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!

cadilacin

Cheramie...I feel like Ladanian is the best running back that I have seen with my own eyes. He has all the attributes he needs to dominate the game, and that is exactly what he does. He has great vision. Excellent hands. He's fast, elusive, and just an all around "awesome" football player. The only reason he wasn't my number 1 back is because he doesn't have the years in yet, and he hasn't lead his team to the big game yet. But it's coming.

But don't get me wrong. It's hard to dispute the list you put out. The only one I don't like is Franco Harris. I just don't believe he was a "top five" back!!

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

hagan714

FRANCO HARRIS
Class of 1990
Running Back >>> 6-2, 230
(Penn State)
1972-1983 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1984 Seattle Seahawks

Franco Harris. . .No. 1 draft pick, 1972. . .Provided big-back power to Steelers offense. . .All-Pro, 1977, All-AFC three times. . .In eight Pro Bowls. . .158 yards rushing, MVP in Super Bowl IX . . .Rushed 1,000 yards eight seasons, 100 yards, 47 games. . .Career record: 12,120 yards, 91 TDs rushing; 2,287 yards, 9 TDs receiving; 14,622 combined net yards. . . 1,556 yards rushing in 19 post-season games. . . Born March 7, 1950, in Fort Dix, New Jersey.

Franco Harris began his pro football career as the Pittsburgh Steelers' No.1 pick and the 13th player selected in the 1972 NFL Draft. For 12 seasons, the 6-2, 230-pounder from Penn State was a big-yardage running back, a key man in the powerful Pittsburgh offensive machine, which also included an outstanding passing attack.

Harris established himself as a future superstar when he became only the fourth rookie in NFL annals to rush for 1,000 yards. He gained additional attention by being on the receiving end of the famous "Immaculate Reception" pass from Terry Bradshaw that gave the Steelers their first-ever playoff win, a 13-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders. In his 13 seasons, the last of which was spent with the Seattle Seahawks in 1984, Harris rushed 2,949 times for 12,120 yards and 91 touchdowns.

He rushed for 1,000 yards or more eight seasons and for more than 100 yards in 47 games. He also caught 307 passes for 2,287 yards and nine touchdowns. His career rushing total and his combined net yardage figure of 14,622 both ranked as the third highest marks in pro football history at the time of his retirement.

Harris, who was born in Fort Dix, New Jersey, on March 7, 1950, was an All-AFC choice in 1972, 1975, 1976, and 1977 and first- or second-team All-Pro six times. He was selected to nine Pro Bowls. Franco played in five AFC championships – missing a sixth because of injury – and four Super Bowls.

In Super Bowl IX, when the Steelers won their first-ever league title with a 16-6 victory over Minnesota, Harris rushed for 158 yards, compared to just 17 yards rushing for the entire Viking team. He was named the game's Most Valuable Player. Harris held numerous Super Bowl and post-season game records by the end of his career. The most notable include 24 points and 354 yards rushing in four Super Bowls and 17 touchdowns and 1,556 yards rushing in 19 post-season playoff games.

http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/me...p?player_id=89

How does he not even get considered in your original post? The guy was a beast. you are selling him short. Has to be one of the top 3 backs for size and speed ever to play. Brown, Campbell and Franco are the best. LT when he is done will be among this group.
Like I said I really like power backs with speed.

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

SaintsfaninVA

5.Bo Jackson
4.Eric Dickerson
3.Gale Sayers
2.Barry Sanders
(drum roll).......

1.JIM BROWN(duh)

SaintsfaninVA

oh and how could i forget Ki Jana Carter. that man rewrote the record books

dberce1

5. O.J. Simpson
4. Gayle Sayers (didn't play long, but damn he was sweet)
3. Walter Payton
2. Jim Brown- a man amongst boys

1. Barry Sanders- put him with Emmit's offensive lines, and his records would have been untouchable. Put him in Jim Brown's era, and he would have made everyone look foolish. He did what he did behind a usually mediocre at best O-line.

cadilacin

Hagan, Let me clarify. I didn't mean to omit Franco from my original list. Yes, he was a beast. Yes he is a bonified Hall of Famer. I just don't believe he is a top fiver. I also enjoy the big powerful backs with speed. I'm a football lover...I love all types of backs. Not to diminish anything that Franco has accomplished..."to me", he's just not one of my "top five".

And Ladanian...dawg...Ladanian is a beast!!! I don't have a problem with putting existing players in the group with the greatest of all time (if there deservant). I realize that we are witnessing greatness, so I rate him as such. But I appreciate you reminding me of the greatness of Franco. The boy was a beast.

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