BuffaloBill Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 https://www.amazon.com/Bye-Barry-Sanders/dp/B0CGP3QJYH?nodl=1&dplnkId=1c2ba690-009a-431f-9f51-b14972e47f1c I have not watched it yet but Prime has just released a documentary on Barry Sanders. In my book he is the best pure running back to play the game. I could watch his highlight clips all day. It’s so sad that his career was wasted in a bad to middling Detroit franchise. 5 4 1 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Applicable Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 Detroit always gets too much flack for "ruining" his career. He got to play in six playoff games, and his stats during the postseason left a LOT to be desired. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logic Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 The Lions remain the only franchise I can think of whose ineptitude led to not one but TWO Hall of Fame, all time great players retiring earlier than they should have. Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson. I know the Lions' failures weren't the ONLY reasons these guys retired, but they certainly contributed greatly to both players' decisions. I can only wonder what Barry Sanders would look like in today's era of wide open offense. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted November 21, 2023 Author Share Posted November 21, 2023 3 minutes ago, Patrick Fitzryan said: Detroit always gets too much flack for "ruining" his career. He got to play in six playoff games, and his stats during the postseason left a LOT to be desired. One dimensional team. It would be tough in any era for the RB to carry the team load alone in the playoffs. His QB’s were: Rodney Peete, Bob Gagliano, Andre Ware, Erik Kramer, Dave Krieg, Scott Mitchell and Charlie Batch. 8 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobbRiddick Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 Yep, I agree. Best running back I ever saw and, along with Favre, the most entertaining player in my mind. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'm Spartacus Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 3 minutes ago, BuffaloBill said: One dimensional team. It would be tough in any era for the RB to carry the team load alone in the playoffs. His QB’s were: Rodney Peete, Bob Gagliano, Andre Ware, Erik Kramer, Dave Krieg, Scott Mitchell and Charlie Batch. Seems similar to the OJ era Bills teams. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsintaiwan Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 6 minutes ago, BuffaloBill said: One dimensional team. It would be tough in any era for the RB to carry the team load alone in the playoffs. His QB’s were: Rodney Peete, Bob Gagliano, Andre Ware, Erik Kramer, Dave Krieg, Scott Mitchell and Charlie Batch. Andre Ware and EJ Manuel just needed a little more time. Bob Gagliano, a little less. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester43 Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 pat mcafee is trailer trash. why couldn't he be interviewed by someone with a brain? 2 3 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevewin Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 53 minutes ago, BuffaloBill said: https://www.amazon.com/Bye-Barry-Sanders/dp/B0CGP3QJYH?nodl=1&dplnkId=1c2ba690-009a-431f-9f51-b14972e47f1c I have not watched it yet but Prime has just released a documentary on Barry Sanders. In my book he is the best pure running back to play the game. I could watch his highlight clips all day. It’s so sad that his career was wasted in a bad to middling Detroit franchise. Back in early 90's I saw him play live at the Meadowlands - seats were close the middle of the field behind the Detroit bench. All I have to say is TV/video did not give him justice. Seeing him live was mind blowing at times. There were multiple times in that run and shoot he would catch a short pass with guys lining him up and in an instant he would turn and somehow just instantaneously be in a different place with guys grabbing air. I've never seen anything like it - was truly amazing 5 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 1 hour ago, BuffaloBill said: https://www.amazon.com/Bye-Barry-Sanders/dp/B0CGP3QJYH?nodl=1&dplnkId=1c2ba690-009a-431f-9f51-b14972e47f1c I have not watched it yet but Prime has just released a documentary on Barry Sanders. In my book he is the best pure running back to play the game. I could watch his highlight clips all day. It’s so sad that his career was wasted in a bad to middling Detroit franchise. The same could be said about OJ Simpson. The Bills were also a bad to middling franchise when he was here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corta765 Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 57 minutes ago, Patrick Fitzryan said: Detroit always gets too much flack for "ruining" his career. He got to play in six playoff games, and his stats during the postseason left a LOT to be desired. They really did not have much around him though. Switch him and Emmitts teams and he has rings and Emmitt has stats. You could concentrate your defense on stopping him when Scott Mitchell was the QB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Playoffs? Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 Thanks! My favorite player of all time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_In_NH Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 He was the most exciting guy but his play to play variance was so high, his style did not lend itself to overall team success. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hondo in seattle Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 1 hour ago, BuffaloBill said: https://www.amazon.com/Bye-Barry-Sanders/dp/B0CGP3QJYH?nodl=1&dplnkId=1c2ba690-009a-431f-9f51-b14972e47f1c I have not watched it yet but Prime has just released a documentary on Barry Sanders. In my book he is the best pure running back to play the game. I could watch his highlight clips all day. It’s so sad that his career was wasted in a bad to middling Detroit franchise. In my opinion, the best pure running back to play the game was OJ. OJ's moves were a little more subtle than Barry's but just as effective. And OJ was bigger, faster, and stronger. OJ wasn't the best blocker. He was underutilized as a receiver. But as a runner, he was a man playing with boys. I don't have the stats but I'll guess Barry had more negative plays than OJ. The highlights don't show that. If OJ wasn't murderous scum, the NFL and its fans would remember him differently. I think the top tier of running backs consists of two players: Jim Brown and OJ. I think Barry is in the next tier with Walter Payton and some others. But most people don't rank RBs that way - with OJ in the top two - because of the ick factor of OJ's post-career crimes rightfully tainting his reputation. If OJ had died in a car accident when he was traded to the 49ers, the Jimi Hendrix effect would be working in his favor and he'd be remembered as a legend. 3 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWATeam Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 33 minutes ago, Matt_In_NH said: He was the most exciting guy but his play to play variance was so high, his style did not lend itself to overall team success. We're talking about Sanders here not Josh Allen. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_In_NH Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 5 minutes ago, SWATeam said: We're talking about Sanders here not Josh Allen. Correct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDingus Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 1 hour ago, Matt_In_NH said: He was the most exciting guy but his play to play variance was so high, his style did not lend itself to overall team success. His "style?" I guess being the greatest RB ever somehow isn't the "style" teams want? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_In_NH Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 17 minutes ago, BigDingus said: His "style?" I guess being the greatest RB ever somehow isn't the "style" teams want? In your opinion he was the greatest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill from NYC Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 2 hours ago, hondo in seattle said: I think the top tier of running backs consists of two players: Jim Brown and OJ. Did you ever see Earl Campbell in his prime? 1 1 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 I have been looking forward to this for awhile, can't wait to watch over the Holiday break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njbuff Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 1. Jim Brown 2. Walter Payton 3. Barry Sanders 4. OJ Simpson. The rest you can fill in as you go along, but 1-4 have cemented their places in history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiderweb Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 3 hours ago, Bill from NYC said: Did you ever see Earl Campbell in his prime? Absolutely unstoppable!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoonerBillsFan Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 7 hours ago, Patrick Fitzryan said: Detroit always gets too much flack for "ruining" his career. He got to play in six playoff games, and his stats during the postseason left a LOT to be desired. Sanders is one of the undisputed all time greats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Wonderful Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 Some of you younger guys may not be aware that both Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders were teammates for a time at Oklahoma State. Tremendous talents! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PonyBoy Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 9 hours ago, I'm Spartacus said: Seems similar to the OJ era Bills teams. Except some of Sanders teams made the playoffs. But, yes a once in a generation back on a bad team and franchise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 9 hours ago, Matt_In_NH said: He was the most exciting guy but his play to play variance was so high, his style did not lend itself to overall team success. He had far too many negative plays trying to make something out of nothing and getting less.\\ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dablitzkrieg Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 10 minutes ago, Dablitzkrieg said: "We take it Mitchell won't be invited to the next Lions reunion" 🤣🤣🤣 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted November 22, 2023 Author Share Posted November 22, 2023 22 minutes ago, Dablitzkrieg said: A slight bit of bitterness? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDIGGZ Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 This was a great watch. Super humble guy, soft spoken, thoughtful. The fact that he walked away after 10 years was only strange back then. Most RB careers are over by then these days anyhow. He was one of my favorite players to watch. It was like he was built in a lab to be a RB. Low to the ground, powerful, and it was like his hips were disconnected from his body the way he would shake people out of their shoes. He was the best I've ever seen do it 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 He is one of my all time favorites. He played when I was about 10-20 years old so right in my wheelhouse of hero worship. I was always bitter that Emmitt Smith compiled his way to the rushing record that was clearly Barry's to claim. I get the argument that he may not be the best all around rb. He is certainly the most elusive RB. I wonder what he could have done for a team like Houston at the time... or maybe even chronically RB starved teams like Miami and Denver. Teams' defensive game plans were literally just to stop Sanders from getting 150 yards 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2o Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 Barry Sanders was the greatest RB I've ever seen and I'm almost 47 years old. My memory goes back to the likes of Marcus Allen, John Riggins, Roger Craig, Walter Payton, and Tony Dorsett. I remember them all and everyone I have seen after that. It's crazy to think that both Barry and Thurman were on the same team at Oklahoma St. Barry was literally 0-100 on the field. He could stop and be at full speed within about three steps. I've never seen anything like it. He could also juke at full speed without losing any of that speed. He was out there breaking ankles for 10 years. It really was fun to watch. The useless regurgitation about his Playoff performances is the same mess that Scott Mitchell is out here whining about. Barry was basically the sole reason those teams even made the Playoffs at any point during his career. He carried Wayne Fontes AND that franchise. Everyone knew the only thing the Lions had was Barry, so when the Playoffs came they sold out on that fact. It's why Detroit only won one game once they made the Playoffs. He did NOT have the help around him to go any further, and this SURELY includes QB play. Barry's lowest total of rushing yards came in 1993 when he rushed for 1,115 yards, and that came in 11 games. Other than that, his lowest total was 1,304 yards. For his career he averaged right at 1,527 yards per season. That's insane. If he would have played as long as Emmitt Smith did, he would have had over 20,000 yards rushing when he finished up. If you put Barry behind those Dallas OL's of the 90's and he's running for 2,000 per season for like 5 or 6 years in a row. There was no one like him during his time in the NFL, and I have seen no one like him since. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 45 minutes ago, May Day 10 said: He is one of my all time favorites. He played when I was about 10-20 years old so right in my wheelhouse of hero worship. I was always bitter that Emmitt Smith compiled his way to the rushing record that was clearly Barry's to claim. I get the argument that he may not be the best all around rb. He is certainly the most elusive RB. I wonder what he could have done for a team like Houston at the time... or maybe even chronically RB starved teams like Miami and Denver. Teams' defensive game plans were literally just to stop Sanders from getting 150 yards Mijami had good backs but Marino could not execute a good fake and RBs got demolished. Every time Marino would try to execute a fake there would be a call in bar "FAKE!". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 4 minutes ago, Limeaid said: Mijami had good backs but Marino could not execute a good fake and RBs got demolished. Every time Marino would try to execute a fake there would be a call in bar "FAKE!". Wasn't there talk/rumors of Miami trying to make a play for Barry Sanders towards the end of Marino's career? I don't remember the details now but have a vague memory of this. Glad he never went there lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMAKCruiser Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 6 minutes ago, Limeaid said: Mijami had good backs but Marino could not execute a good fake and RBs got demolished. Every time Marino would try to execute a fake there would be a call in bar "FAKE!". Who??? Sammie Smith and Mark Higgs? Terry Kirby? Not exactly a stellar list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 Just now, SMAKCruiser said: Who??? Sammie Smith and Mark Higgs? Terry Kirby? Not exactly a stellar list. Bernie Parmalee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMAKCruiser Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 3 minutes ago, May Day 10 said: Bernie Parmalee Meh... Average at best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extrahammer Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 16 hours ago, Matt_In_NH said: In your opinion he was the greatest. I think he was the greatest too, but I get what you're saying, he would only get to the line of scrimmage or 1 or 2 yards on a lot of plays, then he'd hit a big run and it would be mind blowing. He was also a scat back in a main RB role and over-performed, and very entertaining to watch even as a kid. I had a his rookie card certain he'd break Walter Payton's record, only for that to go down to Emmitt Smith because he played 6 years past his prime. The way Barry carried himself and left the game, I think left everyone wanting more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hindsight Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 19 hours ago, stevewin said: Back in early 90's I saw him play live at the Meadowlands - seats were close the middle of the field behind the Detroit bench. All I have to say is TV/video did not give him justice. Seeing him live was mind blowing at times. There were multiple times in that run and shoot he would catch a short pass with guys lining him up and in an instant he would turn and somehow just instantaneously be in a different place with guys grabbing air. I've never seen anything like it - was truly amazing I actually thought something similar with Saquon Bakley this year. Hes always been talented clearly, but seeing him live, dude just popped on the field Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 3 minutes ago, SMAKCruiser said: Meh... Average at best we are in agreement that RB was chronic shortcoming of the Marino teams through to when they went all in on Ricky Williams. Did I imagine it or did they have a guy named Karim Abdul Jabbar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.