Zeke vs Barkley: Which is best RB in NFL?

[gjkoeppen]

First of all. Define what better means. Yardage without points means nothing to me. Can you block. Can you pass protect. How well can you catch the football coming out of the backfield running down the sidelines. How much patience does the running back have. You have to Define better

Part of that I can answer for you. Elliott's rookie season he had 15 rushing TD's and 1 passing TD. Barkley had 11 rushing TD's and 4 passing. Elliott's longest rush in his career was 60 yard TD, Barkley's was 78 yard TD. Elliott's longest pass in his career was 83 yard TD, Barkley's was 57 yard TD. Elliott's best average per rush per season in his career was 5.1 on 322 carries, Barkley's was 5.0 on 261 carries. Elliott's career worst season had 17 carries for losses, Barkley had 13.

That's about all the stats I could find on you questions.
.

 

[CouchCoach]

It doesnt say Sunday's match up, it says NFL.

But that is the marquis RB matchup, 1 and 2 from last season and the stars of their respective offenses.

He only asked about them, not how we ranked all RB's. That would be an interesting discussion as well but probably just as homer driven, With all of these best of Cowboys, I am surprised they haven't won more.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Much better? Maybe a very small tad if that. Over Emmitt's first 10 seasons the same number as what Sanders played Emmitt had a grand total of 63 more catches or 6.3 per season more. Now you're saying a huge total (sarcasm) of 6.3 catches per season make Emmitt a much better reciever? Stop being such a homer and admit there are players from other teams that are as good if not better than some of the Cowboys.
.

Homer? No, just stating facts.

 

[BourbonBalz]

He wasn’t really a speed back, more of an agility back. He had great speed but there were faster players in the league. He was also a weight lifting fanatic who was physically stronger than Emmitt and who ran through tackles all the time. He had huge legs. But people forget that while making up their weird narratives.

I have no idea who could lift more weight between Emmitt and Sanders. It doesn’t really matter since football isn’t a weight lifting contest. I do know that Emmitt ran stronger than Sanders and that’s all that matters.

 

[Whirlwin]

Part of that I can answer for you. Elliott's rookie season he had 15 rushing TD's and 1 passing TD. Barkley had 11 rushing TD's and 4 passing. Elliott's longest rush in his career was 60 yard TD, Barkley's was 78 yard TD. Elliott's longest pass in his career was 83 yard TD, Barkley's was 57 yard TD. Elliott's best average per rush per season in his career was 5.1 on 322 carries, Barkley's was 5.0 on 261 carries. Elliott's career worst season had 17 carries for losses, Barkley had 13.

That's about all the stats I could find on you questions.
.

Can always count on you, my cowboy brother

 

[BHendri5]

Zeke Elliott vs Saquon Barkley NYG- who is the best RB in NFL ?

I admit that I go back and forth with this question and I can see why there’s always a comparison between the two.
Both RBs have great run instincts, extremely athletic (hurdling tacklers) have been extremely productive and possess dangerous breakaway ability.
Both players have receiving ability that’s been under-utilized with their respective teams, imo. But if used properly can be very dangerous.

- Zeke is a one cut runner who seems more powerful between the tackles, and gets more yardage after contact. I’ve heard testimonies from opposing players say that Zeke tends to wear you
down with his power and relentless, ..drive while you still have to always be on alert of his ability to break a play open - whether its' a run play or that patented screen pass
Plus Zeke is a better blitz blocker than Barkley.

- Barkley is probably the most explosive breakaway back in the entire NFL – I think he is more elusive than Zeke, harder to bring down in the open field, (tacklers just slide off his legs like butter)
And he has an edge in that special extra gear to hit the home TD run sprint – even more than zeke.

So what are your thoughts when comparing the two RBs ?

Really I don't even see why there is any question, it is the same as it was with Emmitt and Barry, one guy is a high lite reel a great runner, and the other is a great RB, complete rb, in every area.
I enjoyed watching Barry run the ball, but I would take Emmitt over him all day everyday and even in between days, 367 days a year, same for Zeke over Barkley. Anyone ever noticed how the Lions always too Barry out when it came to short yardage situations? They always put Moore in. The 2 times Barry made it to the playoffs he ended those games with negative yards, no it was not due to no blocking, because there is no RB ever that gained yards in the NFL did it without someone blocking. Anyway Reggie White told his defense to not chase Barry stay in your lanes and Barry will come back to you, and he ended up with negative yards.

 

[aikemirv]

No mention of the difference in O lines?

I don’t recall Barkley ever having a game with a total of 8 yards.

Zeke had 6 fumbles last year, Barkley has had ZERO in his career.

Hey, if people can trash Zeke because of metrics with no mention of Defensive gameplan then why on earth would I mention Olines - The obvious does not need mentioning and it really can't be measured.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

Hey, if people can trash Zeke because of metrics with no mention of Defensive gameplan then why on earth would I mention Olines - The obvious does not need mentioning and it really can't be measured.

Yes, they gameplan for both backs, that's extremely obvious. Probably more for Barkley, but whatever.

What was your point here?

 

[aria]

Hey, if people can trash Zeke because of metrics with no mention of Defensive gameplan then why on earth would I mention Olines - The obvious does not need mentioning and it really can't be measured.

Please elaborate, are you saying defenses didn’t prepare as well for Barkley?

The difference in O lines is easily measured and is obvious to anyone who has watched both teams.

 

[aikemirv]

Please elaborate, are you saying defenses didn’t prepare as well for Barkley?

The difference in O lines is easily measured and is obvious to anyone who has watched both teams.

Nope not at all on prepping for Barkley.The oline difference cannot be measured to a reliable degree either. Because you can't switch them!

 

[VABoyz]

its always hard to gauge things like this because for one, what would barkley do behind this line? and two,how would zeke look behind the giants line? i give zeke the nod on blitz pickup and i like how he finishes runs. barkley makes you hold your breath because most times it takes multiple tackle attempts to bring him down and he can take it home from anywhere and he is a good receiver. barkley's a lil more scary.

 

[aikemirv]

Yes, they gameplan for both backs, that's extremely obvious. Probably more for Barkley, but whatever.

What was your point here?

Please elaborate, are you saying defenses didn’t prepare as well for Barkley?

The difference in O lines is easily measured and is obvious to anyone who has watched both teams.

My point is, stats are not the only determining factor as some would like to say in trashing Zeke by metrics. I just threw out a stat. I did not draw any conclusion in my stats - just threw it out there for discussion. You are welcomed to draw your own conclusion.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

But that is the marquis RB matchup, 1 and 2 from last season and the stars of their respective offenses.

He only asked about them, not how we ranked all RB's. That would be an interesting discussion as well but probably just as homer driven, With all of these best of Cowboys, I am surprised they haven't won more.

I guess you don't understand the thread. Which is fine.

 

[OmerV]

Here’s the better question. Let’s say their both the same age, same contract, same amount of years locked up......which one do you put on the Cowboys. If your answer isn’t Barkley than you are either a homer cowboys fan or your Skip Baylessing it.

I didn't say you were wrong about Barkley being better, I just said you were accusing people of stirring up **** by intentionally stirring up **** yourself.

I would also say fair minded discussion on the topic doesn't mean someone is stirring up **** if they happen to be on the other side of the issue as you. Both are great RB's and among the game's elites, so its understandable that everyone might not agree.

Your agenda just seems to be to call everyone a dumba** that doesn't agree with you, which does not constitute fair minded discussion. That doesn't make your opinion about Barkley wrong, it just makes you an a**hole

 

[Super_Kazuya]

I have no idea who could lift more weight between Emmitt and Sanders. It doesn’t really matter since football isn’t a weight lifting contest. I do know that Emmitt ran stronger than Sanders and that’s all that matters.

There is zero evidence that Emmitt “ran stronger”. People see what they want to see.

 

[Chuck 54]

Loved Emmitt. Love Zeke.

Bottom line is if you put Barry behind that 90’s OL, history is rewritten.
You put Saquon behind our OL now, everyone picks us for the SB.
It is what it is.

 

[Chuck 54]

Would you rather have runs of....

5, 10, 25, 4, 7, 5, 6, 40, 4, 5, 1 (they just needed a yard to get a 1st down on that play), 17, 5, 12
or
3, -3, 2, 5, -4, 4, 3, 5, -1, 65, -3, 4, -1 (they tried to get a 1st down and couldn't), 2 (that was from another RB when they needed a 1st down), 3, -2

Even that argument is using stats based on the respective OL’s

 

[cowboy_ron]

Zeke has proved his worth for more than one year, Barkley has more proving left to do before he can be included in the conversation.

 

[Longboysfan]

2 more years and he can hold out.

For a bundle and a dismemberment policy.

 

[IheartRomo]

Both amazing players. Zeke has proven his durability and consistency. Barkley has proven his explosive talent and incredibly high ceiling, but for one year only. I'd say it's too early to proclaim a winner and that both teams are very lucky to have their respective difference maker.