Best runningback of all time

[gator15]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Emmit Smith.

[The15thunter]

Re: Best runningback of all time

jim brown is the correct answer.

[PantherBeast_OS]

Re: Best runningback of all time

I will say Walter Payton is the best of all time. But there has been some other great RBs in the past I've loved. Emmit Smith,Barry Sanders and so on.

[bkrich83]

Re: Best runningback of all time

whether he is the greatest or not is up for debate, but Smith accomplished more than any running back in history, just like Jerry Rice accomplished more than any WR in history

as far as choosing one out of these great legendary backs, it just depends on what kind of offense you want to run and what kind of back you are looking for. Dickerson might have been the most explosive back ever but if i want a grinder that will move the chains and consistency from an all around back that can do it all I would go Smith or Payton. If I want highlight reel runs, I would go Sanders. If I need to win a playoff game in Candlestick Park or Lambeau, and again I need a back that will grind out the yards and move the chains, I would ride with Emmitt Smith. You cant go wrong with any of those players though obviously

Dickerson was every bit the run finisher between the tackles grinder Smith was. He just had a gear Emmitt didn't when he got to the second level

[ZB9]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Dickerson was every bit the run finisher between the tackles grinder Smith was. He just had a gear Emmitt didn't when he got to the second level

Dickerson was great, but he certainly was not near the grinder or finisher that Smith was...but to be fair to Dickerson, I dont think there has been a grinder as good as Emmitt in the history of the game

[Rocky]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Dickerson was great, but he certainly was not near the grinder or finisher that Smith was...but to be fair to Dickerson, I dont think there has been a grinder as good as Emmitt in the history of the game

Earl Campbell and Jim Brown were the two greatest finishers ever bar none. I would even put Larry Czonka a little bit below them but ahead of Emmitt.

[Jistic]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Earl Campbell and Jim Brown were the two greatest finishers ever bar none. I would even put Larry Czonka a little bit below them but ahead of Emmitt.

I'm a big defender of Emmit, but this is very true right here.

[roadman]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Earl Campbell and Jim Brown were the two greatest finishers ever bar none. I would even put Larry Czonka a little bit below them but ahead of Emmitt.

Jim Taylor didn't play the number of years as a modern day HB did(Payton, Smith, etc...), but man, for a fullback to have over 1000 yds in 14 games during 5 consecutive seasons is a good accomplishment.

Also, Taylor had Horning carrying the ball as well.

Taylor was a bruising finisher.

Here's a quote by Lombardi that is a pretty accurate description between Brown and Taylor.

"Jim Brown will give you that leg and then take it away from you. Jim Taylor will give it to you and then ram it through your chest!"

Just saying Taylor belongs up there somewhere along the finishers. I agree, Czonka was a bruiser too.

[Rocky]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Jim Taylor didn't play the number of years as a modern day HB did(Payton, Smith, etc...), but man, for a fullback to have over 1000 yds in 14 games during 5 consecutive seasons is a good accomplishment.

Also, Taylor had Horning carrying the ball as well.

Taylor was a bruising finisher.

Here's a quote by Lombardi that is a pretty accurate description between Brown and Taylor.

"Jim Brown will give you that leg and then take it away from you. Jim Taylor will give it to you and then ram it through your chest!"

Just saying Taylor belongs up there somewhere along the finishers. I agree, Czonka was a bruiser too.

Great call. Jim Taylor was a horse....you talk about a back legitimately getting stronger with every carry. That was Jim Taylor.

[TheWatcher]

Re: Best runningback of all time

I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the production comparison of Smith to Rice. Rice dominated at different times in 3 different decades, and I argue that Rice is perhaps the greatest football player of all time just because he dominated and produced at such a level of excellence combined with longevity, that I can't really legitimately say another player at any position can match it.

That takes nothing away from Smith, it just greatly credits Rice and what he was able to accomplish.

[metallicatz]

Re: Best runningback of all time

My favorite back of all time will likely always be Sweetness. The perfect combination of a tough and yet graceful and elusive runner. He could juke you, flat out stick a forearm in your facemask and run you right over, or leap clean over a pile at the goal line.

Marion Barber is the only guy today who reminds me even a little of Payton. He has the tough style that attacks a defender, but not the grace.

[Bondgirl0072]

Re: Best runningback of all time

I am going to say Walter Payton.

[bkrich83]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Dickerson was great, but he certainly was not near the grinder or finisher that Smith was...but to be fair to Dickerson, I dont think there has been a grinder as good as Emmitt in the history of the game

Lol. Shocking.

[bkrich83]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Earl Campbell and Jim Brown were the two greatest finishers ever bar none. I would even put Larry Czonka a little bit below them but ahead of Emmitt.

You can put Payton in there. His ability to explode in to a defender and finish runs was legendary.

When it comes to Payton I can't think of anything Smith did better than him.

[ZB9]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Lol. Shocking.

lets go over some of Emmitt's accomplishments on the field again

-most all time rushing yards
-most all time rushing TDs
-most all time 100 yard games
-most all time rushing first downs
-most all time playoff rushing yards
-most all time playoff rushing TDs
-most all time super bowl rushing yards
-most all time super bowl rushing TDs

yea how could anyone think that guy is the best ever at something