Since #22 is retiring

[Jan Reimers]

I advise anybody who doesn't feel that Jim Brown is #1 to go out and buy a video of him playing. He was head and shoulders better than all the others. There's not even a close second.

Amen.

[Earthquake Enyart]

Now that I'm thinking back, Ollie Matson ought to be in the top 10, and perhaps Joe "the Jet" Perry.

While you're at it, don't forget Cookie Gilchrist or Keith Lincoln.

[mysticsoto]

I advise anybody who doesn't feel that Jim Brown is #1 to go out and buy a video of him playing. He was head and shoulders better than all the others. There's not even a close second. I think Gayle Sayers gets short-changed because of a short career, but he was an unbelievable talent. I also think that Smith gets short changed because he played behind such a great line. Hey, you can't penalize the guy for taking advantage of a great situation. You also have to admit that he took some serious shots and was as tough as they come. Remember the huge game against the Giants with a dislocated shoulder? His durability is something to marvel. I hated him 10 years ago, but the guy was one heck of a back. I personally think Barry Sanders is a better talent at RB, but he wouldn't have worked well in Dallas' offense. He's a cut-back, and juke runner. An offensive scheme like Denver's would yield Sanders 200 yards every Sunday. Walter Payton was just the best damn ball player I've ever seen. Speed, power, moves, blocking, catching, throwing, versatility, etc. He's my #2 RB. So, I say Brown, Payton, Sanders, Smith, Simpson.

Is there a place where you can get videos of the highlights of these guys in their careers? My best friend's b-day is coming up and I think this would be a great gift.

I myself am a Barry Sanders fan, but I'll admit that I haven't had as much exposure to some of the old greats like J. Brown and even W. Payton. But I'd be willing to watch and decide for myself who I think is the best. If there is some place I can order videos from on this, let me know.

[DaBillzAhDaShiznit]

1--Jim Brown--timeless player who would be great even today.
2--OJ--underrated because he had his best seasons in Buffalo
3--Walter Payton--"sweetness" says it all.
4--Barry Sanders---had he not retired early, quite possibly would be best ever...and might still be playing at advanced age as he did not take many big hits.
5--Gale Sayers---another who might rank higher if career had not been cut short
6--Earl Campbell---most punishing runner I have ever seen.
7--Bo Jackson--If career not cut short by injury...might well be in the top three...amazing athlete....almost inhuman.
8--Thurman Thomas---biggest double threat to ever play the game.
9--Jim Thorpe---well ahead of his time...had moves and power...and he could pass, kick, punt, etc...
10-Ollie Matson---was great despite playing on AWFUL teams...had he played for contenders...would be higher on this list.

[Jan Reimers]

While you're at it, don't forget Cookie Gilchrist or Keith Lincoln.

Gilchrist, who had a fairly short career, might still belong on the list. He was a horse.

[Ebenezer]

hey guys...great lists....let's get back to the original topic though...

can we agree that Emmitt Smith is probably not in the top 5 backs of all time...maybe not even the top 10?? And if we had enough old old timers around maybe not even the top 15 of all time??

[Philagape]

1. Jim Brown
2. Barry Sanders
3. O.J. Simpson
4. Gale Sayers
5. Walter Payton

[TedMock]

I've seen Thurman mentioned a few times, and yes, he is one of the greatest double-threats of all time, but I'd say he's #2 in the double threat category. What about Marcus Allen? Here's a guy who had more speed than anybody at that time, he had a heck of a lot more power than he's given credit for, a tremendous nose for the endzone, a good blocker, and the best receiving back I've ever seen. I'd put him just above Thurman and Roger Craig in terms of pass catching.

[TedMock]

Is there a place where you can get videos of the highlights of these guys in their careers? My best friend's b-day is coming up and I think this would be a great gift.

I myself am a Barry Sanders fan, but I'll admit that I haven't had as much exposure to some of the old greats like J. Brown and even W. Payton. But I'd be willing to watch and decide for myself who I think is the best. If there is some place I can order videos from on this, let me know.

I would imagine so. I actually have a ton of highlight footage on several players. I was a big football junkie as a kid, and I am as an adult. My father gave me a whole bunch of these video's many, many years ago, but I'm not sure where he got them.

[DaBillzAhDaShiznit]

I've seen Thurman mentioned a few times, and yes, he is one of the greatest double-threats of all time, but I'd say he's #2 in the double threat category. What about Marcus Allen? Here's a guy who had more speed than anybody at that time, he had a heck of a lot more power than he's given credit for, a tremendous nose for the endzone, a good blocker, and the best receiving back I've ever seen. I'd put him just above Thurman and Roger Craig in terms of pass catching.

I thought the same thing...but decided that Allen was not as great a rusher as Thurman is and thus not as great a running back. He certainly should be mentioned in the same breath when talking about double threats...and he did have a heck of a nose for the endzone. I think you do and could make a good argument either way. I would probably put Marcus Allen at #12 or so, but that's just my opinion.


To the other point...no..I would not put Emmitt Smith or Curtis Martin in the top 15, but maybe in the top 20...maybe....

[Mr. Cynical]

You are obviously too young to have seen Jim Brown play, and have the mindset of many young people: If it happened before my time, it is irrelevant.

Any list of all time great running backs begins with Jim Brown. Then you argue 2-5 or 2-10.

Unfortunately I'm not that young (I watched Franco Harris play), but no I did not see Brown play live. I have however seen a bunch of classic games with him in them, as well as a ton of clips.

I don't want to take anything away from what he did - he was incredible back then and he is most certainly one of the best of all time. But I still stand by my choices. You talk about Barry getting held to minus yardage in a game, but you also need to compare eras. The defenses that Brown faced were slower, weaker and not nearly as in shape or as complex in nature. How many 335lb+ DTs or 275lb+ DEs who can run sub 5's did he face? The game and the players have evolved alot in the 48 years since he started playing in 1957. This can be said for most (if not all) sports, but I think it applies the most with football given the extreme physical nature of the game.

[mysticsoto]

I would imagine so. I actually have a ton of highlight footage on several players. I was a big football junkie as a kid, and I am as an adult. My father gave me a whole bunch of these video's many, many years ago, but I'm not sure where he got them.

For anyone who might be interested, I found a website where they have old "game" highlights.

http://www.raresportsfilms.com/football.html

They don't have highlights of specific players, but rather games played...like the 1963/1964 Bills Season highlights...

They are $29.95 plus $5 for shipping...

[Bills 4 life]

TERRELL DAVIS WOULD HAVE BEEN.

[unpaid_bills]

1 Walter Payton
2 Barry Sanders
3 Emmitt
4 Jim Brown
5 OJ Simpson
6 Terrel Davis
7 Gayle Sayers
8 Franco Harris
9 Tony Dorsett
10 Thurman Thomas

[unpaid_bills]

OJ Simpson was the best running back I have ever seen.

He was more powerful than people gave him credit for, and he had world class sprinter speed. Every play he was a threat to take it to the house. You can't say that about all the other guys.

Yeah OJ could really slice and dice the D