Had this debate with a friend of mine a week ago and want everyone elses opinion. Who was the better running back Barry or Emmitt. Now when I look at this, I am not taking team accomplishments into the equation because everyone makes the argument that had Barry been behind the Cowboys line, his numbers would have been even better.

I would take Barry over Emmitt any day of the week. More explosive, faster, quicker, and just a better back in my opinion who could bust one on any play. Never thought Smith had that ability to truly be a threat anytime he touched the ball like Barry was.

Stats:

Barry Sanders
3062 Attempts
15,269 rushing yards
5.0 Yards Per Carry
99 Rushing TD's
11 Fumbles lost in 10 seasons
2,053 yards in 1997
NFL MVP 1997
10 Pro Bowl Selections
6 Time First Team All Pro
1989 Offensive Rookie of the Year
352 Receptions for 2,921 yards and 10 TD's

Emmitt Smith
4409 Attempts
18,335 Yards
4.2 Yards Per Carry
164 Rushing TD's
22 Fumbles Lost in 15 seasons
1993 NFL MVP
8 Pro Bowl Selections
4 Time First Team All Pro
515 Receptions for 3,324 Yards and 11 TD's

Not even close. Barry. Emmit was overrated in my opinion.

.....by the way, Jim Brown crushes both of them.

Barry.

Sanders no doubt

Huge Dallas fan. Smith is my favorite player, ever. Barry was the best RB, IMO, to ever play the game. Imagine his numbers if he played on a better team. Imagine his numbers if he didn't retire a few years early. He did things on a football field that should not be done.

I think you will find a majority will find for Barry all day and all night. If he had the offensive line that Smith had he would have shattered every rushing record even if he did still retire at 29 years of age.

jpake1 wrote:Barry was the best RB, IMO, to ever play the game.

Wow.

Barry.

Barry motherfucking Sanders by a mile

Emmitt, and he can dance better too. When does Barry Sanders go into the HoF ? Both are first ballot votes for sure.

Barry, easily.

Sanders, easily. Only real debate is Sanders or Brown for best ever.

mallymal614 wrote: Not even close. Barry. Emmit was overrated in my opinion.

+10000000000000000000000000000

Emmitt ran behind hall of famers for his entire career. Barry's line sucked balls.

You put Sanders behind Emmitt Smith's line and he rushes for 20,000 yards. Put Jim Brown behind that line and he goes for 25,000 AND smacks the hell out of your girlfriend for being slow bringing him his sammich!

derek bomar wrote: Barry motherfucking Sanders by a mile

+1

Barry Sanders is the best RB I've ever watched play football! I'm a little too young for Jim Brown.

Sonofanump wrote:

jpake1 wrote:Barry was the best RB, IMO, to ever play the game.

Wow.

If my choice is so shocking, please tell me yours. This is the best debate in sports IMO. A lot of people have different opinions. Brown is a top 5 IMO. He would be a beast in todays game. He DOMINATED back in the day. But this is a situation where the "competition" comes into place. Athletes are bigger, faster, and stronger now-a-days. That doesn't mean they're better, but I most definitely think they are compared to back in the day. I honestly think if you put a guy like OJ or even AP in a time machine and had them play against Brown's competition, they would dominate the same way. Just from what I've seen with my eyes, Barry did things that nobody else could do. Barry could shake himself out of a prison cell. I could never 'wow' somebody if they were to say Barry, Brown, or Walter-- hell even Smith.

jpake1 wrote:

Sonofanump wrote:

jpake1 wrote:Barry was the best RB, IMO, to ever play the game.

Wow.

If my choice is so shocking, please tell me yours. This is the best debate in sports IMO. A lot of people have different opinions. Brown is a top 5 IMO. He would be a beast in todays game. He DOMINATED back in the day. But this is a situation where the "competition" comes into place. Athletes are bigger, faster, and stronger now-a-days. That doesn't mean they're better, but I most definitely think they are compared to back in the day. I honestly think if you put a guy like OJ or even AP in a time machine and had them play against Brown's competition, they would dominate the same way. Just from what I've seen with my eyes, Barry did things that nobody else could do. Barry could shake himself out of a prison cell. I could never 'wow' somebody if they were to say Barry, Brown, or Walter-- hell even Smith.

Just like with today's advances, put Jim Brown in today's atmosphere with nutrition, weight training, etc he would be the ultimate freakazoid and would STILL slap ya down for being late with the sammich.

I agree, he would probably be even better. I still don't think that version of Jim Brown is better than Barry Sanders. Not a knock on him, but why did 5 teams pass on Jim Brown out of college? While looking him up, I saw that.

1. Jim Brown


A logical debate could begin after this point.


2. OJ Simpson
3. Walter Payton

After this I could be moved by empirical evidence.

4. Gayle Sayers
5. Jim Thorpe

I actually think it is a wash, Barry was much more talented, and had more highlight moments, but Emmitt was consistent and reliable for many years. The "surrounded by a more talented" argument cuts both ways, as the expectations are different. People may remember a fantastic Sanders run against a nobody team in week 4 of the season, but the tough two yard gain to get a first down in a game that mattered is something Emmitt always managed to accomplish.

God I LOL'd when I answered the poll question. I figured there would be a lot more retards on here picking Smith.

And Jim Brown is NOT the GOAT. When you weigh more than a lot of the defensive linemen you played with--you're not one of the best ever. Your timing was just incredible.

jpake1 wrote: Not a knock on him, but why did 5 teams pass on Jim Brown out of college? While looking him up, I saw that.

The owners probably feared for their daughters lives.

Speedofsand wrote: When does Barry Sanders go into the HoF ?

Uh...Barry went into the Hall Of Fame in 2004.