Best running back ever...aka I miss football

[BigVito]

Originally Posted by Yitlin

O.J. was good, but best ever? Which leads me to an innocent question, does this board dabble in fantasy football? ( don't ask how I got there...) There seem to be more than enough people, I'm curious if you guys run a league. I would imagine there could be a stick or two on the line around here.

naw not the best, but the top tier

[floydp]

Earl Campbell belongs in the argument as well. I'd never argue against Barry Sanders. He was sumtin to behold when he had the ball. Jim Brown was a fargin horse. Sayers and Sweetness played on a lot of lousy teams. The Bears were not very good for much of both players careers much like Sanders.

[BigVito]

the first players to rush for 2,000 yards in an NFL season – in 14 games
n 11 seasons, Simpson rushed for 11,236 yards, added another 2,142 yards on 203 pass receptions,
In 1973 Simpson became the first running back in history to rush for over 2,000 yards with 419 yards in his last two games that year, to finish with a total of 2,003 yards. 14 games
Simpson also led the league in rushing in 1972, 1973, 1975 and 1976.
NFL Player of the Year in 1972, 1973 and 1975 and was both All-AFC and All-Pro five straight years from 1972 through 1976.

[EvanS]

Originally Posted by floydp

Earl Campbell belongs in the argument as well.

Frank, my man!!!
NO ONE put their head down thru the line and thru the linebackers...and into the secondary...like Earl. But man he got used up. Sometimes I am surprised that Bum Phillips even bothered putting a QB in the backfield.

"Gee what are the Oilers gonna run this time?"

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Yitlin

Which leads me to an innocent question, does this board dabble in fantasy football? ( don't ask how I got there...) There seem to be more than enough people, I'm curious if you guys run a league. I would imagine there could be a stick or two on the line around here.

They do, you will see thread pop up in the late summer.

[Mystophales]

Originally Posted by BigVito

I remember hearing about that on TV. before he would get tackled he would "pop" the tackler. Something these new backs lack.

Vikes Adrian Peterson has gotten the nickname The Cash Register for making people pay when tackling him...

Marion Barber from the Cowboys is also a beast to bring down.

[vicvitola]

Many are considered "the best" due to the numbers they put up, the records or the "lore" that surrounds their careers. For me in my time the best I ever watched play the game was Barry Sanders. The highlight reel almost makes you cry as you watch some of the games best defenders within a hair of wrapping him up and end up looking like they are hugging themselves with a confused look on their faces. Near horizontal in motion so effortlessly. Pure talent oozed from his pores. Class.

My second fav is somebody I just loved watching play although I don't think he was the second greatest of all time.....Marcus Allen (The Slasher).

[gvarsity]

Originally Posted by Mystophales

Vikes Adrian Peterson has gotten the nickname The Cash Register for making people pay when tackling him...

Marion Barber from the Cowboys is also a beast to bring down.

I'm a big Barber fan from watching him in college but he wasn't even the best back on his team his senior year that would have been Lawrence Maroney now on the Patriots also a damn fine back. Neither in the best of all time discussion. Peterson on the other hand he has real potential. Already as a rookie has 2 of the top 4-5 single game rushing records including the #1 all time single game rushing record. That kid is the real deal. Still he has to do it for ten more years and then we can talk all time. In the best of all time discussions longevity is important, only reason IMO that Emmit Smith is in the discussion no disrespect to Emmit. Best all time talents which kind of eliminates the longevity issue gives us guys like Bo Jackson who had he played 12 years would have been one of the all time greats.

[texasbadbob]

Originally Posted by EvanS

Frank, my man!!!
NO ONE put their head down thru the line and thru the linebackers...and into the secondary...like Earl. But man he got used up. Sometimes I am surprised that Bum Phillips even bothered putting a QB in the backfield.

"Gee what are the Oilers gonna run this time?"

Earl to the left, Earl to the right, Earl up the middle-punt.

Saw this guy play from high school on. My younger brother played against him in playoff game. They killed us. Earl got the ball 3 times-3 touchdowns. He was so good that I drove down to Austin to see his first game at UT. If Bum had any offense other tham Earl he would have played much longer and stacked up many more yards.

Watched Emmitt Smith here his entire career. He was great but had one of the best o lines of all time and at least 2 hall of famers palying with him.

My money is on Jim Brown and Earl Cambell, the two best I ever saw run!

[shadowbandit]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Walter Payton....could run, block, pass, catch, the whole package. He would hit the guys tackling him harder than they hit him, then he would help them up.

No argument about Sanders being an awesome back, just would pick Sweetness first for my team.

Best ever

[jdbwolverines]

Barry Sanders...period. Actually made being a Lions fan worth it. If he had been on a good team, and played a full career, his records would be untouchable.

[acruce]

Originally Posted by Yitlin

I won't argue Payton and Brown, they are untouchable. Anyone else, I'm happy to get into a heated argument about. (especially Emmit)

Why not Emmit? He is the leading rusher . To me that puts him in a class by him self.

[BigVito]

Originally Posted by acruce

Why not Emmit? He is the leading rusher . To me that puts him in a class by him self.

I disagree, but will respect your position. (no debating)

[jamesb3]

Barry Sanders in the modern era, and Jim Brown fron old school. Even Barry's Dad said Jim was better!

[clampdown]

Im 29, so I will go at this with what I have seen. There was nothing like watching Barry Sanders. He did what he did on what could be considered a borderline pro team, sorry Lions fans. He was a one man wrecking ball and could make your jaw drop with his moves. If injuries didnt hamper him I could throw in the name of Bo Jackson, but he is a what if kind of guy. However, we can see some current names that could be added to the list, Tomlinson, and if he does what we think he can do, A. Peterson.

However, Jim Brown's numbers in what he did during 14 game seasons over a span of 8 years is unbelievable.

And no one can speak an ill word about Walter Payton, that man is what every running back and NFL player should aspire to be, on the field and off.
Have a great weekend everyone