Slam dunk, the greatest running back in history was Jim Brown. Question is, who was #2 and #3 and so on.</p> My pick for #2 is Walter Payton. The guy ran for near 2000 yards more than once, was an outstanding blocker and receiver. He was #3 on the depth chart at QB and #2 at P. Ditka said Walter Payton is the BEST FOOTBALL PLAYER he's ever seen, period. Not just running back, but football player. He also carried the ball on short yardage plays, and took an outright beating. He ran back punts and kicks early in his career, too. Jim Brown was proud that it was Walter who broke his record, instead of some of the other guys who might do it - because he never ran away from contact. He was a man.</p> My pick for #3 is Bo Jackson. The guy was huge and lightning quick. A fullback with the blazing speed of the fastest halfback. This made him near impossible to tackle, and if you missed, you were eating his dust. He threatened to do to the NFL what Gretzky did to the NHL, and that's change all the record books and the game itself. He was injured way too early in his career, so people might not pick him so high due to his lack of a long career.</p> My pick for #4 is Earl Campbell. He was basically Bo Jackson lite. While Bo only showed his potential too briefly, Campbell did it and was just awesome while in his prime.</p> My pick for #5 is Barry Sanders. He was tiny and quick, and as elusive as a greased pig. Racked up offensive numbers like few players. Yet they never used him in short yardage situations, which I find is a fault.</p> </p> So what do you guys think?</p> </p>
If you are judging not based solely on statistics then it's hard for me to say since Barry Sanders was the only 1 of those 5 that I was able to watch play and he was towards the end of his career..</p> What about Emmitt Smith? I guess the knock against him was that he played around too many incredible players.. Can't knock his consistency from 1991-2001.</p>
Ut oh, Denny stepped into the NFL wheelhouse....prepare for rain! </p> </p> Walter Payton was the best by far in my opinion....he could do so much that others couldnt....he was fast, he was a power guy, caught the ball well, was a good pass protecter, could be used as a lead blocker....he could do anything you needed to do....I believe hes the only RB on the all-time list that could have played tailback, fullback, or wide reciever in a pinch and been really good at it</p>
I'd rate Walter Payton ahead of Jim Brown as well. Ultimately, though, when it comes to those two, I'd just flip a coin.</p> Good thing BF1 isn't around or he'd jump all over any mention of Barry Sanders. </p>
<font face="comic sans ms,sand" size="4" color="#ffff00" style="background-color: #ff0000">And of course, I would place Barry at the top of the list, He was the most electrifying player I ever watched play. The man could get it done, even with a subpar o-line. I could not believe he walked away just shy of the record. I also can't believe that the Lions didn't feed him the ball at the goalline.</font>
Denny, you have to come up with another way of describing Earl Campbell than Bo Jackson lite. It should be against the law to use the word lite in the same sentence with Earl Campbell. I have never seen any running back inflict the kind of damage on a defense that Earl Campbell did. I will agree that Bo Jackson was probably the most amazing blend of power and blazing speed that I've ever seen, but when I think about sheer power, I think of Earl Campbell. The closest that we have gotten to seeing the next Earl Campbell was Jerome Bettis, in his prime, but I don't think I ever saw Bettis just flat out physically whip an entire defense like Earl Campbell. I was watching the Oilers-Rams game when Campbell lowered his head and punched a holein Isaiah Robertson's chest and that image has never left me. If you ranked running backs based on pure power alone, Earl Campbell is number one on that list.</p> However, running backs use more than sheer power so Earl Campbell isn't number one on my all-time list. I would like to rank Jim Brown number one, but I never saw him him play. Barry Sanders is one of my favorites because he was easily the most elusive running back of all-time. Larry Csonka was probably the toughest runner. Marshall Faulk and Thurman Thomas should get a mention in this thread because they were so well rounded. However, I would have to say that Walter Payton is the best that I have ever seen. Like Beef said earlier,Sweetness could do everything. I read in an article a long time ago (I believe it was a Pro Football Digest back in the late 70's) that Walter could kick the ball, on kickoffs, into the end zone ever single time. However, his coaches didn't like seeing him with his leg that high in the air. I guess they though someone might try and take him out. I also read about his legendary workouts. Willie Gault tried to keep up with him one day. They ran through an obstacle course and then a long runover this hill that just kicked Willie Gault's butt. Remember, Willie Gault was an Olympian sprinter. When they came back around the hill, Walter started back through the obstacle course. Willie asked Walter what he was doing. Walter told him that he runs the course and hill two more times. Yeah, Sweatness is the best that I've ever seen. However, LT may rock this list one day soon.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TheBeef)</div><div class='quotemain'> Ut oh, Denny stepped into the NFL wheelhouse....prepare for rain! </p> </p> Walter Payton was the best by far in my opinion....he could do so much that others couldnt....he was fast, he was a power guy, caught the ball well, was a good pass protecter, could be used as a lead blocker....he could do anything you needed to do....I believe hes the only RB on the all-time list that could have played tailback, fullback, or wide reciever in a pinch and been really good at it</p> </div></p> When Walter retired, I felt he could have put on 30 lbs and played fullback for another several years. Just for his blocking ability alone.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DolfanDale)</div><div class='quotemain'> Denny, you have to come up with another way of describing Earl Campbell than Bo Jackson lite. It should be against the law to use the word lite in the same sentence with Earl Campbell. I have never seen any running back inflict the kind of damage on a defense that Earl Campbell did. I will agree that Bo Jackson was probably the most amazing blend of power and blazing speed that I've ever seen, but when I think about sheer power, I think of Earl Campbell. The closest that we have gotten to seeing the next Earl Campbell was Jerome Bettis, in his prime, but I don't think I ever saw Bettis just flat out physically whip an entire defense like Earl Campbell. I was watching the Oilers-Rams game when Campbell lowered his head and punched a hole in Isaiah Robertson's chest and that image has never left me. If you ranked running backs based on pure power alone, Earl Campbell is number one on that list.</p> However, running backs use more than sheer power so Earl Campbell isn't number one on my all-time list. I would like to rank Jim Brown number one, but I never saw him him play. Barry Sanders is one of my favorites because he was easily the most elusive running back of all-time. Larry Csonka was probably the toughest runner. Marshall Faulk and Thurman Thomas should get a mention in this thread because they were so well rounded. However, I would have to say that Walter Payton is the best that I have ever seen. Like Beef said earlier, Sweetness could do everything. I read in an article a long time ago (I believe it was a Pro Football Digest back in the late 70's) that Walter could kick the ball, on kickoffs, into the end zone ever single time. However, his coaches didn't like seeing him with his leg that high in the air. I guess they though someone might try and take him out. I also read about his legendary workouts. Willie Gault tried to keep up with him one day. They ran through an obstacle course and then a long run over this hill that just kicked Willie Gault's butt. Remember, Willie Gault was an Olympian sprinter. When they came back around the hill, Walter started back through the obstacle course. Willie asked Walter what he was doing. Walter told him that he runs the course and hill two more times. Yeah, Sweatness is the best that I've ever seen. However, LT may rock this list one day soon.</p> </div></p> The reason I say Bo Jackson lite is they looked about the same size to me, and had similar skill sets. Tho Bo really flew, while Campbell had lots of speed but really just was tough to bring down. Bo, for his size, was rather elusive like Sanders. You'd think he was going to power game you, and then he'd be by you and long gone. I literally think he was a threat to break a touchdown run from anywhere on the field on every play. Walter? He'd get lots of 3 and 4 yard gains, and over 40 carries in a game, he'd break at least one for 40+ yards; I think most running backs with breakaway speed were similar. </p> Both Walter and Campbell played at the same time and wore the same uniform number... To me, pairing the two would have been the ultimate backfield possible in NFL history.</p> Walter built a hill in his back yard and ran up it all the time. That was where he ran Gault into the ground!</p> I did see Jim Brown play, but regardless, you have to look at him like Babe Ruth. He set records that took decades to break - and he retired years early and on top. If he played until he couldn't play anymore, he might have put the rushing record really far out of reach. And it wasn't in 16 game seasons, either. It's hard to say that if he played today he'd be just as good, but you have to look at it as it is...</p> John Riggins also deserves mention, IMO. I just didn't get into players beyond the first 5.</p> </p>
#1 Walter Payton. He did everything and he did it well. Best back because he had no weakness</p> #2 Jim Brown.Basically best pure runner. Best YPA ever</p> #3 Emmit Smith. All time leader deserves a lot of credit</p> #4 Marcus Allen. Walter Payton lite, and had his career hurt by Al Davis</p> #5 Marshall Faulk.Game changer in both rushing and passing game.</p> </p> NOT IN TOP 100 all time - Barry Sanders. Led the lead in carries for loss every year with his girly dancing style that hurt the team</p>
<font face="book antiqua,palatino" size="3" color="#003366">I'm going to have to go with Sweetness as well. I guess it comes down to having seen Walter play & not Jim Brown.</font></p> <font face="book antiqua,palatino" size="3" color="#003366">I'll 2nd Dale's nomination of Larry Csonka and not because of homeritis. I recall my dad who coached football for awhile saying that he likedLC. Unlikemyself, my dad was not a big fan of teams from the Southeast</font></p> <font face="book antiqua,palatino" size="3" color="#003366">Bf1; It is so good to have you back. </font></p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (blackadder)</div><div class='quotemain'> <font face="book antiqua,palatino" size="3" color="#003366">I'm going to have to go with Sweetness as well. I guess it comes down to having seen Walter play & not Jim Brown.</font></p> <font face="book antiqua,palatino" size="3" color="#003366">I'll 2nd Dale's nomination of Larry Csonka and not because of homeritis. I recall my dad who coached football for awhile saying that he liked LC. Unlike myself, my dad was not a big fan of teams from the Southeast</font></p> <font face="book antiqua,palatino" size="3" color="#003366">Bf1; It is so good to have you back. </font></p> </div></p> It's fair to say Miami had three outstanding backs in the superbowl years. Kiick and Mercury Morris were no slouches.</p> </p>
I can't believe no one has mentioned Terrell Davis. ROFL??</p> Seriously, what about Tony Dorsett & Roger Craig?</p>
<font face="comic sans ms,sand" size="4" color="#ffff00" style="background-color: #ff0000">A guy that no one has mentioned is Curtis Martin. He would possibly make my top 10. Definately my top 15. Martin was a workhorse and a stand-up guy. He deserves much respect. Marshall Faulk is worthy of consideration of top 15 status too.</font>
1. Jim Brown</p> 2. Walter Payton</p> 3. Barry Sanders</p> My reasoning. It's hard to go against anyone of them. I won't argue if you put Payton or Sanders one. I did not see Jim Brown play as I wasn't born yet but I've seen clips and I've seen games and I remember my dad and grandpa speaking of him highly. From what I've seen I have to put him #1.</p> I put Payton #2 because it's hard not to like the guy. I actually wrote a paper on Walter Payton in school. As good as a player he was it's said that he was an even better man. </p> Barry Sanders gets my #3 over Emmitt Smith. Sanders was on a awful team. Had he not retired he would of shattered the rushing record and Smith would not of broke it. He was the best player on the worst team for so many years. The Lions were actually respectable a few times because of Barry Sanders.</p> Just my two sents. </p>
There is no way you can say he would have broke record. He was a tiny man, and one big hit from not playing ever again. Plus, with as much as he got caught for a loss, he might have lost a step, and ended up with a negative rushing total. FYI he was on bad team, but it was usually a bad DEFENSE holding back lions, and not the offense. He got his carries, danced like a girl, and hurt the lions chances every time he started.
Walter Payton and Barry Sanders once raced each other in a 40 yard dash. Walter won because Barry stepped out at the 39.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BearsFan1)</div><div class='quotemain'>If they raced it 10 times, barry would get caught for a loss on 3 of them</div></p> </p> and tackled at the 1 the other 7 times </p>
That joke was originally about Payton and Franco Harris.</p> Jim Brown was quite vocal about not wanting Harris to beat his record (or first). </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BearsFan1)</div><div class='quotemain'>There is no way you can say he would have broke record. He was a tiny man, and one big hit from not playing ever again. Plus, with as much as he got caught for a loss, he might have lost a step, and ended up with a negative rushing total. FYI he was on bad team, but it was usually a bad DEFENSE holding back lions, and not the offense. He got his carries, danced like a girl, and hurt the lions chances every time he started.</div></p> <font face="comic sans ms,sand" size="4" color="#ffff00" style="background-color: #ff0000">The problem with that statement is that it was not easy to hit him. I read before that Peyton was B. Sanders' hero. There was speculation that one of the reasons he walked away was to not take Walter's record.</font></p>
