1 (1) EMMITT SMITH NFL 15 4,409 18,355 4.2 164
2 (2) Walter Payton * NFL 13 3,838 16,726 4.4 110
3 (3) Barry Sanders * NFL 10 3,062 15,269 5.0 99
4 (11) CURTIS MARTIN NFL 10 3,298 13,366 4.1 85
2007-12-03 03:55:40 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football (American)
I am talking STATISTICALLY PEOPLE not per your opinion as who you like best.......
I know people are JEALOUS of the Cowboys overall record in general.....
2007-12-03 04:11:56 · update #1
some people say Sanders just because he played for a lousy team...but that in itself wouldn't give you the title as the "greatest", I guess some could argue it was Oj.....
2007-12-03 04:19:12 · update #2
yes, why wouldn't it...it will stand for a LONG time!
2007-12-03 04:06:29 · answer #1 · answered by John 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I am a Cowboys fan and really resect what Emmitt did but there are other number you culd look at if you want to argue the best of all time.
avg. yards per carry could be argued as a more important stat for one.
I think longevity is an under appreciated stat and Emmitt was able to last a long time at a physically demanding position. A lot of RB's have come a long, had a couple good years and everyone says, "oh there going to bust all E. Smiths records then get hurt or run out of steam (Priest Holmes, Shawn Alexander). You can make a strong arguement for Emmitt and can argue some stats ing his favour but if you don't want to agree there are lots of numbers you can argue against.
Bottom line, Emmitt was a great back with great skills and is one of the best ever.
2007-12-03 12:25:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes
1. Emmitt Smith - 18,355
2. Walter Payton - 16,726
3. Barry Sanders - 15,269
4. Curtis Martin - 14,101
5. Jerome Bettis - 13,653
6. Eric Dickerson - 13,259
7. Tony Dorsett - 12,739
8. Jim Brown - 12,312
9. Marshall Faulk - 12,279
10. Marcus Allen - 12,243
11. Franco Harris - 12,120
12. Thurman Thomas - 12,074
13. John Riggins - 11,352
14. Corey Dillon - 11,238
15. O.J. Simpson - 11,236
16. Ricky Watters - 10,643
17. Tiki Barber - 10,449
18. Eddie George - 10,441
19. Edgerrin James* - 10,385
20. Ottis Anderson - 10,273
21. Fred Taylor* - 9,513
22. Warrick Dunn* - 9,461
23. Earl Campbell - 9,407
24. LaDainian Tomlinson* - 9,176
25. Shaun Alexander* - 8,713
* still active
2007-12-03 12:00:18 · answer #3 · answered by Redneck5 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I believe his records is for most rushing yards, NOT greatest rusher ever.
Walter Payton, Jim Brown and Barry Sanders were all better than Emmitt. If Barry had not decided to leave while still a superstar, he and his 5.0 average would have easily eclipsed Emmitt. That would have been especially impressive given that Barry ran behind a makeshift crew for most of his career while Smith had the league's best offensive line for much of his career.
2007-12-03 12:03:29 · answer #4 · answered by Craig S 7 · 2⤊ 5⤋
His record still stands, but no way he's the greatest. You can just look at the YPC stats you just listed.
He also played way past his prime just to get and keep the record. Kudos for durability, but not for being the all-time best. I might give him top 10...maybe.
Jim Brown almost definitely would be the undisputed best if he played 15 years.
2007-12-03 13:11:24 · answer #5 · answered by Mello-D 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Statistically...yes he is.
In actuallity...no he isn't
Emmitt himself admitted that Barry Sanders was better than him. If we swapped teams with Emmitt & Barry, Barry would've CRUSHED the rushing title...period!!
Also, THE greatest running back EVER is Jim Brown.
2007-12-03 12:27:30 · answer #6 · answered by mr_cj_jr 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Without a doubt Barry Sanders is #1
2007-12-03 12:13:30 · answer #7 · answered by Johnny 7 · 2⤊ 5⤋
No, but as you posted his number for most all-time yards stand. He never had the record for greatest all-time. That was Sanders.
2007-12-03 12:05:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
That record doesn't mean he's the greatest rusher of all time
but that record does still stand
just think of the careers that were cut short for one reason or another
Barry & Jim Brown for example
and just think about the o-line Smith had to work with for almost his entire career
......he had a huge advantage there
update:
one record doesn't make him the best back 'statistically' either
2007-12-03 11:59:53 · answer #9 · answered by |▒▒Kebert Xela▒▒| 7 · 3⤊ 7⤋
does the record stand??..yes...the greatest rusher?? NEVER....Barry was the greatest...he did what he did behind a horrible O-line while Emmit didn't even get looked at till 5 yards off the line....pathetic people consider him the best just because he had the most yards.
2007-12-03 12:04:45 · answer #10 · answered by itsme6922 6 · 2⤊ 5⤋
he has more yards than any other RB in NFL history. is he the greatest, or best? maybe, maybe not, but his accomplishments certainly put him in the discussion.
i would say he is arguably the best RB in football history and leave it at that.
2007-12-03 12:04:39 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋