Speedofsand;942403 wrote:I'm guessing this game was before your time learning about football?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1004722/index.htm

It was all on the line: The winner takes the division title and the home field for the entire postseason, the loser gets in as a wild card. And Smith, playing the last two quarters with what the Cowboy medical staff called a No. 1 separation of the right shoulder, put up the following numbers: 168 yards rushing on 32 carries, another 61 yards on 10 pass receptions. He handled the ball on 42 of Dallas's 70 plays, and he gained 229 of its 339 yards. And in the overtime, with his right arm dangling uselessly between plays, Smith got the call on nine of the Cowboys' 11 snaps and gained all but 11 of their 52 yards on the drive that positioned them for Eddie Murray's winning 41-yard field goal with just over four minutes left in the extra period. "Emmitt was hurting, he was done," right guard Kevin Gogan said afterward. "He sucked it up for his boys. I don't know how he did it."

"In the huddle he told me, "Run behind me and pick me up. I don't want to lay on the ground,' " left guard Nate Newton said, his eyes brimming with tears. "Man, was he ever hurting today."

like_that;943474 wrote:No one has even come close to Jim Brown's 5.2 career ypc. Until somebody does, he is #1.

If Jim Brown didn't retire early or had a 16 game schedule all his records would be untouchable.

GOONx19;943721 wrote:Let me explain my thinking. Over his career, Sanders had 703 more carries. If you gave Jim Brown 703 more carries, he would only need to average 4.2 ypc over those 703 in order to have the same career average as Sanders. That's what the 27th best ypc running back averages this year. In other words, he would have to be a 2011 Marshawn Lynch. So no, I don't think it is that close.

Footwedge;943740 wrote:My only problem with Barry was that half his runs were for no gain or for a loss. The Lions never won with him, mainly because they were saddled with 3rd and long all the time.

I loved Walter Peyton. Pound for pound, he was the best. Bo Jackson was unreal too. But for me, the 2 best pure all purpose running backs were Jimmy and OJ.

wes_mantooth;944054 wrote:That is a good point about Barry...he did seem to be an "all or nothing" kinda guy. I just wonder what he would have did with a decent oline.

Hb31187;943643 wrote:5.2 ypc vs 5.0 ypc isnt close? O.o

Skyhook79;944157 wrote:1. Jim Brown
2. Walter Payton
3. Barry sanders
4. OJ Simpson
5. Eric Dickerson
6. Earl Campbell
7. Gale Sayers
8. Emmitt Smith
9. Marques Allen
10. Tony Dorsett

Sonofanump;943400 wrote:Post WWII I’d take Jim Brown, Walter Payton, Gayle Sayers and Bo Jackson all above Barry Sanders.

GOONx19;943721 wrote:Let me explain my thinking. Over his career, Sanders had 703 more carries. If you gave Jim Brown 703 more carries, he would only need to average 4.2 ypc over those 703 in order to have the same career average as Sanders. That's what the 27th best ypc running back averages this year. In other words, he would have to be a 2011 Marshawn Lynch. So no, I don't think it is that close.

dwccrew;944477 wrote:I could concede Brown, Payton and Sayers (although I do think Barry was the best) but I can't say Bo was better. Bo was talented and full of potential, but never got to that point due to injury. He can't even be mentioned in the same sentence with these guys as the greatest RB to play the game.

Ironman92;944182 wrote:Lol....a great list that I agreed with almost every spot.....until Marques Allen. Lol