2007-05-16 04:01:42 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football (American)
If...If...If...
If Eric Dickerson hadn't gotten hurt, he would have been the best all time.
If Jim Brown hadn't retired early, he would have been the best all time.
If Barry Sanders hadn't retired early, he would have been the best all time.
If Marshall Faulk hadn't worn down from over use, he would have been the best all time.
If Ladainian Tomlinson continues at his current pace, he will be the best all time.
The only one with no "if's" is Walter Payton.
2007-05-16 04:12:33 · answer #1 · answered by Ken K 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Gayle Sayers, Jim Brown, Walter Payton, and Emmit Smith are all good answers but not mine. Even though he retired early I have to say Barry Sanders. When you watched him play I have never seen a more explosive player in the game tham him. And remember he NEVER had the chance to play for a good team. That in my opinion makes the way he played even more amazing. At only 5'8 no one expected that kind of greatness to be able to run full speed, slam on the brakes to avoid the tackle and back to full throttle. Simply AMAZING! To think the Packers took Mandarich over Sanders because the packs scouts felt he was to small to ever be an effective NFL running back.
2007-05-16 05:00:22 · answer #2 · answered by Eric R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think this has a lot more to do with how its worded.
Who's the best rusher of all time: Sanders? Brown? Payton?
But being running back is more than running with the ball. It includes blocking and catching and sometimes throwing. Ladanian Tomlinson has shown that he has these intangibles, but the best of all time was Walter "Sweetness" Payton. He did everything for the Bears when they weren't very good. Barry Sanders would be my vote for best pure rusher, but he didn't have the same ability to block or do the other little things that Walter did.
2007-05-16 05:35:28 · answer #3 · answered by paswa17 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Jim Brown, and Erick Dickerson.
2007-05-16 06:05:56 · answer #4 · answered by jabeez77 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to go with Barry Sanders and Jim Brown. If Barry Sanders played for 3 more seasons, I would pick Barry Sanders alone for the best in NFL history.
2007-05-16 04:14:28 · answer #5 · answered by Thomas 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Walter Payton
2007-05-16 04:55:52 · answer #6 · answered by Terry C. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Barry Sanders
He was a great running back with a poor offensive line. Imagine if he had Emmitt's line creating holes for him. Or for that matter, a decent offense. With threats to the outside pulling defenders out of the box, he would have done so much more.
2. Walter Payton
One of the best, if not the best.
If anyone says Emmitt Smith, they are fooling themselves. He was a mediocre running back with a great front line. Anyone would be considered great if they had a front line like him. See what happened to him in Arizona? Nothing, notta, zip.
2007-05-16 04:42:08 · answer #7 · answered by Steve 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not even close. Jim Brown. He only played 9 seasons and ran for 12,312 Yds. His yards per season totals were as follows: 942, 1527, 1329, 1257, 1408, 996 1863 , 1446, and 1544. Also remember they only played 14 games a season when he played. He averaged 100 Yards a game for his career and completely dominated the league and was the most feared player any team faced. No contest!
2007-05-16 04:16:43 · answer #8 · answered by booman17 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Gayle Sayers
Barry Sanders
Walter Payton
2007-05-16 04:07:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Jim Brown.
Peyton, Sanders, Emmit, OJ(?!) get compared to him. None had as week a passing game and still averaged over 5 yards per carry in their career.
2007-05-16 05:00:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋