BuffaloBill Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 In Buffalo we have had our fair share of phenomenal RB’s. So, think league wide who was the best ever? I would have to vote for Barry Sanders. The guy really had no other real help in his career. It is simply amazing to see some of the moves he could make. Take a look at his highlights then tell the rest of us who has your vote. http://www.nfl.com/videos/all-time-greats/0ap3000000940393/Barry-Sanders-career-highlights-NFL-Legends 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roch Jim Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 JIm Brown---hands down. Led the league in rushing 8 of his 9 years. Averaged 100 yards a game. Not flashy like Barry just brutally effective 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 1 minute ago, Roch Jim said: JIm Brown---hands down. Led the league in rushing 8 of his 9 years. Averaged 100 yards a game. Not flashy like Barry just brutally effective Running over 190 lb LBs.... 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roch Jim Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 In an era where safeties were glorified linebackers. Everyone has to be considered in their era 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimer1960 Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Watching the NFL for 50 years, in my opinion: 1. Barry Sanders - unequivocally the best that I've ever seen 2. Earl Campbell- nobody could tackle this beast and he was very fast as well. 3. OJ Simpson - simply unstoppable on a one dimensional team (no passing game) 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
custcarcen Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 BROWN. Your loss if you didn't see him. At that time the Browns game was the one we saw each week. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris heff Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Cookie Gilchrist 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Duffy Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 (edited) I'd have to say for me it's a toss up between OJ and J, Brown. I would definitely have Sanders at # 3, I think, or maybe Bo Jackson. He would be up there also. Hard to really pick 1 for me. Edited March 28, 2019 by Patrick_Duffy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 This guy.... 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan1959 Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 (edited) While it is close, between OJ Simpson and Jim Brown, IMHO, OJ was the best running back I have ever watched. Edited March 28, 2019 by billsfan1959 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincec Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 (edited) Earl Campbell. Maybe not the longest prime because of his brushing style but he was incredibly dominant despite having very little help. Teams just could not get him on the ground. Edited March 28, 2019 by vincec 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sven233 Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Depends on what you're looking for. Barry Sanders was the best that I saw, but you could make arguments from Jim Brown, OJ, Walter Payton, Bo Jackson or a bunch of other guys. You could make a great argument for Thurman with the way he could run it, catch it, and block. Thurman might be the best all around back ever. Just depends on what you want in your RB. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Needle Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 (edited) Adrian Peterson would be my choice. His combination of power, speed, and effort is second to no one. Edited March 28, 2019 by Needle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Close tie between Karlos Williams and Mike Gillislee. 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphadawg7 Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Its without question: Barry Sanders. I get all the Brown hype, but thats like saying Wilt Chamberlain was the best Center ever...he was not. Brown had such a physical advantage and led the NFL rushing many times because of it. But he was not the most talented RB to ever play. Barry was most talented RB the NFL has ever seen and may ever see. And he did it on terrible teams behind terrible OL's every single year. Yet he would be atop the record books as the all time leading rusher had he not retired young. And he did all that in an era where the passing game was much more of a factor. Brown did it when all they did was run. 4 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoBills808 Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 Barry Sanders full stop 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaBillsFanSince1973 Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 (edited) brown was a machine. sanders, man, the moves. OJ, no need to explain, greatness on the field. walter payton, sweetness. past players off the top of my head. hard to say of any present rbs that will be considered in the greatest conversation, but there are a few out there. but when speaking of the best ever, I too would go with sanders. Watch on YouTube Edited March 29, 2019 by DaBillsFanSince1973 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojo44 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 18 minutes ago, custcarcen said: BROWN. Your loss if you didn't see him. At that time the Browns game was the one we saw each week. I remember this,also, growing up in Niagara Falls. Not only was Jim Brown the greatest running back of all time, in my opinion he is the greatest football player of all time. He had to be seen to be appreciated! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 37 minutes ago, BuffaloBill said: In Buffalo we have had our fair share of phenomenal RB’s. So, think league wide who was the best ever? I would have to vote for Barry Sanders. The guy really had no other real help in his career. It is simply amazing to see some of the moves he could make. Take a look at his highlights then tell the rest of us who has your vote. http://www.nfl.com/videos/all-time-greats/0ap3000000940393/Barry-Sanders-career-highlights-NFL-Legends I'd agree with that, especially if we're talking about longetivity as part of the mix. If we're talking single best season there's lots of room for debate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsfaninChicago Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Thurman for no ther reason than he is my favorite. Scientific enough for me! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrags Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 As it stands, Barry Sanders. But had we been able to witness Bo Jackson over a full career, he would have put the argument to bed and nobody would ever be close. He was just dominant. But, like I said, as it stands right now; is Barry 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Joshin' Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Brown, Simpson and Sanders. While I never saw Brown in person, the clips are amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 3 minutes ago, Mojo44 said: I remember this,also, growing up in Niagara Falls. Not only was Jim Brown the greatest running back of all time, in my opinion he is the greatest football player of all time. He had to be seen to be appreciated! Yeah, I agree that he had to be seen, which I didn't see. But I'd definitely say Sanders or him w/o much debate otherwise. Again, particularly if longetivity is in the mix. Brown quit early on top following a monster season at age 29. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watkins90 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 35 minutes ago, Roch Jim said: JIm Brown---hands down. Led the league in rushing 8 of his 9 years. Averaged 100 yards a game. Not flashy like Barry just brutally effective Barry sanders own dad thought Jim Brown was better or at least that’s how he publicly made it sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Real McClappy Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Jim Brown easily. Honorable mention Dickerson Gale Sayers (damn shame) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed83HOF Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Adrian Peterson at his best is the best RB I’ve ever seen. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not at the table Karlos Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Barry Sanders and Jim Brown. They both are no 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo2218 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Jim Brown and it's not even close. If he played in today's NFL, he'd be the one penalized for brutalizing would be tacklers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffAlone Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 If we're talking most yards from scrimmage, Thurman has to be up there. On pure strength, Earl Campbell/Jim Brown. Sweetest feet...Sweetness. Depends on what you are 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphadawg7 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 3 minutes ago, buffalo2218 said: Jim Brown and it's not even close. If he played in today's NFL, he'd be the one penalized for brutalizing would be tacklers If he played in the NFL today he would struggle to run for 1000 yards. His style does not translate. But thats ok, different eras. Just like if Wilt Chamberlain played in the NBA today he would never sniff 100 points. He may struggle to get 100 points over 4 consecutive games let alone one. But Brown was the best of his era, no doubt and a legend no doubt. But sorry he just would not have anything close to the same career today. Barry would be untouchable in any era he played. He probably would have averaged 2000 yards a season had he played in Browns era, even on the shorter seasons. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSHMEAB Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 It's Barry Sanders and it's not even close IMO. Those that claim he never won need to understand he played his entire career for the most moribund franchise in the NFL. He actually did CARRY them to the NFC Championship Game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo2218 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Just now, Alphadawg7 said: If he played in the NFL today he would struggle to run for 1000 yards. His style does not translate. But thats ok, different eras. Just like if Wilt Chamberlain played in the NBA today he would never sniff 100 points. He may struggle to get 100 points over 4 consecutive games let alone one. But Brown was the best of his era, no doubt and a legend no doubt. But sorry he just would not have anything close to the same career today. Barry would be untouchable in any era he played. He probably would have averaged 2000 yards a season had he played in Browns era, even on the shorter seasons. Not taking anything away from what Sanders did, but in Brown's era, more than likely, he would have been injured quite a bit more often. That's a lot of what made Jim so tough, he dished out the punishment first. They didn't stress much emphasis on player safety in those days 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoBills808 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 2 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said: If he played in the NFL today he would struggle to run for 1000 yards. His style does not translate. But thats ok, different eras. Just like if Wilt Chamberlain played in the NBA today he would never sniff 100 points. He may struggle to get 100 points over 4 consecutive games let alone one. But Brown was the best of his era, no doubt and a legend no doubt. But sorry he just would not have anything close to the same career today. Barry would be untouchable in any era he played. He probably would have averaged 2000 yards a season had he played in Browns era, even on the shorter seasons. Today's bottom RBs would dominate the 50s-60s NFL . It's barely the same game. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSHMEAB Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 17 minutes ago, TaskersGhost said: I'd agree with that, especially if we're talking about longetivity as part of the mix. If we're talking single best season there's lots of room for debate. I would put OJ's 2000 yards in a 14 game season up against anyone's best. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphadawg7 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 (edited) If you wanted to make the greatest RB of all time and took these traits: The feet of Barry Sanders The agility of Marshal Faulk The patience of LeVeon Bell The strength of Emmit Smith The Speed of Bo Jackson The hands of Thurman Thomas - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - You would still have Barry Sanders. Its him. No Question. Watch highlights reels to remind yourself. Than also watch that he faced 8 men in the box every play of his career practically and played behind a terrible OL on mostly bad teams. Then sit back in awe and imagine had he played for the Cowboys instead of Emmit. G O A T Edited March 29, 2019 by Alphadawg7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Eric Dickerson 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoBills808 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 2 minutes ago, LSHMEAB said: I would put OJ's 2000 yards in a 14 game season up against anyone's best. Chris Johnson's 2009 season is my pick for best ever I think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo2218 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Had Bo Jackson not injured his hip, he'd be in this conversation too 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphadawg7 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 (edited) 6 minutes ago, buffalo2218 said: Not taking anything away from what Sanders did, but in Brown's era, more than likely, he would have been injured quite a bit more often. That's a lot of what made Jim so tough, he dished out the punishment first. They didn't stress much emphasis on player safety in those days Thats on Jim to dish out punishment. That was Jims style. Had Barry played in his era, Barry would have played his same style and people forget how physical Barry was. He ran over and threw people too, not just around them. Barry was speed, power, agility, and so much more in one package. 1 minute ago, buffalo2218 said: Had Bo Jackson not injured his hip, he'd be in this conversation too I do agree with that Edited March 29, 2019 by Alphadawg7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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