NFL fans....who do you think the all time best running back is?? my vote goes to Barry Sanders, what do you?

Answer 1

Agree, unlike Emmit he had no OL .......sadly we didn't had the opportunity to prove that since he retired early, Off course Mr Sweetness is close.

Making a list
1.- Sanders
2.- Payton
3.- Brown
4.- Smith
5.- LT

I think is not fair that Emmit has the all time rushing record, he had a Superb Oline.....

Answer 2

There have been quite a few great ones, though it's a small percentage compared to all the players that have ever played professional football. Here's a few I can remember, not ranked just in the order remembered. The greatest of all time depends on who the fan is.

Jim Brown
Ollie Matson
Red Grange
Gale Sayers
Earl Campbell
John Riggins
Emmett Smith
Walter Payton
LaDainian Tomlinson
Barry Sanders

Answer 3

Barry Sanders
Walter Payton
OJ Simpson
Jim Brown
Paul Hornung

Answer 4

while Barry Sanders was an incredible player, he played on many alosing team and did not carry the team on his shoulders, onto the playoffs and beyond.

Emmitt Smith was considered by many a team in the 1990 draft, to be too small and lightweight to play at the pro level. 19000 yds and 166 TDs later, he is the all-time leading rusher in the NFL. His vision and heart kept the Cowboys in many a game, esp the 1993 (4?) game vs the Giants , in which he played with a separated shoulder and helped Dallas win the division title and later the Super Bowl.

Yes, he an incredible offensive line at times and a Hall of Fame QB and WR to back him up, but it was his strength and ability to run after the tackle that made him play for so long and at a productive pace.

Answer 5

Barry Sanders is a great player, but didn't play as long. But if you project his stats to the typical length of a career, he would shatter nearly every single record. But because he retired at least 5 years early.

I would say Sweetness is the best. He ran so well and had both the physical running style and ability to be agile and out quick people.

Answer 6

WOW... There are so many to choose from. I think in that Barry was an electrifying running back. He could stop on a dime and shift and shake better than anyone. Gale Sayers could run you over. Emmitt Smith got the yardage when they needed it and would play hurt. LaDanian Tomlinson has a lot of heart, determination and can pretty much score at will. Walter Payton was "Sweetness," he could do it all. So to answer and not answer your question...the ones that I named could probably be the best running back of their era... The best running back of all time.......depends on what you want out of your running back.

Answer 7

Of course it's Barry Sanders. Number 2 is Gale Sayers.

Answer 8

I also agree with Barry... all you had to do was sit back and wait, he would always do something spectacular, then after he scored, he just handed the ball to the ref and went on playing. He is in a class all his own, shame he never won it all...

Behing Barry... thats a tough call, way too many to choose from, why not Emmit Smith? I am not a huge fan of his, but you can't deny the numbers and consistiency

Answer 9

Walter Payton - he gained his yards with a Bears team that was terrible. He truly had to go it alone. I would agree with the Sanders vote, but he would get dropped for a loss in the short yardage situations which is key. He was a great first and second down back but third and short -- dead meat. So, I've got to go with Payton. He was consistent and HE NEVER QUIT ON HIS TEAM when he was under contract.

Answer 10

No doubt Barry Sanders. He was fast, strong and agile. He had some of the best single seasons ever and was incredibly fun to watch.

Answer 11

Walter Payton