19 Jun 07
I'll give the 'crown' to Walter Payton.
Honorable Mentions:
Emmit Smith
John Brown (averaged 5 yards per carry every time he touched the ball!)
Eric Dickerson
Earl Cambell (arguably the hardest hitting RB of all time...running over Jack Lambert of Steelers was one of the classic moments ever...)
25 Apr 09
2 edits
Originally posted by S h a n eIndeed...the Oiler Cannonball was the greatest RB. He put hits on Jack Lambert, Jack Tatum & Isiah Robertson that were among the fiercest hits ever. Robertson went from being a perennial All Pro linebacker to a role player after the Campbell hit. Look it up. I saw Earl gain an additional 11 yards with 9 defenders hanging on him.
I'll give the 'crown' to Walter Payton.
Honorable Mentions:
Emmit Smith
John Brown (averaged 5 yards per carry every time he touched the ball!)
Eric Dickerson
Earl Cambell (arguably the hardest hitting RB of all time...running over Jack Lambert of Steelers was one of the classic moments ever...)
Hook'em Earl!!!
29 Apr 09
1 edit
Originally posted by LivingForJesusBest I've seen (mid 80s forward) is Barry Sanders. On his good days no one, I mean no one, could tackle him in the open field; he was too slick.
Who do you think the best running back is ever?
The other great running backs I've seen are LaDanian Tomlinson, Eric Dickerson, Emmit Smith and Thurman Thomas (in that order of greatness, IMHO). But none of them are as great as Sanders was at his peak.
Payton's prime was little before my time.
29 Apr 09
Originally posted by sh76You must have slept through Earl Campbell then. Earl didn't make them miss, he made them WANT to miss!!
Best I've seen (mid 80s forward) is Barry Sanders. On his good days no one, I mean no one, could tackle him in the open field; he was too slick.
The other great running backs I've seen are LaDanian Tomlinson, Eric Dickerson, Emmit Smith and Thurman Thomas (in that order of greatness, IMHO). But none of them are as great as Sanders was at his peak.
Payton's prime was little before my time.
29 Apr 09
Originally posted by sh76Go back and check him out. He may just change your mind. He took a ton of punishment and dished out a ton as well. Ask Jack Lambert, Isiah Robertson and Jack Tatum. Check out the infamous Monday Night Football effort against the Miami Dolphins. Earl was the man!!
Campbell was before my time. I became a fan in 1985. He was just about done by then.
01 May 09
1 edit
Originally posted by LivingForJesusBarry Sanders
Who do you think the best running back is ever?
Others who are worth a mention
Jim Brown
John Riggins-redskins
Running backs who may not be 'greats' put older fans may remember:
DJ Doizer- great name!
Sammy Winder-denver
Tom Rathman- best full back i have seen!
Mike Allstop- on his day- awosome!
Curt Warner- No not the QB!!! but the Seahawks running back for a couple of seasons in the mid-80s who had two unbeleivable seasons
02 May 09
Jim Brown played at a time when most of the league was white. He was playing against inferior athletes.
Earl Campbell was the most impressive running back I've ever seen. When Earl Campbell ran right through Randy White I just hung my head in shame and disbelief.
But I don't remember seeing Earl as part of a passing attack, either catching passes out of the backfield or blocking. I just remember that he got the ball 40 times a game and pounded people. It was a different offense back then.
02 May 09
Originally posted by spurs73Your bottom 5 are all jokes when you are talking about greatest RB's of all time.
Barry Sanders
Others who are worth a mention
Jim Brown
John Riggins-redskins
Running backs who may not be 'greats' put older fans may remember:
DJ Doizer- great name!
Sammy Winder-denver
Tom Rathman- best full back i have seen!
Mike Allstop- on his day- awosome!
Curt Warner- No not the QB!!! but the Seahawks running back for a couple of seasons in the mid-80s who had two unbeleivable seasons
Barry Sanders and Jim Brown are solid choices. Riggins is Waaaaay down the list.
How you can omit Earl Campbell and several others who dwarfed the performances of most of your choices is beyond me.