Who is the greatest running back ever, and why?

Question

Sanders, Payton, Brown, Smith, Tomlinson, Simpson, Sayers, Dickerson, Jackson, etc. Most detailed and convincing argument wins.

Answer 1

I will go with Barry all day.  But Jim Brown was way beyond his time..

Hard to compare the two due to different eras.  But I have still yet to see anyone make as sharp a cut as Barry Sanders.

Answer 2

Barry Sanders.

He was the best running back to ever play. Emmitt Smith was on a great team, whilst Sanders was stuck on a terrible one. Yet he still led them to the playoffs, and nearly to a super bowl. He retired 1 year before he would've broken the rushing record, which showed he didn't care about the records (he also gave the last few plays to a backup running back, when he was 9 yards away from getting his 6th consecutive 1,500 yard season performance.) Overall Barry Sanders was the best player ever, no matter what Cowboys fans says =).

Answer 3

jim brown if he would have stayed in the nfl he would have set untouchable records  

Answer 4

Barry Sanders.

He was on a crappy team, where as Emmit Smith was on an incredible team. Barry STILL managed to set the single season rushing record, and he did it with the freakin' lions.

So, as it stands:

1. Barry Sanders

2. Walter Payton

3. Jim Brown

4. Earl Campbell

5. LaDainian Tomlinson

Answer 5

barry sanders without question. he got all his numbers on a team that never had an offensive line. and he only played 10 seasons. had he kept playing for another 5 like emmitt, he would have put rushing records so far out of reach. if he averaged 1400 yards like his career numbers(15269 for 10 years-do the math) for 5 more years, he would have finished with almost 23,000 yards rushing. he would have had 4500 more yards then emmitt(18,355) and would have done it on less carries too. there is no denying that barry sanders is the greatest running back to play and no one can imitate or match his skills on the field. any new player comparison to him is a stretch and i think an insult to barry.  

Answer 6

sanders

Answer 7

jim brown- he led the league in rushing every year and was all-time leader and only played for 8 years. had he played longer, no one would be able to touch his records

Answer 8

brian westbrook, he has broken all the rushing records of all time

Answer 9

ricky williams or ronnie brown

GO DOLPHINS!!!

Answer 10

Jim Brown

No man can compare to this great running back, watch old films

Problem with barry sanders was you had his great runs but the way he ran you would end up with a lot of second downs and long because he might run backwards or sideways to try and create a hole

Emmitt Smith is a good strong back who was reliable and thats a good trait to have

Walter Payton was one of the best backs but still nothing compares to Jim Brown

1. Jim Brown

2. Emmitt Smith

3. Barry Sanders

4. Walter Payton

Answer 11

Jim Brown, Walter Payton.