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Who is the greatest running back of all time? (1 Viewer)
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RamMan
Footballguy
The greatest RB I ever saw from a pure ability/talent/skills, standpoint was Eric Dickerson. From '83 - '86 while playing for the Rams, he was unstopable. In his '83 rookie year he went for over 1800 yrds. and 20 TD's. In '84 alone he had 12 games of over 100 yrds and totaled 2,105 for the season. I remember during those years the Rams couldn't throw the ball a lick (QB was Deiter Brock). EVERYONE IN THE STADIUM KNEW THAT DICKERSON WOULD GET THE ROCK PLAY AFTER PLAY - THEY STILL COULDN'T STOP HIM.
Now claiming that Dickerson was the greatest RB ever is akin to claiming that Koufax was the greatest lefthander ever. Both players were overwhelmingly dominent during relatively short careers- head and shoulders above anyone else during that stretch - but didn't do it over the long haul. It all comes down to how you measure greatness. So here's my breakdown on RB's:
Greatest Skills Ever: 1) Dickerson 2) Brown 3) Sayers 4) OJ 5) Sanders
Greatest Career: 1) Payton 2) E. Smith 3) B. Sanders 4) J. Brown 5) E. Campbell
On the Bubble: Dorsett, C-Mart, M. Allen, M. Faulk, T. Thomas,
Could Make the Club one Day: LT2 (probably there already), LJ (he's a beast - pure and simple)
Just my $0.02...
Now claiming that Dickerson was the greatest RB ever is akin to claiming that Koufax was the greatest lefthander ever. Both players were overwhelmingly dominent during relatively short careers- head and shoulders above anyone else during that stretch - but didn't do it over the long haul. It all comes down to how you measure greatness. So here's my breakdown on RB's:
Greatest Skills Ever: 1) Dickerson 2) Brown 3) Sayers 4) OJ 5) Sanders
Greatest Career: 1) Payton 2) E. Smith 3) B. Sanders 4) J. Brown 5) E. Campbell
On the Bubble: Dorsett, C-Mart, M. Allen, M. Faulk, T. Thomas,
Could Make the Club one Day: LT2 (probably there already), LJ (he's a beast - pure and simple)
Just my $0.02...
Facenda's Voice
Footballguy
Jim Brown.
Gr00vus
Footballguy
Best running back who ever played during my football aware lifetime (meaning I actually got to see him play whole games/seasons):
Barry Sanders
I have a hunch that Jim Brown is probably the actual best ever, but I really haven't seen whole games/seasons of his, so that' s conjecture based on highlights and heresay.
honorable mention:
Earl Campbell
Walter Payton
Eric Dickerson
LaDainian's pretty good too....
Barry Sanders
I have a hunch that Jim Brown is probably the actual best ever, but I really haven't seen whole games/seasons of his, so that' s conjecture based on highlights and heresay.
honorable mention:
Earl Campbell
Walter Payton
Eric Dickerson
LaDainian's pretty good too....
Pipes
Footballguy
No it's not Walter is clearly #2. I think the debate starts at #3 with Sanders, Sayers, Simpson & maybe Emmitt entering into the discussion.
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
rhawkins68
Footballguy
Top three are a given in my mind. It is hard to say which is actually the best of the bunch but I lean toward the order below.
1) Payton
2) Brown
3) Smith
1) Payton
2) Brown
3) Smith
Gr00vus
Footballguy
I agree with everything you say here, he's one of my all time favorite players. But to my mind he just didn't do it long enough in the pros to be THE best ever. That running style of his (and getting his number called so often), while great to watch really shortened his career. But for 4 or 5 years he was right up there.ETA: He also had one of the best football celebrity ad campaigns of all time - SKOAL Brotha!It is what it is said:
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Utter Chaos
Footballguy
A lot of love for Gale Sayers but none for Terrell Davis. 
The both played 7 seasons.
The both played 7 seasons.
Code:
+------------------------------+-------------------------+-------------------+| | Rushing | Receiving |+------------------------+-----+-------------------------+-------------------+| Name | G | Att YD TD YPC | Rec YD TD |+------------------------+-----+-------------------------+-------------------+| Davis,Terrell | 81 | 1655 7607 60 4.6 | 169 1280 5 || Sayers,Gale | 68 | 991 4956 39 5.0 | 112 1307 9 |+------------------------------+-------------------------+-------------------+
PsychoMan
Footballguy
Great blocker, great receiver as well as an amazing runner.Most exciting to watch run the football, Barry Sanders.I'm too young to vote on Jim Brown or Gale Sayers, but in my time, I would say:#1 Walter Payton (best all-round)#2 Barry Sanders
The other part you are forgetting here is Sayers ability to break a game open with a punt and/or kick return.A lot of love for Gale Sayers but none for Terrell Davis.
And a very good passer. He threw for a couple of TD's in his career as well - remember the one against the Redskins in the '84 playoffs. They had a nothing offense (a fantasic defense, just as good if not better than the '85 defense IMHO) with the stellar Steve Fuller at QB; Walter carried the offense that day (as well as many other days in his career).
Facenda's Voice
Footballguy
If you ever watched film of Gayle Sayers, and I mean more than just one run or two, you would understand.A lot of love for Gale Sayers but none for Terrell Davis.
Code:+------------------------------+-------------------------+-------------------+| | Rushing | Receiving |+------------------------+-----+-------------------------+-------------------+| Name | G | Att YD TD YPC | Rec YD TD |+------------------------+-----+-------------------------+-------------------+| Davis,Terrell | 81 | 1655 7607 60 4.6 | 169 1280 5 || Sayers,Gale | 68 | 991 4956 39 5.0 | 112 1307 9 |+------------------------------+-------------------------+-------------------+
redman
Footballguy
Fixed.A lot of love for Gale Sayers but none for Terrell Davis.
The both played 7 seasons. Gale Sayers played for 5 seasons and attempted to come back for 2 more; Terrell Davis played for 4 seasons and attempted to come back for 3 more.
Sabertooth
Footballguy
Barry. Nobody made their opponents' ####### pucker up like Barry Sanders.
whhwalker
Footballguy
Best ever, in their prime, for one game is as loaded a statement as you can get. If this is your measure than Jamal Lewis has to be the guy. He recorded a best ever 295 rush yards in one game, in his prime.
If not for one game than best ever, in their prime, for one season as your measure than it's Marshall Faulk. He recorded a best ever 2,429 yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving). Followed closely by Tiki and LT2 for one season in their prime.
If not for one one game or one season but consistently over a career as your measure than it's Emmitt with 11 seasons over 1,000 rush yards, followed by Sweetness, Sanders and C-Mart with 10.
Let's not forget powerful consistency in one season. Earl Campbell with 4 200 yard games in one season, followed by OJ and Tiki with 3.
All this tells you is there is NO single best ever, but thanks for asking.
If not for one game than best ever, in their prime, for one season as your measure than it's Marshall Faulk. He recorded a best ever 2,429 yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving). Followed closely by Tiki and LT2 for one season in their prime.
If not for one one game or one season but consistently over a career as your measure than it's Emmitt with 11 seasons over 1,000 rush yards, followed by Sweetness, Sanders and C-Mart with 10.
Let's not forget powerful consistency in one season. Earl Campbell with 4 200 yard games in one season, followed by OJ and Tiki with 3.
All this tells you is there is NO single best ever, but thanks for asking.
23... but accounting for the fact that I really didn't start to comprehend and appreciate quality of play until I was about 8.
Utter Chaos
Footballguy
Ok, I'm wasn't saying Terrell Davis was better than Gale Sayers. My point was that he should be mentioned in this thread. Sayers' career was cut short by injuries just like Davis.
The only reason Emmitt is mention is because of his career numbers. If you put Davis' best 3 year period up against Emmitt's guess whose numbers are better?
The only reason Emmitt is mention is because of his career numbers. If you put Davis' best 3 year period up against Emmitt's guess whose numbers are better?
Code:
Name Years Team G GS Rush RushYD YPC RushTD Rec RecYD YPR RecTDTerrell Davis 1996-98 Den 47 47 1106 5296 4.79 49 103 814 7.9 4Emmitt Smith 1991-93 Dal 46 45 1021 4762 4.66 39 165 1007 6.1 3
OJ...nobody could catch him
I would have to say Brown.....everything I have heard and seen of him in highlights made it seem like he was a man among boys.........
next has to be Payton....he could do it all......run, catch, block, throw.....and if you asked him to, he would have probably played special teams..........
then Dickerson.......
then Sanders......
I would have to say Brown.....everything I have heard and seen of him in highlights made it seem like he was a man among boys.........
next has to be Payton....he could do it all......run, catch, block, throw.....and if you asked him to, he would have probably played special teams..........
then Dickerson.......
then Sanders......
AZhardballz
Footballguy
Payton was not only the greatest running back but possibly the greatest all-around player ever in the NFL. He did everything (run,block,pass,catch ect) and only missed 1 game in his 13 year career. He looked to punish people instead of run out of bounds like the chickens these days. Pound for pound nobody was even close in talent or heart.
1.Walter
2. Jim
3. Barry
4. Earl
5. Bo
1.Walter
2. Jim
3. Barry
4. Earl
5. Bo
Earl Campbell...One of the greatest, if not greatest, sports legends in the history of the Great State of Texas. Of course, it depends on if you are aligned with high school, college or professional football but he is always mentioned. Nolan Ryan and Lance Armstrong also get mentioned but this is Texas. Football is and will always be king. Besides a couple guys named Layne and Nobis...Earl Campbell is the best player to ever come out of that dreaded school in Austin. If I knew I could have a back play for 4-5 years at the same level Campbell did, I would draft that player every chance I got. Good call on the Skoal adds.Jim Brown & Payton...flip a coin. Jackson...Probably the best college RB of all time. You could easily make a case for H. Walker, Campbell or Dorsett but, if I could only recruit one kid to play RB for my school, then it would be Jackson. He was an absolute, flat out, athletic mutation. His injury...still remember the play...might be one of the most tragic in the history of the NFL. What could have been...I can't put him into the elite level with NFL players but I respect his place in the game. Speaking of OJ and Bo...They are the only college RB to ever rate a perfect predraft grade of 8.Barry Sanders...personally, the scariest player I have ever seen in pads.
bizkliz
Footballguy
i personally have to go Jim Brown.
i encourage anyone out there to watch the spike lee documentay on him. its a well done film with the first hour focusing strictly on his athletic talents (football, as well as lacrosse and basketball) with plenty of commentary from former coaches, teammates, and opponents.
some of the clips shown of brown are just sick. especially since the early years of the league were very lenient with dirty hits and lows blows.
-biz-
edit to add: that when the browns beat the colts 27-0 in the 1964 championship game, that the browns came in at 21-point dogs.
i encourage anyone out there to watch the spike lee documentay on him. its a well done film with the first hour focusing strictly on his athletic talents (football, as well as lacrosse and basketball) with plenty of commentary from former coaches, teammates, and opponents.
some of the clips shown of brown are just sick. especially since the early years of the league were very lenient with dirty hits and lows blows.
-biz-
edit to add: that when the browns beat the colts 27-0 in the 1964 championship game, that the browns came in at 21-point dogs.
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⚡DEADHEAD⚡
Footballguy
I'd love to see what a guy like Tomlinson would do to the defenses of the 1960s and 1970s. Tough guys for sure. But today's defense is faster, stronger, better trained, etc. I think LT tears it up.
On the flipside, LT's success is also a function of great offensive scheming and excellent athleticism.
On the flipside, LT's success is also a function of great offensive scheming and excellent athleticism.
Sullie
Footballguy
It's hard to believe a guy could AVERAGE 5.22 yards per carry, and dominate the rushing game in an era where passing the ball was always second to running so defenses were always looking for the run. Gotta go with Jim Brown. Eight years and still averaged over 5 yards per carry. Amazing, absolutely amazing athlete.
Barry Sanders gets my vote for 2nd and everyone knows he had some horrible blocking and played on some miserable teams in Detroit.
Barry Sanders gets my vote for 2nd and everyone knows he had some horrible blocking and played on some miserable teams in Detroit.
mr. furley
Footballguy
before this season i would have said Reggie Bush but after 8 weeks i will say Lawrence Maroney. 
Tau837
Footballguy
Agree. And this has been thoroughly discussed many times. Lots of good debate in the old threads.
Tau837
Footballguy
Facenda said:If you ever watched film of Gayle Sayers, and I mean more than just one run or two, you would understand.Utter Chaos said:A lot of love for Gale Sayers but none for Terrell Davis.
Code:+------------------------------+-------------------------+-------------------+| | Rushing | Receiving |+------------------------+-----+-------------------------+-------------------+| Name | G | Att YD TD YPC | Rec YD TD |+------------------------+-----+-------------------------+-------------------+| Davis,Terrell | 81 | 1655 7607 60 4.6 | 169 1280 5 || Sayers,Gale | 68 | 991 4956 39 5.0 | 112 1307 9 |+------------------------------+-------------------------+-------------------+
hellz_fireflies
Footballguy
E.Smith..most yards most rushing TD's in the history of the NFL 
RamMan
Footballguy
You could say this about any era in any sport. Everything is relative. While today's D's are faster, stronger, etc. so are the offensive linemen etc. who open the holes for today's RB's. There's no doubt LT2 will be one of the greatest once all is said and done. I just don't buy the "what if Barry Bonds played in Babe Ruth's days" arguments or comparisons. Apples and oranges....
hellz_fireflies
Footballguy
Do you know what year Bill Gates invented Windows? Thats the key to everything in life the computer and why all things today seem to work alot better. By the way it was 1984
Emmitt has 6k more yards than Brown but played 6 more seasons and almost 2x the amount of games than Brown did (Emmitt 226 games, Brown 118 games).If you want to look at stats, then look at per game stats:Rushing Yards Per Game: Emmitt 81.2 Brown 104.3Rushing TDs Per Game: Emmitt 0.73 Brown 0.90Career Yards Per Carry: Emmitt 4.2 Brown 5.2Rush/Rec Yards Per Game: Emmitt 95.5 Brown 125.5Rush/Rec TDs Per Game: Emmitt 0.77 Brown 1.07Emmitt was a great back, but he doesn't even come close to the back that Jim Brown was.E.Smith..most yards most rushing TD's in the history of the NFL
Stealthycat
Footballguy
In June it was Reggie Bush, in July it was Ron Dayne ........... who knows now but I can tell you Vick will never be a QB regardless of throwing 7 TD's in the past 2 games !
Gr00vus
Footballguy
Do you know what year Bill Gates invented Windows? Thats the key to everything in life the computer and why all things today seem to work alot better. By the way it was 1984
That's one of the best non sequiturs I've ever seen here in the shark pool, whether you intended it that way or not. 
-OZ-
Footballguy
I don't like the "one game to win" concept, but this is a good list. I personally would bump Dorsett to #10, and perhaps LT up to 6 tied with Barry for his versatility, but good overall.
Hairy Snowman
Footballguy
#1 Walter Payton
#2 Emmitt Smith
#3 Jim Brown
Barry didn't do Goalline or catch the ball out of the backfield and was not a very good blocker.
Neither Brown nor Dickerson caught the ball.
Gayle Sayers was amazing, but didn't have the durability - something I think is neccessary to be on this list. Otherwise, you could list Bo Jackson here too.
And Jim Brown shouldn't get bonus points because he quit when he could still play.
LT2 has to be on this list soon IF he can stay healthy. He does it all.
I think Thurman Thomas would get more recognition if the Bills had won at least 1 superbowl. Thurman made that offense work and also did it all.
Just my 2 cents
Edit: I can't believe most of you diss the all-time leading rusher like you do. Like he did it as some kind of fluke. Don't you think if all anybody had to do was play longer to break that record someone would? Thing is, not anyone could. Thats part of what made him great.
#2 Emmitt Smith
#3 Jim Brown
Barry didn't do Goalline or catch the ball out of the backfield and was not a very good blocker.
Neither Brown nor Dickerson caught the ball.
Gayle Sayers was amazing, but didn't have the durability - something I think is neccessary to be on this list. Otherwise, you could list Bo Jackson here too.
And Jim Brown shouldn't get bonus points because he quit when he could still play.
LT2 has to be on this list soon IF he can stay healthy. He does it all.
I think Thurman Thomas would get more recognition if the Bills had won at least 1 superbowl. Thurman made that offense work and also did it all.
Just my 2 cents
Edit: I can't believe most of you diss the all-time leading rusher like you do. Like he did it as some kind of fluke. Don't you think if all anybody had to do was play longer to break that record someone would? Thing is, not anyone could. Thats part of what made him great.
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Hunterbeer
Footballguy
I see this quoted all the time, but does ANYONE really think those Cowboy lines were one of the best ever? Look at the Raider lines of Otto (later Dalby), Boomer Brown, Upshaw, and Shell. That is four NFL Hall of Famers on the line. (Heck in 1971 they had Ron Mix, another HoF on the line, albeit at the tail end of his career.) The Dolphin lines of Langer, Little, and Kuchenberg (2 HoFers). The Packer lines of Gregg and Ringo (both in the HoF). The Hogs. The Steeler front five in the 70s led by Mike Webster. Heck, the Cowboy lines of the 70s may have been better. There was only one sure fire HoF guy on that line, Larry Allen. Of course there were four other VERY good players, but I do not think I could call them one of the best ever. More credit should go to AIkman and Irvin who kept defenses so honest and on their heels.
Hunterbeer
Footballguy
Oh, and my list is
1) Jim Brown -- He averaged more yards per game and more yards per carry than Barry did. That says enough for me.
2) Barry Sanders
3) Gale Sayers
4) OJ or Sweetness
1) Jim Brown -- He averaged more yards per game and more yards per carry than Barry did. That says enough for me.
2) Barry Sanders
3) Gale Sayers
4) OJ or Sweetness
PHILLYHAWK
Footballguy
Not even close...
Jim Brown
Jim Brown
The best in my lifetime, and as a 30+ year old...here goes:
Earl Campbell
Eric Dickerson
Marshall Faulk, he was ridiculous in college.
LaDainian Tomlinson
Barry Sanders
Emmitt Smith
Walter Payton
Priest Holmes
Hershel Walker
Marcus Allen
Tony Dorsett
Edge
Shaun Alexander
Eddie George
Bo Jackson( I loved the Auburn backfield: Bo, Fullwood, Agee)
I'm sure Jim Brown and Gale Sayers were great, but never saw them play. What I have seen on NFL films is impressive. I question some of their peers at their position. Sayers maybe had freakish ability, but he does not even have 5000 yards rushing. Greatness at RB includes carrying the load, and Sayers due to injury and hyperbole is a bit overrated.
Fred Taylor belongs in the discussion as well but injuries have dogged him. He has freakish ability and for some reason when healthy was rarely used properly. he had Boselli for a few years but did a lot with nothing up front. When right physically has HOF ability, and despite injuries has managed 9000 yards rushing.
Earl Campbell
Eric Dickerson
Marshall Faulk, he was ridiculous in college.
LaDainian Tomlinson
Barry Sanders
Emmitt Smith
Walter Payton
Priest Holmes
Hershel Walker
Marcus Allen
Tony Dorsett
Edge
Shaun Alexander
Eddie George
Bo Jackson( I loved the Auburn backfield: Bo, Fullwood, Agee)
I'm sure Jim Brown and Gale Sayers were great, but never saw them play. What I have seen on NFL films is impressive. I question some of their peers at their position. Sayers maybe had freakish ability, but he does not even have 5000 yards rushing. Greatness at RB includes carrying the load, and Sayers due to injury and hyperbole is a bit overrated.
Fred Taylor belongs in the discussion as well but injuries have dogged him. He has freakish ability and for some reason when healthy was rarely used properly. he had Boselli for a few years but did a lot with nothing up front. When right physically has HOF ability, and despite injuries has managed 9000 yards rushing.
coo2ie
Footballguy
Hairy Snowman
Footballguy
I agree. He played all those seasons, ran for all those yards, and the guy isn't cripped, he's Dancing with the Stars now! This guy wasn't a WR - he was a 3 down RB that touched the ball 20+ times a game. Take a peek at Jerome Bettis and Curtis Martin ~ 2 guys CLOSE to what he did in the NFL. Both are basically
from the waist down. And I would like to see Jim Brown run against todays defensive lineman. He wouldn't be breaking tackles of guys his own size, they wold be bigger and faster than him. I wonder how he would have fared if the lineman were bigger - oh yeah, I remember now - when they adjusted he quit! 
The Real Deal
Footballguy
Best RB of all time = Jim Brown
Potential best RB of all time 10 years from now = Adrian Peterson
Potential best RB of all time 10 years from now = Adrian Peterson
