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Re: Best runningback of all time
Can't wait to see how Barry plays in Madden 13. Hope they captured him well.Comment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
Payton had no weakness. Every time I see his reels his power and will along with talent and speed is unbelievable. But I like power backs better than speed ones in real life. Payton never willingly went down, and almost never went out of bounds to avoid a hit. Payton will always be number one. Then I'd put LT in my top 3.Comment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
I would have to go with Walter Payton not because im a Bears fan because i believe Barry Sanders would've earned that number one spot if he stuck around longer.
Rest in Peace
34 Walter Payton
aka SweetnessComment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
9.4%?!!! Really...It's Emmit, argument over. His record will never be broken and he has 3 rings. Barry Sanders is a quiter. The question doesn't say the most electric, or the most fun to watch RB of all time. This is the worst argument in all of sports. It's like saying Dan Marino is the best QB of all time, which is of course Joe Montana. Or that Karl Malone is the best PF of a time, which is of course Tim Duncan. You gotta have rings, at least 1 for crying out loud! I wouldn't even be so upset if it where Walter Payton or Jim Brown because at least they won a championship.Dallas CowboysSan Antonio SpursTexas RangersBaylor Bears Iowa Hawkeyes Texas LonghornsComment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
I think there's a key distinction to make here.
I voted for Emmitt in this poll way back when it was created and I stand by it (homer flag waving high, I recognize that). I think it's fair to say, however, that Emmitt did not have the physical gifts such as the speed and agility of Barry Sanders, the power of an Earl Campbell, or the complete football skillset of a guy like Walter Payton, Ladainian Tomlinson, or Marshall Faulk. If "best running back" is an evaluation of "most talented running back", that's not an argument Emmitt can win, there have been more talented running backs in the league, and there may be a couple more physically talented running backs in the league right now (mainly looking at Adrian Peterson here).
To me, where Emmitt differentiates himself is his longevity, consistency, toughness, and obvious value to his team's success. You knew what you were going to get out of Emmitt regardless who he was playing with or against, and in his long prime, he was what made the Cowboys' offense go, even with Troy Aikman under center and Michael Irvin split out wide. For example: in 1993, the Cowboys were pitiful for two games on offense while Emmitt held out over a contract dispute at the beginning of the season; Jerry Jones gave Emmitt a new contract, and he promptly responded by being elected MVP of the entire league (and first-team All-Pro) having played in only 14 games. He also won Super Bowl MVP that year, to boot; there can't be too many players who have won both NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP in the same year.
Emmitt also played biggest when it mattered most; he has the more rushing touchdowns in the playoffs than any other player, is tied with Thurman Thomas for most playoff touchdowns period, and leads all running backs in total rushing yards in playoff contests.
I don't need to go into Emmitt's longevity, that's pretty self-evident; he's the only player with eleven consecutive 1000-yard rushing seasons. I could retell the well-known story about that one game he excelled in against the New York Giants (to the tune of something like nearly 250 combined rushing and receiving yards if I recall correctly) in which he played with a separated shoulder to exemplify his toughness.
Again, I fully admit my bias to the Cowboys, and I also admit my youth in that I never saw guys like Walter Payton, Earl Campbell, or Jim Brown play. That notwithstanding, I again reiterate that I personally take Emmitt Smith over anyone else I've seen tote the rock.Last edited by Hooe; 06-23-2012, 02:01 AM.Comment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
i hear ya, CHooe...that would be my argument.
Sanders has his amazing skill, Payton has a virtually flawless game, Brown has the power and fearsomeness, etc...Emmit chimes in with near-freakish durability.
I think the nod probably should go to Payton...he brought a little bit of Barry, a little bit of Brown, and a little bit of Emmit...and combined them into a package that was way greater than the sum of its parts...and he was a great receiver.
Barry gets a lot of love, and for good reason...certainly the most fun to watch, perhaps...
But it has to be
Payton-Emmit-Barry-Brown-and then an awesome group that includes Campbell, Bo Jackson, Marcus Allen, Thurman Thomas, Dorsett, Sayers, and some others.Australian Rules Football...just sayin'Comment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
You got to be kidding, right?
So, if sanders would have left his team instead of resigning with the Lions in the mid 90's, and went to the 49ers for a free ride to the super bowl he would have been better all time player? Give me a break. The man had the best stats in college history, and perhaps even NFL history. He has run for a 5.0 carear average and played for 10 seasons! The same as Jim Brown, LT, and many many other RB's on this list!!! 10 years is a full carear man, and Barry had 1,000 in every season he played, something no other has done. Barry averaged over 1500 yards per season! Keep in mind 5.0 average. Regarding receiving, look at the stats! His actually average out better then Emmitt Smiths do, and Emmitt had Troy, and Barry had Andre Ware, Rodney Pete, Dave Krieg, Scott Mitchell, and Charlie Batch.
I'm not even going to get into the line differences, because it isn't even needed. The Cowboys had the best line of all time on any sports top o-line countdown.
Emmitt had more TD's, but the Cowboys made it inside to 10 way more then good ol' Charlie batch, and Andre Ware was able to help Sanders with,lol.
I have a hard time understanding how so many people can come on here and say barry wasn't a complete back. Barry did it all. Don't fault the dude cause everyone around him stunk besides Herman Moore, and a few defensive players like Spielman(over the 10 yr period too!).
Emmitt went to the cardinals and rushed for 2.8 yards per carry. Now, I know he was past his prime, but that is a ridiculous amount of production drop. The dude should have been kicked out of the NFL at that point, and I don't mean that as a attack. Smith's stats would have been 75% what they were at best if he had been on the Lions. The TD's would have been drastically cut because unless he can pop a 30-50 yard TD like Sanders, hes not getting into the endzone due to lack of chances.
Barry
Walter
Brown or Smith
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All others
Rings mean nothing, that is a team accomplishment. specially in NFL football where it's 11 vs 11. Basketball is 5 vs 5, so even though I don't think rings tell the tale, 1 man makes a much bigger impact then 11 vs 11. Think about it. That's like saying 1 man should carry a 50 vs 50 team. Not to mention, nobody in the RB position is going take the Lions to a Superbowl and win with that 90's Lions team. Give me a break man.
Barry was a better reciever then Emmitt. Barry played for 10 years and look at their receiving stats, do the math. Look at yards, TD's, receptions, yard average for barry and Emmitt. People tried to say Barry was just a runner, that is when i know someone never watched the Lions at all. Here is a website to check
http://www.nfl.com/player/emmittsmith/2503017/profile
Walter Payton had better receiving then both. No arguement there. that's why he is #2 all time for me. he was a complete back like sanders. But I feel barry the better runner, Walter the better catcher. Neither had the best qb's, so I wont even argue Sanders poor QB's, even though they were absolutely pathetic.
Anyway, Barry, Walter, Emmitt, and Brown are just ridiculous. Crazy stats that you just don't see that often. The 80's and 90's had talent about as good as they come for sports.Last edited by wheelman990; 06-24-2012, 05:27 PM.Comment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
I believe Barry Sanders is the best runningback of all time.Comment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
I hear ya. I somewhat agree. Emmitt was a beast. Of course rings matter. What else are they playing for? 10 years and zero rings doesn't look good in any sport for somebody considered the "best" at their position imo. Its not the ultimate measuring stick but it should be considered and looked at. I still have #22 autograph from his rookie year and meet some of his family.(nice people) i think its funny though all the hypotheticals regarding both players.....Like if Emmitt played for Det, if Barry had Emmitts O-line. It was what it was.Comment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
The worst factor in deciding who is better is rings....
You guys don't understand how much I hate that argument.
This is a team sport! More so than other sports.
Barry >>> Emmitt and it is not really that close. Barry was such a different animal.Comment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
I voted for Barry.
My person top 3 is:
Barry
Terrell Davis (gotdamn migraines)
Jim BrownComment
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Re: Best runningback of all time
Wow, where did Terrell Davis come from? He was playing at a time where the Broncos had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL and could literally stick any running back in there and they dominated. Just off the top of my head...the Broncos had like 4 different RBs in 4 different seasons go over 1,000 yards. I believe if you put Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, or Emmitt Smith behind that line and John Elway at QB they would have rushed for over 2,500 yards.
I think you should measure any position by #1 their production, second their consistency, third their durability, fourth their ability to carry their team, fifth leadership, and sixth what they were able to do given their team.
Going by that I voted for Barry Sanders as top RB ever even though Walter Payton is my favorite RB. Sanders did more with less...he had an awful team around him so team would target him. In Paytons first 5 years or so with the Bears they were as bad as the Lions and teams only had to game plan for him. I think people forget that. The Bears really didn't start becoming good until the latter part of his career. As for Emmitt he came around right around the time Cowboys were up and coming. So teams had to worry about Troy Aikman and Michael Irving as well as figure out a way to overcome the Cowboys dominating offensive line.Last edited by huskerwr38; 06-27-2012, 02:48 PM.Comment
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