No. 1 RB of the '80's (1 Viewer)

[Hairy Snowman]

90s Emmitt Smith

 

[Hairy Snowman]

Marcus Allen is probably the most underrated RB in the Hall of Fame (if that makes sense). I don't think I have ever seen a more complete running back (not only was he a great runner and receiver but he was a great blocker downfield and on blitz pickup and the emergency QB). His feud with Al Davis helped extend his career but I think it also limited his production during his peak years, which is a shame.

Payton. But Allen would have been in this conversation if he was used as he should have been by the Raiders.

Payton was the 3rd QB?

Yup. Payton was the Best of the 1980's and I am positive if you asked any of the RBs we are talking about, they would agree. He simply did everything on the field great - blocking, pass catching, running, and, yes, even throwing the ball. If god made the perfect RB, it would have been Payton.

I still believe he is in mix for greatest of all time (but I still believe Emmitt is at #1a).

 

[CalBear]

Not saying he is number 1, but I have not seen a mention for Ottis Anderson. He may be the most underrated RB of the 1980s. He KILLED it for the Cardinals. Then he went on to be SB MVP for the GMEN. HOW IS THIS MAN NOT IN THE HOF?!?

One All-Pro (rookie season). Two Pro Bowls. Never #1 or #2 in rushing yardage or yards from scrimmage. 9 seasons under 4.0 yards per carry. Basically he had a very good start to his career (his rookie season was his best, and his second season was his second best), and then he compiled for 12 years.

 

[matuski]

80's - Barry

90's - Barry

 

[Bri]

Not saying he is number 1, but I have not seen a mention for Ottis Anderson. He may be the most underrated RB of the 1980s. He KILLED it for the Cardinals. Then he went on to be SB MVP for the GMEN. HOW IS THIS MAN NOT IN THE HOF?!?On a side note, I started the thread and I apologize for not saying "No. 1 NFL RB of the 80s"

I thought Stump was better. He was a bit of a fan favorite in Arizona.Joe Morris was awesome in a freakish way and OJ replaced him. Lil Joe wouldn't have had a long career and maybe he wasn't even "supposed to" have one, but he was a huge fan favorite. Still to this day, I am very curious about a good tiny RB the big linemen can't see til it's too late to grab him. I don't know that each team appreciated him as much as he should. No doubt they thought he was special, but I don't recall him getting the same love as Joe Morris and Stump Mitchell.

 

[Pots]

Dickerson is clearly the best of the 80's

Emmitt is the best of the 90's but it's close

 

[ratbast]

To think we are talking about Walker as an great back of the 80s and he still fights MMA.

my order:

Payton

Allen

Dickerson

 

[pollardsvision]

He's not in this conversation, but I used to love watching Roger Craig run.

 

[pollardsvision]

It's hard for me to really accept Marcus Allen as a legitimate answer to this when, for almost half of his time in the 80's (3 of 8 seasons), he was the 2nd best RB on his own team (and you might say it wasn't even close).

He had 3 fantastic seasons. I don't remember what the beef with Davis was about, but does it really matter? What are you gonna do, take a carries away from Bo Jackson? Well, actually they did, which wasn't a very smart move for the Raiders.

How often would anyone have ever said handing the ball to Walter Payton or Eric Dickerson was the 2nd best option for the team?

 

[Bri]

It's hard for me to really accept Marcus Allen as a legitimate answer to this when, for almost half of his time in the 80's (3 of 8 seasons), he was the 2nd best RB on his own team (and you might say it wasn't even close).He had 3 fantastic seasons. I don't remember what the beef with Davis was about, but does it really matter? What are you gonna do, take a carries away from Bo Jackson? Well, actually they did, which wasn't a very smart move for the Raiders.How often would anyone have ever said handing the ball to Walter Payton or Eric Dickerson was the 2nd best option for the team?

list the seasons Bo had better than Marcus' Supe year please

 

[Ghost Rider]

It's hard for me to really accept Marcus Allen as a legitimate answer to this when, for almost half of his time in the 80's (3 of 8 seasons), he was the 2nd best RB on his own team (and you might say it wasn't even close).He had 3 fantastic seasons. I don't remember what the beef with Davis was about, but does it really matter? What are you gonna do, take a carries away from Bo Jackson? Well, actually they did, which wasn't a very smart move for the Raiders.How often would anyone have ever said handing the ball to Walter Payton or Eric Dickerson was the 2nd best option for the team?

list the seasons Bo had better than Marcus' Supe year please

Irrelevant. The point is that Bo was clearly better than Allen during the years where both played for the Raiders. And that really cannot be disputed.

 

[Daywalker]

Why the NFL is not as exciting for me. RB juking his way to a 25yd gain much more exciting then a wide-open td pass to V. Cruz for a td.

Man's game. Rookie QB's reeling off 300-yd games not so much.

Great MLB post-season happening and NBA around the corner. At least they resemble their sport from the 90's and prior.

 

[wudaben]

It's hard for me to really accept Marcus Allen as a legitimate answer to this when, for almost half of his time in the 80's (3 of 8 seasons), he was the 2nd best RB on his own team (and you might say it wasn't even close).He had 3 fantastic seasons. I don't remember what the beef with Davis was about, but does it really matter? What are you gonna do, take a carries away from Bo Jackson? Well, actually they did, which wasn't a very smart move for the Raiders.How often would anyone have ever said handing the ball to Walter Payton or Eric Dickerson was the 2nd best option for the team?

list the seasons Bo had better than Marcus' Supe year please

Irrelevant. The point is that Bo was clearly better than Allen during the years where both played for the Raiders. And that really cannot be disputed.

Allen was a great RB and is definitely in the discussion for greatest of the 80s but Bo was on a complete other level! Bo was Jim Brown but with more speed and agility. Even though we only got to watch him for a short period of time he is the greatest RB specimen that I ever saw!

 

[Biabreakable]

Pure running ability and highlight reel - DickersonOverall game - PaytonI think this is a tie. Payton wins the 70's as well.

Agreed. Sweetness did everything well and was at his best when it mattered the most. It might be interesting to compare them by 1st downs. I know Walter was the Bears main source of them. He was a great blocker too. Maybe one of the few RBs of the 80's who actually could block guys like Lawrence Taylor.

 

[CalBear]

Pure running ability and highlight reel - DickersonOverall game - PaytonI think this is a tie. Payton wins the 70's as well.

Agreed. Sweetness did everything well and was at his best when it mattered the most.

Is that why he averaged 3.51 yards per carry in the playoffs and Super Bowl, with a total of 3 TDs (2 rushing, 1 receiving) in 9 games?In the Super Bowl win he was 22/61, 2.77 yards per carry, with no TDs and no receptions.

 

[Biabreakable]

Pure running ability and highlight reel - DickersonOverall game - PaytonI think this is a tie. Payton wins the 70's as well.

Agreed. Sweetness did everything well and was at his best when it mattered the most.

Is that why he averaged 3.51 yards per carry in the playoffs and Super Bowl, with a total of 3 TDs (2 rushing, 1 receiving) in 9 games?In the Super Bowl win he was 22/61, 2.77 yards per carry, with no TDs and no receptions.

I was referring more to key points of the game, getting a 1st down to sustain a drive. Not to big game stats. As a Viking fan I have a lot of respect for the little things Payton did so well that helped his team win.

 

[Bri]

In the Super Bowl win he was 22/61, 2.77 yards per carry, with no TDs and no receptions.

shocked he got 22 carries.That was arguably the biggest blowout. Hardest time ever to eat up the clock against the second best team in the league when essentially the season is over and you reached your dream peak....so tough.

 

[Bri]

It's hard for me to really accept Marcus Allen as a legitimate answer to this when, for almost half of his time in the 80's (3 of 8 seasons), he was the 2nd best RB on his own team (and you might say it wasn't even close).He had 3 fantastic seasons. I don't remember what the beef with Davis was about, but does it really matter? What are you gonna do, take a carries away from Bo Jackson? Well, actually they did, which wasn't a very smart move for the Raiders.How often would anyone have ever said handing the ball to Walter Payton or Eric Dickerson was the 2nd best option for the team?

list the seasons Bo had better than Marcus' Supe year please

Irrelevant. The point is that Bo was clearly better than Allen during the years where both played for the Raiders. And that really cannot be disputed.

Irrelevant? Can't be disputed?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tJGk4ofc18

 

[Raider Nation]

Dickerson and Payton are really the only two possibilities.

NFL Network's Top-10 RBs of the 1980s.1. Eric Dickerson2. Walter Payton3. Marcus Allen4. Roger Craig5. Tony Dorsett6. Ottis Anderson7. John Riggins8. Curt Warner9. Bo Jackson10. Billy Sims

 

[Bri]

Dickerson and Payton are really the only two possibilities.

NFL Network's Top-10 RBs of the 1980s.1. Eric Dickerson2. Walter Payton3. Marcus Allen4. Roger Craig5. Tony Dorsett6. Ottis Anderson7. John Riggins8. Curt Warner9. Bo Jackson10. Billy Sims

If Sims is going to be there, then why not Earl Campbell. How do you deal with those two older guys.

 

[SacramentoBob]

Dickerson was the best RB to play in the modern era, so it has to be him. Would've really liked to have seen Bo Jackson commit completely to football and not get injured.

 

[Tau837]

Dickerson was the best RB to play in the modern era

 

[Hairy Snowman]

It's hard for me to really accept Marcus Allen as a legitimate answer to this when, for almost half of his time in the 80's (3 of 8 seasons), he was the 2nd best RB on his own team (and you might say it wasn't even close).He had 3 fantastic seasons. I don't remember what the beef with Davis was about, but does it really matter? What are you gonna do, take a carries away from Bo Jackson? Well, actually they did, which wasn't a very smart move for the Raiders.How often would anyone have ever said handing the ball to Walter Payton or Eric Dickerson was the 2nd best option for the team?

list the seasons Bo had better than Marcus' Supe year please

Irrelevant. The point is that Bo was clearly better than Allen during the years where both played for the Raiders. And that really cannot be disputed.

Irrelevant? Can't be disputed?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tJGk4ofc18

BriWere you alive for when they were both there? Bo was the best on the team. If Bo doesn't play baseball and start X games into the season, Bo would have been the best in the league. Bo Jackson was amazing. Injury prone, but amazing.

 

[Hairy Snowman]

Dickerson was the best RB to play in the modern era

 

[LargeMouthBass]

Could have been Billy Sims if injuries didnt cut his carerr short

Bo Jackson would disagree...

 

[Koya]

Dickerson was the best RB to play in the modern era

While I don't agree that Dickerson is the best of the modern era, to just laugh it off is somewhat laughable in its own right. Probably due to his personality and perceived lack of likeability, Dickerson has become one of the most underrated players I can think of. His first 5-7 years may be the best stretch for a RB ever, and it's certainly up there.The fact that he made it look easy, that he just glided along, may also hurt. But anyone who watched his whole career should recognize that he was one of the best ever, and is definitely in the arguement for best pure runner. Not many had his combo of size, speed and cutting ability... I fact, no one ever has that I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[Kilgore]

90s Emmitt Smith

Earl Campbell in his prime = Best running back ever.

 

[Bri]

It's hard for me to really accept Marcus Allen as a legitimate answer to this when, for almost half of his time in the 80's (3 of 8 seasons), he was the 2nd best RB on his own team (and you might say it wasn't even close).

He had 3 fantastic seasons. I don't remember what the beef with Davis was about, but does it really matter? What are you gonna do, take a carries away from Bo Jackson? Well, actually they did, which wasn't a very smart move for the Raiders.

How often would anyone have ever said handing the ball to Walter Payton or Eric Dickerson was the 2nd best option for the team?

list the seasons Bo had better than Marcus' Supe year please

Irrelevant. The point is that Bo was clearly better than Allen during the years where both played for the Raiders. And that really cannot be disputed.

Irrelevant? Can't be disputed?

Yeah I was dude, we've both been coming "here" for forever as has Ghostrider. I enjoy as much as anyone when someone posts here that a topic can't be disputed.I remember him bowling over Bosworth. I remember how everyone made such a big deal of it even after Bosworth was out of the league and really didn't have much of a career....somehow Bo still steamrolled a great LB in that moment.

That poorly understood moment aside, Bo was exceptional no doubt.

I am not discrediting Bo-I think this is a prime rib or filet mignon discussion. Each were awesome.

Marcus' evil treatment by Al is something that makes me extremely upset and annoyed and basically feel cheated by Al in not getting a chance to see an awesome player play as much as he should. I am of the opinion that the similar public outcry was there for a year? two? three? and Al drafted Bo to save face and NOT have to play Marcus. After that, Bo had a super yet brief career. No doubt. However, I like nothing about the circumstances surrounding Marcus.

What I saw that Supe year from Marcus was phenomenal.

In Kansas City, old Marcus even looked like an old legend somehow even though he was too slow he could find the endzone seemingly with ease and couldn't be stopped. We missed ALOT of Marcus' career. I will always feel cheated we missed that.

I remember when OJ and ahmad rashad were people the public adored and Marcus was a friend often on TV with them. He seemed like such a nice charismatic guy. This didn't help my grrrr toward Al black-balling him. I will admit if he came across as a jerk, I'd probably have thought "serves you right" back then, but Al was black-balling this nice guy.

 

[Bri]

Dickerson was the best RB to play in the modern era

While I don't agree that Dickerson is the best of the modern era, to just laugh it off is somewhat laughable in its own right. Probably due to his personality and perceived lack of likeability, Dickerson has become one of the most underrated players I can think of. His first 5-7 years may be the best stretch for a RB ever, and it's certainly up there.The fact that he made it look easy, that he just glided along, may also hurt. But anyone who watched his whole career should recognize that he was one of the best ever, and is definitely in the arguement for best pure runner. Not many had his combo of size, speed and cutting ability... I fact, no one ever has that I can think of off the top of my head.

Yeah and someone earlier said that Dickerson (who wore those eye goggles because his eyes got poked so much and everyone always discussed his running style thru the hole) always ran to the sidelines as if he was a wimp avoiding contact.OJs single season record was unbeatable then. Dickerson played in the NFC at a time that produced some of the greatest defenses and teams we always talk about here-Da Bears, 86 90 Giants, Gibbs' Redskins, Lott N Niners. It was something for him to break OJs record and for him to have success at the rate he did.

 

[Tau837]

Dickerson was the best RB to play in the modern era

While I don't agree that Dickerson is the best of the modern era, to just laugh it off is somewhat laughable in its own right. Probably due to his personality and perceived lack of likeability, Dickerson has become one of the most underrated players I can think of. His first 5-7 years may be the best stretch for a RB ever, and it's certainly up there.The fact that he made it look easy, that he just glided along, may also hurt. But anyone who watched his whole career should recognize that he was one of the best ever, and is definitely in the arguement for best pure runner. Not many had his combo of size, speed and cutting ability... I fact, no one ever has that I can think of off the top of my head.

No, it's not laughable to laugh it off. Walter Payton and Barry Sanders are very clearly modern era RBs who were better. Dickerson is not in their tier.Furthermore, the thread is not about "best pure runner", it's about "best RB." Bri's statement also said "best RB." Dickerson contributed relatively little in the passing game. And, besides, if he was the "best pure runner," why did he average just 4.4 ypc for his career?I watched Dickerson play throughout his career, and he was great. But IMO he is probably not in the top 5 of modern era RBs, much less #1. That is what made Bri's statement laughable.

 

[SacramentoBob]

Dickerson contributed relatively little in the passing game.

A yard is a yard.

And, besides, if he was the "best pure runner," why did he average just 4.4 ypc for his career?

Why did Payton only average the same?

 

[Koya]

Dickerson was the best RB to play in the modern era

While I don't agree that Dickerson is the best of the modern era, to just laugh it off is somewhat laughable in its own right. Probably due to his personality and perceived lack of likeability, Dickerson has become one of the most underrated players I can think of. His first 5-7 years may be the best stretch for a RB ever, and it's certainly up there.The fact that he made it look easy, that he just glided along, may also hurt. But anyone who watched his whole career should recognize that he was one of the best ever, and is definitely in the arguement for best pure runner. Not many had his combo of size, speed and cutting ability... I fact, no one ever has that I can think of off the top of my head.

No, it's not laughable to laugh it off. Walter Payton and Barry Sanders are very clearly modern era RBs who were better. Dickerson is not in their tier.Furthermore, the thread is not about "best pure runner", it's about "best RB." Bri's statement also said "best RB." Dickerson contributed relatively little in the passing game. And, besides, if he was the "best pure runner," why did he average just 4.4 ypc for his career?I watched Dickerson play throughout his career, and he was great. But IMO he is probably not in the top 5 of modern era RBs, much less #1. That is what made Bri's statement laughable.

Seems we have a different appreciation of both what is laughable, and Dickerson's abilities. FWIW, Dickerson is absolutely in the conversation of best 5... really don't know where you are coming from other than personal opinion. Which is perfectly valid, but hardly allows for the discussion of Dickerson to be laughable. My best of the modern era, in my opinion:Jim Brown (only guy in a tier by himself).Next Tier:WalterSayersBarryFaulkDickersonOJE. Smith is close, as is LT2. Others can certainly put them up in that tier. Thurmon Thomas is criminally underrated, but he's clearly in the next grouping. Either way, hardly laughable, and Dickerson is quite possibly a top 5 guy.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Marcus Allen is probably the most underrated RB in the Hall of Fame (if that makes sense). I don't think I have ever seen a more complete running back (not only was he a great runner and receiver but he was a great blocker downfield and on blitz pickup and the emergency QB). His feud with Al Davis helped extend his career but I think it also limited his production during his peak years, which is a shame.

All that really made him rush for 1000+ yards in a season three whole times in his career? He averaged 55 yards rushing a game for a career

 

[Koya]

Marcus Allen is probably the most underrated RB in the Hall of Fame (if that makes sense). I don't think I have ever seen a more complete running back (not only was he a great runner and receiver but he was a great blocker downfield and on blitz pickup and the emergency QB). His feud with Al Davis helped extend his career but I think it also limited his production during his peak years, which is a shame.

All that really made him rush for 1000+ yards in a season three whole times in his career? He averaged 55 yards rushing a game for a career

And, FWIW, had a ton of respect for Dickerson, at least judging by his comments on the NFL's best players ever series (100 best players)

 

[Hairy Snowman]

I have respect for all these backs.

Having said that, Dickerson was a speed runner. Once he got past the first line of defense, he was gone.

His style reminds me alot of McFadden (without the moves McFadden has).

However, once he lost a step, that was it for his career. he wasn't a great blocker. He wasn't an exceptional pass catcher. He couldn't make people miss in small spaces (like a Marcus or Emmitt or Payton). He was just OK.

 

[Koya]

I have respect for all these backs.Having said that, Dickerson was a speed runner. Once he got past the first line of defense, he was gone. His style reminds me alot of McFadden (without the moves McFadden has). However, once he lost a step, that was it for his career. he wasn't a great blocker. He wasn't an exceptional pass catcher. He couldn't make people miss in small spaces (like a Marcus or Emmitt or Payton). He was just OK.

We must have been watching a different back.Yes, he had the speed of McFadden (was a track guy, and that was a big reason he ran so "relaxed" - you are taught to do so sprinting), but without the moves? This guy had amazing cutting ability. He made people miss more so than Marcus or Emmitt imo... I really can't believe how underrated Dickerson has become. An afterthought in the discussion of great backs, most of whom he was better than.

 

[Koya]

This was the clip I watched, with Marcus doing some commentary:

Dickerson - #52 on NFL all time greatest

 

[SacramentoBob]

I really can't believe how underrated Dickerson has become. An afterthought in the discussion of great backs, most of whom he was better than.

I think it was the goggles that did him in.

 

[VaTerp]

I have respect for all these backs.Having said that, Dickerson was a speed runner. Once he got past the first line of defense, he was gone. His style reminds me alot of McFadden (without the moves McFadden has). However, once he lost a step, that was it for his career. he wasn't a great blocker. He wasn't an exceptional pass catcher. He couldn't make people miss in small spaces (like a Marcus or Emmitt or Payton). He was just OK.

This is such a laughably ignorant post that I don't know where to begin...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLvRIjc3k94

 

[Tau837]

Dickerson contributed relatively little in the passing game.

A yard is a yard.

OK, if you want to look at it that way, Dickerson is #14 all time in yards from scrimmage. Are you trying to make some kind of point here?

And, besides, if he was the "best pure runner," why did he average just 4.4 ypc for his career?

Why did Payton only average the same?

No one is claiming Payton is the "best pure runner" as was claimed for Dickerson. A career average of 4.4 ypc is just fine, but certainly does not fit with that claim. IMO Payton is the best RB of all time, but that is due to his all around skills.

 

[Tau837]

Dickerson was the best RB to play in the modern era

While I don't agree that Dickerson is the best of the modern era, to just laugh it off is somewhat laughable in its own right. Probably due to his personality and perceived lack of likeability, Dickerson has become one of the most underrated players I can think of. His first 5-7 years may be the best stretch for a RB ever, and it's certainly up there.The fact that he made it look easy, that he just glided along, may also hurt. But anyone who watched his whole career should recognize that he was one of the best ever, and is definitely in the arguement for best pure runner. Not many had his combo of size, speed and cutting ability... I fact, no one ever has that I can think of off the top of my head.

No, it's not laughable to laugh it off. Walter Payton and Barry Sanders are very clearly modern era RBs who were better. Dickerson is not in their tier.Furthermore, the thread is not about "best pure runner", it's about "best RB." Bri's statement also said "best RB." Dickerson contributed relatively little in the passing game. And, besides, if he was the "best pure runner," why did he average just 4.4 ypc for his career?I watched Dickerson play throughout his career, and he was great. But IMO he is probably not in the top 5 of modern era RBs, much less #1. That is what made Bri's statement laughable.

Seems we have a different appreciation of both what is laughable, and Dickerson's abilities. FWIW, Dickerson is absolutely in the conversation of best 5... really don't know where you are coming from other than personal opinion. Which is perfectly valid, but hardly allows for the discussion of Dickerson to be laughable. My best of the modern era, in my opinion:Jim Brown (only guy in a tier by himself).Next Tier:WalterSayersBarryFaulkDickersonOJE. Smith is close, as is LT2. Others can certainly put them up in that tier. Thurmon Thomas is criminally underrated, but he's clearly in the next grouping. Either way, hardly laughable, and Dickerson is quite possibly a top 5 guy.

I'll just agree to disagree. I don't believe Dickerson is in the top 5, and I don't really think it's close.

 

[Biabreakable]

Dickerson was the best RB to play in the modern era

While I don't agree that Dickerson is the best of the modern era, to just laugh it off is somewhat laughable in its own right. Probably due to his personality and perceived lack of likeability, Dickerson has become one of the most underrated players I can think of. His first 5-7 years may be the best stretch for a RB ever, and it's certainly up there.The fact that he made it look easy, that he just glided along, may also hurt. But anyone who watched his whole career should recognize that he was one of the best ever, and is definitely in the arguement for best pure runner. Not many had his combo of size, speed and cutting ability... I fact, no one ever has that I can think of off the top of my head.

No, it's not laughable to laugh it off. Walter Payton and Barry Sanders are very clearly modern era RBs who were better. Dickerson is not in their tier.Furthermore, the thread is not about "best pure runner", it's about "best RB." Bri's statement also said "best RB." Dickerson contributed relatively little in the passing game. And, besides, if he was the "best pure runner," why did he average just 4.4 ypc for his career?I watched Dickerson play throughout his career, and he was great. But IMO he is probably not in the top 5 of modern era RBs, much less #1. That is what made Bri's statement laughable.

Seems we have a different appreciation of both what is laughable, and Dickerson's abilities. FWIW, Dickerson is absolutely in the conversation of best 5... really don't know where you are coming from other than personal opinion. Which is perfectly valid, but hardly allows for the discussion of Dickerson to be laughable. My best of the modern era, in my opinion:Jim Brown (only guy in a tier by himself).Next Tier:WalterSayersBarryFaulkDickersonOJE. Smith is close, as is LT2. Others can certainly put them up in that tier. Thurmon Thomas is criminally underrated, but he's clearly in the next grouping. Either way, hardly laughable, and Dickerson is quite possibly a top 5 guy.

I'll just agree to disagree. I don't believe Dickerson is in the top 5, and I don't really think it's close.

Not sure how I would rank them all time to be honest right now but I would for sure have Thurman Thomas Emmit Smith and Tomlinson ahead of Gayle Sayers.

 

[SacramentoBob]

Dickerson contributed relatively little in the passing game.

A yard is a yard.

OK, if you want to look at it that way, Dickerson is #14 all time in yards from scrimmage. Are you trying to make some kind of point here?

You are probably #1 on the boards for trying to stretch statistics any which way to fit your argument.# of seasons leading the league in yards from scrimmage.Dickerson: 4Simpson: 3Sanders: 2Payton: 2Smith: 2Faulk: 2Campbell: 1Not bad for a guy who contributed little to the passing game.

 

[SacramentoBob]

# of 1st team all Pro awards.

Sanders: 6

Dickerson: 5

Payton: 5

Simpson: 5

Smith: 4

Campbell: 3

But it's laughable to include Dickerson in the top 5 all time.

 

[5Rings]

Dickerson and Payton are really the only two possibilities.

NFL Network's Top-10 RBs of the 1980s.1. Eric Dickerson2. Walter Payton3. Marcus Allen4. Roger Craig5. Tony Dorsett6. Ottis Anderson7. John Riggins8. Curt Warner9. Bo Jackson10. Billy Sims

Great list

 

[Tau837]

OK, I concede it is not laughable to say Dickerson is in the conversation for top 5. I personally still rank Brown, Payton, Sanders, and Faulk above him, and I'd have to think about others. But you have changed my mind about top 5.

I still think Bri's original statement is pretty far off, using the HOF definition of modern era, which includes Brown. I think Brown, Payton, and Sanders are all a tier above all other RBs.

 

[texasheat]

This is a thread for March imo

 

[Koya]

Dickerson was the best RB to play in the modern era

While I don't agree that Dickerson is the best of the modern era, to just laugh it off is somewhat laughable in its own right. Probably due to his personality and perceived lack of likeability, Dickerson has become one of the most underrated players I can think of. His first 5-7 years may be the best stretch for a RB ever, and it's certainly up there.The fact that he made it look easy, that he just glided along, may also hurt. But anyone who watched his whole career should recognize that he was one of the best ever, and is definitely in the arguement for best pure runner. Not many had his combo of size, speed and cutting ability... I fact, no one ever has that I can think of off the top of my head.

No, it's not laughable to laugh it off. Walter Payton and Barry Sanders are very clearly modern era RBs who were better. Dickerson is not in their tier.Furthermore, the thread is not about "best pure runner", it's about "best RB." Bri's statement also said "best RB." Dickerson contributed relatively little in the passing game. And, besides, if he was the "best pure runner," why did he average just 4.4 ypc for his career?I watched Dickerson play throughout his career, and he was great. But IMO he is probably not in the top 5 of modern era RBs, much less #1. That is what made Bri's statement laughable.

Seems we have a different appreciation of both what is laughable, and Dickerson's abilities. FWIW, Dickerson is absolutely in the conversation of best 5... really don't know where you are coming from other than personal opinion. Which is perfectly valid, but hardly allows for the discussion of Dickerson to be laughable. My best of the modern era, in my opinion:Jim Brown (only guy in a tier by himself).Next Tier:WalterSayersBarryFaulkDickersonOJE. Smith is close, as is LT2. Others can certainly put them up in that tier. Thurmon Thomas is criminally underrated, but he's clearly in the next grouping. Either way, hardly laughable, and Dickerson is quite possibly a top 5 guy.

I'll just agree to disagree. I don't believe Dickerson is in the top 5, and I don't really think it's close.

Not sure how I would rank them all time to be honest right now but I would for sure have Thurman Thomas Emmit Smith and Tomlinson ahead of Gayle Sayers.

Sayers is a unique example and I ca totally understand why some have him down the list. If we are talking best career, he's not there. Best RB then far more will see my perspective but certainly not all.Fwiw, Sayers was on the NFL all time team 75th anniversary iirc. There may have never been a more skilled back nor a better runner, period. But injuries cut his career quite short of the other all time greats, admittedly.

 

[Koya]

OK, I concede it is not laughable to say Dickerson is in the conversation for top 5. I personally still rank Brown, Payton, Sanders, and Faulk above him, and I'd have to think about others. But you have changed my mind about top 5.I still think Bri's original statement is pretty far off, using the HOF definition of modern era, which includes Brown. I think Brown, Payton, and Sanders are all a tier above all other RBs.

Good to see someone on these boards has an open mind... And you are totally within reason to not have Dickerson in your top five, though many others do and in the opinion of some like myself, more should. Guys flat out underrated.

 

[Clutch is Eli]

Dickerson and Payton are really the only two possibilities.

NFL Network's Top-10 RBs of the 1980s.1. Eric Dickerson2. Walter Payton3. Marcus Allen4. Roger Craig5. Tony Dorsett6. Ottis Anderson7. John Riggins8. Curt Warner9. Bo Jackson10. Billy Sims

Great list

Where I got the idea to start the thread! <---- dickerson as a smiley dude