Who is the greatest running back of all time?

Question

and WHY is he the greatest

Answer 1

Barry Sanders without a doubt is the greatest running back of all time. He compiled amazing statistics on terrible teams that were always behind and had very poor talent. I remember watching Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith head to head, and John Madden was pointing out how Barry Sanders had to make his first move 2-3 yards in the backfield, while Emmit ran behind his monstrous offensive line and was already 3 yards past the line of scrimmage before having to make his first move. Just watch the tapes and you will see that Barry Sanders did the most incredible things, able to change direction radically in a heartbeat at blazing speed, spin moves, etc. So many of his games he had 60+ yard runs where he made 10 guys miss!

Answer 2

Walter "Sweetness" Payton

- Payton has it all over Emmitt because of the triplets. Emmitt's success was directly linked to the quality of players he played with for his entire career. Dallas was a special team and a lot of the individual success is because of the group. Who did Payton play with? Jim McMahon?

- Payton has it over Brown because of the rule changes. In Brown's day you had to bring a runner to the ground and keep him there before the play was over. Many of Brown's yards would not have counted in the NFL Payton played with. Secondly Brown had Otto Graham and the Cleveland Brown's glory seasons. Payton again had nobody.

- Payton has it over Barry Sanders because of the Ring. Barry was by far the most amazing runner I have ever seen but he was also atrocious if you were trying to win a game. You never knew if Barry would get 85 or -5 yards on a carry. Payton was a lock for three and often five or 12 or 40. Payton was the perfect combination of power and speed. The perfect back to design your offense around

Dickerson, Simpson, Harris, Dorsett, Campbell and some day Tomlinson all deserve to be in this conversation but "Sweetness" is the Best.

Answer 3

Walter 'Sweetness' Payton a little over Jim Brown, Gale Sayers, and Barry Sanders tied for 2nd. Sweetness had the moves, speed, and physical strength, plus I can't recall ever seeing a running back use the stiff-arm like he did to shove aside would-be tacklers. He made an art form of it. Also worked the hardest in the off-season to keep in good game-shape, even building a hill in his backyard so he could run up and down repeatedly in the off-season.

Sweetness.

Answer 4

This is a tough question. Jim Brown was definetely a freak. He was faster and stronger than any of the defensive players. Walter Payton just made it look so simple when he ran the ball. Barry Sanders made it all look pretty. I would have to go with Jim Brown because of his power, speed, and intelligence. My top 5 looks like so:
1. Jim Brown
2: Walter Payton
3: Barry Sanders
4: Earl Campbell
5: O.J.

Answer 5

Barry Sanders, he was in it as a team player. He clearly would have broke Payton's record if he wanted the personal fame. He said he didn't have the heart to play anymore though and called it quits. Also he was a true running back, a speed back. You have to love a power back fair enough BUT speed backs aren't more of the real style. As to Jim Brown he dominated because he was bigger then everyone.

Answer 6

Jim Brown period. He accomplished his feats in 12 and 14 game seasons and only played for 10 years. Today's back play in 16 games seasons. If you check with any site about who the greatest player was of all-time you will see Jim Brown ranked #1.

The man simply put more fear into defenses than any other player has in the NFL.

Answer 7

Walter Payton. He just kicked some *** out there. Some other good ones were Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis.

Answer 8

Barry Sanders

Answer 9

Jim Brown or Walter Payton.

Answer 10

Jim Brown because he was the man who set the standard for future running backs.