Has it been decided

[bbgun]

It's amazing how many people in this thread don't have Emmitt in the Top Ten. Unlike Rice, I don't think he's the greatest of all time at his position, but I don't have him in the 11-20 range either.

http://www.pfraforum.org/index.php?showtopic=1241

 

[mldardy]

It's amazing how many people in this thread don't have Emmitt in the Top Ten. Unlike Rice, I don't think he's the greatest of all time at his position, but I don't have him in the 11-20 range either.

http://www.pfraforum.org/index.php?showtopic=1241

SOME people are never going to give Emmitt his props because he wasn't flashy, flamboyant, and the oline. All are weak excuses. He is one of the best football players ever. It will be interesting to see where he lands on this thing the NFL Network and Steve Sabol are doing with this 100 greatest football players that come on next month.

Anyway, there was a huge debate on another board where we were arguing who was better Barry or Emmitt and the majority of the people said Barry because he would have broken the record if he didn't retire, he didn't have the oline Emmitt had and was just more exciting to watch. It shows you the "depths" at which these people came up with their decision. To me all you had to do was which Emmitt play and run the football with heart and determination and skill and you know who the better running back was.

 

[Apollo Creed]

I don't like to get into hypotheticals, thats usually what the Barry and Emmitt debate eventually gets to.

Running back is arguably the most difficult position in sports to play and have a long career. To shatter a record held by a legend like Walter, to win 3 rings, league MVPs, and manage to stay injury free - that seperates Emmitt from the rest.

Numbers don't lie. There is a reason no one else has done it, or will do it for years (if ever).

 

[jazzcat22]

Maybe this is going over my head, but are you questioning who will be last to give a speech on Saturday? If so, that's easy. It will be Jerry Jones. He will be the presenter for the inductee, who will be Emmitt Smith. That is always the order for Hall of Fame induction speakers.

If you are questioning who will last longest speaking at the podium, that is a good question. It should be Smith, since he is the one being honored, but Jones loves the limelight. He could drag out his time on stage. Still, he's fully aware who will be the real star on Saturday, so I would not think that will the case.

Jerry will be there, but I think this year, the person doing the introductions are on video, and is limited to 4 minutes. So JJ's speech is not live.

I like the time limit, but the video idea is stupid.

Forgot where I read this at, but it was several weeks ago or so,

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Anyway, there was a huge debate on another board where we were arguing who was better Barry or Emmitt and the majority of the people said Barry because he would have broken the record if he didn't retire, he didn't have the oline Emmitt had and was just more exciting to watch. It shows you the "depths" at which these people came up with their decision. To me all you had to do was which Emmitt play and run the football with heart and determination and skill and you know who the better running back was.

But he did retire. He quit - on his team and on himself. Something Emmitt would never do. Yeah, the Lions were lousy, but so were the Bears through most of Payton's career. Sweetness hung in there until the team improved and he won a title. Quitters quit. It says a lot about a guy's character.

 

[Tricericon]

I don't like to get into hypotheticals, thats usually what the Barry and Emmitt debate eventually gets to.

It shouldn't be. Rushing production isn't just about totals or YPA, it's also about consistency. A guy you can count on to get three yards is worth so much more than a guy who might get ten or might get none, no matter how many fewer highlight reels he gets on.

Emmitt Smith was the king of consistency. Barry Sanders was the king of hit-or-miss. I don't know where I'd rank Emmitt among the great backs if I had the time and inclination to do the research the question deserves. Maybe he'd be at the top. Maybe he'd be behind Davis, Campbell, Payton, Faulk, Dickerson, Tomlinson, and O.J. Simpson and others. But, for friggin' sure, he'd be well ahead of Sanders.

 

[mldardy]

But he did retire. He quit - on his team and on himself. Something Emmitt would never do. Yeah, the Lions were lousy, but so were the Bears through most of Payton's career. Sweetness hung in there until the team improved and he won a title. Quitters quit. It says a lot about a guy's character.

Yep that's how I feel too.

 

[BAT]

Huh? Emmitt is not even remotely close to being the "undisputed" greatest RB. Many many reasonable people think Jim Brown and/or Walter Payton were greater.

Jim Brown, maybe. He quit at the pinnacle of his career. He set records and his teams won. A lot. He definitely set the standard. He was so dominant during his heyday. Not so much Payton. Loved his heart, loved how punishing he was as a runner for his size. But he did not make his team great.

Emmitt on the other hand was the engine, of what was arguably the greatest dynasty in the history of the NFL. Not just a one season wonder, we are talking about about an ERA. Only Brown can boast the same. But Emmitt has more championships, as well as the yards.

On the other hand, as much as it pains me to say it, no reasonable people think that anybody else but Rice was the greatest WR.

Guess you never heard of Don Hutson. He held all the records that Rice holds now, and he did it in fewer seasons plus he was so dominant in a non-passing era. Hutson was a freak. Like Brown he quit during the height of his career, he had nothing left to prove either.

 

[jimmy40]

Jim Brown, maybe. He quit at the pinnacle of his career. He set records and his teams won. A lot. He definitely set the standard. He was so dominant during his heyday. Not so much Payton. Loved his heart, loved how punishing he was as a runner for his size. But he did not make his team great.

Emmitt on the other hand was the engine, of what was arguably the greatest dynasty in the history of the NFL. Not just a one season wonder, we are talking about about an ERA. Only Brown can boast the same. But Emmitt has more championships, as well as the yards.



Guess you never heard of Don Hutson. He held all the records that Rice holds now, and he did it in fewer seasons plus he was so dominant in a non-passing era. Hutson was a freak. Like Brown he quit during the height of his career, he had nothing left to prove either.

so only Emmitt gets a pass for not retiring at the height of his career? Jerry Rice wouldn't have dominated a non passing era when he dominated a passing era?

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Chris Johnson is better than Emmitt.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Chris Johnson is better than Emmitt.

We got jokes, huh?

 

[jps_tex]

If you want to know who is going last...it is Emmitt. Jerry Rice isn't even going 2nd to last. He will be ahead of Floyd Little, who will be right before Emmitt.

 

[Phrozen Phil]

When Emmitt Smith retired, he was the all-time leading rusher and he still is. That's good enough for me. On Saturday, he becomes a member of the NFL Hall of Fame, the highest honor bestowed upon anyone in his profession. For one day at least, I hope people can give him his props without mentioning, Barry, Walter and the rest of them. It will be Emmitt's day in the sun. You don't have to be the undisputed best at your position. A Hall of Fame induction is a Hall of Fame induction. Let's give Emmitt his due.

Perfectly put. ost: