105.3 has upset me: Emmitt vs Barry

[CATCH17]

Well, Emmitt played 5 years longer than Barry for starters. He ended up with about 3000 more yards than Barry. Barry averaged 5 yards per carry and had about as many receiving yards as Emmitt. I'm just saying that had Barry played on the Cowboys he would have the rings and all.

I don't know if he would.


I don't know if he would convert all of those short yardage situations and wear down defenses like Emmitt did.

I'm sure he would've been great because he was a great player but i'm not sure we still have the titles because I don't know if Barry is a champion like Emmitt.

 

[jazzcat22]

There are so many people that seem to think Barry ran behind five high school offensive linemen.

Kevin Glover was a pro-bowler that was on the Lion OL. So was Lomas Brown. Mike Utley was a solid OL until his terrible injury. There was also quite a passing game that really spread the field for Barry Sanders.

Let's not pretend he was totally without help.

Thanks for posting the manes. I knew Glover, but could not recall the other 2 OL. Was about to look it up.

 

[jday]

So I'm listening to 105.3 the fan and they say that Barry is better than Emmitt and it's not debatable for anyone outside of the metroplex and then 2 seconds later they say Jerry Rice is better than Randy Moss and it's not debatable.


To me... Emmitt and Jerry are the same. Jerry and Emmitt both weren't the biggest, strongest, or fastest but they were warriors who got it done in the biggest moments and have titles and all kinds of records to show for it.


Barry and Randy share the same thing. Immense physical ability and nothing to show for it. Heck... I would take a young Adrian Peterson over Barry Sanders.

I just don't understand though how you can just not apply the same rules to Jerry Rice as you do Emmitt smith when they are basically the same player at different positions.

For me, the problem is not the answer, but the question. You have to be specific, because as a pure runner, Barry Sanders was better; he was faster, more elusive, etc. But, if we alter the question slightly and ask who was the more complete back, then Emmitt Smith is the answer and it's not even close.

 

[jazzcat22]

Also, would have Barry played an entire half and OT with a separated shoulder. Would have he even played in any of the following playoff games?
Barry quit. Period. so this IF he would have played longer, he would have done X.

Emmitt is, simply put, the best RB ever.

 

[Zekeats]

Name Barry Sanders offensive line.

Now name Emmitt's.

Name Barry Sanders offensive line.

Now name Emmitt's.

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/boxscore?id=735

 

[Zekeats]

Name Barry Sanders offensive line.

Now name Emmitt's.

http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/stats.nsf/Annual/1995-det

Mitchell Moore Perriman and Morton did it all without an oline

 

[erod]

Emmitt Smith is my favorite Cowboy of all time.

But Barry Sanders was a better running back. Hands down.

Emmitt was exceptional at falling forward for extra yardage and picking up first downs. He was the consummate chain mover, and he was an all-around back.

But nobody has matched the sheer brilliance and spectacular ability of Sanders. His style is all his own.

 

[DFWJC]

So I'm listening to 105.3 the fan and they say that Barry is better than Emmitt and it's not debatable for anyone outside of the metroplex and then 2 seconds later they say Jerry Rice is better than Randy Moss and it's not debatable.


To me... Emmitt and Jerry are the same. Jerry and Emmitt both weren't the biggest, strongest, or fastest but they were warriors who got it done in the biggest moments and have titles and all kinds of records to show for it.


Barry and Randy share the same thing. Immense physical ability and nothing to show for it. Heck... I would take a young Adrian Peterson over Barry Sanders.

I just don't understand though how you can just not apply the same rules to Jerry Rice as you do Emmitt smith when they are basically the same player at different positions.

It's a debate that will go on forever. Same old, tired, arguments both ways. They get exaggerated (both ways) over the years too.

From what I can tell, most Cowboys fans say Emmitt was the best--and many are very adamant about it. Especially when they (we) discuss the overall requirements of the position.

Otherwise, the majority of everyone else (31 other fan bases and writers) give Barry the nod.

Both were epically great players, but somewhat impossible to fully compare the two.

Both were extremely durable to go with their skills.
Barry was on worse teams and finally got frustrated with the losing. He also cared far less about the records than Emmitt, so he hung it up. He did play a fairly long time though...and was devastatingly good while doing it.

If he was on Dallas' team, he probably would've stuck around several more years and maybe got all the records--as kicking butt his fun! But that's "what if", and not actual fact.
The guy did AVERAGE > 1500 yards rushing per season fro TEN seasons. That is crazy.

Emmitt just had the whole package and was also on a crazy-good team.
We were so lucky to have him.

 

[zack]

My point on Barry exactly. At the 40 minute mark, he decides not to follow the full back and tries to go outside. If he follows the FB, he's getting yards.

 

[nathanlt]

The FAN is trying to generate controversy during the off season to foster debates and arguments.. Mission accomplished. Recognize that for what it is.

Secondly, each was a different style of runner. Barry was flashy. Emmitt was steady and determined. Both were classy and both were great in their own way. If, if if arguments prove nothing, so they can go on forever. pointless.

 

[DFWJC]

Well, Emmitt played 5 years longer than Barry for starters. He ended up with about 3000 more yards than Barry. Barry averaged 5 yards per carry and had about as many receiving yards as Emmitt. I'm just saying that had Barry played on the Cowboys he would have the rings and all.

Of course he would.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I heard or read a stat that Barry Sanders had the most negative yards of any back in NFL History. Don't know if it is true or not but would not be shocked if it were.

Barry would have whole games where he would barley get positive yards and then would break one long run and if you just seen the total yards at the end of the game you would think they were good..but it was mostly one run.

Emmitt would shine in the playoffs...I would never ever imagine Emmitt being in a playoff game and getting minus 1 yard as his total rushing yards at the end of the game...but that happened to Barry Sanders when playing the Packers one year in the playoffs.

But if truth be told...why even argue about Emmitt vs Barry....Jim Brown in his prime was probably better than both.

 

[Bizwah]

Emmitt Smith is my favorite Cowboy of all time.

But Barry Sanders was a better running back. Hands down.

Emmitt was exceptional at falling forward for extra yardage and picking up first downs. He was the consummate chain mover, and he was an all-around back.

But nobody has matched the sheer brilliance and spectacular ability of Sanders. His style is all his own.

Disagree.

Like someone said, Barry was the better runner....Emmitt was a better running back. Did you ever see Barry block? How about catch a pass? Carry out a fake?
Emmitt was a great blocker and receiver. I remember one night vs Chicago when he faked running the ball and dove over the DL without the ball.

Emmitt wasn't just a chain mover. He was also a homerun hitter. He seemed to break a 30 plus yard run at least once a game. You may be remembering the Emmitt from late in his career when he lost what little speed he had.

I loved to watch Barry run. I really did. But give me Emmitt 7 days of the week. He did whatever it took to win. That's where he passes Barry big time.

 

[Section446]

Barry was the better back, but I'd happily take either in their prime.

 

[CashMan]

Ok..


Can you remember a game we won without Emmitt? I can remember winning without Troy.. Never without Emmitt...

That Oline was great. I'm not going to deny it but a famous quote from the 90's from Nate Newton was that they were just a bunch of guys until Emmitt got there.





Also, name Jerry Rice's QB's for most of his career.. Now name Moss's.



My problem is that Emmitt gets graded on a different scale than Jerry Rice when they are the exact same player.

That was when a running game was the offense. Look at Aikman's numbers, he wasn't putting up 4k yards and 30td's.

I think Rice is superior to Moss. Moss was a freak though.

 

[CashMan]

Did Emmit have anyone drafted higher than the 3rd round on his OL? Did Emmit have castoffs from other teams on his OL? Are any of Emmits great wall on the HOF? They were great as a unit. They had great coaching. But lets not act like they were 5 blue chippers. Other guys ran behind this same OL when Emmit was out....and did not look like a HOFer. And Emmit also blocked and caught passes. Emmit also got a steady 4+ yards. Emmit was savage around the goaline and in short yardage. Barry was electric....but give me Emmit all day. And during Barrys prime...the Lions had the highest paid OL in the league.

How does talent have anything to do where you were picked? If Erik Williams was the best RT in the game, does it matter that he was drafted in the 1st or 3rd rd? That makes no sense.
Mark Tunei, Nate Newton, Mark Stepnoski, Erik Williams, Larry Allen, comeon!

You are acting as if I said Emmitt was a bum. He was good, Barry was better.

 

[CashMan]

Barry's line had more pro bowlers and all-pros than Emmitt's. Emmitt's OL didn't sniff the prowl until Emmitt started winning rushing titles.

I don't think the Pro Bowl has anything to do with how good you are.

 

[CashMan]

When Emmitt was breaking state records in Pensacola was his oline full of hall of fame linemen?

You can make an argument for any of Sanders, Brown or Payton. Im fine with that, but I cant stand having to discredit Emmitt because his oline was good.

What does high school have to do with the NFL. I could point out tons of players who dominated at the HS level who couldn't play in the NFL.

 

[Bizwah]

Ok..


Can you remember a game we won without Emmitt? I can remember winning without Troy.. Never without Emmitt...

That Oline was great. I'm not going to deny it but a famous quote from the 90's from Nate Newton was that they were just a bunch of guys until Emmitt got there.





Also, name Jerry Rice's QB's for most of his career.. Now name Moss's.



My problem is that Emmitt gets graded on a different scale than Jerry Rice when they are the exact same player.

I agree with you on our OL. The year before Emmitt arrived Philly sacked Aikman like 11 times or something. They were not very good. They certainly didn't look dominant with Derrick Lassic or Tommy Agee or Lincoln Coleman running behind them.

 

[DFWJC]

Barry averaged 1527 yards rushing and 292 yards receiving and 11 TDs per year...for a whopping 10 years
Emmitt averaged 1222 yards rushing and 215 yards receiving, and 11.7 TDs per year for an insane 15 years.

Both are HOF RBs and that's good enough for me