Most Physically Gifted RBs You Have Ever Seen

[cowboyschmps3]

Gotta put Eric Dickerson on that list. Gurley, right now I wouldn't put on that list. 3.2 yds per carry, not exactly playing up to his physical gifts.

Thinks it's cause his team doesn't provide a passing threat and stack the box.

 

[darthseinfeld]

He was one of my guys growing up along with Dan Reeves.
I think the most gifted guy I personally have seen did not make it to the NFL, Marcus Dupree, he played at Oklahoma in the early eighties.

Made it to the NFL very briefly. Won NFL comeback player of the year in 1990 or 1991. Was a whole chapter on him in Switzers autobiography

 

[darthseinfeld]

I honestly think Faulk may have been the most gifted I have seen. Guy could have been a very good WR if he wanted to

 

[RS12]

Jim Brown. No doubt about it

Yep. Sayers, Dickerson, Bo and Billy Sims.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I'm not sure I would put Sanders as the most physically gifted RB ever. Maybe the most elusive and had great speed Overall one of the best NFL RBs ever. But not physically gifted really I would say the same about Payton and Smith in many ways. Not sure any of em would be in a physically gifted RB category. But I don't know if I would put anyone since 1980s above those 3 either at that position.

Peterson is up there. Walker particularly 80s to early 90s is up there. Marshawn Lynch is up there. Ricky Waters was a great combo back in the 90s. LaDanian Thomlinson, Marshall Faulk, Edgerrin James are up there. Steven Jackson was a great back for most of his career.

Quickness is just as much a part of athleticism as speed.

 

[mrmojo]

Gayle Sayers, he could do it all and just glided, looked like a deer running through the woods

 

[BourbonBalz]

Bo Jackson

Nobody that big should be that fast and move that well.

I've got to agree. Based on pure talent and physical abilities, Bo Jackson is second to none. Had he concentrated just on football and avoided the injury that ended his career, he might own every record in existence.

 

[waving monkey]

Barry Sanders
Bo Jackson except he didn't last long

 

[Risen Star]

Jackson
Dickerson
Sanders
Faulk
Peterson

 

[darthseinfeld]

Best speed/power ratio: KiJana Carter

Best Agility:Sanders

Best one man offense: Faulk

Best acceleration: Peterson

Special " before their time" award: Eric Metcalf. Metcalf would be a super star in today's NFL with his ability to play out of the backfield and line up at every WR spot

 

[BourbonBalz]

Barry Sanders
Bo Jackson except he didn't last long

Length of career or accomplishments wasn't the question. The question was which back had the most talent. There's really no answer other than Bo. If the question was who is the best overall back to ever play based on their career and accomplishments there is no answer other than Emmitt Smith.

 

[BourbonBalz]

When you talk about the most talented or gifted backs, heart, desire, football IQ, and versatility should be as big a part of the equation as speed, quickness, size, and other purely physical characteristics. Those are gifts/talents as well. That's what sets backs like Emmitt, Sweetness, and a few others apart.

 

[CATCH17]

Peterson...

Everyone else is a distant second.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Billy Sims and Earl Campbell were also physical freaks, as was Hershel Walker.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Peterson...

Everyone else is a distant second.

Gotta disagree. He's great no doubt, but I'd put a few others above him. No one is wrong in a debate like this. Everyone has their way of answering the question.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Nobody gonna say Tony Dorsett? 99 yard td is the greatest run ever

 

[BourbonBalz]

Nobody gonna say Tony Dorsett? 99 yard td is the greatest run ever

TD was certainly was of the prettiest and most explosive backs to play. He could take it the distance from anywhere at any time. He looked like he glided over the field and could change directions on a dime and accelerate quicker than any back ever. Due to his lack of size, Landry limited his touches to prolong his career. Regardless, he was a strong runner.

 

[mrmojo]

Nobody gonna say Tony Dorsett? 99 yard td is the greatest run ever

TD is up there, pound for pound, greatest I've seen

 

[superjoe]

Bo Jackson- Touched by the gods, blazing speed power and endurance

Marcus Allen- First iteration of the modern back, ahead of his time and was missued, the first back that was a true danger from any part of the field

Barry Sanders- Best back yard runner, definition of "Don't touch me" wiggle back, artist with the ball.

Reggie Bush- Too lite for the NFL, but in college he was everything Marcus Allen was

Eric Dickerson- one word SMOOTH. Reminded me of a cyborg the way he ran. Once the hole opened he warped the field into the endzone, best straight liner I have ever seen

 

[Reverend Conehead]

For me it was OJ Simpson. I don't like him much as a person, but I really loved him as a player.