Re: Best runningback of all time
Good list, but i'm picking Sanders as best all-time in the NFL in his prime.
Good list, but i'm picking Sanders as best all-time in the NFL in his prime.
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Last edited by gravity62; 05-18-2011, 11:30 AM. -
Re: Best runningback of all time
Barry Sanders was the best I've ever seen play."The academic support at Ohio State, there is no way you can fail. Even if you're giving minimal effort there is no way you can fail."
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Re: Best runningback of all time
Bo Jackson - the MOST talented RB everComment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
I can't believe this debate is still going. A Running Back 1) runs the ball and 2) scores touchdowns. Who better to quantify this than Emmitt Smith who not only is #1 in rushing, #1 in rushing TDs, #2 in all time scoring, #2 in all-time yards from scrimmage, #5 in receptions for RBs, #4 in all-purpose yards, but had one of the highest levels of longevity and durability of any player in that position.
(Yes I know, stirring the pot.)Comment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
I usually like to stir the pot in this debate with the Bo Jackson point. I agree, most talented running back ever. They say he was clocked in the 40 at 4.12 seconds! (No, not at the combine.)
As far as Emmitt Smith, best offensive line I have ever seen. Great running back, but I have never seen a running back have bigger holes to run through in all my life. That being said, he did everything well and did it for a long time.
Watching highlights on the best backs of all time, what stands out to me with Emmitt is it amazes me that the defense couldn't tackle him. He was always just that one step better than the guy in front or behind him.
But the difference between watching Emmitt's videos and watching Payton's, Sander's, Bo's, Gale Sayers, Jim Brown's, they amazed me with what they could do. Its the same plays I have seen a hundred times, and am still wowed. Emmitt doesn't wow me.When rookie Randall Cobb was told by this U.S. Marine that he was a big fan of the wide receiver, Cobb said, “I think I’m a bigger fan of yours.”Comment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
I've never seen the man play but i've seen clips and heard his contemporaries talk about him enough that I think Gale Sayers would top Jackson easily. Sayers was a KO/PR guy who was the epitome of the perfect return guy before Deion and Hester made it look routine.
Jackson was a great ball of fire when he was around but I think eventually he'd end up wearing down like other backs of his type like Earl Campbell and to a lesser extent Jerome Bettis.Member of the Official OS Bills Backers Club
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When rookie Randall Cobb was told by this U.S. Marine that he was a big fan of the wide receiver, Cobb said, “I think I’m a bigger fan of yours.”Comment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
I think using the "offensive line" reason to discount Smith's accomplishments is unfair because it throws into so many arguments one could make at any sport and player. The scheme Emmitt played for suited his skillset perfectly: read the hole & hit it. You don't see people taking anything away from Joe Montana being in the fresh West Coast offense while having Jerry Rice & a great organization, or people say Jerry Rice doesn't deserve his accolades while having TWO HOF QBs throwing to him throughout his career, or people take away Lawrence Taylor's legitimacy even though he was the prototype for the 3-4 rush OLB, etc. Each player plays to the best of their abilities regardless of team, scheme, etc; it's just some players were more fortunate in having schemes that were tailored to the player or vise versa.
If there is a true testament to Smith's greatness look at his stats his final season of his career. At the unheard of age of 35 he managed nearly 1000 yards on the lowly 2004 Arizona Cardinals. There are so many reasons why that sentence shouldn't make sense.
In terms of wow factor, I agree, Emmitt had none; he was simply a guy who chugged out the yards one carry at a time. But unlike others on the list, he was a complete back in that he excelled in all aspects of the game: running, pass protection & pass catching, and he never came off the field whether that be short yardage, obvious passing plays, etc while the same can not be said about someone like a Barry Sanders. To relate that now, Tom Brady doesn't wow, but he wins, where as Michael Vick is electrifying yet has won nothing yet both are elite players for their position.
I can't hold Bo Jackson in any serious debate being "best of all time" merely because he didn't compete long enough. Do I feel with his skill set he could have been one of the best, yes, definitely, but his body of work was never complete. And you never know when/if his body would have broke down. Part of being the "greatest RB" is being there every game when it matters, which guys like Bo Jackson, Gayle Sayers, or Terrell Davis were not able to accomplish. Emmitt did it for 15 years while being the workhorse week in and out.Last edited by elgreazy1; 05-18-2011, 01:21 PM.Comment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
I can say the same thing about statisics. I think bringing up statistics to support Smith is unfair because it throws into so many arguments one could make at any sport and player. The scheme Emmitt played for suited his skillset perfectly: read the hole & hit it. If you don't think the QB throwing the ball to a receiver has anything to do with how successful a receiver is, you are very mistaken. Jerry Rices numbers are what they are partially because of who was throwing him the ball. Did you see the great numbers Larry Fitzgerald put up last year without Kurt Warner? Does that mean LF isn't one of the best, if not the best areceiver in the league? Or Jerry Rice wasn't the best of all time? NO.
When it comes to comparing running backs and you want to use statistics, then yes, it is completely fair to bring up the offensive line. And I never stated Emmitt didn't deserve his accolades or used it to discount his accomplishments. He was a great running back. I also see you seem to concede that fact that he did have a great line to run behind. But you don't think an offensive line has any impact on the numbers a running back puts up? And then you want to use those numbers to justify the players greatness?
To compare one running back to another, due to different talent around them, different systems, and different eras, you need to use the eye test along with the numbers. Compare speed, power, elusiveness, vision, blocking.
I agree with most of your first paragraph, but that doesn't make a case for him being the GOAT.
He averaged what, 3.2 yards per carry his two years there? Even the way you phrased your statement says that the players around a running back influence a running backs statistics. The guy he replaced, Marcel Shipp averaged 4.4 and 3.6 yards per carry and had over 800 hards for two seasons. Having lower numbers than Marcel Shipp with the same supporting cast is not a testament to greatness, even at 35.If there is a true testament to Smith's greatness look at his stats his final season of his career. At the unheard of age of 35 he managed nearly 1000 yards on the lowly 2004 Arizona Cardinals. There are so many reasons why that sentence shouldn't make sense.
That is why I voted for Walter Payton over Sanders. He wasn't much of a blocker and wasn't as good as some of the others in the passing game although not bad. But every other name on that list was a complete back. I don't know who else you are referring to with this.In terms of wow factor, I agree, Emmitt had none; he was simply a guy who chugged out the yards one carry at a time. But unlike others on the list, he was a complete back in that he excelled in all aspects of the game: running, pass protection & pass catching, and he never came off the field whether that be short yardage, obvious passing plays, etc while the same can not be said about someone like a Barry Sanders. To relate that now, Tom Brady doesn't wow, but he wins, where as Michael Vick is electrifying yet has won nothing yet both are elite players for their position.
As far as coming off the field in short yardage situations, he was misused. That was always controversial. Go back to page 44 and look at SPTO's comment. He was misused. To go along with your first paragraph, being misused shouldn't make you less of a great back.
The Bo Jackson debate isn't a serious debate. It is a fun debate because of the what if factor. Because as you said, it wasn't a complete body of work.I can't hold Bo Jackson in any serious debate being "best of all time" merely because he didn't compete long enough. Do I feel with his skill set he could have been one of the best, yes, definitely, but his body of work was never complete. And you never know when/if his body would have broke down. Part of being the "greatest RB" is being there every game when it matters, which guys like Bo Jackson, Gayle Sayers, or Terrell Davis were not able to accomplish. Emmitt did it for 15 years while being the workhorse week in and out.When rookie Randall Cobb was told by this U.S. Marine that he was a big fan of the wide receiver, Cobb said, “I think I’m a bigger fan of yours.”Comment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
I think a case could be made for Emmitt.. But for my money I take Payton over him hands down.
Payton was a back literally without a hole in his game..I understand most people here never actually saw him play, but to me he defined the position.Comment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
Paul Hornung. Plain and simple. Played halfback and kicker and led the league in scoring three straight years.Comment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
1 - That's great that he was a kicker too, but how does that make him a better running back than anyone else?
2 - What argument is there for Paul Hornung being a better running back than Jim Brown, who was in the NFL with Hornung at the exact same time (Hornung played from 1957 to 1966, Brown from 1957 to 1965)? How is a two-time All Pro better than a nine-time first-team All Pro who played in the same era and decade?
Admittedly I've never seen either play, but I don't see how you have an argument.Comment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
He wasn't even close to being the best RB of his generation nevermind the best of all time.
Really not even sure how he made the HOF, other than he was the glamour boy for the Lombardi era.
3,700 career yards rushing? Not HOF material not, not even in this conversation.Comment
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Best back I have ever seen... hands down Emit Smith
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