Greatest RBs of all-time per NFL.com

[Eric15]

Pretty cool that we have three of the top 21 RBs in the history of football. You would have to imagine there is a decent chance Ernie Davis is here also if he doesn't pass away. My only major beef is Barry Sanders at #8 which is insane. I would have him at worst #3 behind Brown and Payton.

1. Jim Brown
2. Walter Payton
3. OJ Simpson
4. Gale Sayers
5. LaDainian Tomlinson
6. Eric Dickerson
7. Earl Campbell
8. Barry Sanders
9. Tony Dorsett
10. Emmitt Smith
----
20. Floyd Little
21. Larry Czonka

Gil Brandt's greatest NFL running backs of all time

 

[Toga]

While far from a Redskins fan, I think Larry Brown should be in the Top 25.

"He was noted for his courageous running style despite his relative small style, courage he attributed to having been raised on the tough streets of Pittsburgh's Hill District, and playing tackle football in those streets. He was also noted for his abilities to break tackles, and gain yardage after contact, which announcers called "second effort"."

 

[SUfaninAZ]

#26

 

[Guy Fawkes]

All time to me means over their career and not just a season.

Observations:
- Cuse players appear to be properly ranked.
- Sayers (borderline top 10) and Bo (questionable inclusion to the list) are ranked too high.
- Taylor is ranked way too low.
- Ezekiel Elliot at #26. Adios. Included only for Cowboy fans/click bait.
- Frank Gore, Steven Jackson both had great careers albeit on mediocre-bad teams.

 

[Trueblue25]

LT should be 3.

 

[Trueblue25]

All time to me means over their career and not just a season.

Observations:
- Cuse players appear to be properly ranked.
- Sayers (borderline top 10) and Bo (questionable inclusion to the list) are ranked too high.
- Taylor is ranked way too low.
- Ezekiel Elliot at #26. Adios. Included only for Cowboy fans/click bait.
- Frank Gore, Steven Jackson both had great careers albeit on mediocre-bad teams.

Tiki Barber and Steven Jackson should be considered.

 

[UnknownOrange]

I can't take a list serious is #26 is a god damn rookie. What a moron.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

I can't take a list serious is #26 is a god damn rookie. What a moron.

Should be higher?

 

[KaiserUEO]

LT should be 3.

LAWRENCE TAYLOR was an OLB.

 

[KaiserUEO]

Gil is somehow on Jerruh's payroll.

Marcus Allen needs to be higher.

 

[ssbriefcase]

Tomlinson at #5 is a joke.

 

[Eric15]

Tomlinson at #5 is a joke.

How come? He's 5th all-time in yards, and 2nd all-time in rushing TDs. When he was at his peak in the mid-2000s he may have been the most dominant rusher in league history.

 

[KaiserUEO]

How come? He's 5th all-time in yards, and 2nd all-time in rushing TDs. When he was at his peak in the mid-2000s he may have been the most dominant rusher in league history.

was he better than emmitt??

 

[Eric15]

was he better than emmitt??

Without a doubt.

 

[ssbriefcase]

How come? He's 5th all-time in yards, and 2nd all-time in rushing TDs. When he was at his peak in the mid-2000s he may have been the most dominant rusher in league history.

Stats are a part of the story. My eyeballs tell me B. Sanders, Dickerson and even Earl Campbell were better rb's. Barry is my #2 all time, btw. This stuff is some of the most subjective, I get that. I just don't see Tomlinson as a top 5 back.

 

[KaiserUEO]

Without a doubt.

Tomlinson picked up a lot of yards v nickel an dime defenses.

Emmitt did it v 8 in the box.

 

[Eric15]

Tomlinson picked up a lot of yards v nickel an dime defenses.

Emmitt did it v 8 in the box.

Obviously this is all subjective, but Emmitt had the benefit of arguably the greatest offensive line in league history. All other things being equal, I would take LT in his prime over Emmitt. I just think he's a more explosive and dynamic back.

 

[ssbriefcase]

Obviously this is all subjective, but Emmitt had the benefit of arguably the greatest offensive line in league history

And this is why I have Barry at #2. It's superhuman to do what he did all the while playing for the Lions.

 

[KaiserUEO]

Obviously this is all subjective, but Emmitt had the benefit of arguably the greatest offensive line in league history. All other things being equal, I would take LT in his prime over Emmitt. I just think he's a more explosive and dynamic back.

I need to stop now before I make myself really sick defending a poke.

 

[Eric15]

And this is why I have Barry at #2. It's superhuman to do what he did all the while playing for the Lions.

Did you miss in my OP where I said having Barry at #8 was insane?

 

[TheCusian]

I need to stop now before I make myself really sick defending a poke.

Yeah, careful man. Respect to Emmitt, but all cowboys get auto-demerits.

 

[ssbriefcase]

Did you miss in my OP where I said having Barry at #8 was insane?

Nope, I caught that, and obviously agree. I don't know why but Tomlinson at 5 just popped off the page for me. And can't we get a rule in place for the public not coining someone elses nickname, especially an all time great, on another player? So frustrating, I hate when people refer to him as LT. And (cover your ears Kaiser), I don't even like the giants, (something about ruining part of my teenage years in '87), and Indiana is to blame for a lot of that terrible year also.

 

[Eric15]

Nope, I caught that, and obviously agree. I don't know why but Tomlinson at 5 just popped off the page for me. And can't we get a rule in place for the public not coining someone elses nickname, especially an all time great, on another player? So frustrating, I hate when people refer to him as LT. And (cover your ears Kaiser), I don't even like the giants, (something about ruining part of my teenage years in '87), and Indiana is to blame for a lot of that terrible year also.

I think there is an unofficial sports rule that if you have relations with a 16 year old girl in a Holiday Inn, you no longer have automatic dibs to your nickname.

 

[CIL]

Barry and Emmitt not in the top 5 is silly. But then again, they have a rookie at 26.

 

[Frozen]

Needs more Biakabutuka.