Best runningback of all time

[The15thunter]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Agreed ,but when I'm picking a GOAT I take competition into consideration. Jim Brown would fall into my top 3.

1. Sanders
2. Payton
3. Brown

true, but then you have to factor in the fact that these guys aren't just playing in a vacuum. you can look at them as if they stand alone, or you could look at their dominance at the position compared to their contemporaries. so, even if you figure their competition is weak, which i wholeheartedly disagree with, you still can't discount the facts:

jim brown played for 9 season. he went to 9 pro bowls. he was selected to 8 all-pro teams.

that is a run of dominance that can not be matched by any other running back in history.

a rank of the most statisically dominant running backs of all-time: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/blog/?p=2042

i'm not knocking the other guys at all, i think sanders, payton and smith are tremendous backs, all worthy of second place billing. but the top dog is jim.

and the talk of emmitt smith being a coattail rider or being a product of his team is poppycock and can de-bunked rather efficiently.

[CW McGraw]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Part of the reason why Jim Brown's stats dwarfed his contemporaries so greatly was the nature of running offenses at the time. Brown was really one of the few feature backs that got as many carries as he did. Brown led the league in rushing in six of the nine years of his careers. Most great backs getting that many carries would be leading the league in rushing more often than not. Of course, most great RBs have difficulty carrying the ball that often and remaining healthy and effective.

[Rocky]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Part of the reason why Jim Brown's stats dwarfed his contemporaries so greatly was the nature of running offenses at the time. Brown was really one of the few feature backs that got as many carries as he did. Brown led the league in rushing in six of the nine years of his careers. Most great backs getting that many carries would be leading the league in rushing more often than not. Of course, most great RBs have difficulty carrying the ball that often and remaining healthy and effective.

That makes his all time high 5.2 career YPC mark even more remakable and a testament to why he truly is the greatest football player ever.

[ClutchCity]

Re: Best runningback of all time

I accidently voted Emmith Smith because of the Hall of Fame Induction this week, and I was able to remember some of his games. lol

But the best back easily goes to Barry Sanders, I rarely watched him play but from what I hear this guy had no true talent around him, and it has to be true because I never remembered the Lions as a dominate team in my 20 years of living and watching football.

One outstanding stat that fans may not know is that he is like # 3 all-time in rushing, and also # 1 in yards loss all-time. That stat alone just amazes me. I don't think that any other back could pull this off. Although the other backs have amazing numbers.

I think the team Barry was on and the Line he has easily shows that he is greatest back. I can just imagine him running behind a true offensive line, kind of scary if you ask me.

[bkrich83]

Re: Best runningback of all time

I think the team Barry was on and the Line he has easily shows that he is greatest back. I can just imagine him running behind a true offensive line, kind of scary if you ask me.

Going by that logic, Eric Dickerson or Walter Payton were better, as the Lions were a veritable all star team compared to the teams they played on.

[MassNole]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Going by that logic, Eric Dickerson or Walter Payton were better, as the Lions were a veritable all star team compared to the teams they played on.

Doesn't it seem that his Lions teams gets worse and worse with each passing year? People who weren't old enough to remember them really shouldn't comment on how good or bad the Lions were when Sanders was there.

[The15thunter]

Re: Best runningback of all time

I accidently voted Emmith Smith because of the Hall of Fame Induction this week, and I was able to remember some of his games. lol

But the best back easily goes to Barry Sanders, I rarely watched him play but from what I hear this guy had no true talent around him, and it has to be true because I never remembered the Lions as a dominate team in my 20 years of living and watching football.

One outstanding stat that fans may not know is that he is like # 3 all-time in rushing, and also # 1 in yards loss all-time. That stat alone just amazes me. I don't think that any other back could pull this off. Although the other backs have amazing numbers.

I think the team Barry was on and the Line he has easily shows that he is greatest back. I can just imagine him running behind a true offensive line, kind of scary if you ask me.

1. how is being the running back with the most yards lost a distinction you want?

2. the poorness of the offense is often overstated. herman moore, the #1 wideout, was a 4 time pro bowler and 3 time all pro. in the nfc. with jerry rice.

[The15thunter]

Re: Best runningback of all time

lions to make pro bowl during barry sanders' career (including self) - 12; hb - barry sanders (10), nt - jerry ball (3), lb - chris spielman (4), k - eddie murray (1), wr - herman moore (4), lt - lomas brown (7), kr - mel gray (4), fs - bennie blades (1), lb - pat swilling (1), c - kevin glover (3), de - robert porcher (1), k - jason hanson (1)

lions to make all-pro team during bary sanders' career (including self) - 6; hb - barry sanders (6) , wr - herman moore (3), lt - lomas brown (1), kr - mel gray (3), lb - chris spielman (1), nt - jerry ball (1)

[Rocky]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Doesn't it seem that his Lions teams gets worse and worse with each passing year? People who weren't old enough to remember them really shouldn't comment on how good or bad the Lions were when Sanders was there.

I agree. I don't understand when people use this argument because it really isn't needed. Aside from Jim Brown, the numbers lie on Barry's side in every comparison. And his natural running ability and impact speaks for itself.

[MassNole]

Re: Best runningback of all time

I agree. I don't understand when people use this argument because it really isn't needed. Aside from Jim Brown, the numbers lie on Barry's side in every comparison. And his natural running ability and impact speaks for itself.

I'd say his playoff choking also speaks for itself.

[Jeffx]

Re: Best runningback of all time

BTW Campbell was one helluva physical specimen. That man just LOVED to hit the opposing team as hard as he could and unfortunately it shortened his career. I tell you if Campbell was around today the players on the other side of the ball would probably piss their pants out of fear.

You better believe it. The LAST thing a DB wanted to see was Earl Campbell barreling down on his ***. He had a short career, but like Brown, he was a man among boys. He's number 5 on my all-time list.

[Jeffx]

Re: Best runningback of all time

jim brown played for 9 season. he went to 9 pro bowls. he was selected to 8 all-pro teams.

that is a run of dominance that can not be matched by any other running back in history.

a rank of the most statisically dominant running backs of all-time: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/blog/?p=2042

i'm not knocking the other guys at all, i think sanders, payton and smith are tremendous backs, all worthy of second place billing. but the top dog is jim.

Thank you very much.

[Rocky]

Re: Best runningback of all time

I'd say his playoff choking also speaks for itself.

The only playoff performance that he was truly terrible in was the GB, 13 carries for -1 yard performance. And that was against 8 and 9 men in the box because the GB defensive backs dared Dave Krieg to beat them.

[The15thunter]

Re: Best runningback of all time

The only playoff performance that he was truly terrible in was the GB, 13 carries for -1 yard performance. And that was against 8 and 9 men in the box because the GB defensive backs dared Dave Krieg to beat them.

i'm not one to hate on barry, i think he's definitely in the running for #4 (behind jim, walter and emmitt). i don't feel i need to knock him to justify my horse's position in the poll.

but of his 6 playoff games, i'd say 1 was good, 2 were average, and the rest were not, with the green bay game being ****ally bad on a level that underlies every problem about him as a running back.

1991 - vs. dallas (38-6; w) - 12 carries, 69 yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 5 receptions, 30 yards
1991 - @ washington (10-41; l) - 11 carries, 44 yards, 4 receptions, 15 yards

1993 - vs. green bay (24-28; l) - 27 carries, 169 yards, 2 receptions, 0 yards

1994 - @ green bay (12-16; l) - 13 carries, -1 yard, 3 receptions, 4 yards

1995 - @ philadelphia (37-58; l) - 10 carries, 40 yards, 2 receptions, 19 yards

1997 - @ tampa bay (10-20; l) - 18 carries, 65 yards, 5 receptions, 43 yards

total playoff career - 6 games (1-5) - 91 carries, 386 yards (4.24 ypc), 1 rushing touchdown, 21 receptions, 111 yards (5.29 ypc)

playoff averages - 15 carries, 64 yards, 3.5 receptions, 18.5 yards

[TecmoZack]

Re: Best runningback of all time

Emmit Smith is #1 on my list. I also really like Campbell, Brown, and Sanders as well. Gladly would start a franchise with anyone of these guys at RB.