself said the title should have been Barry's

Here we go with the "should have" again. Makes no sense. As if he earned it... and someone didn't give it to him. The man was through with football, and retired. There isn't any reason why the record "should" have been Barry's. (he didn't break the record before he retired)

It makes sense when Emmit himself is saying that Barry was superior.

If only that wasn't a flat out lie... then you also might have a point. Wow.. you people will say anything. Emmitt Smith has never said that Barry Sanders was superior to him. Even if Emmitt ever would say something like that... you would be able to chalk it up as him being a nice guy. People say things like that, because when presented with questions like that... it would be somewhat rude to talk about how much better you were then them. However... this doesn't take away from the point that Emmitt NEVER said that Barry was superior to himself. However, Barry DID say that he lost his competitive spirit. So... we don't even need to have this debate.... Barry ended it for us. The record should NOT be his... because he didn't have the drive needed to compete anymore. He did great in his time... but just like many backs before him... could sustain his greatest for a long enough period of time.

Barry got disgusted playing for the LIONS. (And who wouldn't?) He got tired of playing for a team which wasn't committed to winning. There were rumblings that Vinny Cerrato and the Redskins wanted badly to trade for him, but there was no way Detroit would send him elsewhere after he renewed his contract only two years prior.EDIT for Wiki quote:

Several years after retirement, and repeated refusals to discuss the abruptness of it, Sanders finally admitted that the culture of losing in the Lions' organization was too much to deal with even though he said that he could still play.

So... he couldn't have been that disgusted with the Lions, if he renewed his contract just 2 years earlier. Either way you cut it... he didn't have the ability (if he can't mentally perform, he can't physically perform) to continue on... and he didn't. We don't need to pretend, and give projections about "would", "could", and "should" have happened with his career. We already know what happened. That's the great thing about backing Emmitt Smith in this matter. I don't have to play make believe.

 

[Steady Mooobin]

Emmitt NEVER said Barry was better. He did say Barry would have had the record.

Barry Sanders was one of the most exciting backs ever. He does not rank in my top 5.

In no particular order:

Emmitt Smith

Marshal Faulk

Jim Brown

OJ Simpson

Walter Payton

 

[Steady Mooobin]

How can there be 35 posts so far in this thread and no mention of Walter Payton's 8 TD passes?

Post 7

 

[Raider Nation]

How can there be 35 posts so far in this thread and no mention of Walter Payton's 8 TD passes?

Post 7

And 11. And 12. He was being funny.

 

[Raider Nation]

All that matters is that he isn't going to catch my boy Emmitt.

LT has played half as many years as emmitt and is on pace to smash all his records. So dont go getting all excited.THe rushing record should be Barry's anyway, but he's quiter

Why on earth should the record be Barry's? He didn't break the record... so the record shouldn't be his. He didn't have what it took to finish. That is part of the game. Emmitt finished with over 3,000 more yards than Barry. How can anyone pretend to know if Barry still had 3,000 more yards left in him after 10 years in the league? I am inclined to believe that Barry knew that he didn't have much left in the tank, which is why he really retired.

Pretty certain Emmit himself said the title should have been Barry's

Here we go with the "should have" again. Makes no sense. As if he earned it... and someone didn't give it to him. The man was through with football, and retired. There isn't any reason why the record "should" have been Barry's. (he didn't break the record before he retired)

It makes sense when Emmit himself is saying that Barry was superior.

If only that wasn't a flat out lie... then you also might have a point. Wow.. you people will say anything. Emmitt Smith has never said that Barry Sanders was superior to him. Even if Emmitt ever would say something like that... you would be able to chalk it up as him being a nice guy. People say things like that, because when presented with questions like that... it would be somewhat rude to talk about how much better you were then them. However... this doesn't take away from the point that Emmitt NEVER said that Barry was superior to himself. However, Barry DID say that he lost his competitive spirit. So... we don't even need to have this debate.... Barry ended it for us. The record should NOT be his... because he didn't have the drive needed to compete anymore. He did great in his time... but just like many backs before him... could sustain his greatest for a long enough period of time.

Barry got disgusted playing for the LIONS. (And who wouldn't?) He got tired of playing for a team which wasn't committed to winning. There were rumblings that Vinny Cerrato and the Redskins wanted badly to trade for him, but there was no way Detroit would send him elsewhere after he renewed his contract only two years prior.EDIT for Wiki quote:

Several years after retirement, and repeated refusals to discuss the abruptness of it, Sanders finally admitted that the culture of losing in the Lions' organization was too much to deal with even though he said that he could still play.

So... he couldn't have been that disgusted with the Lions, if he renewed his contract just 2 years earlier. Either way you cut it... he didn't have the ability (if he can't mentally perform, he can't physically perform) to continue on... and he didn't. We don't need to pretend, and give projections about "would", "could", and "should" have happened with his career. We already know what happened. That's the great thing about backing Emmitt Smith in this matter. I don't have to play make believe.

You've totally convinced me. Had Barry returned to the game, I doubt he could have even rushed for 300 yards in a season.

 

[Synthesizer]

What's the most career TDs without throwing an INT? I see Tomlinson has 7 TDs without an interception. Heck, he's 8-11 with a passer rating of 154.

 

[Despyzer]

I can argue that he was the most complete back.

Okay, I'll bite. Wadayagot? I can't imagine an argument that proves him to be a more complete back than Payton or Tomlinson, seeing he wasn't as good of a blocker, receiver, or passer than those two. He also averaged fewer yards per carry than the other two despite running behind seven all-pro blockers for much of his career and a HOF WR and QB to take the heat off of him.

 

[WiDDoW_MaKeR]

You've totally convinced me. Had Barry returned to the game, I doubt he could have even rushed for 300 yards in a season.

See... you have to play make believe. Barry didn't return to the game, because he didn't have it left in him. So... we already know the outcome. I don't have to convince you of anything... we don't have to wonder how many more yards Barry Sanders could have had... because guess what? He had Zero.

 

[Raider Nation]

You've totally convinced me. Had Barry returned to the game, I doubt he could have even rushed for 300 yards in a season.

See... you have to play make believe. Barry didn't return to the game, because he didn't have it left in him. So... we already know the outcome. I don't have to convince you of anything... we don't have to wonder how many more yards Barry Sanders could have had... because guess what? He had Zero.

It's okay to admit Barry was a much better RB than Emmitt. Let it go, man.

 

[thayman]

You've totally convinced me. Had Barry returned to the game, I doubt he could have even rushed for 300 yards in a season.

See... you have to play make believe. Barry didn't return to the game, because he didn't have it left in him. So... we already know the outcome. I don't have to convince you of anything... we don't have to wonder how many more yards Barry Sanders could have had... because guess what? He had Zero.

Why are you so insulted that people think Barry was better than Emmitt? It seems that you are blinded by homerisim.

 

[WiDDoW_MaKeR]

If you guys think that Barry Sanders was a better running back than Emmitt Smith, then you really don't have a high understanding of the running back position. It is much more than the threat of being able to break off long exciting plays... (which they were both able to do) It is also about having a team lean on you, when everyone knows that you are going to run the ball, and carrying your team through.... it's about catching.... BLOCKING. Emmitt was leaps and bounds above Sanders at protecting his Quarterback.

So....

Emmitt has more yards.

More touchdowns.

More wins.

Better blocker.

3 Super Bowl rings.

The All time Rushing Record

ect....

I will give it to you though... Barry does have the whole "More runs for a loss of yards" thing going for him. Which is great considering how many less times he even carried the ball.... and the fact that Emmitt was still playing much further into his downslope.

Emmitt Smith could throw his team on his shoulders, and carry them through any tough game. Barry Sanders might break you off a long run in a game... but he would get stuffed much more than the average back, and also cause a lot of three and outs for his team, but not simply getting a few yards on a play. Gaining 3-4 yards on a play isn't exacty a bad thing all of the time, when your team needs it.

Also... don't come out with the nonsense about Barry being on a horrible team, because Detroit had a high powered offense. Two of the leading receivers in the league, one of the leading QB's in the league as well. Detroit always had an awful defense, and that was their problem. It is a flat out MYTH that Barry was stuck in a horrible offense, and that he could have been so much greater with a better line. That line protected their QB enough to have amazing stats... as well as the WR's and Barry himself.

Don't get me wrong, Barry Sanders was an AMAZING running back. The main difference that I see, is what many people have said. Barry Sanders had GREAT moves, he shook people out of their shoes, and did things looked impossible. Emmitt Smith was a master at making subtle moves, cuts, drop his shoulder at a certain angle, ect... and almost looked like he was doing nothing. He was so great, that he made it look easy. Which is why a lot of people don't give him his credit... he made things look too easy.