Who was better? Barry Sanders, Walter Payton or Jim Brown?

Answer 1

Barry. It's not his fault he played on the worst team in football. Their defense was bad and their O-line was worse - the two most important things that a RB needs to thrive. Look at all the great players in football history. They all had supporting casts that were also good. It's a team sport. One player does not make or break a team. Unless your Barrry Sanders. He did what he did with nothing around him. Put Barry on any other team (not Arizona) and he's the greatest ever without question.

Answer 2

Personally i think Sanders is the greates back ever, what he did in 9 years far surpassed what brown did in about the same amount of time. And it took Payton around 13 yrs to achieve his numbers. Payton was the best all around back out of the 3. Brown was by far the most powerfullest out of the 3. But Sanders had moves that were never befor seen or never will be seen. If only he chose to keep playing the nfl record would easily be around 22 thousand yards now. and would stay there for a while. Being that only edge has a serious chance right now at the record. and hes at 9,000


RK PLAYER AMT
1 Emmitt Smith 18,355
2 Walter Payton 16,726
3 Barry Sanders 15,269
4 Curtis Martin 14,101
5 Jerome Bettis 13,653
6 Eric Dickerson 13,259
7 Tony Dorsett 12,739
8 Jim Brown 12,312
9 Marcus Allen 12,243
10 Marshall Faulk 12,162
11 Franco Harris 12,120
12 Thurman Thomas 12,074
13 John Riggins 11,352
14 O.J. Simpson 11,236
15 Ricky Watters 10,643
16 Eddie George 10,441
17 Corey Dillon 10,429
18 Ottis Anderson 10,273
19 Earl Campbell 9,407
20 Edgerrin James 9,226
Active Players are bold

Answer 3

This is purely an opinion based question but if it helps... Jim Brown is the measuring stick to which all running backs are measured. All running backs want to get to at least Jim Browns record of rushing yards and touchdowns. Barry Sanders' dad used to tell him that he was good, but he was no Jim Brown. Walter Payton and Barry Sanders both were 2 of the greatest running backs to EVER play the game of football. Barry Sanders was always threat to break a long run. He could have plays of +5, -10, +12, -20, and then just break for an 80 yard touchdown run on consecutive plays. Walter Payton a.k.a. "Sweetness" had more heart and shear will and was a load to tackle despite not being the fastest or biggest back in the league. To try to answer your question, ... you could make an arguement for either one of these great backs and and not be wrong.

Answer 4

Walter Payton, followed closely by Jim Brown with Barry Sanders a distant third.

Both Payton and Brown were great running backs, but no one was the complete package like Walter AKA Sweetness. He could run over people and rack up the yardage, but he was also a great blocker and he did it on very sub-par Chicago teams for most of his career. Plus, I've never seen anyone in the NFL - before or since - who has his work ethic. I'll never forgive Ditka for allowing "Refrigerator" Perry to score a TD in the Super Bowl when he should've given the ball to Payton 4 times in a row down at the goal line until he got in.

Answer 5

Barry Sanders would have the record right now if he didn't leave the game early. He had no line and was on a team with no passing game. They would stack the line against him and he would still break it for some big yards. With that said, Jim Brown was the best of the three. If he played 16 games a season and didn't leave the game early, he would have numbers that were untouchable. But why no Sayers in the mix.

Answer 6

Barry Sanders he was the most exiting player ever the only one who comes close is Larry Johnson. Walter Payton had that defense that helped him a lot. Plus Barry sanders would have the rushing record if he hadn't retired early

Answer 7

I think you have to eliminate Sanders cuz the Lions never made it to the Big Game.

I never saw Jim Brown, so I am not qualified to give an opinion. Compared to any running back I've ever seen perform, Walter Payton was a man among boys in terms of his total game AND - the fact that he never missed a game due to injury.

Answer 8

Walter Peyton

Answer 9

This is the smartest question ive seen written on here because you left off that cowgirl emmit smith. All three of these players had short careers and had the best juke moves. its hard for me to vote against Sanders though im a lions fan.

Answer 10

During Jim Brown's playing days..they played less games in a season..he was/is one of the best.

Walter Payton "Sweetness"...not a big back..but..one tough rb and good all round guy.

Sanders..had some moves..good foot work

My pick is Emmit Smith