Top 2 most exciting running backs you have ever seen and why

Supercowboy1986

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My best best friend and I were talking about some of our favorite players throughout time and we got on the topic on the most exciting running backs we have seen.

His 2 were Barry Sanders and OJ Simpson.

Mine were Emmitt Smith and Ladainian Tomlinson.

ES was always fun to watch for me because how deceptively athletic he was. For being a stocky guy he was incredibly elusive and his cuts and jukes were one of a master technician. Seeing all those ankles break always felt good. He always appeared to out maneuver tacklers with ease and rarely lost his balance.

LT was a different beast all together. Watching him throw touch down passes and spin and juke defenders gave a different level of satisfaction compared to ES. LT to me was more "shifty" and faster then ES but neither were easy to tackle. LT was so dangerous in the open field and running through the hole. his speed and second gear were insane.

Both were great pass catchers with a slight edge to LT but I believe ES was the better pass protector. ES obviously has more rings. Whereas LT has none. Both were NFL MVP's at some point. LT was the more exciting player to watch but ES was the better winner overall IMO. In terms of durability it's probably a wash with a slight edge to ES (can't forget the separated shoulder game).

What do you guys think?
 

LandryFan

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Gayle Sayers
Tony Dorsette
I'm absolutely with you on TD. My other would have to be Sanders, though. I will never forget TD's 99 yard TD. I was fortunate enough to talk to him at length a ways back and I brought that run up in conversation. When I mentioned the "99 yarder", he let me know that it was actually about a 105 yarder from where he got the handoff. Was still trying to get those few extra yards...:)
 

Nova

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I'm going to go Barry Sanders and Adrian Peterson.

Fair disclosure: I'm 30 years old, so I didn't see guys like OJ, Sweetness, Campbell, Dorsett, etc.

Sanders speaks for itself, but Adrian Peterson was probably the most explosive (speed+power) running back I've ever seen. And the highlights are just sick. Dude is just a different animal.

Honorable Mention: Reggie Bush in college was insane. But his NFL career tarnishes his college days, IMO.

(For the record, Tomlinson is the best running back I've ever seen)

 

Tabascocat

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Most exciting - Sanders and Bo Jackson
Favorite - Emmitt

If I can add a 3rd exciting one, it would be Earl Campbell. It was fun watching him bulldoze people.
 

Blast From The Past

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Billy Sims (went to my high school at then 20AA Hooks)
The Tyler Rose
but...
can't forget Tony Dorsett, so three come to mind
 
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csirl

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Herschel Walker was an unbelieveable athlete.

One who ruined a potential HOF career and never got going in the NFL - Lawrence Phillips.
 

bark

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Earl Campbell
Bo Jackson
Both could run over you or run thru you.
Made no difference to them.
both got stronger late in the 4th
 

KB1122

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In terms of pure excitement, Barry Sanders and Tony Dorsett. Sanders because he was amazing. Dorsett because he was a threat on every play to just run past everybody.
 

Phoenix

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Two? Best I can do is a Mount Rushmore of RBs:

Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Earl Campbell, Tony Dorsett
 

xwalker

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My best best friend and I were talking about some of our favorite players throughout time and we got on the topic on the most exciting running backs we have seen.

His 2 were Barry Sanders and OJ Simpson.

Mine were Emmitt Smith and Ladainian Tomlinson.

ES was always fun to watch for me because how deceptively athletic he was. For being a stocky guy he was incredibly elusive and his cuts and jukes were one of a master technician. Seeing all those ankles break always felt good. He always appeared to out maneuver tacklers with ease and rarely lost his balance.

LT was a different beast all together. Watching him throw touch down passes and spin and juke defenders gave a different level of satisfaction compared to ES. LT to me was more "shifty" and faster then ES but neither were easy to tackle. LT was so dangerous in the open field and running through the hole. his speed and second gear were insane.

Both were great pass catchers with a slight edge to LT but I believe ES was the better pass protector. ES obviously has more rings. Whereas LT has none. Both were NFL MVP's at some point. LT was the more exciting player to watch but ES was the better winner overall IMO. In terms of durability it's probably a wash with a slight edge to ES (can't forget the separated shoulder game).

What do you guys think?

College: Marcus Dupree

He was about 6-3, 230+ and ran a 4.3 forty.

He had a big frame and probably could have played DL. He got up to about 300 pounds immediately after he quit playing and still didn't look fat.

He ran over people like Earl Campbell but ran outside like Eric Dickerson.
 
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