Best NFL Running Back of all times?

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

So who is the best Running Back of all times?

The competitors are:

Shaun Alexander (Seattle Seahawks 2000-2007) - 9,429 Yards/100 TD, 3 x Pro Bowl, 1 x All Pro, 1 x MVP.

Marcus Allen (Los Angeles Raiders 1982-1992, Kansas City Chiefs 1993-1997) - 12,243 Yards/123 TD, 6 x Pro Bowl, 5 x All Pro, 1 x MVP, 1 Super Bowl win.

Emmitt Smith (Dallas Cowboys 1990-2002, Arizona Cardinals 2003-2004) - 18,355 Yards/164 TD, 8 x Pro Bowl, 6 x All Pro, 90s All Decade Team, 1 x MVP, 3 Super Bowl wins.

Walter Payton (Chicago Bears 1975-1987) - 16,726 Yards/110 TD, 9 x Pro Bowl, 9 x All Pro, 1 x MVP, 1 Super Bowl win.

Barry Sanders (Detroit Lions 1989-1998) - 15,269 Yards/109 TD, 10 x Pro Bowl, 10 x All Pro, 1 x MVP.

Curtis Martin (New England Patriots 1995-1997, New York Jets 1998-2007) - 14,101 Yards/102 TD, 5 x Pro Bowl, 5 x All Pro.

Jerome Bettis (Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams 1993-1995, Pittsburgh Steelers 1996-2005) - 13,662 Yards/94 TD, 6 x Pro Bowl, 3 x All Pro, 1 Super Bowl win.

Eric Dickerson (Los Angeles Rams 1983-1987, Indianapolis Colts 1987-1991, Los Angeles Raiders 1992, Atlanta Falcons 1993) - 13,259 Yards/96 TD, 6 x Pro Bowl, 5 x All Pro, 1980s All Decade Team.

Tony Dorsett (Dallas Cowboys 1977-1987, Denver Broncos 1988) - 12,739 Yards/92 TD, 4 x Pro Bowl, 5 x All Pro, 1 Super Bowl win.

Jim Brown (Cleveland Browns 1957-1965) - 12,312 Yards/126 TD, 9 x Pro Bowl, 9 x All Pro, NFL 75th Anniversary Team, 1960s All Decade Team, 3 x MVP.

Marshall Faulk (Indianapolis Colts 1994-1998, St. Louis Rams 1999-2006) - 12,279 Yards/136 TD, 7 x Pro Bowl, 6 x All Pro, 1 x MVP, 1 Super Bowl win.

Franco Harris (Pittsburgh Steelers 1972-1983, Seattle Seahawks 1984) - 12,120 Yards/100 TD, 9 x Pro Bowl, 7 x All Pro, 1970s All Decade Team, 4 Super Bowl wins.

Thurman Thomas (Buffalo Bills 1988-1999, Miami Dolphins 2000) - 12,074 Yards/88 TD, 5 x Pro Bowl, 6 x All Pro, 1 x MVP, 1990s All Decade Team.

Edgerrin James (Indianapolis Colts (1999–2005, Arizona Cardinals 2006–present) - 11,762 Yards/77 TD, 4 x Pro Bowl, 4 x All Pro.

John Riggins (New York Jets (1971-1975, Washington Redskins 1976-1979 and 1981-1985) - 11,352 Yards/104 TD, 1 x Pro Bowl, 2 x All Pro, 1980s All Decade Team, 1 Super Bowl win.

O.J. Simpson (Buffalo Bills (1969–1977, San Francisco 49ers 1978–1979) - 11,236 Yards/61 TD, 6 x Pro Bowl, 5 x All Pro, NFL 75th Anniversary Team, 1970s All Decade Team, 1 x MVP.

LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers 2001-Present) - 10,946 Yards/133 TD, 5 x Pro Bowl, 6 x All Pro, 1 x MVP.

Ricky Watters (San Francisco 49ers 1991-1994, Philadelphia Eagles 1995-1997, Seattle Seahawks 1998-2001) - 10,643 Yards/78 TD, 5 x Pro Bowl, 3 x All Pro, 1 Super Bowl win.

Ottis Anderson (St. Louis Cardinals 1979-1986, New York Giants 1986-1992) - 10,275 Yards/86 TD, 2 x Pro Bowl, 1 x MVP, 2 x Super Bowl wins.

Jamal Lewis (Baltimore Ravens 2000-2006, Cleveland Browns 2007-present) - 9,105 Yards/54 TD, 1 x Pro Bowl, 1 x MVP, 1 x Super Bowl win.

Jim Taylor (Green Bay Packers 1958-1966, New Orleans Saints 1967) - 8,597 Yards/83 TD, 5 x Pro Bowl, 6 x All Pro, 1960s All Decade Team, 1 x MVP, 3 x NFL Champion, 1 Super Bowl win.

Joe Perry (San Francisco 49ers 1948-1960, Baltimore Colts 1961-1962, San Francisco 49ers 1963) - 8,379 Yards/53 TD, 3 x Pro Bowl, 1 x MVP, 1950s All Decade Team.

 

[syscom3]

Jim Brown for me.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I want to go with Jim Brown as well, but I think LaDainian Tomlinson is the best that ever played. The man is only 29 years old, this is only his 7th season and he has already racked up over 10,000 yards and 133 touchdowns.

The man is a beast. Not only can he run, he also beats other teams recieving. At times he looks more like a reciever. To top it off he throws several touchdowns every year. He averages about 1500 yards a season, 16 to 20 rushing Touchdowns a season, 5 to 7 recieving touchdowns a season and 2 passing touchdowns a season.

He is the best all around back in the league.

 

[drgondog]

I have to go with Brown, Tomlinson, Smith, Payton and Sanders in no particular order - each is unique and all are great all timers.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I have to go with Brown, Tomlinson, Smith, Payton and Sanders in no particular order - each is unique and all are great all timers.

I think everyone on the list in some form or fashion is an all time great.

 

[drgondog]

I think everyone on the list in some form or fashion is an all time great.

If you are talking about the entire poll list I agree. My thoughts are that some stand out more prominantly in their impact long term to the game..

I would have thrown Hugh McElhenney and Gayle Sayers and maybe even Frank Gifford into the same pot as Ricky Watters and Joe Perry and Jim Taylor and Jamal Lewis and O.J. Anderson and Shaun Alexander - at least on basis of all pro/pro bowl honors

this,like the quarterback (or best fighter, or - pick one) have no objective criteria or weighted scale that could be useful in determining 'best'. On that basis any pick is as valid as mine... but those five I mentioned are the ones I believe are at the top of the pile.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

If you are talking about the entire poll list I agree. My thoughts are that some stand out more prominantly in their impact long term to the game..

I would have thrown Hugh McElhenney and Gayle Sayers and maybe even Frank Gifford into the same pot as Ricky Watters and Joe Perry and Jim Taylor and Jamal Lewis and O.J. Anderson and Shaun Alexander - at least on basis of all pro/pro bowl honors

this,like the quarterback (or best fighter, or - pick one) have no objective criteria or weighted scale that could be useful in determining 'best'. On that basis any pick is as valid as mine... but those five I mentioned are the ones I believe are at the top of the pile.

Oh on that we agree. The whole point of these NFL polls that I have started is just to start up conversation. I love Football and seems that there are more Hockey and Soccer fans, but not eneogh Football fans and discussions.

I love talking aircraft the most ofcourse, but I also enjoy the Off Topic/Misc discussions as well. That is what I think makes this forum so great.

 

[syscom3]

Anyone here remember Billy Sims of the Detroit Lions?

That guy had telephone poll sized legs, and he loved smacking into defenders and planting them on their butts. And he did that with regularity!

 

[Thorlifter]

Billy Sims was a man/beast.

I may have to go with LT, with Barry a very close 2nd.

 

[syscom3]

Earl Campbell was another of the monster backs!

Too bad that in the 70's .... the Oilers had to play in the same division as Pittsburg.

 

[Amsel]

I voted for Emmit Smith but Earl Campbell is my favorite ever. I miss the Oilers.

 

[Thorlifter]

Hey, the Titans (formerly known as the Oilers) are 5-0 as of today.

 

[lesofprimus]

I really think this comes down to two men: Jim Brown and Walter Payton.... The other are great, but it should be about impact and supporting cast.....

Both of those 2 guys changed the way defenses evolved into the game it is today, and both guys were, for the most part, sh!t teams with offensive lines that my dead Grandmother could man handle....

 

[drgondog]

I really think this comes down to two men: Jim Brown and Walter Payton.... The other are great, but it should be about impact and supporting cast.....

Both of those 2 guys changed the way defenses evolved into the game it is today, and both guys were, for the most part, sh!t teams with offensive lines that my dead Grandmother could man handle....

Of the two - Brown had the best supporting cast and maybe the best of every running back in consideration. The Browns were one heeluva team for a long time, before he started and after he left.

If you base the two on supporting cast then Payton wins... and remember Emmit didn't play on playoff teams the first part and the entire last half his career.

The other thing to consider about Brown was his relative size against linebackers and dB's - as contrast with Sanders and Payton and Smith..

 

[drgondog]

I voted for Emmit Smith but Earl Campbell is my favorite ever. I miss the Oilers.

I loved Earl Campbell. When he was playing I knew Cliff Harris and Charlie Waters while I was in Dallas. He was the Cowboy's number one "I do NOT want to see him get through to the secondary" running back they faced with no second choice.

What a stud. Imagine the poor bastards playing Tyler when he was in High School?

If Bum had not worn him down I believe he would have been the Greatest.

I voted for Emmitt - sheer ability, toughness, longevity and production - great teams and bad.

 

[Doughboy]

Emmit Smith.

 

[timshatz]

Brown. He did it with the short, 12 game season. Everyone else had a 16 game season. By extrapolation, you'd need to give him about 33% more in the stats to bring him to the same level as everyone else. Put him up near 16K in yards.

My personal favorite is Barry Sanders. What he could've done if he'd been rushing for the Cowboys or Miami or San Fran would blow the stats away. 10 years with a dud team and he's still in reach of the title. Amazing.

 

[lesofprimus]

Thought I placed my vote before, but guess not... Had to go with Jim Brown, he forever changed the way a running back was utilized in the game, and has been the measuring stick for other backs for decades.....

 

[Lucky13]

Great thread! Love football, even though they don't show too much here in UK/Sweden. Know f*ck all about football, but as long as I know I've always, in one way or another, followed Minnesota Vikings...
Wish that I could take part more in the discussion, but.....

How about the same thread for Coaches in the game...?

 

[Doughboy]

How about the same thread for Coaches in the game...?





That would be a good idea.