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!

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)