Who is the best runnig back in NFL history?

Question

list top five

Answer 1

First I would like to mentio those I have not chosen. Emmit Smith is the career rushing leader, and the definition of ture grit. You don't get to be a career leader by being breakaway fast or running a lot of people over, you get to be the career leader by fighting for every single yard you can possibly get, and that is what Emmit did.

Sweetness was sweet, no doubt about it. One of the original "all-purpose" backs, he had the speed to recieve, the heart to break tackles and the size to block Definetly in the same breath as "best running back" no matter what you are talking about.

Jim Brown was one of the all around tough runningbacks, from the old days of the NFL. My dad (a diehard brownie) still tells stories about him dragging people down the feild and refusing to go down. An all time great.

Gayle Sayers, was a true spectacle and had the ability to go the distance on any play. Another "all purpose" back, he also cannot be denied from any list, even though many of the previous answers already did.

But the best Runningback in NFL history has definetly got to be "The Juice." O.J., despite whatever personal problems he has (Nicole Simpson can't rap!) revolutionized the position of runningback, and there has been no one to compare him with inrecent memory. Never do you hear announcers comparing today's runningback to "a young O.J. Simpson," not just because of the social stigma, but, with his electrifying speed and high-velocity spin moves, was performing acrobatic manuevers that no-one had seen from a runningback until him.

Honorable mentions include Barry Sanders, Red Grange, Curtis Martin, and Bo Jackson.

Answer 2

10 Tony Dorsett, 1978-1989, Dallas, Denver
9 Curtis Martin, 1995-current, NWE, NY Jets
8 Eric Dickerson, 1983-1993, LAR, Ind, LAR, ATL
7 Red Grange, NFL Pioneer. Charter Member of HOF.
6 Gale Sayers, 1952-1959, Chicago
5 O.J. Simpson, 1969-1979, Buffalo, San Fran
4 Emmitt Smith, 1990-2004, Dallas, Arizona
3 Barry Sanders, 1989-1998, Detroit
2 Walter Payton, 1975-1987, Chicago
1 Jim Brown, 1957-1965, Cleveland

All these are according to statistics, some of my favorites that aren't listed are Marcus Allen, Greg Hill, Marshall Faulk, and Ladanian Tomlinson

Answer 3

Jim Brown
Walter Payton
Eric Dickerson
Oj Simpson
Shaun Alexander

Answer 4

Stats: Emmitt Smith
Potential: Barry Sanders
Greatness: Walter Payton
If Only: Bo Jackson
Current: Ladanian Tomlison

Answer 5

1. Barry Sanders
2. Walter Payton
3. Jim Brown
4. Emmitt Smith
5. Gale Sayers

Answer 6

1. Sweetness-Walter Payton
2. Jim Brown
3. Barry Sanders
4. Marcus Allen
5. Emmit Smith

Answer 7

1.)Walter Payton-"Sweetness" had it all, could run around you or run you over, blocked well, was durable, and caught passes well out of the backfield.
2.)Emmitt Smith-career rushing leader in yards and TD's, most durable back in history. Not a flashy runner, but his durability sets him apart from everyone else. Can't deny his records either.
3.)Gale Sayers/Jim Brown-can't decide who is better. Would rank them higher, but they played in a time period when defenses woud be considered "slow" by todays standards. They were still awesome runners though.
4.)Barry Sanders-no denying his talent. The only reason I don't rank him higher is because he didn't accomplish anything in the post season.
5.)Ladainian Tomlinson-in his relatively short career, he's already set records, and if he continues the pace he's at, he'll keep setting records. Best overall back presently playing in the NFL.

Answer 8

Emmitt Smith
Barry Sanders
Jim Brown
Walter Payton
Eric Dickerson

Answer 9

Jim Brown
OJ Simpson
Emmit Smith
Eric Dickerson
Walter Payton

Answer 10

5. Emmitt Smith..(Cant deny all time rush leader)
4. Earl Campbell..(One of the First Bruising Backs)
3. Barry Sanders( If he played it out he wouldve been #1 all time)
2. Jim Brown( total package)
1. Walter "Sweetness: Payton( grace ,speed, and heart )