cadilacin

I was at the barbershop today and we were discussing (arguing) who are the top five greatest running backs of all time. Here's my list. I would love to hear some of your opinions.

5. Emmitt Smith (Great vision, toughness, heart, and the all-time leading rusher).

4. Barry Sanders (Greastest "runner" ever, but not higher because he wasn't a good short yardage are goal line runner).

3. Ladanian Tomlinson (I know he's young, and it's premature to put him here, but he has the complete package of speed, hands, vision, blocking, attitude, and even his arm is nice when it has to be).

2. Jim Brown (There hasn't been a more dominant offensive force in the NFL that can even compare to his power and speed...wish he'd have played longer).

1. Walter Payton (He had everything!! Played on alot of bad bears teams. NFL defenses keyed on him every game and he still put up monster numbers. He was fast, quick, powerful, blocked like a lineman, and no man had more desire, heart, and work ethic than him. He's the perfect back. He was "SWEETNESS"

I know I left of off some great backs...such as:
John Riggins (Tough, tough, tough)
Earl Campbell (Work horse)
Eric Dickerson (So smooth)
Gayle Sayers (Reggie's clone)
O.J. Simpson (The juice)
Marshall Faulk (Mr. Do everything)
Bo Jackson (Could've been)
Tony Dorsett (I hate the cowboys)
Larry Csonka (Grind it out king)
Jerome Bettis ("The Bus")
Roger Craig (Not in Hall of Fame...Shame)

But this is only the "Top Five"!

Give me yours...

The best conerback tandem in the league reside in the N.O.

hagan714

Hard to dis the list but I have to take LT out of the race. He is still active. He might end up going down as the second greatest of all time behind Sweetness. That was a special player.
1. Walter Payton
2. Jim Brown
3.Emmitt Smith
4.Franco Harris
5.Earl Campbell

I like more of an all around back myself. Power, size and speed. I would take duce over reggie. Positive yards on every play please. Sanders was great but you had to sit there and wait till he broke it. I know the Lions stunk. Payton and Smith are the only exceptions.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

ScottF

that's easy...

1) Deuce McCallister
2) Reggie Bush
3) George Rogers
4) Dalton Hilliard
5) Chuck Muncie

After 07, please reverse 1 & 2

FireVenturi

1) Jim Brown
2) Barry Sanders
3) Walter Payton
4) LaDanian Tomlinson
5) Gale Sayers

CheramieIII

1. Brown - no questions! If this guy would've played another few years no one would have touched his records, PERIOD! He played when football was hardcore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. Smith - this guy was consistent and no one every doubted him. You always knew he would show up to the game to play. I was at the game when he broke the record against the Seaturtles with my oldest son, GREAT MEMORIES and I got the autograph too!
3. Earl Campbell - better line would've equaled breaking the record. Tough and fast.
4. Gayle Sayers - do I even have to explain this one.
5. Walter Payton - didn't have any blocking. Sweetness and without all the calories.

Alot of the guys that have been mentioned aren't even close yet. LT maybe but there is no question about this top five.

Football was hardcore 30 years ago and yes. it's still physical but everyone has to admit back then if you held up for 10 years it was a freakin miracle.

Golf and sex are about the only things you can enjoy without being good at them.
Jimmy Demaret

cadilacin

This is a nice list. I can agree with this. It's good to see that you recognize that Ladanian needs to be there.

CheramieIII

I don;t understand where you guys are coming from on this one!