Now that Emmit is retiring, who is the greatest RB ever?

[disgruntledjetsfan]

This is a very good question, because there have been so many great RBs throughout the years. I think that it can be limited down to Emmit Smith, Walter Payton, Jim Brown, and Barry Sanders. Personally I think that Brown and Sanders are in a class of their own, and both retired too early.

My pick for the greatest running back of all time is Jim Brown. He only played 9 seasons, back in the 14 games a year era, and racked up 12,312 rushing yards. He finished his career with an astounding 5.2 yards per carry, and 126 total touchdowns. In 1963 he averaged 6.4 yards per carry for 1863 yards in 14 games. That could very well be the greatest season of all time for a RB.

[CC]

Jim Brown
Barry Sanders
Walter Payton

[J2thez929]

This is a very good question, because there have been so many great RBs throughout the years. I think that it can be limited down to Emmit Smith, Walter Payton, Jim Brown, and Barry Sanders. Personally I think that Brown and Sanders are in a class of their own, and both retired too early.

My pick for the greatest running back of all time is Jim Brown. He only played 9 seasons, back in the 14 games a year era, and racked up 12,312 rushing yards. He finished his career with an astounding 5.2 yards per carry, and 126 total touchdowns. In 1963 he averaged 6.4 yards per carry for 1863 yards in 14 games. That could very well be the greatest season of all time for a RB.

I can't agree with you more. Jim Brown IS the greatest RB of all time. Just look at the 6.4 yards per carry. That stat alone is just amazing! If he had played more than 9 season then we would not be having this debate today.

[no1cowboysfan]

Emmitt Smith (homer status!)
Walter Peyton
Barry Sanders
Jim Brown

[disgruntledjetsfan]

No question. If he played a 16 game schedule and 12 years he would have had 20,000 yards easily.

[Dr. Duran Duran]

Jim Brown. No question in my mind.

[J2thez929]

Emmitt Smith (homer status!)
Walter Peyton
Barry Sanders
Jim Brown

Brown fourth?

[disgruntledjetsfan]

Emmitt Smith (homer status!)
Walter Peyton
Barry Sanders
Jim Brown

Emmitt Smith best RB of all time? Thats like saying Hank Aaron is the best hitter of all time. Smith would not be the NFL rushing leader if he didnt play on the cowboys and stay in the league for so many years. When Curtis breaks Emmitts record in 4 years I will STILL say Brown is the greatest.

[no1cowboysfan]

In reality the four are are pretty close in my book. Any of the top four can be changed into any order. But they are undoubtingly the top four.

[TTTBone]

Jim Brown
Barry Sanders
Walter Payton

dropoff...
Enough said.