Greatest Running Back YOU'VE ever seen

[Thundergod]

Who's the best RB you've ever seen, not from highlights, one that you actually got to see play that just made you say daaaaamn! I wish I could've seen those from the 60's and 70's that are considered some of the best. I'm sticking to retired players, you don't have to if it doesn't apply; eg (you're young)

1. Barry Sanders, DET:  GD, I am so glad I had a chance to see this man play, the human highlight reel on a team that didn't build around him, sadness.

2. Walter Payton, CHI: Caught him at the tail end of his career, but watching a future HOF RB in '86, 87 was enough to appreciate, and know what I had missed.

3. Thurman Thomas, BUF:  I know, weird pick, but growing up a Dolphins fan, it made me cringe whenever they met up with Buffalo. TT always had my respect, the man was an all around awesome back, to me. It was odd seeing him in Miami, too bad he was out of gas by then.

4. Emmit Smith, DAL: From beginning to end, I saw it all, and am glad to say that I did. Even though I hate the team.

5. Eric Dickerson, LAR/IND: Strange seeing him in a Colts uni when he was traded, but the dude was an incredible talent to watch in LA AND Indy.
 

Hows about you guys? Doesn't have to be 5, whatever you can muster up is coo.

[Phishfan]

I don't know if anyone will disagree with the first two, except possibly the order. Walter was the most amazing thing I had ever seen until Barry came along. I think Jim Brown should be on the top 5 list although he was before my time. I think I would have to pull Thurman off to put him up there.

[Dave Gray]

Barry Sanders is the best runner I've ever seen.

[Defense54]

Proof Posistive some of the best players ever didn't win a championship.

Easily Barry Sanders.  I love the way he just walked away from the game as well. That was a man who knew what he wanted. I read somewhere they modled his foot and ankles for the latest in Limb replacements for the soldiers. How cool is that?

[TonyB0D]

barry

[run_to_win]

Bo Jackson
Big, really fast, and elusive.

Barry Sanders

Walter Payton

[bsfins]

My top five would Be.....

1.) Barry Sanders
2.) Marshall Faulk
3.) Walter Payton
4.) Eric Dickerson

Maybe Hershal Walker,or Roger Craig...Ladanian Tomlinson is moving up to knock off Eric Dickerson...

I'd Have Gayle Sayers up there But I've never seen him play He was out of the legue before I was born...

[DolFan619]

  Barry Sanders, hands down.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

1.  Emmit Smith

2. Walter Payton

3. Barry Sanders

4. Eric Dickerson

5. Bam Morris- I know this last one might cause a bit of controversy, but this guy would bust up the middle and get you 6 or 7 yards while dragging two or three guys with him.  Too bad he had another source of income... a lucrative drug trade on the streets of Corpus Christi, Texas.  One has to wonder what might've been if he had not run afoul of the law. 

[Phishfan]

5. Bam Morris- I know this last one might cause a bit of controversy, but this guy would bust up the middle and get you 6 or 7 yards while dragging two or three guys with him.  Too bad he had another source of income... a lucrative drug trade on the streets of Corpus Christi, Texas.  One has to wonder what might've been if he had not run afoul of the law. 

You are right he does create controversy, but not because of his drug convictions. He creates controversey because he doesn't belong anywhere near this list much less on it.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

You are right he does create controversy, but not because of his drug convictions. He creates controversey because he doesn't belong anywhere near this list much less on it.

And he probably doesn't belong on the list because of his drug convictions.  He had two seasons with the Steelers and two with the Chiefs where he was one of the top RB's in the league.  In between were multiple arrests on drug related charges, and suspensions for violating the NFL's substance abuse program. 

This guy was so good that the Steelers jettisoned perennial Pro Bowl RB Barry Foster to make him a starter.  Keep that in mind. 

[Tenshot13]

Barry Sanders and.....
Ricky Williams (before the whole drug suspension/retirement thing)

[Phishfan]

And he probably doesn't belong on the list because of his drug convictions.  He had two seasons with the Steelers and two with the Chiefs where he was one of the top RB's in the league.  In between were multiple arrests on drug related charges, and suspensions for violating the NFL's substance abuse program. 

This guy was so good that the Steelers jettisoned perennial Pro Bowl RB Barry Foster to make him a starter.  Keep that in mind. 

He never got over 900 yards in a season. Those Chiefs years he never broke 500. That is not even close to a top RB for a season much less all time.

[jtex316]

How about some more props for my favorite 80's RB, Roger Craig? In one season the guy rushed for AND received for 1,000 yards in each category. Think about how awesome that is.

[StL FinFan]

One more for Barry Sanders.