Greatest NFL Running Backs of all time!
For a while I've been analyzing the best running backs of all time. Running backs are one of the few positions that translate to every era of football. I rank these players by skill level, production, consistency, dynamics, and versatility. Their are players not on this list that where extraordinary for a few years like Bo Jackson and Earl Campbell. Due to their lack of consistency they did not make the list. So let's get started. I ranked these players from 1 to 13.
1-Barry Sanders-By far the most dynamic running back of all time. He was virtually unstoppable. Every run was like a punt return. Playing for the Lions sort of took away from his greatness. If he played with the 90's Cowboys teams he would easily had been considered the "Greatest Running Back of All Time"!
2-Jim Brown-Theres no doubt he was very dominating. By far the best football player of his era. He was like a train running through arm tacklers, and like a Jet out running defenders!
3-Walter Payton-Walter was best known for his durability and long jevity. He was a nasty mean runner with instincts like a cat. He was also very agile and elusive.
4-Erik Dickerson-For the first 5 seasons of Dickerson's career he was the most fritening running back ever. He set the all time rushing yard single season record in his second professional season.
5-Marshall Faulk- By far the most versatile offensive player in NFL history. He leads all running backs in recieving yards, and is in the top 20 of all time rushers.
6-Tony Dorsett- He was a sprinter in a football players body. Being the Chris Johnson of his day, he would find small seams in holes and explode through them like a bullet.
7-LT- LT was a great pure runner and overall weapon in his hey day. Sandiego's pass happy offense was built around him with defenders loading the box and catching passes out the backfield.
8-Curtis Martin- Martin was not great at one style of running but good at all styles of running. He was crafty at setting up his blocks and reading defenses.
9-Emitt Smith- Smith is the measuring stick for consistency. He is the current leader in all time rushing yards in a career, and also all time rushing touchdowns in a career.
10-Franco Harris- A focal point in the Steelers offense. Harris had a good combination of power and finese. Franco helped carry the team to multiple Super Bowl appearances.
11-Marcus Allen- One of the most elusive runners of all time. Allen was one of the best at avoiding tacklers. Probally the best inside runner in NFL history next to John Riggins.
12-OJ Simpson-OJ had it all, power, speed, and quikness. His career might of been enhanced if he ever played for a contender.
13-Gale Sayers- Set the single season record for touchdowns from scrimage as a "rookie". Sayors lived up to his name of the "Kansas Comet" throughout his career by becoming a threat to score every time he touched the football.
Feel free to add your own opinions about my thread.
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