Best runningback of all time

[roadman]

Re: Best runningback of all time

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

Sounds like someone isn't giving Sweetness his due, here. Smith played two more seasons than Sweetness and we all know he should have hanged them up.

Sweetness had 571 less carries(roughly 1.5 to two seasons worth) than Smith and wound up with 1629 less yds.

Sweetness would have only needed to avg 2.8 yds pg to catch Smith. Let's not trump Smith the best at everything without knowing all the facts.

I'll objectively take Sweetness over Smith.

[MaddenMan]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Emmitt Smith

Favorite that I personally like:

Walter Payton

[ZB9]

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.

yes, but I stated grinder

as far as finishers, there is no way that Czonka was a better finisher than Emmitt, although Czonka was great obviously

[ZB9]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Sounds like someone isn't giving Sweetness his due, here. Smith played two more seasons than Sweetness and we all know he should have hanged them up.

Sweetness had 571 less carries(roughly 1.5 to two seasons worth) than Smith and wound up with 1629 less yds.

Sweetness would have only needed to avg 2.8 yds pg to catch Smith. Let's not trump Smith the best at everything without knowing all the facts.

I'll objectively take Sweetness over Smith.

post #150

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

A case can obviously be made for Sweetness as the greatest of all time...my point is that a case can be made for Emmitt as well

like ive said, it depends on what kind of back you prefer, but you cant go wrong with any of these great and legendary backs

[roadman]

Re: Best runningback of all time

post #150



A case can obviously be made for Sweetness as the greatest of all time...my point is that a case can be made for Emmitt as well

like ive said, it depends on what kind of back you prefer, but you cant go wrong with any of these great legendary backs

Fair enough

I wasn't going by post #150, I was going by your latest one quoting Smith stats that he #1 in many categories.

I was just trying to point out that it's a tossup between Payton and Smith and it could go either way.

My edge goes to Payton.

[bkrich83]

Re: Best runningback of all time

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

Great he had a long career and played on a great team. Doesn't make him the best ever RB.

[Indian Joe]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Barry Sanders.

/thread

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Obviously, everyone played in a different time, so it's no way to know for sure. But when I look at them, Jim Brown was MILES ahead of absolutely everyone in the NFL when he played.

Obviously, Emmitt, Barry, Payton, all were outstanding, but Brown would routinely finish well above every other running back in basically every category. AND he retired early, if he played 2-3 more years, think about where his numbers would be.

So my vote is Jim Brown.

[bkrich83]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Obviously, everyone played in a different time, so it's no way to know for sure. But when I look at them, Jim Brown was MILES ahead of absolutely everyone in the NFL when he played.

Obviously, Emmitt, Barry, Payton, all were outstanding, but Brown would routinely finish well above every other running back in basically every category. AND he retired early, if he played 2-3 more years, think about where his numbers would be.

So my vote is Jim Brown.

I don't disagree. But with the exception of NFL Films highlights I never really saw Brown play, at least not full games. I just hate judging players in something like this if I never really saw them.

But I do agree, Brown looked to be a man amongst boys.

[MrNFL_FanIQ]

Re: Best runningback of all time

I don't disagree. But with the exception of NFL Films highlights I never really saw Brown play, at least not full games. I just hate judging players in something like this if I never really saw them.

But I do agree, Brown looked to be a man amongst boys.

Yeah, that's the unfortunate thing. I'm pretty sure 99.9% of the forum weren't old enough to remember watching Jim Brown play. It's just ABSURD looking at what he did in comparison to every other running back in football in the 60's. Truly a monster.

[ZB9]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Great he had a long career and played on a great team. Doesn't make him the best ever RB.

It makes him the most accomplished running back, with 3 super bowl rings...just like Jerry Rice is the most accomplished wide receiver, with 3 super bowl rings

Whether he is the "greatest" is a matter of opinion and depends largely on different peoples' criteria in judging players and what type of back individuals prefer. However, its obviously not absurd for someone to choose Emmitt Smith in such a discussion.

[Playmakers]

Re: Best runningback of all time

This might be a very interesting article for you guys....

Fits this debate perfect IMO

The Greatest NFL Running Backs of the Last 50 Years: 1959 to 2009

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/190579-the-greatest-nfl-running-backs-of-the-last-50-years-1959-to-2009

It's always exciting for me to create these guys in NCAA football each year

[snowman5607]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Barry Sanders.

/thread

This answer here.

[roadman]

Re: Best runningback of all time

This might be a very interesting article for you guys....

Fits this debate perfect IMO

The Greatest NFL Running Backs of the Last 50 Years: 1959 to 2009

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/190579-the-greatest-nfl-running-backs-of-the-last-50-years-1959-to-2009

It's always exciting for me to create these guys in NCAA football each year

With the exception of Jim Brown, not many players listed from the golden era of football. Even the author admits not knowing much about Gayle Sayers and does a revision list. Author admits not knowing running backs before his time.

Otherwise, not a bad list.

[metallicatz]

Re: Best runningback of all time

One point i'd like to make in Payton's favor, since some like pointing out that Sanders had "bad teams" around him, is that when the younger crowd thinks of Payton they think of the 1985 Super Bowl team, if they ever even saw him play at all outside of NFL Films. Payton was past his prime in 1985 and his best years and most of his yardage were on some very bad Bears teams.

Not trying to diss Sanders at all and I think a legitimate argument can be made for him. But like Sanders, Payton played most of his career on bad teams.