Had he entered the league immediately, not played baseball and of course not had a career limiting injury might have broken most RB records. Jackson was a bigger, faster version of Walter Payton.
I've only seen highlights of Jim Brown, but he looks like a man among boys.
That was before my time, but the videos are insane.
Gayle Sayers was amazing, but his career was too short. That matters.
Similarly OJ was amazing for a short time before getting hurt, and you know, all stabby.
Walter Payton - just awesome.
Emmitt Smith (sadly) Yes, he had a great OL -- so what? I watched him kill the Giants and everyone else in the 90s.
Marshall Faulk was as DOMINANT as anyone as both a runner AND a receiver I've ever seen. If Barkley is like anyone, he's like Faulk or Tomlinson (who I will NEVER call "LT")
Barry Sanders was also amazing, but like OJ, never on a good team, and had all those negative yard carries.
Plenty of other great RBs, but these guys were the generational talents of their time.
growing up (born in 1964, got really into nfl by 1973
Earl's first 3 yrs where beastly
Payton consistently awesome and great
BO was just awesome but cant give him the nod over those two
yeah old man told me all about jim brown he looks flawless power speed balance etc
OJ was right there he dominated 6-7s straight and was just terrific
What is the basis of “best running back” is it the guy who can run people over or the guy with the best moves or the best hands? I think the best pure runner was Jim Brown. I think the best running back was Walter Payton. BTW Walter was indestructible. Never was hurt and very good at avoiding big shots.
Lots of good ones though.
... that I ever watched was Eric Dickerson. Watching him turn the corner was like watching a jet take off.
But the best overall RB I ever saw — factoring in short yardage, goal line leaps, chunk gains, pass protection, receiving , and big game badassery— was Marcus Allen. That dude was a football player.
Have to say OJ or Earl Campbell. If you think about it shame what’s happened to both. OJ obviously but Earl’s health, his style beat the crap out of his body. Always wondered if he regretted how he attacked the opposition, very violent.
He never ran out of bounds. Which was amazing back then and would be even more amazing today. He was a fierce competitor and feared player. He gave it out as good as ever got it. Just an incredibly physical player. Also amazing because he was by all accounts a terrific person. Even when he was playing, everyone loved Walter. A complete back, he could do it all and he *did* do it all over a long career. Best career I ever saw for a RB. Not really close.
You start to talk about best seasons or even spurts and the field gets crowded pretty quickly. Dickerson was as smooth and easy and as good a usher as any back since. Man could he run. Edge was terrific, Faulk was amazing and probably the most complete back I can think in that elite level - smart as heck by all accounts. Faulk had a great career too. Emmitt was a great champion, so tough and an iron will to win. Barry Sanders, of course. Earl Campbell just ran over guys, the definition of a punishing back. Tiki was great RB. Marcus Allen.
He never ran out of bounds. Which was amazing back then and would be even more amazing today. He was a fierce competitor and feared player. He gave it out as good as ever got it. Just an incredibly physical player. Also amazing because he was by all accounts a terrific person. Even when he was playing, everyone loved Walter. A complete back, he could do it all and he *did* do it all over a long career. Best career I ever saw for a RB. Not really close.
You start to talk about best seasons or even spurts and the field gets crowded pretty quickly. Dickerson was as smooth and easy and as good a usher as any back since. Man could he run. Edge was terrific, Faulk was amazing and probably the most complete back I can think in that elite level - smart as heck by all accounts. Faulk had a great career too. Emmitt was a great champion, so tough and an iron will to win. Barry Sanders, of course. Earl Campbell just ran over guys, the definition of a punishing back. Tiki was great RB. Marcus Allen.
Lotta great backs...
I like the Emmit “iron will” description. Clutch and at his best in big games.
As far as blitz pickups, best I ever saw was Clinton Portis. Dude was amazingly violent, knocked guys out who outweighed him by 50 lbs.
After that game where he beat us with a broken shoulder? I mean, respect.
He had a lot of help though, I suppose that’s worth mention too. Great offense, great defense and the second best head coach I ever saw in the NFL. Not taking anything away from Smith, a great among greats. But he had a lot talent all around him.
Interesting point about Clinton Portis. I’ve heard it said that pass blocking for a RB is more about attitude that anything else. I guess he was willing to do the dirty work.
After that game where he beat us with a broken shoulder? I mean, respect.
He had a lot of help though, I suppose that’s worth mention too. Great offense, great defense and the second best head coach I ever saw in the NFL. Not taking anything away from Smith, a great among greats. But he had a lot talent all around him.
Interesting point about Clinton Portis. I’ve heard it said that pass blocking for a RB is more about attitude that anything else. I guess he was willing to do the dirty work.
Also, when there was an interception, he turned into Jack Tatum, he’d go head hunting and destroy people. Tough little bastard.
Bo Jax had a combination of power, speed, and moves like no one else in my lifetime. Jim Brown was before my time. Sanders was an artist who was incredibly entertaining, and who knows what he could have done had he not spent his prime playing in the run and shoot.
Just about everyone who doesn’t pick Jim Brown has to admit they never got to see him. No contest. Never missed a game in nine seasons. Close to a TD per game rushing, plus 20 receiving TD. Averaged over 100 yds per game rushing. 5.2 yards per carry.
It’s Brown then a debate for who’s second.
Just about everyone who doesn’t pick Jim Brown has to admit they never got to see him. No contest. Never missed a game in nine seasons. Close to a TD per game rushing, plus 20 receiving TD. Averaged over 100 yds per game rushing. 5.2 yards per carry.
It’s Brown then a debate for who’s second.
although my Dad took me to one of his games when I was little . But from watching film of Ernie what I see is a combination of Jim Brown and Gale Sayers .
The early death caused by leukemia was tragic . It prevented Davis and Brown from playing in the same backfield . Brown was asked if the two of them could flourish in tandem . He said, “ Of course we could . We were both great blockers .”
So a memorial vote for the Elmira Express, taken from the football world way too early . A number of years ago , they had 44 Day at the Dome . They had a host of players who had worn the fabled Jersey number for Syracuse . Ernie Davis’s mother was in attendance . The most physically imposing event of that day was watching Jim Brown walk out onto the field . Something I’ll never forget .
although my Dad took me to one of his games when I was little . But from watching film of Ernie what I see is a combination of Jim Brown and Gale Sayers .
The early death caused by leukemia was tragic . It prevented Davis and Brown from playing in the same backfield . Brown was asked if the two of them could flourish in tandem . He said, “ Of course we could . We were both great blockers .”
So a memorial vote for the Elmira Express, taken from the football world way too early . A number of years ago , they had 44 Day at the Dome . They had a host of players who had worn the fabled Jersey number for Syracuse . Ernie Davis’s mother was in attendance . The most physically imposing event of that day was watching Jim Brown walk out onto the field . Something I’ll never forget .
Sayers was the clear best I have ever seen. When I was a boy I had three posters on my walls, Spider Lockhart, Ron Johnson, and Sayers. I also loved watching Earl Campbell run. He is one of my all time favorites as well.
I have to say Barkley during his rookie season is the first run to remind me of Sayers. They desperately need to get him some blocking, he is in a special class.
but I’d have to go with Barry Sanders I suppose, or at least the most fun. Adrian Peterson was a monster as well though in his prime. Bo, Thurman Thomas, Faulk, Edgerrin James, Tomlinson and even Tiki were all great ones as well though.
...but I remember watching Walter Payton: A Football Life.
They played a sequence of highlights and I was like WTF...I know it's highlights so it's gotta be good but these were just incredible plays. Runs, throwing passes, collisions, balance, grace, blocking........he did it all.
Payton was near the end of his career when I really started to understand the sport, but he's #1 to me.
Take a look, this is actually from the NFL Top 100:
I've only seen highlights of Jim Brown, but he looks like a man among boys.
Barry Sanders had the sickest moves of any RB.
Killed the Giants
Most fun was Earl Campbell. best power back I ever saw.
+1. I vote for the murderer too. He made the Bills OL the Electric Company. Gained over 2000 yards when they still only played 14 games
Easily Barry Sanders in ‘90s onward
Gayle Sayers was amazing, but his career was too short. That matters.
Similarly OJ was amazing for a short time before getting hurt, and you know, all stabby.
Walter Payton - just awesome.
Emmitt Smith (sadly) Yes, he had a great OL -- so what? I watched him kill the Giants and everyone else in the 90s.
Marshall Faulk was as DOMINANT as anyone as both a runner AND a receiver I've ever seen. If Barkley is like anyone, he's like Faulk or Tomlinson (who I will NEVER call "LT")
Barry Sanders was also amazing, but like OJ, never on a good team, and had all those negative yard carries.
Plenty of other great RBs, but these guys were the generational talents of their time.
Payton consistently awesome and great
BO was just awesome but cant give him the nod over those two
yeah old man told me all about jim brown he looks flawless power speed balance etc
OJ was right there he dominated 6-7s straight and was just terrific
too many negative plays could be all the line
he needs to be put into space as often as gameplan would permit
Lots of good ones though.
Loved Earl Campbell. He is my favorite by far.
Best I've see was probably OJ Simpson.
But the best overall RB I ever saw — factoring in short yardage, goal line leaps, chunk gains, pass protection, receiving , and big game badassery— was Marcus Allen. That dude was a football player.
Walter Payton
Gayle Sayers
Never really saw Jim Brown
Killed the Giants
He killed everyone
Gale Sayers in his prime was amazing but as some have noted his prime was short. Sayers was also an outstanding returner.
OJ was definitely great. But Barry Sanders was also great, as were Earl Campbell, Eric Dickerson and Marcus Allen.
Can't really pick a best. It's like there's a top tier.
You start to talk about best seasons or even spurts and the field gets crowded pretty quickly. Dickerson was as smooth and easy and as good a usher as any back since. Man could he run. Edge was terrific, Faulk was amazing and probably the most complete back I can think in that elite level - smart as heck by all accounts. Faulk had a great career too. Emmitt was a great champion, so tough and an iron will to win. Barry Sanders, of course. Earl Campbell just ran over guys, the definition of a punishing back. Tiki was great RB. Marcus Allen.
Lotta great backs...
Sayers was sensational. Unforgettable, old as I am.
You start to talk about best seasons or even spurts and the field gets crowded pretty quickly. Dickerson was as smooth and easy and as good a usher as any back since. Man could he run. Edge was terrific, Faulk was amazing and probably the most complete back I can think in that elite level - smart as heck by all accounts. Faulk had a great career too. Emmitt was a great champion, so tough and an iron will to win. Barry Sanders, of course. Earl Campbell just ran over guys, the definition of a punishing back. Tiki was great RB. Marcus Allen.
Lotta great backs...
I like the Emmit “iron will” description. Clutch and at his best in big games.
As far as blitz pickups, best I ever saw was Clinton Portis. Dude was amazingly violent, knocked guys out who outweighed him by 50 lbs.
Barry for me. Hopefully Saquan unseats him in a few years
He had a lot of help though, I suppose that’s worth mention too. Great offense, great defense and the second best head coach I ever saw in the NFL. Not taking anything away from Smith, a great among greats. But he had a lot talent all around him.
Interesting point about Clinton Portis. I’ve heard it said that pass blocking for a RB is more about attitude that anything else. I guess he was willing to do the dirty work.
Barkley has had even less to work with and given competent run blocking he could be special
He had a lot of help though, I suppose that’s worth mention too. Great offense, great defense and the second best head coach I ever saw in the NFL. Not taking anything away from Smith, a great among greats. But he had a lot talent all around him.
Interesting point about Clinton Portis. I’ve heard it said that pass blocking for a RB is more about attitude that anything else. I guess he was willing to do the dirty work.
Also, when there was an interception, he turned into Jack Tatum, he’d go head hunting and destroy people. Tough little bastard.
Never saw Jim Brown play but he is also known as one of the greatest lacrosse players ever...
It’s Brown then a debate for who’s second.
I saw him play a lot on TV.
It’s Brown then a debate for who’s second.
Enjoy...
Jim Brown highlights with some good comments from his peers - ( New Window )
The early death caused by leukemia was tragic . It prevented Davis and Brown from playing in the same backfield . Brown was asked if the two of them could flourish in tandem . He said, “ Of course we could . We were both great blockers .”
So a memorial vote for the Elmira Express, taken from the football world way too early . A number of years ago , they had 44 Day at the Dome . They had a host of players who had worn the fabled Jersey number for Syracuse . Ernie Davis’s mother was in attendance . The most physically imposing event of that day was watching Jim Brown walk out onto the field . Something I’ll never forget .
The early death caused by leukemia was tragic . It prevented Davis and Brown from playing in the same backfield . Brown was asked if the two of them could flourish in tandem . He said, “ Of course we could . We were both great blockers .”
So a memorial vote for the Elmira Express, taken from the football world way too early . A number of years ago , they had 44 Day at the Dome . They had a host of players who had worn the fabled Jersey number for Syracuse . Ernie Davis’s mother was in attendance . The most physically imposing event of that day was watching Jim Brown walk out onto the field . Something I’ll never forget .
I have to say Barkley during his rookie season is the first run to remind me of Sayers. They desperately need to get him some blocking, he is in a special class.
They played a sequence of highlights and I was like WTF...I know it's highlights so it's gotta be good but these were just incredible plays. Runs, throwing passes, collisions, balance, grace, blocking........he did it all.
Payton was near the end of his career when I really started to understand the sport, but he's #1 to me.
Take a look, this is actually from the NFL Top 100:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfFE5Ou0Txo
I'd have to say the best I've watched is probably Payton. But, my 2 favorite non-Giants to watch were Marcus Allen and Eric Dickerson.