2006-06-21 15:19:40 · 25 answers · asked by melissa s 4 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
Sanders. Without a doubt. Outside the line of scrimmage I have seen him do things that were in-human (Fake out a player who is chasing from behind).....he was an outstanding player on and off. Never spiked the ball and handed it to the ref after a score. Very respectful.
2006-06-21 16:05:49 · answer #1 · answered by Chef 2 · 12⤊ 3⤋
It's close but I have to go with Emmitt Smith. There are several reasons one is I'm baised, I'm having a hard time giving an objective answer because I'm a Cowboys fan and will always be one. The thing people are forgetting is that Dallas' offensive line didn't dominate until he was in his 3rd season (1993) and struggled at times after Jimmy Johnson left in 1994. Emmitt always knew how to make the first guy miss. He many times took a 2 or 3 yard gain and turn it into a 4 or 5 yard gain. He could also play on any down, on any yardline on the field. The problem I had with Barry was I thought he was too flashy at times and wasn't very good inside the 10 yardline. So much so that Detroit went to a special shortage back to help him. Emmitt play on every down whether on his own 20 or inside the the opponents 5. What does that mean, the defense doesn't know what's coming. Barry Sanders will always be a great player in my mind but Emmitt Smith will always be the best to me.
2006-06-22 03:52:19 · answer #2 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Barry Sanders with out a doubt. If he didn't retire so prematurely he would be the one with the rushing record, with or without a good o-line!Stat Total yards (career): 15,269yards Barry Sanders, Detroit, 1989-1998 ;
18,355yards Emmitt Smith, Dallas, 1990-2002; Arizona, 2003-04
Just think if Sanders had 4 more years!
2006-06-22 00:54:52 · answer #3 · answered by Chino 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The sad thing about it is Sanders didn't need an equally talented offensive line to be better. I like Emmitt, and he owns the all-time rushing title, but no question that Barry Sanders was head and shoulders a better running back.
2006-06-21 22:24:50 · answer #4 · answered by Chupacabras 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better back? It's all about what better means.
Barry could always get you yards; he would get the 15/20 yd gain 3-4 times a game, but he consistently had more rushes for no gain or a loss than he should have. He was always a threat to break the big one, but couldn't be counted on to get Detroit those important yards at a time of need.
So much of a football game is those late-game grind it out on the ground drives. That's where Emmitt's value was. He was more valuable the longer the game ran. By the 4th quarter he was gaining yards and eating up the clock.
So, my answer is two-fold. Barry had more physical talent, but Emmitt was a better football player because his skills translated to what matters most; winning, not excitement or statistics.
2006-06-22 08:21:00 · answer #5 · answered by O Caçador 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Barry Sanders. Heck he would have broke the record before Emmit with a line that wasn't as good. The only thing is that he lost the love of the game so he quit. Play with a losing team that bad and you will.
2006-06-22 08:55:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Barry Sanders hands down. He was much faster and had a 2000 yard season with not much of an offensive line. Emmit Smith was slow and had a power house of an offensive line.
2006-06-21 22:25:27 · answer #7 · answered by Ron R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Emmitt Smith
2006-06-21 22:23:05 · answer #8 · answered by pottersclay70 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Barry Sanders, hands down.
2006-06-22 18:31:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Barry Sanders - hands down
2006-06-22 04:17:21 · answer #10 · answered by Warrior 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Barry Sanders. No question about it. Barry was the best RB ever to play the game. Unfortunately, he consistently played with substandard offensive lines (and rosters in general).
2006-06-22 19:13:38 · answer #11 · answered by Chris B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋