Zeke vs Barkley: Which is best RB in NFL?

BigTimeBlues

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Best is a bit subjective, right? My opinion, one may be "better" at duties such as ypc, yards after contact, tds etc..but I've also read that one is the best in the business at pass protection/blitz pickup.

That would be my pick for the ever so slight edge. Then again, as previously mentioned by @Lutonio ..off the field behavior could also be brought into the mix
 

G2

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Put Barkley behind this OL and watch him. He didn't have a good one at Penn St and doesn't have one now.[/QUOTE
Our O line has certainly had our ups and downs, I think it's fair to suggest that they had spurts of struggling with so many injuries.
 

kskboys

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Bell, Zeke, Barkley, Gurley, and yes, Kareem Hunt. Not that much difference between 'em.
 

Hennessy_King

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It's the old barry sanders vs emmitt smith. Zeke is a more consistent runner. If there is nothing there zeke will put his head down and give you 2-3 yards. Barkley will lose 2-3 yards trying to get something that isn't there. Yes barkley will have bigger plays but is more detrimental to the success of the offense in staying in manageable down and distances. Especially when the young kid finally gets in there.
 

CouchCoach

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Bell, Zeke, Barkley, Gurley, and yes, Kareem Hunt. Not that much difference between 'em.
As much as I don't like to say it, Mixon belongs in that group. Can't stand him but he is a hell of a RB.
 

superonyx

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Barkley is an interesting case. You have a guy who is bigger than Zeke but runs small. This isnt just because of the Giants offensive line. He ran the same way at Penn State. Too many loss plays for my liking. Barkleys game relies on speed and sudden cuts. It works for him. But what happens when he loses a step? He will. Eveyone does. If Zeke chooses to he could evolve into a Marshawn Lynch older back. Lynch was a smaller quicker version of himself in college. He was able to transform his game to the NFL. Will Barkley be able to be the tough runner? Will the punishment wear Zeke down? I will say that Zeke is built in a way that few others have been. He looks like a guy that is almost unbreakable.

This is a good argument and a good problem both the Cowboys and the Giants have.


As for Gurley...nah.... I've never seen enough from him to show he is more than a great McVey system back. Doesnt have Barkleys burst or cuts or Zeke toughness. He seems like a lesser back than either of these guys. But again for the Rams this is a good problem to have.
 

blueblood70

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They are actually so polar opposite it's almost impossible to truly compare and declare one as clearly better.
:hammer:very true its the old whos better Emmitt(Zeke) vs Barry(Barkley) at that time Thurman had an argument(Gurley) and others..Just like today 10 really good backs it can go in any argument..Zeke gets nod for tie break given health/durability..

top 10

Zeke
Barkley
Gurley
Kamara
Johnson
Bell
Fournette(when healthy)
Mcaffrey
Gordon
Cook

runner ups
henry
michel
Conner
Linsey

take your pick
 

kskboys

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I never understood how this came to be

Elliott hands down is the best RB in the league

Saquon is great back and will be elite by midway through the season but the 2 time rushing champ is better
It's not even close to hands down. Very narrow margin.
 

uvaballa

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Very good RB’s and Zeke probably has the edge right now. I can see Barkley taking over in a year or two because he seems like he can just do more and has his head on straight.
 
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