My personal pick would be Barry Sanders. Having never played alongside another hall of famer, never having a good offensive line to open descent holes for him and playing for the miserable Detroit Lions I really don't think any other back comes close.
2007-01-18 07:54:39 · 16 answers · asked by j.soto416 2 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
Barry Sanders had nothing, no quarterback, no Line, no team. But every team that played against him had to change their whole game plan around him and made him team a contender every year. His cutback abilities were amazing, he never lost stride and rarely went down on first contact. He was the only reason fans went to the games in the 90's. He was the greatest Back of all time.
Runner up: Gale Sayers - had the greatest ability of changing direction without losing any speed.
2007-01-18 08:06:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Reggie Bush hasnt done **** as a running back in the NFL. Good college career but lets hope he doesn't stay a receiving back. LT is extremely good right now, but he still has a way before you can put him with the likes of Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, and Emmit Smith.
I personally believe Barry Sanders is the greatest running back of all time. He was on pace to shattering records all over, even with a horrible team in the Lions. Sanders was nearly untouchable when he got the ball and he retired in his prime. Who knows what could of happened in the next years, but we all know he was great when he started and he was great when he ended. He is the guy you have to consider. The only one who compares is Walter Payton, and maybe Emmit Smith.
2007-01-18 08:06:54 · answer #2 · answered by Tyler E 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Barry Sanders
2007-01-18 09:17:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with Sanders, for the reasons you mention, but I'm not sure its fair to say no other back comes close. Jim Brown? Walter Payton? Emmitt Smith? There have been a lot of great ones. And while I think Sanders was the best, he wasn't a guy who could pound into the middle of the line and get you a sure first down on 3rd and 1.
I saw him play live when he was in College, and he was just unbelievable. I got dizzy just watching him from the nosebleed seats.
2007-01-18 08:06:56 · answer #4 · answered by Captain Hammer 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jim Brown of the Cleveland Browns
This guy was a freak for the time. He was bigger than his lineman and when he retired he was the leading rusher in the NFL. When he did retire, it was in his prime, just like Barry Sanders. In most professional circles is known not only as the greatest back ever, but the greatest football player of all time. If any of you remember Barry Sanders induction to the HOF, you will remember his dad introducing him and saying, "here is the second greatest running back of all time". The greatest back of all time in Barry Sanders' dads eyes is Jim Brown!!
2007-01-18 08:04:53 · answer #5 · answered by biggieou 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jim Brown averaged 104.3 yds per game for a career. Amongst other great things he accomplished, this stat pretty much sets Brown apart from every other running back in NFL history. At the time of his retirement after only 9 seasons in the NFL, Brown was the leagues all-time leading rusher with 12,312 yds. Brown played about half his career playing 12 and 14 game seasons... but what if he played 16 games like the modern NFL player does today?... OJ does nothing more than finish a nice second in 1973. Brown was King! Oh ya, one last note... Brown played in an era when everyone on the football field KNEW he was getting the ball...Hmmm!
2007-01-18 08:04:43 · answer #6 · answered by ♣Ally♣ 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Barry Sanders is a really good pick. He meant everything to the Lions organization. Now they are just the laughing stock of the NFL. My personal all time favorite would be Gayle Sayers. That guy was amazing and he was a very unique person. Pick up "I am Third" his autobiography its a really good read. I believe though best running back of all time would be Walter Peyton.
2007-01-18 14:40:27 · answer #7 · answered by Brian J 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Although he is still in the first years of his career - I believe that Ladainian Tomlinson will emerge as the greatest running back of all time. He's already breaking records and he's barely broken into his career. He needs a superbowl ring eventually, but he'll get one.
Even when I talk to NFL fans who are older than me, they admit that they have never seen any running back as good or as dominant as LT.
We're all lucky to be watching such an athlete. He's going to be the best for a long time. (as long as he stays healthy)
2007-01-18 08:15:09 · answer #8 · answered by SlickNick 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd say Emmit Smith because he dominated every defense in his prime. Barry Sanders retired way to early to be classified the best but Emmit also stayed too long. Emmit at least made it through his prime.
2007-01-18 08:01:15 · answer #9 · answered by edempsey18 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
for todays running back,i would have 2 pick frm ladanian thomasiln and reggie bush.reggie bush was way better back den in college and ladanian thomasiln is good since hes da 1 who kept da chargers unstoppable until dey got 2 playoffs. so it reely hard but barry sanders was good 2 so i pik barry sanders for bak den and i pick reggie bush for now
2007-01-18 08:02:39 · answer #10 · answered by Lil' M 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋