Best RB of All Time...

[rmilia1]

Are we talking a 1 game scenario?? A full season in their prime?? A career?? In a one game scenario Im taking someone I know is consistent and is going to get me yards and make plays when I need to every time so Im taking Payton/ Smith or Jim Brown. In a season long scenario in their prime Im taking the guy who had speed, agility and could hit a homerun every time he touched it so Id take Sanders/Dickerson or Petersen... In you are talking career and the ability to do multiple things like catch, run, block Im taking Marshall Faulk/LT or Marcus Allen. Also what type of offense am I running?? How good is my QB?? How many carries a game am I able to give the guy?? Too many variables to ever name the best RBV ever. I honestly think if I could only take 1 guy to START a team with itd be Tomlinson but I dont know.

 

[Smart]

So, every few days I will post a new matchup we will have the top 16 backs of all time go head to head to decide who is #1 in the eyes of the Hoop.

The 16 contestants are in no particular order.

Barry Sanders
Walter Payton
Jim Brown
O.J. Simpson
LaDainian Tomlinson
Earl Campbell
Emmitt Smith
Marcus Allen
Adrian Peterson
Eric Dickerson

Can we at least agree on ten or so untouchables and then debate the other six slots? I think these ten should be pretty uncontroversial. There are reasons one could claim any of them should be in the top 2 or 3.

Personally, I think Faulk, Sayers, and Harris are pretty clear no-brainers as well.

 

[Xponentialchaos]

This seems to have turned into everyone thinks im bashing Gale Sayers thread, that's not the case at all, I put him on the list to begin with didn't I?

No need to get defensive. Just giving my $0.02.

 

[Nosferatu]

Ok, so I put Sayers back on, who do I take off?

 

[Nosferatu]

No need to get defensive. Just giving my $0.02.

I'm not trying to be defensive, just talking football... I appreciate what Sayers did, and like I said I put him on the list to begin with. Just trying to get the best 16 so we can start.

 

[rmilia1]

Can we at least agree on ten or so untouchables and then debate the other six slots? I think these ten should be pretty uncontroversial. There are reasons one could claim any of them should be in the top 2 or 3.

Personally, I think Faulk, Sayers, and Harris are pretty clear no-brainers as well.

Shit I just realized Faulk wasnt even on the list. Hes in my top 5... LOL. I just assumed he would be in anyones top 15.

 

[mrwallace2ku]

BTW...Here's my "short list" of AT RBs...NOT in bold

The 16 contestants are in no particular order.

Barry Sanders
Walter Payton
Jim Brown
Marshall Faulk
O.J. Simpson
LaDainian Tomlinson
Earl Campbell
Emmitt Smith
Marcus Allen
Tony Dorsett
Edgerrin James
Adrian Peterson
Curtis Martin
Eric Dickerson
Franco Harris
Thurman Thomas

Gawd damn Packers and Raiders had some terrific RBs... GB RB P Horning was better than C Martin that's for sure.

 

[erckm510]

This seems to have turned into everyone thinks im bashing Gale Sayers thread, that's not the case at all, I put him on the list to begin with didn't I?

Just the great debate between dominance and longevity. I lean more towards the longevity part. For me personally I would rather have been a very good back with some dominant seasons for 12 years then be a dominant back and gone in 5 years.

Never saw Sayers play even in highlights so I don't know how electric he was. People loved the way he played tho so it must have been special.

 

[Nosferatu]

Shit I just realized Faulk wasnt even on the list. Hes in my top 5... LOL. I just assumed he would be in anyones top 15.

He is on the list and always has been.

 

[rmilia1]

He is on the list and always has been.

Ahh I see it now. Was looking at another list. LOL. Damn glaucoma!!!

 

[Nosferatu]

So, i'm adding Sayers back to the list who does everyone think should be bumped?

 

[Wazmankg]

Actually it's nothing like saying that but okay. You sure in 67 and 68 he was all pro because of his running or could it have had something to do with his kick and punt returning ability? And you might notice I said he could go back on the list if people wanted him back on, who do I take off?

Yeah, I'm positive. I remember it... yeah I'm old. He was widely acknowledged to be the best RB of his time after Brown retired. He was a better RB than several guys on that list. If you're looking for a list of guys who can legitimately lay claim to GOAT I could cut the list to 3... 5 or 6 tops. But you took the time to put it together and I didn't and that's cool So I'll quit bitching about it.

 

[RoboticDreams]

Was Jim Brown really that good? The guy is still worshiped as if he could play in today's game and dominate like he did back in the day. I don't think he faced near the talent of today's game. He was running away and over slower, smaller and whiter competition. Just a simple question for people that have actually seen him play in his prime.

 

[mrwallace2ku]

Sayers and Sanders were both great RBs, just didn't play enough. Total yards aint the stat I always look at either. I'm just an old fart with a memory is all. Way to many greats left off this top15 list.

I'll just go over thar>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>and take a nap now and pick my winner latter.

 

[Wazmankg]

BTW...Here's my "short list" of AT RBs...NOT in bold




Gawd damn Packers and Raiders had some terrific RBs... GB RB P Horning was better than C Martin that's for sure.

Franco and Dorsett but no Barry ? I don't think so. Are you one of those "rings = individual greatness" guys ?

 

[Nosferatu]

Okay, so who gets knocked off the list when I add Sayers? Thomas? Edge?

 

[mrwallace2ku]

Was Jim Brown really that good?

Yep he was...totally dominated a game he played in thruout his career...BIG RB for his day who didn't go down easy. Deserves his recognition.

 

[NinerSickness]

IMO this is a 2-horse race. Barry Sanders & Jim Brown are easily ahead of anyone else, and it's really hard to compare 2 players from 2 different eras.

So I'll say the best RB of all time is Jim Sanders.

 

[mrwallace2ku]

Okay, so who gets knocked off the list when I add Sayers? Thomas? Edge?

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...uhhaahh that guy.

 

[RoboticDreams]

IMO this is a 2-horse race. Barry Sanders & Jim Brown are easily ahead of anyone else, and it's really hard to compare 2 players from 2 different eras.

So I'll say the best RB of all time is Jim Sanders.

I'd throw Sweetness in there but I agree, it's between those 3, IMO.