Because, quite frankly it deserves its own thread... (Part 2)
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Thomas82
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Most people think Emmitt would be average at best in the Lions' Run-N-Shoot offense, but I don't see it that way. Think about it, Emmitt was perfect for that offense. He was a great pass blocker, which is essential in that offense. He was a very adequate pass catcher and would have been a great release valve for any QB. Barry Sanders was not a great blocker or a great pass catcher.
And the thing about Emmitt that everybody overlooks was his ability to slip tackles. He wasn't flashy, but he was strong, had great balance and had great vision.
In 1989 (1-15 season) our leading rusher was Paul Palmer who ran for 446 yards. The following season, Emmitt was our leading rusher as a rookie with 937 yards, winning the OROY. The Cowboys improved to 7-9 that season. I still remember Troy Aikman going down in the Eagle game and having Babe Laufenberg come in and throw our playoff chances down the drain in Atlanta. Who could forget Deion Sanders high stepping through the middle of our offense on his way to a touchdown after Babe gave him a gift?
And the thing about Emmitt that everybody overlooks was his ability to slip tackles. He wasn't flashy, but he was strong, had great balance and had great vision.
In 1989 (1-15 season) our leading rusher was Paul Palmer who ran for 446 yards. The following season, Emmitt was our leading rusher as a rookie with 937 yards, winning the OROY. The Cowboys improved to 7-9 that season. I still remember Troy Aikman going down in the Eagle game and having Babe Laufenberg come in and throw our playoff chances down the drain in Atlanta. Who could forget Deion Sanders high stepping through the middle of our offense on his way to a touchdown after Babe gave him a gift?
Billy Bullocks
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I think it is a tough debate, and it comes down to people's oppinions.
People act like Barry played with a bunch of nobody's. Detroit still had Herman Moore and Johnny Morton. They had a pretty good line (does it matter when your RB isn't going going where the play is designed anyway?).
I look at games like Emmitt playing with a seperated shoulder. You really think you could feed the rock to an injured Barry Sanders that game and he would produce like that?
I think Barry might be the most exciting player of all time, but that doesn't make him the best running back.
People are always going to remember the spectacular 75yrd TD runs Barry would have. Then forget that he would get stuffed for losses all the time.
Both great backs, my vote goes to Emmitt.
People act like Barry played with a bunch of nobody's. Detroit still had Herman Moore and Johnny Morton. They had a pretty good line (does it matter when your RB isn't going going where the play is designed anyway?).
I look at games like Emmitt playing with a seperated shoulder. You really think you could feed the rock to an injured Barry Sanders that game and he would produce like that?
I think Barry might be the most exciting player of all time, but that doesn't make him the best running back.
People are always going to remember the spectacular 75yrd TD runs Barry would have. Then forget that he would get stuffed for losses all the time.
Both great backs, my vote goes to Emmitt.
SilverStarCowboy
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Overall aspects lean toward Emmitt over Barry but Sanders was the best pure RB ever to suit up in an NFL uniform.
Thomas82
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I just had one last opinion I wanted to give on Emmitt.
I think a lot of criticism that he took for being washed up later in his career (last 4 or 5 years) was ridiculous. Emmitt WAS NOT washed up. It was the lack of talent around him that strained him too much at that stage in his career. I believe if they would have put more talent around him, we would have seen more rings come. The fact that he had gotten older and had played a siginificant amount of football during his time with the Cowboys, emphasized the fact that he needed significantly more help around him than before. "Over the hill" was a strong and inaccurate assessment. He was definitely older and had significant tread wear on his tires, but he didn't have much help either.
I think a lot of criticism that he took for being washed up later in his career (last 4 or 5 years) was ridiculous. Emmitt WAS NOT washed up. It was the lack of talent around him that strained him too much at that stage in his career. I believe if they would have put more talent around him, we would have seen more rings come. The fact that he had gotten older and had played a siginificant amount of football during his time with the Cowboys, emphasized the fact that he needed significantly more help around him than before. "Over the hill" was a strong and inaccurate assessment. He was definitely older and had significant tread wear on his tires, but he didn't have much help either.