Who is the best back in NFL history and why?

Question

I go with Walter Payton. Only missed 1,000 yards twice, and both because of strike-shortened seasons. Over 1,500 yards 4 times, with 1,852 yards in a 14-game season in 1977 (MVP that year).
More importantly, Payton excelled in every facet of the game, like Ladanian Tomlinson but a much better blocker (Payton could throw, too, the Bears just never called the play).
For those too young to remember, I think the best way to describe Payton's running would be like Tomlinson but much more physical. Payton delivered punishment and fought for ever yard.
#2 in career rushing, 2 MVPs, a Super Bowl, not a single poor season, never missed a game with injury and always played with class, Payton was the greatest.

Answer 1

I'm with you on this one.

1 Payton- never step out of bounds... deliver a hit to the tackler. meanest stiff arm ever. superior blocker and reciever. signature high step!

2 Gayle Sayers- watch his clips... OMG! unstoppable. Like Barry Sanders with 4.3 speed

3 Jim Brown- pure runner

4 Barry Sanders- best to ever make someone leave their jock on the ground

5. Emmit Smith- All time yards leader

Answer 2

This like so many questions on here is not actually one that can be answered. In the 60's we had Jim Brown the 70's gave us OJ the 80's Payton the 90's Barry and now LT. Yes I know that some of those players overlap in the decade but the decade they were at the top of there game. The game changes so much. Training, medical treatment and even sports enhancing drugs. No Im not saying that these guys did or are now. Im just pointing out things to consider. Back in the older day of the AFL and NFL this was a second job to many. Now this is a players only job. He can train in ways they couldnt back in Jim Browns day. The very first Superbowl did not even sell out and the tickets were $5. Even the equipment now is better than 10 years ago. To much to consider but I will answer the question. Eric Dickerson. Ive already taken up enough space with all my mumbo jumbo before my answer take a look at his stats and read about him. Yards in games and season stats. Peace out and have a great day.

Answer 3

Barry Sanders

Averaged 5 yards per carry and 1500+ yards per season over his career. Nobody has ever done both, and Jim Brown is the only other to average 5+ yards per attempt over his career. Sanders had 5, maybe more, rushing titles. He finished either 1st or 2nd in rushing 8 out of the 10 years he played, never finishing worse than 5th in a year. Also, in my opinion Sanders had the greatest season ever for a back in the 1997 season in which he averaged 6.1 yards per attempt and rushed for 2000 yards in only 14 games. Not to mention Barry Sanders holds all of the college rushing records to this day.

If Sanders hadn't of retired early Emmitt would still be chasing his rushing records.

#2 Jim Brown
#3 Walter Payton
#4 Emmitt Smith
#5 Eric Dickerson

Answer 4

Jim Brown period.
2 Time NFL MVP
Missed a 1,000 yards twice by 4 and 58 yards in 12 and 14 game seasons.
He had 1,527 yards in a 12 game season.
He had 1,863 yards in a 14 game season.
Pro Bowler 9 out of 9 years
106 Touchdowns in 118 games
Voted the greatest footbal player ever by the Sporting News
Voted #1 player of all time by TSN top 100 players.
The guy put fear in defenses like no other player has ever done.

Answer 5

Walter Payton of Chicago '85

Answer 6

Payton is awesome, and I like your analysis of him. But personally I would have to go with Eric Dickerson. His rookie season he ran for over 1800+. And then the year following that he gets 2105, a single season rushing record that still holds up today. He was a monster...

Answer 7

Barry Sanders

He did everything he did with the Detroit Lions...That tells you ALL you need to know...For years he was the only thing they had and NFL defenses geared up to stop him knowing the Lions were toast if they could stop Barry...They STILL couldn't stop him.

Barry Sanders retired at the pinnacle of his game and would have blown past "Sweetness" Walter Payton with the exception of anything to do with the Super Bowl...You can't blame Sanders for the Lion's failure to make the Super Bowl...He certainly did more than any other NFL player alive or dead!

I HATE what Barry did to the Lions...Leaving just before the season but AFTER the draft...The Lions could have used their pick on another RB...Surprising the Lions like that was unforgiveable...He had to pay his signing bonus back.

That tarnished his image but I have to give him credit...Most Lions fans thought Barry would return with another team...He had many chances to do so but turned them all down...He really meant what he said when he retired.

I give him credit for that!

Answer 8

I know you will put up with alot of other answers, but I go Sweetness too. He was not only one of the nicest players ever he was one of the best too. That quality only exists in a few people now-a-days, like Marvin Harrison and Shaun Alexander. I think that Payton was the best back ever because he played for one of the worst teams ever, and he carried them to the superbowl. He could have scored 3 td's in that game, but Ditka didn't let him so I dont wanna hear 'bout how he sucked in the super bowl.

Answer 9

it really depends on what you like...i agree that payton was the best all-around back of all time...he could run, catch, throw, block, and became the game's all time leading rusher despite playing on some awful Bear teams in the late 70's.

Earl Campbell possessed the scariest combination of power and speed i ever saw in a running back.

Answer 10

I think John Riggins was the best big game back I have ever seem. I like Walter Payton alot, but where was he on Super Sunday? Nowhere to be found.

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