Lawrence Taylor top 3 NFL greatest RBs

[TNCowboy]

I hate AI videos.

 

[Blackrain]

There have just been too many great running backs to limit it to three.

It's been great to watch many of the Great running backs through the decades that have impacted the game at different times.

I really feel no need to try and rate them.
I think I would rather remember the full blown excitement that different ones brought me while watching.
Tony Dorset comes to mind as he gave us the missing piece to win a Super bowl. And was so impactful to our franchise

Watching OJ Simpson and listening to Howard cosell describe the run was something I will never forget.

John riggins and the Hogs it was another style of power running that was fun to watch.

Barry Sanders just took your breath away with how he could make people miss.

Emmitt Smith's toughness against the Giants his durability availability and desire to be great will always stand out.

Jim Brown sheesh he was just an absolute complete beast that got out at the top of his game.

And Sayers that gave us a glimpse of what could have been.

No need to rate them just appreciative of having the privilege to watch them

 

[ratkinson]

Eric Dickerson?
Many can be mentioned. And most will come down to personal preference and opinions.

Eric Dickerson was a football playin dude.

 

[ratkinson]

I hate AI videos.

They're very creepy.

 

[ratkinson]

Campbell and Dickerson are two backs I'm genuinely sad to have missed their playing days.

I've seen their highlights, and they're wild. But it's not the same as seeing them live.

I remember them well. They were both awesome when they were at their peak.

 

[ratkinson]

Two very underrated parts of Emmitt’s game were grabbing the most yards possible from a Troy dump off pass, and pass protection. He really had it all.

If there’s ever a question, the 93 team was 15-0 with him, and 0-4 without him.

He did not have elite speed or a dynamic run style, but he always hit the hole quickly enough to maximize what was there.

And he always made the first man miss.

 

[ratkinson]

give Earl a dip of SKOAL and he could run over everyone! I hope he is okay, I think his health was bad.

It was sad to see him fall off the way he did. I remember watching him just punish players who were daring enough to try to bring him down. He gave more than he took, but you just knew his running style was unsustainable.
When the end came his decline was noticeable.
I just hope his quality of life has gotten better over the years.

 

[TwentyOne]

Bold statement 1.
You can't say that for sure. Adrian Peterson at one time was said to be on pace to break Emmitt's record. Look how that turned out.
Some even thought Frank Gore would push for the record. Since he player for what seems like half the teams in the NFL and for like 25 years. Yes, I know that was not the case, but sure seemed like it. No one is saying how great of a RB he was for all those years and accusation of yards.

Bold statement 2.
Proves what I just said about statement 1. Being on pace means nothing. They can go down hill pretty quick. Who are we to say Barry would have kept up that high level of play.
Randy Moss was said to be he could break Jerry Rice records. No, did not happen.

If you want to title my writing as bold thats ok to me. Thats your way to question a post without having arguments.

I had a long thought if it is even worth to answer to you since you are more about being polemic than really interessted in a change of views.

If you follow Sanders career the guy never had one down year. He played 10 seasons, always made the pro bowl. He went for over 2k in his 9th season and in his 10th had 1.5k rushing, thats around his average seasonal outage. So there was no sign at all and no reason to think he wouldnt been able to sustain that for some more time.

Its trivial that you cant tell future outcomes. Thats why you evaluate the past to get a better feel for the future. In Sanders case the probability was very high that he would have been able to play on that high level for at least 2 to 3 more years. After 10 seasons he had 15269 yds. Its way more likley that he would have broken the old record during his 12th or 13th season.

And it isnt only me who thinks that way. In the time he retired most around the NFL had that opinion. This is not a bold statement. It is a very fair prediction based on his past.

A lot of backs came into conversation to break the rushing record. Every back that went over 8k and had some multiple years of good stats essentially triggered the media to make up some stories they can sell. And of course backs who cracked the 2k mark.

Peterson came into the conversation after his miraculous 2k season after his major knee injury one year before. But everybody was quite aware that this injury would show its seriousness rather sooner than later.

Injuries can happen always. And of course one could have ended Sanders career too. But it can happen to every player anytime. To judge what could have been based on the players history and then to counter with injury possibilities is just out of place for a serious conversation. Worst case scenarios can kill every perspective. If you want to include them you cant make any kind of future outlook.

Idk if Moss could have broken Rices records. To me that doesnt make him any less the player he ways: The best WR to ever play the game. A taller, faster, stronger Jerry Rice. Nobody i have every seen comes close to him. Rice changed the game, new ways to defend him were created to control him. Thats HOF worthy. But Moss couldnt be defended even by changing cover schemes.

 

[kskboys]

Eric Dickerson was a football playin dude.

If we take out everything else and look only at pure running ability, Dickerson is one at the top of the list.

 

[TwentyOne]

People underrate durability. I think Barry was great but think about this his career tackled for loss yardage is almost 1000 yards

Yds for loss go into a RBs stats too. They are substracted from his gains. So thats no argument.

Barry went for almost 1500 yds in every 10 seasons he played. Even with his "lost" yds. No back was every able to do that. 10 years. And in his 9th season he went over 2k and managed 1500 yds also in his 10th. I would argue thats durable too.

And remember he retired not because of injury or lack of output. He retired (shockingly for everyody) because he said he felt he couldnt satisfy his own demands anymore.

 

[blueblood70]

Don't know about the need to be great. Sanders put up the greatest single season of running I've ever seen (because I'm too young to have seen OJ's season). You can't discount the role hope played in his career. He played on mostly losing teams. Emmitt had team progress and championship success almost instantly. When you're Barry and will your team into the playoffs rushing for 2,000 yards and they follow that up with a 5-11 season, you can want to be great all you want. If it doesn't result in winning, are you okay with just the stat sheet looking great? In this light, you actually make it look like Emmitt was selfish, knowing he was past his useful prime but chased numbers and can sell Barry as frustrated with not having team success despite his individual success. Which do fans say they like more about players nowadays?

Like all players, I don’t want to hear complaints about being frustrated with the team you’re on. When your contract ends, you can leave, that’s what free agency is for.

You don’t have to stay with a team forever. Matthew Stafford figured that out in the end, got on a new team, and earned himself a ring.

All these players whining despite making millions, well, you can’t have it both ways. If you’re going to take the big payday, accept what comes with it. Take Garrett, for example: three years ago, he demanded a trade, but when they offered him $40 million, he stayed quiet and signed. Then he got restless again and left anyway.

Why sign the deal in the first place?

Stand by your convictions. If it bothers you that you’re not hitting your personal goals or winning the trophies and rings you want, stop signing those contracts.

Most players just chase the money, like Barry Sanders and Megatron, who kept re-signing with the struggling Lions, that’s on them.

Barry Sanders was probably one of the best running backs I’ve ever seen in high school, college, and the pros, and he should be on that list. But you can’t take away from Emmitt Smith by saying it was just his team and his line, because then I could say Troy Aikman was just a guy.

He had everything, defense, coaching staff, and was never forced to carry the team, so by that logic, he shouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame or even on the Ring of Honor.

They were all really good and happened to end up on the same team.


Barry Sanders had some great offensive linemen too, just like the Cowboys now have a strong interior line but weak tackles yet still had one of the league’s best offenses last year, and Javonte Williams had one of his best seasons. Sanders had three really good linemen and two that were questionable at times, so saying he never had a good line is just a bunch of horse hockey.

 

[MarcusRock]

If you want to title my writing as bold thats ok to me. Thats your way to question a post without having arguments.

I had a long thought if it is even worth to answer to you since you are more about being polemic than really interessted in a change of views.

If you follow Sanders career the guy never had one down year. He played 10 seasons, always made the pro bowl. He went for over 2k in his 9th season and in his 10th had 1.5k rushing, thats around his average seasonal outage. So there was no sign at all and no reason to think he wouldnt been able to sustain that for some more time.

Its trivial that you cant tell future outcomes. Thats why you evaluate the past to get a better feel for the future. In Sanders case the probability was very high that he would have been able to play on that high level for at least 2 to 3 more years. After 10 seasons he had 15269 yds. Its way more likley that he would have broken the old record during his 12th or 13th season.

And it isnt only me who thinks that way. In the time he retired most around the NFL had that opinion. This is not a bold statement. It is a very fair prediction based on his past.

A lot of backs came into conversation to break the rushing record. Every back that went over 8k and had some multiple years of good stats essentially triggered the media to make up some stories they can sell. And of course backs who cracked the 2k mark.

Peterson came into the conversation after his miraculous 2k season after his major knee injury one year before. But everybody was quite aware that this injury would show its seriousness rather sooner than later.

Injuries can happen always. And of course one could have ended Sanders career too. But it can happen to every player anytime. To judge what could have been based on the players history and then to counter with injury possibilities is just out of place for a serious conversation. Worst case scenarios can kill every perspective. If you want to include them you cant make any kind of future outlook.

Idk if Moss could have broken Rices records. To me that doesnt make him any less the player he ways: The best WR to ever play the game. A taller, faster, stronger Jerry Rice. Nobody i have every seen comes close to him. Rice changed the game, new ways to defend him were created to control him. Thats HOF worthy. But Moss couldnt be defended even by changing cover schemes.

You're not going to have a fair debate with someone that needs to only see the Cowboys as the bestest ever.

But to add to what you say about Sanders, he not only made the Pro Bowl every year he played, he made All-Pro every year he played (6 1st Team). 1,300 yards every year he played except the 1,100 injury year. He was THE guy while he played, Emmitt included.

 

[MarcusRock]

Barry Sanders was probably one of the best running backs I’ve ever seen in high school, college, and the pros, and he should be on that list. But you can’t take away from Emmitt Smith by saying it was just his team and his line, because then I could say Troy Aikman was just a guy.

He had everything, defense, coaching staff, and was never forced to carry the team, so by that logic, he shouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame or even on the Ring of Honor.

No one is saying anything close to what you're concluding. But facts are that Emmitt did have a superior defense, did have a superior OLine, did simultaneously play with a HOF QB, and did simultaneously play with a HOF WR who were both in HOF form during Emmitt's best years. They were all benefitted by each other's play. Fact is Barry didn't have those and still outperformed Emmitt over the entirety of his career. Again, hard to take on a Cowboys message board but the facts are there if they can be handled.

 

[MarcusRock]

Jim brown gets over looked because most people alive today never seen him play. But he’s one of the very few who could dominate today in the nfl. Lots of HOF players from that era wouldn’t thrive today but he would

Emmitt is my favorite Cowboy and therefore favorite player of all time.

But............

Jim Brown.

Respect and see Walter and Barry, but..............

Jim Brown. PERIOD!

Never got to see Jim Brown play so all I have are the stat sheets and man he was just awesome. Led the league in rushing 8 of his 9 years. All-Pro 8 of his 9 years (all 1st Team), had a run of at least 65 yards in 7 of his 9 years. Averaged over 104 yards per game for a career and had one year averaging 6.4 ypc. Talk about being head and shoulders above your peers.

 

[jrumann59]

Yds for loss go into a RBs stats too. They are substracted from his gains. So thats no argument.

Barry went for almost 1500 yds in every 10 seasons he played. Even with his "lost" yds. No back was every able to do that. 10 years. And in his 9th season he went over 2k and managed 1500 yds also in his 10th. I would argue thats durable too.

And remember he retired not because of injury or lack of output. He retired (shockingly for everyody) because he said he felt he couldnt satisfy his own demands anymore.

Barry was the epitome of hero ball. He tried too hard, was it his fault no but seriously he finished a game with 13 att for -1 yard. He was one of the greatest backs but I watched some of his games he did not know when to give up on plays and would take huge losses.

 

[dupree89]

I'm not saying Earl Campbell was top 3, but for some of you younger guys that werent lucky enough to see him play, this is one of my favorite runs he had. He was just punishing.

 

[conner01]

Never got to see Jim Brown play so all I have are the stat sheets and man he was just awesome. Led the league in rushing 8 of his 9 years. All-Pro 8 of his 9 years (all 1st Team), had a run of at least 65 yards in 7 of his 9 years. Averaged over 104 yards per game for a career and had one year averaging 6.4 ypc. Talk about being head and shoulders above your peers.

He was just bigger, stronger and faster than any other ghe defenders. He is one of the few who could be a super star today

 

[Established1971]

cant leave off Jim Brown

 

[Established1971]

I'm not saying Earl Campbell was top 3, but for some of you younger guys that werent lucky enough to see him play, this is one of my favorite runs he had. He was just punishing.

yes I say the best 2 I have ever seen by the eye test are Campbell and OJ Simpson

 

[Nova]

If you want to title my writing as bold thats ok to me. Thats your way to question a post without having arguments.

I had a long thought if it is even worth to answer to you since you are more about being polemic than really interessted in a change of views.

If you follow Sanders career the guy never had one down year. He played 10 seasons, always made the pro bowl. He went for over 2k in his 9th season and in his 10th had 1.5k rushing, thats around his average seasonal outage. So there was no sign at all and no reason to think he wouldnt been able to sustain that for some more time.

Its trivial that you cant tell future outcomes. Thats why you evaluate the past to get a better feel for the future. In Sanders case the probability was very high that he would have been able to play on that high level for at least 2 to 3 more years. After 10 seasons he had 15269 yds. Its way more likley that he would have broken the old record during his 12th or 13th season.

And it isnt only me who thinks that way. In the time he retired most around the NFL had that opinion. This is not a bold statement. It is a very fair prediction based on his past.

A lot of backs came into conversation to break the rushing record. Every back that went over 8k and had some multiple years of good stats essentially triggered the media to make up some stories they can sell. And of course backs who cracked the 2k mark.

Peterson came into the conversation after his miraculous 2k season after his major knee injury one year before. But everybody was quite aware that this injury would show its seriousness rather sooner than later.

Injuries can happen always. And of course one could have ended Sanders career too. But it can happen to every player anytime. To judge what could have been based on the players history and then to counter with injury possibilities is just out of place for a serious conversation. Worst case scenarios can kill every perspective. If you want to include them you cant make any kind of future outlook.

Idk if Moss could have broken Rices records. To me that doesnt make him any less the player he ways: The best WR to ever play the game. A taller, faster, stronger Jerry Rice. Nobody i have every seen comes close to him. Rice changed the game, new ways to defend him were created to control him. Thats HOF worthy. But Moss couldnt be defended even by changing cover schemes.

Going to have to agree, but also kind of split the difference.

Where I agree:

Like you said, it's likely Barry breaks Payton's record in his 12th season, 13th for good measure. It's not a given, but it's likely.

As mentioned, the talk around Peterson threatening Emmitt's record started after Peterson's 6th year which was the 2k miracle comeback season. But then 2014 happened where he sat out 15 games (DV), and then he tore his meniscus in 2016. It's easy to see why Peterson never came close to Emmitt's record.

Barry had the torn MCL in '93 that didn't require surgery, but was otherwise remarkably healthy & available.

This all adds up to Peterson averaging 1175 yds a season after year 10 while Barry was averaging 1527. What's more, Sanders' average in his 9th and 10th seasons were higher than the previous 8.

Basically, Barry at age 29 (9th season) was producing like Peterson at age 27 (6th season) when AD's record breaking hype began. Except AD still needed 10k yards while Barry needed only 1457.

Where I split the difference: The targets were different. AD was chasing Emmitt's 18,355. Barry & Emmitt were simultaneously chasing Payton's 16,726.

While I think it's likely Barry breaks Payton's record, I can't say that's likely he makes it to 18,355.

Sanders would have had to average 1077 yards over the next three seasons to do it (807 over the next 4, or 646 over 5). Seems doable, but backs can hit a wall in their early 30s. Injuries can end careers.

And if he did reach 18,355, he probably would have needed to get to 19,000+ to keep Emmitt from ultimately surpassing him.

All in all, I just don't see a world where Barry Sanders would have been the all time leading rusher.


Novel over.