Randy Inman
Bruce Bostwick
James Rickard
jesse-podoll
Robin PottratzThe Top 5 running backs of all time
March 17th 2009 22:02
This is an article about the top 5 running backs of all time, in the National Football League. When I wrote an article about the top 10 running backs of all time I got lots of comments telling me I was nuts or right on. So feel free to tell me what you think of my top 5 running backs of all time list. Since the last article I have rethought my top 5 running backs of all time list and added one who previously didn’t make my top 10. Ladainian Tomlinson has added a couple of seasons since then and caught my attention. All stats used in this article about great pro running backs come from Profootballreference.com
1 Jim Brown is the best running back in the history of pro football, I won’t change that opinion anytime soon. According to profootballreference.com Jim Brown had 2,359 rushes for 12,312 yards, 106 rushing touchdowns and an amazing 5.2 yard per rush average. Brown added 262 receptions for 20 touchdowns and he did this in only 118 NFL games.
2- Walter Payton-Sweetness played on some very crappy teams where opposing defenses keyed on him constantly. It was only in his latter years that Payton was able to play on good teams. He had 3,838 rushes for 16,726 yards, 110 tds and a 4.4 average per carry. He added 492 receptions for 4,538 yards and 15 TDs. Walter Payton was a multi talented running back able to run, catch, throw and block with the best of them.
3- Barry Sanders- In only 10 seasons he became the most dangerous big play threat in NFL history. He ran 3,062 times for 15,269 yards.99 tds and a 5.0 average. He added 352 catches for 2,921 yards and 10 tds. Sanders had to play on as bad of a team as Payton during his career. He retired to early or he would have owned the record books. If Barry Sanders had played behind Emmitt’s line he would have records that would never be broken.
4- Emmitt Smith- For 15 years he played for Dallas and Arizona he was the best goal line back ever in my opinion. I dropped Emmitt’s rank from my other article after some consideration. None of the other players has the offensive line or other weapons around him that Emmitt Smith had. In 226 games he rushed for 18.355 yards on 4,409 carries, 164 tds and a 4.2 average. He added 515 catches for 3,224 yards and 11 tds. I also think he was the best pass blocking tailback of all time.
5 Ladainian Tomlinson may be facing the same early burnout that Earl Campbell suffered from. His career is currently looking on the downside with the San Diego Chargers who almost traded or released him in the 2009 offseason. But there is no mistaking how great Ladainian Tomlinson has been. In 127 games Tomlinson has rushed for 11,760 yards and 126 touchdowns. Throw in 510 receptions for 3,801 yards and 15 more scores and L.T. has some impressive stats. Oh yeah he has completed 8 of 11 passes for 143 yards and 7 touchdown passes. Ladainian Tomlinson has earned his spot of the top 5 running backs of all time list. The photo of Ladainian Tomlinson used in this article is used under this license.
1 Jim Brown is the best running back in the history of pro football, I won’t change that opinion anytime soon. According to profootballreference.com Jim Brown had 2,359 rushes for 12,312 yards, 106 rushing touchdowns and an amazing 5.2 yard per rush average. Brown added 262 receptions for 20 touchdowns and he did this in only 118 NFL games.
2- Walter Payton-Sweetness played on some very crappy teams where opposing defenses keyed on him constantly. It was only in his latter years that Payton was able to play on good teams. He had 3,838 rushes for 16,726 yards, 110 tds and a 4.4 average per carry. He added 492 receptions for 4,538 yards and 15 TDs. Walter Payton was a multi talented running back able to run, catch, throw and block with the best of them.
3- Barry Sanders- In only 10 seasons he became the most dangerous big play threat in NFL history. He ran 3,062 times for 15,269 yards.99 tds and a 5.0 average. He added 352 catches for 2,921 yards and 10 tds. Sanders had to play on as bad of a team as Payton during his career. He retired to early or he would have owned the record books. If Barry Sanders had played behind Emmitt’s line he would have records that would never be broken.
4- Emmitt Smith- For 15 years he played for Dallas and Arizona he was the best goal line back ever in my opinion. I dropped Emmitt’s rank from my other article after some consideration. None of the other players has the offensive line or other weapons around him that Emmitt Smith had. In 226 games he rushed for 18.355 yards on 4,409 carries, 164 tds and a 4.2 average. He added 515 catches for 3,224 yards and 11 tds. I also think he was the best pass blocking tailback of all time.
5 Ladainian Tomlinson may be facing the same early burnout that Earl Campbell suffered from. His career is currently looking on the downside with the San Diego Chargers who almost traded or released him in the 2009 offseason. But there is no mistaking how great Ladainian Tomlinson has been. In 127 games Tomlinson has rushed for 11,760 yards and 126 touchdowns. Throw in 510 receptions for 3,801 yards and 15 more scores and L.T. has some impressive stats. Oh yeah he has completed 8 of 11 passes for 143 yards and 7 touchdown passes. Ladainian Tomlinson has earned his spot of the top 5 running backs of all time list. The photo of Ladainian Tomlinson used in this article is used under this license.
Ladainian Tomlinson - Photo by Dirk at Wikei Commons
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Comment by jesse-podoll
Alas, it is a "Top 5" so obviously more than a few names are going to be left out... However, I can't quite put LT - or even Emmitt Smith - before any of the guys I mentioned above.
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