was unlike anything in the game today. The power and balance made him very, very difficult to tackle. He'd dish out punishment like a 290 pound lineman. Then he'd accelerate like a 195-pound scat back.
The big hole in his game was that he wasn't a good receiver. If the Oilers fell behind and had to rely on passing, that pretty much took Campbell out of the game.
I didn't see Jim Brown. I saw Jerome Bettis and I don't understand how he's ranked above Campbell on the NFL Top 10 Power Backs. He was the most punishing back I ever saw. And of course his body paid a terrible price for that.
but I wouldn't compare his running style to Campbell at all. I don't think any RB has ever come close to combining that amount of speed and power. I'd be far more tempted to compare him to other brutal RB's - maybe Jim Brown or Csonka.
I remember one play on which he deliberately ran into and eventually over a DT at the l.o.s. and thinking, "RB's aren't supposed to be able to do that!" But it takes a toll.
thing to Campbell I've seen. Bell has power, but not as ruthless as Campbell.
There hasn't been a runner like Campbell in the NFL in decades. Even when huge backs were in vogue Earl was a step above most. Don't really see the Elliot comparison either
Was something to be proud of as a fan and opponent his running style might never be seen again in the NFL. Speed, power and brutal force against anyone who got in his way was a special moment every week.
was closer to Campbell than Elliott is. I’m not saying Bo = Earl. But what a shame we didn’t get a full career from Bo. Dude was special and worth mentioning in this conversation, IMO.
was closer to Campbell than Elliott is. I’m not saying Bo = Earl. But what a shame we didn’t get a full career from Bo. Dude was special and worth mentioning in this conversation, IMO.
Bo had that potential but we'll never really know. He had the body and the size, and certainly the speed.
The thing is, Campbell is an outlier no matter how you look at it. His ability to deliver and absorb hits as a running back was freakish. It's not just a matter of different eras; he was astonishing even at the time, when running backs were more of staple of NFL offenses.
It's hard to convey to someone who never saw him play a full game just what Earl Campbell was like. He may not have been the greatest running back ever but he was unique.
I haven’t seen a RB like Earl Campbell since, well, I’ve never seen anyone like him. Wow, what a freakin’ beast he was! Speaking of beasts, yeah, Marshawn Lynch in full beast mode is a lot like Earl Campbell running at half speed. Kidding. Sort of. Not really. Such a freaking punishing back.
I haven’t seen a RB like Earl Campbell since, well, I’ve never seen anyone like him. Wow, what a freakin’ beast he was! Speaking of beasts, yeah, Marshawn Lynch in full beast mode is a lot like Earl Campbell running at half speed. Kidding. Sort of. Not really. Such a freaking punishing back.
I see the Lynch comparison - I'd say like Lynch with an extra gear and more immediate burst.
I was a Giants fan when he was playing, but my friend and I would sing the Houston Oilers song when they were on TV just the same because EC was such an amazing player.
Best power back I have every witness playing football and it isn't very close at all. There are other great backs, but he was the top power back in my opinion.
The closest and there is still a gap Okoye, recent days Lynch. And again - there is a gap between those two and Earl. The Bus is a distant 2nd or 3rd to Earl.
comparison I ever made to Campbell was Christian Okoye - good call on him.
But even then, nobody ran with the ferociousness of Campbell. Mike Alstott ran hard-nosed, but didn't have the open-field ability. same with Brandon Jacobs.
His style of running is much, much different than Bell's..........
Campbell was a human wrecking ball that dished out punishment (and took it).
His style of running is much, much different than Bell's..........
Campbell was a human wrecking ball that dished out punishment (and took it).
I wouldn't mistake the way Bell finishes a run with the way Campbell ran getting out of bed in the morning.
I watched Campbell's entire career, and watch Bell ... two different animals, imo.
He, along with Walter Payton, have the two best highlight reels you will ever see from a running back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7DKVvw6XYA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfFE5Ou0Txo
Highlights are meant to stand out, but these two are really incredible football players.
To see Campbell break through a hole and accelerate was like watching a tractor trailer lose its brakes headed down a steep incline.
Bell will probably not be in a wheelchair and barely functional when he's Earl's age today.
A nurse here is friends with him, since HS, he comes to visit, sad to see him now.
The big hole in his game was that he wasn't a good receiver. If the Oilers fell behind and had to rely on passing, that pretty much took Campbell out of the game.
I didn't see Jim Brown. I saw Jerome Bettis and I don't understand how he's ranked above Campbell on the NFL Top 10 Power Backs. He was the most punishing back I ever saw. And of course his body paid a terrible price for that.
And no disrespect to Elliott, that's not even close IMO.
I remember one play on which he deliberately ran into and eventually over a DT at the l.o.s. and thinking, "RB's aren't supposed to be able to do that!" But it takes a toll.
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thing to Campbell I've seen. Bell has power, but not as ruthless as Campbell.
Marshawn Lynch closer in style to Campbell than any other current back IMO
And no disrespect to Elliott, that's not even close IMO.
There hasn't been a runner like Campbell in the NFL in decades. Even when huge backs were in vogue Earl was a step above most. Don't really see the Elliot comparison either
The thing is, Campbell is an outlier no matter how you look at it. His ability to deliver and absorb hits as a running back was freakish. It's not just a matter of different eras; he was astonishing even at the time, when running backs were more of staple of NFL offenses.
It's hard to convey to someone who never saw him play a full game just what Earl Campbell was like. He may not have been the greatest running back ever but he was unique.
I see the Lynch comparison - I'd say like Lynch with an extra gear and more immediate burst.
I was a Giants fan when he was playing, but my friend and I would sing the Houston Oilers song when they were on TV just the same because EC was such an amazing player.
But even then, nobody ran with the ferociousness of Campbell. Mike Alstott ran hard-nosed, but didn't have the open-field ability. same with Brandon Jacobs.