I'm officially sick of the LT hype. So what if the kid broke the record of most consecutive games with a TD. When you're the only thing your team's got that's probably how it's going to work out. What happened to the idea of Jim Brown, Walter Payton, and Emmitt Smith (among others) being considered for the title of Best Running Back Ever? Am I the only one that feels this way?
Here's the NFL Records website for some reference:
http://www.nfl.com/history/randf
Jim Brown owns 5 records, Emmitt Smith owns 6, and Walter Payton owns 1 and is 2nd to Emmitt Smith in 2 and 2nd to Jim Brown in 1.
2007-02-13 18:00:36 · 31 answers · asked by sweetie_tdp 4 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
My thing is, just as one says it's unfair to compare him to past RB's...I'm just trying to bring to light it's unfair to call LT the "greatest ever" based on future accomplishments he has yet to achieve.
Keep in mind people did this with Terrell Davis (Broncos) and then he blew out his knee and was done.
2007-02-13 18:32:01 · update #1
Great question! Great backs! Jim Brown was a man among boys in the early days of the league. Emmitt was determined and had longevity and was surrounded by terrific talent (he didn't do much in Arizona, did he?) Walter Payton was phenomenal, loved him. But my all time favorite, greatest back has to be:
BARRY SANDERS. He retired early, could have chased plenty of records if he wanted to. But nobody ever did more with less talent around them - I remember watching Sanders vs. Smith head to head, and John Madden pointed out how Sanders was having to dodge defenders 3 yards deep in the backfield, whereas Emmitt Smith was 3 yards past the line of scrimmage before he even got touched.
Sanders was just flat out amazing. Watch all of the highlight reels you can of all of these backs, and I guarantee Sanders will leave you shaking your head, blinking, with your jaw on the floor more than any other back. He could start, stop, go backwards, jump several feet in a totally different direction, just unbelievable body control, change of direction, acceleration, deceleration, and on terrible team after terrible team. So many home run plays where he dodged and juked and spun and made so many guys miss to go 60 yards and score, and he was the only offensive weapon his team had with a crappy o line to top it all off!
2007-02-13 18:47:00 · answer #1 · answered by Robert M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Of all the RB's I have ever watched, I'd personally have to say Barry Sanders. The guy was an amazing runner who never had much of a supporting cast around him, yet he put up some phenomenal numbers. Payton, Jim Brown, Sayers, Emmitt Smith and LT were (are) all also fabulous runners who could excel in ANY era that they played in. But, nobody ever did more with less around him than Barry Sanders.
2007-02-14 04:24:57 · answer #2 · answered by TheorenF14 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is the thing, if LT keeps going they way he is going then maybe one day he will be the best but not yet. Emmitt S., Jim B., Sweetness, Barry Sanders,and even OJ S. were some of the greatest backs to play the game but only time will tell. We also need to give a shout out to Bo Jackson who's career was ended early and was well on his way to be one of the top 5 backs ever.
2007-02-13 20:33:36 · answer #3 · answered by Twisted 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LT is good but he's not as good as Walter Payton and Emmit Smith.If I had to chose who is better between them I'd say maybe Smith because he has more rings and the all time rushing record.Also LT has only been playing what 7 years so he hasn't played long enough yet to be the best ever.Seein Butts,Maroncey is a backup running back on the Packers who ran for 400 yards this year and is 25 years old.How is he the best ever?
2007-02-14 00:14:17 · answer #4 · answered by red4tribe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There will always be an argument about who is the best of all time. And it will never have a satisfactory answer. I don't believe there is or will ever be a best, but there are great running backs. And they are all worthy of respect, for LT to be mentioned with guys like Jim Brown, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders, is a great achievement. The only real question is should he be mentioned in their class, and my answer is YES.
2007-02-13 19:41:45 · answer #5 · answered by Bob Peppers 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Are some of you saying that Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmit Smith and Jim Brown couldn't compete in today's game because it is "a different game now". Barry Sanders and Walter Payton played on some of the worst teams in the league and still put up monster numbers. Payton led the league in rushing even when the Bears were one of the worst offensives in the league(beore 85). LT is a great running back, but you have to put of these numbers for years to be considered one of the best ever. LT is still to young for that.
2007-02-13 19:13:21 · answer #6 · answered by 7 Words You Can't Say On T.V 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The only thing they've got? We're talking about a 14-2 team here. If LT was really all they had would they be such a success. They have the games best tight end and a 2nd back, in Michael Turner, who would start for more than a few NFL teams. Be sick of the hype all you want, but it doesn't change the fact that the hype is justified. I, for one, feel privileged to be able to witness the unfolding of a running back career that may be the best ever when all is said and done. At this point only Jim Brown and Barry Sanders are still in the convo. It may be only a matter of time before LT stands alone.
2007-02-13 18:44:15 · answer #7 · answered by space boy 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
"So what if the kid broke the..."
You said it yourself! "Kid" LT is incredibly young to be putting up the figures he is right now, and is on a pace to set multiple career records that mean alot more than consecutive games with a TD. Plus, he is an amazing receiving option as well, a threat that running greats like Emmitt Smith never quite mastered.
He isn't the best yet though, he has yet to earn that title. I would claim the best is Barry Sanders, who struggled for years with a 2nd rate team, but was as explosive and dynamic of a back to ever set foot on the green.
2007-02-13 18:09:38 · answer #8 · answered by last_texans_fan 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think LT is the best RB in the NFL, NOW. Even though he's one of my favorite RBs of all time, I think Jim Brown and Emmitt Smith are the best RBs Ever. Even if someone comes along and breaks their records, they were still ahead of their time.
2007-02-14 04:57:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
emmitt smith has the records, but he also had the best O Line his entire career. i'll say barry sanders. there was no talent around him whatsoever, yet he was amazing. he was fast, had moves, and could break tackles. he was by far better then smith, who also happened to play twice as long as sanders. sanders quit half way through his career. if he woulda stayed longer, he'd have a record unbreakable, but detroit wouldnt let him go. the best in order: 1. barry sanders 2. walter payton 3. jim brown 4. emmitt smith
2007-02-13 19:43:51 · answer #10 · answered by The Claymaker- Go Pack! 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋