Best 5 RBs of the 1990s

[Battlelyon]

Faulk was great at everything a master at none, some guys were better receivers, some were better blockers, while some were better runners, but he was the defensive coordinator nightmare. He was a threat where ever he lined up on the field, Faulk not only knew his assignment on every play but his teammates. You would see Faulk talk to his teammates time after time trying to teach them what they didn't do on that play. Nobody had the pure overall talent like Faulk possessed in his game.

 

[HammerDown]

Barry, Eddie, everyone else

 

[HammerDown]

Marshall Faulk = the most overrated RB in the history of overrated RBs

 

[SonnyCID]

I think we're in agreement, that a controlling the clock is important.....the 2014 COWBOYS proved that a balanced offense, with a power running game works in the modern day NFL. O lineman like drive blocking, it keeps QBs safe, keeps opponent's offense off the field, and it rests your own defense.

Today, you need QB effeciency to really make that work over a season, and the Cowboys had that in 14.

As far as 200 yard games though, it's pretty much a lock for a win if you can put up that much on the ground. I could only find games where the rushers went for 219+, and their teams went 50-5 on those days.

 

[Stomp]

some were better blockers

He was the best pass blocking RB in the league and the best route running RB in the league

 

[TheStarOne]

Today, you need QB effeciency to really make that work over a season, and the Cowboys had that in 14.

As far as 200 yard games though, it's pretty much a lock for a win if you can put up that much on the ground. I could only find games where the rushers went for 219+, and their teams went 50-5 on those days.

I tend to look at it from the other side. I believe a great run game forces the safties to move up, to stop the run. And when that happens, it's open season for the pass game. And Romo has always been a really good QB.
He's always been over 60% completion average and over 90 in passer rating. (career 65.3 CP 97.1 PR)
And the 90's COWBOYS were a power running team first. as was the 70's COWBOYS. And the run game travels well to cold climates.
And being a fan of a team, that had a QB who broke his collarbone twice last season, I hope Morris and company run for 5000 yards this season.

 

[Battlelyon]

He was the best pass blocking RB in the league and the best route running RB in the league

He certainly has an argument

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Bettis over Faulk? LOL, c'mon man. Complete homer move there. Bettis might be the most overrated runningback in the Hall of Fame. Guy stayed durable and racked up a lot of rushing yards, I'll give him that... but hardly a huge reason the Steelers did anything relevant. There's a reason it took him 4+ times to get into the Hall of Fame.

Probably gonna catch a lot of crap from this post....

For the record:

1) Sanders
2) Faulk
3) Smith
4) Davis (can't fault for an injury)
5) Thomas

Putting Faulk above Smith because of value in today's league as a receiving back.

No crap will be given... Well maybe a little because Bettis is anything but overrated, and the statement that he was "hardly a reason the Steelers did anything relevant" is a farce. It's all a legitimate argument, but an argument nonetheless. Not all RBs are made the same, and everyone has different tastes. Faulk was an amazingly versatile RB capable of playing anywhere on the field, while Bettis was a backfield bulldozing chain mover. Bettis doesn't receive quite the fanfare outside of Pittsburgh because of it. But that doesn't deter me from keeping my opinion, nor does it negate the success the Steelers had directly resulting from him. Bettis & Pittsburgh were a match made in heaven. If there is 5-8mins left in the game and you are closing out a lead, there is not a single RB that I would take over Bettis in that situation.

Bettis is arguably the most durable running back of all-time when considering his career longevity of 13 years, the yards he gained and the amount of punishment he endured (while also dishing out his fare share of it too). Only about 10% of RB's that have ever been in the league could have held up for the same amount of time if put in Bettis' role in PIT. But would anyone in that 10% have been as successful? That's a tough sell.

In reality, it's not a knock on Faulk to be below Bettis on my list. In the 90's there was a man named Barry Sanders, and then there was everyone else.

 

[shopson67]

Sanders
Faulk
Emmitt
Thurman
Martin

 

[Clayton]

For the record:

1) Sanders
2) Faulk
3) Smith
4) Davis (can't fault for an injury)
5) Thomas

Putting Faulk above Smith because of value in today's league as a receiving back.

This would be my list, as well.

The thing about Barry Sanders is that you could just put in a rotation back around goal line if you're worried about his backwards yards. Goal line running backs are a dime a dozen. Running backs that can make the first person miss routinely AND take it to the house are worth their weight in gold.

 

[Broncos6482]

Marshall Faulk = the most overrated RB in the history of overrated RBs

That would actually be Eddie George and his pathetic 3.6 yards per carry. How this guy is considered a great back I'll never understand.

 

[Broncos6482]

Bettis over Faulk? LOL, c'mon man. Complete homer move there. Bettis might be the most overrated runningback in the Hall of Fame. Guy stayed durable and racked up a lot of rushing yards, I'll give him that... but hardly a huge reason the Steelers did anything relevant. There's a reason it took him 4+ times to get into the Hall of Fame.

Probably gonna catch a lot of crap from this post....

For the record:

1) Sanders
2) Faulk
3) Smith
4) Davis (can't fault for an injury)
5) Thomas

Putting Faulk above Smith because of value in today's league as a receiving back.

That's the same 5 I had. I think Davis had the potential to finish as the best if his knees hadn't been destroyed.

 

[The Oldtimer]

Marshall Faulk = the most overrated RB in the history of overrated RBs

Faulk's Stats says you are high on something.

 

[HammerDown]

Faulk's Stats says you are high on something.

High on always being right!

 

[The Oldtimer]

High on always being right!

Just in your opinion.

 

[Anointed One]

Honorable mention, Cris Warren who should be on there over Alstott and D. Johnson... What he did on such a crappy Seahawks team half that decade was pretty impressive...

... and yes... I might just be a little biased...

 

[Battlelyon]

Nobody cares about Chris Warren not even Chris Warren

 

[Anointed One]

Nobody cares about Chris Warren not even Chris Warren

Case in point...

 

[TheStarOne]

I'm not sure what criteria anyone would go by......I guess opinions matter more than stats
and then you have to decide what stats matter.

 

[handicappers]

Emmitt Smith was by far (and it's not even close) the best RB in the 90's. He did it all and he did it with heart and determination. He wasn't a quitter, he hit the holes instead of running around in circles for two yard gains or losses and he got it done. It wasn't the O-Line that made him look good but Smith made the O-Line look good.

Marshall Faulk shouldn't even be in the poll.