who is the greatest running back of all time?

Question

football

Answer 1

Emmitt Smith. Being great in the NFL is about being there. Emmitt was a solid all around back, a tough back, and has more yards than anone else. I was there when he broke Walter Payton's record and Walter's family was there and crowned Emmitt the greatest ever.

Oh yeah: during that same game against the Seahawks Darren Woodson also broke the all time Cowboys tackle record.

Answer 2

Barry Sanders, hands down. Emmitt Smith ran with a great offensive line, and Darell Johnston, one of the greastest blocking fullbacks of all time, Walter Payton was great but he also had an amazing line and played during a time when offense was the key. Gale Sayers didnt play long enough, but he was still a good back. Riggins was a one dimentional back, he would only use power cuz he had no speed.

Barry had no offensive line, no fullback, definetly no quarterback, and no receiveing core around him...if you watch his replays, and take a look at his numbers, he would either break out for a big gain, or lose yardage....

he is better than the current record holder Smith because he is a few thousand yards short of the record...he retired 4 years before emmitt, had less carries, and emmitt smith wasnt the only offensive threat, he had MIchael Irvin and Deon whenever he went to receiver, troy aikman, and the great offensive line....

Answer 3

1. Walter Payton- "Sweetness" is just a great rusher.
2. Emmitt Smith- all-time rushing leader (yards and TDs).
3. Jim Brown- One of the original best RBs.
4. Barry Sanders- What can I say the man has talent.
5. O.j. Simpson- no one really realizes how good he is but i think a hall of famer with 6 pro bowls, and numerous player of the year awards speak for itself.
6. Gale sayers- He and Faulk are the only RBs to get 1,000 receiving and 1,000 rushing yards in one season.
7. Marshall Faulk- The greatest "Do it All" running back
8. Jerome Bettis- The best big RB to ever exist (5th on the all-time rushing leader list doesn't hurt either).
9. Curtis Martin- (4th in all-time rushing yards).
10. Marcus Allen- One of his accomplishments included longest Super Bowl rush until Willie Parker broke the record by 1 yard.

Answer 4

Always a debatable subject-- as the over athleticism of teams and players have changed...
and in terms of greatness... are we speaking records, pure talent, super bowl rings on a finger?

I believe Barry Sanders in the best running back of all-time. I can't imagine ever finding him in anything less than a top 5. Walter Payton is a top bet, Emmit Smith probably had the most help (great offensive line and offensive threats to help offset defensive to creating a scheme to stop him)....

There are so many styles of runners, some are plain fast, others forge ahead like Jerome Bettis. Some played in offensives with a blocking fullback-- Barry Sanders ran alone in the backfield, with a less than exciting QB and receiving core to surround him.... the play was never over with him, he'd cut back with ease and just annoyed the other side of the line of scrimmage.

Answer 5

Jim Brown.
Gale Sayers.
Barry Sanders.

Brown ran over people like he was in a hayfield - unbelieveable.
Sayers made people miss by YARDS - magical.
Sanders could start and stop on a dime - laughable.

The three best ever.

Emmitt Smith played behind one of the best lines ever - many backs could have done what he did - can't be him.
Walter Payton was nimble, but not like Sanders - not as fast as Sayers, not as fast as Brown - can't be him.
Franco Harris? Please!
Marshall Faulk - more of an H-back/receiver than a pure running back - can't be him.
Eric Dickerson was too straight ahead, not evasive enough, too easy to shutdown in a critical game - can't be him.

If I had to build a backfield it would be Brown, Sayers and Montana.

Answer 6

I think the greatest that ever carried the ball would be "sweetness" walter Payton..If u never got the chance to see that man in action it was amazing..i dont think he ever took a hit that he didnt see coming and was prepared for..he was absolutely incredible..and right in his shoes is Fred Taylor from Jacksonville Jaguars..When Fred is healthy and into the game-- there is nothing that can stop him..he scored a touchdown from behind midfield on his first carry as a Jaguar..

Answer 7

Walter Payton and Barry Sanders

Answer 8

Ive never seen the all time greats play but there were lots of greats.

Walter Payton-my vote for the vest. He was all business on the field and all class of it.

Jim Brown- he didnt play that long but if he would he wpould hold every major record. His attitude, IMO, tainted him.

Barry Sanders- produced for years on losing teams. He would have broke paytons record before Emmitt if he had stayed in the league.

Answer 9

Barry Sanders

Answer 10

Barry Sanders