As far as the O-Line stuff: Personally, I think O-Lines make running backs more than the other way around. I think RBs are maybe the most fungible position on the field, after special teamers. Also, Jimmy Johnson says a lot of stuff, I remember him also complaining about how Emmitt refused to be benched in games that were way out of hand because he wanted to pad his stats.
And dude, I said I agree with you on the Boom-or-Bust style of runner. It's why Willie Parker absolutely murders the Steeler's offense. But Sanders is no Willie Parker. Sanders was still one of the best because he broke off the long ones enough times to compensate for the times that his dancing cost his team.
I mean the way you talk about it, you'd think Detroit's offense stunk because of Barry. And yet the Lions offense finished in the top 10 of the league in points scored 5 of the 10 years Sanders played (Smith was 6/13). In the 9 years that Barry and Emmitt both played, the Lions outscored the Cowboys in 4 of those years (1990, 1995, 1996, 1997).
Also, in those 9 years, Barry's teams averaged 70.2 punts per year while Emmitt's teams averaged 68.33. So did Barry's teams punt more? Yea, but that doesn't mean his ability to break off the long one isn't valuable still.
I can definitely understand taking Emmitt over Barry. Like any respectable Cowboys fan, I would too. But to say that Barry was a negative for his teams seems unfounded.
