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Who was the most talented back ever?

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And for this discussion, longevity is not a factor. I want to know who you think is the best ever for a season, or a few season, but not necessarily for a decade.

Emmitt owns the rushing title, but, for this discussion, I don't think he was the best ever without considering longevity.

Who are the best backs, who, at their prime, were the best.

1. Bo Jackson. He had insane speed and power. Look how man long TD runs he had in such a short period of time. Plus he didn't even focus on football full time. He was the best ever.

2. Earl Campbell. For those first few seasons, he was unstoppable.

3. OJ Simpson. First 2,000 season and he did it in a 14 game schedule.

4. Jim Brown.

5. Marshall Faulk.

6. Barry Sanders.
 
POP said:
And for this discussion, longevity is not a factor. I want to know who you think is the best ever for a season, or a few season, but not necessarily for a decade.

Emmitt owns the rushing title, but, for this discussion, I don't think he was the best ever without considering longevity.

Who are the best backs, who, at their prime, were the best.

1. Bo Jackson. He had insane speed and power. Look how man long TD runs he had in such a short period of time. Plus he didn't even focus on football full time. He was the best ever.

2. Earl Campbell. For those first few seasons, he was unstoppable.

3. OJ Simpson. First 2,000 season and he did it in a 14 game schedule.

4. Jim Brown.

5. Marshall Faulk.

6. Barry Sanders.
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All good. I would add Walter Peyton and Gale Sayers.
 
Some might put Brown ahead of the list.

LT deserves mention as well.
 
slashsteel said:
Some might put Brown ahead of the list.

LT deserves mention as well.
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It could be argued for Brown. But I was talking who was the best at just one moment in time, or a season. Brown def deserves mentioned for career, for sure.

I just thought that Bo was more explosive than them all during his short peak.
 
This is an interesting discussion. I would offer up for one season you have to consider Roger Craig. He had a 1,000 yards rushing AND receiving in one season. That is pretty impressive.
LT does deserve consideration. So does Marshall Faulk.

I am not old enough to remember Jim Brown playing, but anyone who is, never hesitates when asked who was the best. They answer Jim Brown quickly. That says a lot to me.
 
Toss up between Walter Payton and Bo Jackson. Bo was just an all around athlete and was a complete package. Walter Payton looked so smooth when he ran.
 
Barry Sanders had the best jukes though. This is a hard question to answer
 
Lots of good ones, but Sweetness was the best. F Jim Brown!
 
Barry Sanders. Played on almost all **** teams and was a star every year with very little around him.
 
Payton and Sanders no others close. They both played on very few good teams and still had brilliant careers.
 
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Quit spelling Walter Payton's last name wrong. Jeez. But yes, either him or Barry Sanders. Toss up.
 
I think sanders has to be #1. The question was most talented. Sanders had moves that have yet to be replicated. I can't believe no one has mentioned Peterson. He is a freak athlete. It would be a toss up for me between Jackson and Peterson. After that would put in guys like Payton, Brown, Campbell.
 
POP said:
It could be argued for Brown. But I was talking who was the best at just one moment in time, or a season. Brown def deserves mentioned for career, for sure.

I just thought that Bo was more explosive than them all during his short peak.
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Talking about a MOMENT in time, it would have to be Dan Kreider Full BACK, Pittsburgh Steelers. It's that moment when he "PANCAKED" Ray Ray


Walter / Barry / Bo / Adrian / Jim........ No order as very little separation between the five.




Salute the nation
 
for me its PAYTON OR JIM BROWN
 
BO wishes he had been as good as Campbell, Earl would flat out knock you on your *** or beat you down the sideline
 
"Talent" is a tough question.

That means we are really talking at their PEAK performance or their perfect day/age/time and how well they play football on that particular day. I guess some might consider longevity a talent, but that is tough.

On their peak day it is very hard to argue against Gayle Sayers or Earl Campbell. Both at age 23-24 might have been the best but injuries and general wear-and-tear destroyed and eroded their greatness.

I think Jim Brown is still the best running back ever and I think he would be as good today as back then, but that's me.
Walter Payton might be the best 3-down back but Tomlinson and Faulk are in that discussion. All three could catch, throw, return.
I think Sanders is the greatest "what if". I think Sanders was the greatest college runner ever and ran in an I-formation with a lead blocker. In the NFL he went to a stupid run and shoot system without a TE on the roster.... That guy was GREAT

Don't sell Marcus Allen short either. He could do everything and was maybe the greatest short yardage back in history. Didn't see anyone mention him but he could really play at his peak.
 
Brown.

Dante Brown.
 
No question - talent-wise the answer is Barry Sanders. Imagine him behind the Dallas Cowboys O-line...just imagine...
 
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