Greatest Running Back All-time for One Season

[freak6]

Curtis Martin vs Dickerson?

Right.

Who would you want for one season?

[bronco_diesel]

Curtis Martin vs Dickerson?

Right.

Who would you want for one season?

didn't OJ rush for 2k in 14 games?

[Rohirrim]

TD. I'm biased. ;D

[broncoblue]

me too

[Dedhed]

Gale Sayers should be on that list way ahead of Marshall Faulk.

[jonny1]

I voted TD, partly because I'm a :homer: but also because in his 2000 yard season, he sat out the equivalent of at least two games, because the Broncos were so far ahead.

But in reality, I'd take either Jim Brown or Sweetness.

[Jason in LA]

If TD had played the entire season he would have run for about 2300 yards and a good 30 TDs. That was the most dominant year from a RB that I've ever seen.

[Barry Ramey]

I vote for TD in his prime. Some of the cutback moves he made were downright criminal.

[The Moops]

I think you probably have to go with Dickerson in 1984 with 2,100 yards, 14 TDs, 5.6 average

Also . . .
Sanders in 97 -- 2053 yards, 14 TDs, 6.1 average

TD's 98 season -- 2008, 23 scores, 5.1

But, also consider Jim Brown, circa 1963. In 14 games he rushed for 1,863 yards, scored 15 TDs and averaged 6.4 yards a carry.

[Mile High Shack]

I didn't see Jim Brown in person, or I would've voted for him

but had Bo Jackson played football and only football, I think he would've easily broke a lot of records

so I voted for Bo Jackson

[KipCorrington25]

Bo Jackson had the greatest combination of speed, strength, and raw athletic ability that I've ever seen.

[Jason in LA]

One thing that I've heard about Bo was that he wasn't too dedicated to football. That's why he didn't leave the Royals until the season was over, even when they were out of the playoff race. He had a reason to skip training camp and part of the season every year. Deion Sanders left the Yankees to go play football as soon as they were out of the playoff race, and when the Braves were in the playoff race he played both sports.

Another thing I heard about Bo was that he wasn't the toughest guy out there. Meaning that he wasn't the guy to play when hurt. Sure, he could run guys over, but when things were tough he wasn't a battler.

I've heard that a couple of times, and the sourse was NFL players. The guy had all the tools, but he wasn't mentally tough like a lot of NFL players. Honestly he would have been better off being a full time baseball player.

[Garcia Bronco]

Why is Bo Jackson even on that list? The guy flat out accomplished about zero in the NFL. I would take any of those guys minus Simpson, Sanders, Jackson, and Brown

Brown was awesome, but against todays defenders he would shrink back to the pack

Jackson, was a Raider and played two sports...totally cannot be counted on in a season

Sanders, great back that danced too much in the back field and could just as likely lose as many yards as he gained on any given day....which is why the Lions never went far in the playoffs

OJ Simpson is a POS murderer - people like to think that doesn't equate to the football field. I don't care. He should, IMO, be stricken from the record book and forgotten. I am a little disappointed that he's on the list.


my list in order and I'm taking out Davis because he would be my first choice for obvious reasons.

Walter Payton
Emmitt Smith
Ladanian Tomlinson
Marshall Faulk
Eric Dickerson

[Garcia Bronco]

Bo Jackson had the greatest combination of speed, strength, and raw athletic ability that I've ever seen.

And yet. It wasn't enough

[Mile High Shack]

And yet. It wasn't enough

maybe I only remember him at his prime

but if he focused full time on football, the man beast had every single physical tool you'd need at the running position and more than any other RB I have seen up to this point

problem was his work ethic, but this question is hypothetical anyway.......so hypothetically speaking....if Bo dedicated himself, I'd take him ;)

[Jason in LA]

Problem is that Bo didn't want to dedicate himself. If we go by reality, I wouldn't take that guy. He didn't want it. He wasn't mentally tough.

[SureShot]

I will take '98 TD. It seemed like he always had a hundo by half. Plain 'ol domination.

[Mile High Shack]

Problem is that Bo didn't want to dedicate himself. If we go by reality, I wouldn't take that guy. He didn't want it. He wasn't mentally tough.

if we go by reality I'd take Barry Sanders dad ;)

j/k

I'd take Walter Payton

[Barry Ramey]

One does wonder what more Payton would have done if he had played with some good teams in his prime instead of just towards the end of it.

[Mile High Shack]

One does wonder what more Payton would have done if he had played with some teams in his prime instead of just towards the end of it.

make it impossible for Emmitt to hang on to his dwindling career just to get the record?

[-Slap-]

Bo Jackson was the biggest prima donna pussy to ever strap on pads. He pulled himself out of his last college game against rival Alabama with a thigh strain and he pulled the same crap throughout his NFL career.

Physically, he had no equal, but his immense natural ability made the game too easy for him and he never learned how to play through pain.

[FantomForce]

Bo Jackson, cuz he was a bad mofo. And it would be cool to have him in a bronco jersey

[Jason in LA]

Bo Jackson, cuz he was a bad mofo. And it would be cool to have him in a bronco jersey

You should read some of the above posts on Bo. It might change your opinion.

[-Slap-]

IMO, the best single season by any running back was Earl Campbell in 1980.

Walter Payton in 1977 is also up there.

Obviously, TD's 2008 yards in 1998.

Marcus Allen was pretty amazing in 1985, too.

Dickerson's NFL record 2105 in 1984.

Simpson being the first man over 2000 in 1973.

Barry Sanders 2053 in 1997.

[Mile High Shack]

Have you seen Campbell lately?

man, the man should've run out of bounds more often

He's almost 60 I think, but looks like he is about 85

[-Slap-]

Have you seen Campbell lately?

man, the man should've run out of bounds more often

He's almost 60 I think, but looks like he is about 85

He's been in awful shape for many years. The game ruined him.

There has never been any power back that was his equal. Not Taylor or Zonk or Riggo. In his prime, he was the most intimidating offensive player who ever lived.

[Crushaholic]

I would have loved to see Barry Sanders running behind a good offensive line. He could have smashed all kinds of records if he could run off-tackle. I watched him in high school and I know what he could have done.

[Jason in LA]

I wrote this about Barry in the other RB thread.


The major question is that if he was behind a really good O line, would he actually follow the blocks, or run where ever he wanted too?

I tend to think that the Lions O line got a raw deal because of Barry. They'd open a hole that would have gotten Barry some yards, but instead he tries to dance outside to break a big one, ignoring the hole, and would get stuffed for a loss. Then everybody would blame it on the O line. I've seen highlights of that. In the highlight the play would be stopped and the hole would be highlighted, then the play would be started again and Barry would run someplace else and get stuffed.

Shanahan and Turner would be pulling their hair out if Barry pulled that crap in their system.

[freak6]

As soon as I made the poll, I tried to edit it to include Campbell but it was to late.

Barry came out on goalline situations, so I couldn't vote for him.

[WoodMan]

He's been in awful shape for many years. The game ruined him.

There has never been any power back that was his equal. Not Taylor or Zonk or Riggo. In his prime, he was the most intimidating offensive player who ever lived.

Yeah, just ask Steve Foley. :~ohyah!: We brag on atwater's hit on akoya. the houston oilers brag on campbell's freighttrain over foley.

[WoodMan]

I think I'd go with RBBC here, when Miami had Larry Zonka:strong: , Jim Kick (U.Dub boy) and Mercury Morris(speed to burn). Went undefeated and won it all.

[freak6]

I've seen Campbell veer towards defenders in film. The best was when he would be running on the sideline, he'd plant his outside foot and drive off of it and knock the wouldbe tackler backwards while staying inbounds, and upright for more yards. Great balance too.

[TexanBob]

This is really a tough question. I would look at:

* Durability - Could they handle 30 carries a game?
* Breakaway speed - Could they take it to the house from 60-70 yards away?
* Toughness - Could they break tackles and fight for extra yardage?
* Ball security - How often did they fumble?
* Nose for the goal - Did they know how to get that final yard?
* Pass catching - Could they beat you as a receiver as well as a runner?
* Clutch performing - Do they step up in big games?
* Performance - Do they have the numbers game after game?

A good case could be made for any of the names on the list but I think I'd have to put Jim Brown at the front of the list. Nobody dominated his era the way he did. Imagine if he had the workout advantages today's players do.

My heart roots for Terrell Davis but if I had one game with my life on the line, I think I'd take Jim Brown. He was bad ass before bad ass was cool.

[Bronx33]

23 bronco homers......Hilarious!

[Sir Mawn]

TD cause I'm biased. Walter Payton is my second pick. Complete player.

I would never choose Sanders. Could never pound the ball and ended up losing yardage way too many times.

[OrangeShadow]

Id take barry except I dont like the fact he came out when his team got to the goal line

My homer vote is TD but id take Walter Payton over anyone

[phillybroncosnut]

If we are talking who had the greatest season ever.... It has to be TD. There has NEVER been an NFL RB who has rushed for 2000 yards, won the league MVP, AND won the super bowl in their CAREER let alone in one season. TD accomplished all three in '98.

If you're a stat guy, you have to agree and if you are a "did he win a title" guy you have to agree.

[WoodMan]

This is really a tough question. I would look at:

* Durability - Could they handle 30 carries a game?
* Breakaway speed - Could they take it to the house from 60-70 yards away?
* Toughness - Could they break tackles and fight for extra yardage?
* Ball security - How often did they fumble?
* Nose for the goal - Did they know how to get that final yard?
* Pass catching - Could they beat you as a receiver as well as a runner?
* Clutch performing - Do they step up in big games?
* Performance - Do they have the numbers game after game?

A good case could be made for any of the names on the list but I think I'd have to put Jim Brown at the front of the list. Nobody dominated his era the way he did. Imagine if he had the workout advantages today's players do.

My heart roots for Terrell Davis but if I had one game with my life on the line, I think I'd take Jim Brown. He was bad ass before bad ass was cool.

Texan Bob just described Tony Dorsett

[Tom H.]

Walter Payton- Because I remember him the best from my days as a kid. I remember Earls big legs too so he's my #2.

[ØrangeÇrush]

Where's the Floyd Little option?

If not him, than Gale Sayers....

If not either, I'd take Sweetness..

followed TD....


I can't believe Floyd Little or Gale Sayers aren't on this poll.

[DBroncos4life]

How anyone in there right mind couldn't pick Barry Sanders is beyond me. The guy did everything, not only that he had to score his TDs from 20 yards out because his gay ass coach took him out in the red zone. The guy was the best RB in NFL history.

[TomServo]

if yer gonna disqualify OJ for off the field crap dq wife beater and beyond jim brown too. barry sanders would just as well dance with the superbowl on the line as score a td.
it sounds like homerism but id rather have T.D. in my backfield than most.

[BroncoBuff]

Gale Sayers should be on that list way ahead of Marshall Faulk.

That's who I wanted .... he returned punts and kicks, remember.

[broncogary]

Have you seen Campbell lately?

man, the man should've run out of bounds more often

He's almost 60 I think, but looks like he is about 85

Actually, he's only 51, but you're right, he certainly looks beat up.

[Maximus]

If TD had played the entire season he would have run for about 2300 yards and a good 30 TDs. That was the most dominant year from a RB that I've ever seen.


So you're saying that you've never watched Eric Dickerson?

[Rock Chalk]

So you're saying that you've never watched Eric Dickerson?

I agree, that year Dickinson ran fro 2100 was a pretty dominant year.

Though I think what he is saying is that TD's year was just as dominant, possibly more so. Seriously, TD had so many yards at half time in most of those games that they sat him the rest of the game.

Thats just dominating your opponent.

Whats more impressive, is that they stacked the box hoping to stop him and still couldnt.

[maher_tyler]

How anyone in there right mind couldn't pick Barry Sanders is beyond me. The guy did everything, not only that he had to score his TDs from 20 yards out because his gay ass coach took him out in the red zone. The guy was the best RB in NFL history.

I agree...i don't ever remember them having a good O line which is why he always had to dance around and avoid tackles in the first place, he would have shattered the rushing record...TD is second on my list though.

[-Slap-]

The Lions had Lomas Brown and Kevin Glover on the O line when Sanders was there. They also had some quality receivers who could spread the field.

[epicSocialism4tw]

1. TD '98 - the definition of MVP
2. Barry Sanders - nearly every season with Barry was a great one. The best back of all-time.

[Jason in LA]

So you're saying that you've never watched Eric Dickerson?

Did you read what I wrote? The guy could have gone for 2300 yards and a good 30 TDs if he wasn't pulled so much. He only played in about 13 games. He was pulled at halftime against the Cowboys and Redskins. In both of those games he had around 150 yards. He was pulled early in the 3rd quarter against the Eagles with a good 120 yards. He was always getting pulled.

So yes, he did have a greater year than Dickerson's 2100.

[BigBad]

What if L.T. wins the rushing title, league MVP, wins the Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP, on top of the touchdown and scoring records?

Would that be one of the best individual seasons by ANY player ever? Because at this point it is possible.

[Rascal]

On that list I would take Walter with Jim Brown a close second.

For some reason i just don't like Dickerson.

Campbell should be on that list IMO as should Sayers.

Where is Priest Holmes?

[Jason in LA]

I agree...i don't ever remember them having a good O line which is why he always had to dance around and avoid tackles in the first place, he would have shattered the rushing record...TD is second on my list though.


How anyone in there right mind couldn't pick Barry Sanders is beyond me. The guy did everything, not only that he had to score his TDs from 20 yards out because his gay ass coach took him out in the red zone. The guy was the best RB in NFL history.

I gave my reply on post #28 in this thread. Barry Sanders didn't do his O lines any favors. As much as the Broncos O lines made TD look good, he made them look just as good by following their blocks. Barry didn't do that with the Lions. Maybe if he followed his blockers they wouldn't have looked so bad when he was getting stuffed. See post #28 for more of an explaination.

[BlaK-Argentina]

What if L.T. wins the rushing title, league MVP, wins the Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP, on top of the touchdown and scoring records?

Would that be one of the best individual seasons by ANY player ever? Because at this point it is possible.

Let's wait until he does it to talk about that.

[Rascal]

Yeah Barry Sanders had way to many runs for negative or no yards IMO. I like RB's that get postive yards consistently.

[Jason in LA]

What if L.T. wins the rushing title, league MVP, wins the Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP, on top of the touchdown and scoring records?

Would that be one of the best individual seasons by ANY player ever? Because at this point it is possible.


For RBs I've alway looked at yards and average yards per carry as more of a bench mark than TDs. The only other redzone option for the Chargers is Gates. When the Chargers get in the redzone chances are it's going to LT.

When LT goes for 2000 yards, then I'll put him way up there.

[-Slap-]

The single season touchdown record has been broken three times in the last four years (LT, Shaun, Priest) and four times in the last seven years (Faulk).

Its not exactly DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak we're talking about here.

[BigBad]

The only other redzone option for the Chargers is Gates.

This doesnt look like LT or Gates.
http://photos.signonsandiego.com/gallery1.5/albums/061119broncos/KC_Denver260209x2048c.jpg

[BigBad]

The single season touchdown record has been broken three times in the last four years (LT, Shaun, Priest) and four times in the last seven years (Faulk).

Its not exactly DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak we're talking about here.

No but Paul Hornung's scoring record has held up since 1960.

Of course Hornung scored 176 pts in 12 games, and LT has 174 through 12 games. So LT will break it in 13 games with NO KICKING which is what Hournung did on top of RB.

[-Slap-]

You're preaching to the choir anyway.

I believe LT will finish his career in the top five all time, with a shot at the top three.

[Pendejo]

What if L.T. wins the rushing title, league MVP, wins the Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP, on top of the touchdown and scoring records?

Would that be one of the best individual seasons by ANY player ever? Because at this point it is possible.

It would be similar to TD's best season...although the Duke did win the Super Bowl MVP in '99...TD had to settle for his Super Bowl mvp the year before.

[Jason in LA]

This doesnt look like LT or Gates.
http://photos.signonsandiego.com/gallery1.5/albums/061119broncos/KC_Denver260209x2048c.jpg


I never said that no other player scored TDs.

That guy pictured has a wopping 3 TDs. The only other WR with TDs also has a wopping 3 TDs.

LT has 29 total TDs. Gates has 8 TD receptions. Their WRs have a combined 6 receiving TDs.

So yeah, it's LT, then Gates, and the other guys pick up the scraps.

[Mile High Mojoe]

Walter Payton was the best RB ever to play the game futher more IMHO he's the greatest football player "ever" to put on uniform.

[Bronx33]

This dude was the best, i feared him when the broncos played ththe bears and respect ran deep amongst NFL fans through out the league.

http://www.canoe.ca/WalterPaytonImages/payton4.jpg

http://www.canoe.ca/WalterPaytonImages/payton9.jpg

http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Walter-Payton---Airbound-Photograph-C11666243.jpeg

http://images.art.com/images/products/large/10115000/10115401.jpg

[Mile High Mojoe]

This dude was the best, i feared him when the broncos played ththe bears and respect ran deep amongst NFL fans through out the league.


There is no dabate Payton was the greatest football player I've every seen. LT is having a nice season but had he been on those early Bears teams he'd of been out of the NFL early. Until late in his career Payton did "everything" on his own, he had no OL must of the yards were just him playing smash mouth football and running over or around people.

Jim Brown played on a great team and had one of the best OL's in NFL history, people forget that.

[TexanBob]

Texan Bob just described Tony Dorsett

Dorsett hasn't even been part of the conversation but he ought to be. I don't think he was the tough back that fought for yardage but he certainly was productive and could break off some long runs.

[Willynowei]

Man, i think that on the mane in the two threads about LT and now this, it seems like its become trendy to say that Jim Brown and Barry Sanders, easily two of the greatest don't belong on those lists.

I was a huge LT fan, but theres so much loving for him on the mane, that the voice of reason is knocking on my door.

Hell if Jim Brown with his genes was born in the late 80s and has grown today into a 25 year old version of his old self on todays nutrition he would be something like 6'3 255 and be as quick as reggie bush. Okay maybe I'm pushing it but you get the point, you can't just compare these guys to those guys.

In the same way, if Barry Sanders were playing today, there wouldn't be such comments claiming he's not even in the top 10 or 5 of running backs. LT is really good, but give me a break, he plays behind the best fullback in the league and the most underated O-line as well.

Seriously, we can go on and on, Peyton Manning is so much better than Elway because he's playing in a faster league where the holes are tighter to throw into. See my point? You can say almost anything and plug in "because in TODAYS NFL its sooo much harder". Last time i checked, Jerry Rice did pretty well in his old slow self as a raider when they went to the superbowl and Randy (greatest talent of all time) Moss is sucking wind because his "team sucks so he doesn't want to play".

PLEASE :P

Edit: even though I think us bronco fans always respected LT because he's just all class in every way, we didn't start preaching this "he's the best ever" crap untill now. Why because he burned us in OUR house for the FIRST time in his career. Denver fans always loved LT b/c he would tear up opposing teams and get quieted by our run defense.

did those other greats get shut down twice a year by division rivals? Lets not forget untill this year, Denver was LT's Kryptonite. And I'm sure once we get the D-line patched up, we'll be seeing more of the same in the future.

[freak6]

In this scenario the score is 21-14 in the Superbowl and you are losing. But it's 4th and goal from the 2 with 4 seconds left.

And you took Barry Sanders over Terrell Davis, LT, Payton, and the others.

How confident are you?

[-Slap-]

Man, i think that on the mane in the two threads about LT and now this, it seems like its become trendy to say that Jim Brown and Barry Sanders, easily two of the greatest don't belong on those lists.

I haven't seen anybody say Jim Brown doesn't belong on the list. I saw some people disqualify themselves from commenting on him because they never saw him play, but that's very different from saying he doesn't belong.

[Cito Pelon]

I gave my reply on post #28 in this thread. Barry Sanders didn't do his O lines any favors. As much as the Broncos O lines made TD look good, he made them look just as good by following their blocks. Barry didn't do that with the Lions. Maybe if he followed his blockers they wouldn't have looked so bad when he was getting stuffed. See post #28 for more of an explaination.

Well, I didn't read post 28, but IMO I'd take Payton, TD, LT, Campbell, Holmes, LJ, dang near anybody over Barry Sanders, and for precisely the reason you stated. Sanders would give up a solid 4 yard gain and run all over the field behind the line of scrimmage and end up with a 4 yard loss way too many times. I'm not the biggest fan of Sanders. He retired rather than play for Bobby Ross, who insisted he had to take the 4 yard gain in the red zone.

[Boltjolt]

For RBs I've alway looked at yards and average yards per carry as more of a bench mark than TDs. The only other redzone option for the Chargers is Gates. When the Chargers get in the redzone chances are it's going to LT.

When LT goes for 2000 yards, then I'll put him way up there.

Personally i hope he never gets 2,000....it only wears them out. All the others that did it went down hill fast afterwards.

[Pendejo]

I haven't seen anybody say Jim Brown doesn't belong on the list. I saw some people disqualify themselves from commenting on him because they never saw him play, but that's very different from saying he doesn't belong.

Absolutely right. The only way that Jim Brown isn't in the top three or four running backs of all time...is if you're listing the top three or four guys that haven't beaten women.

A great football/lacrosse player, but a very suspect human being.

[Boltjolt]

I never said that no other player scored TDs.

That guy pictured has a wopping 3 TDs. The only other WR with TDs also has a wopping 3 TDs.

LT has 29 total TDs. Gates has 8 TD receptions. Their WRs have a combined 6 receiving TDs.

So yeah, it's LT, then Gates, and the other guys pick up the scraps.

Not sure what your trying to say but the Chargers have 5 different players with at least 3 recieving TD's.......you guys have 1.
Rivers spreads the ball around.

Vince Jackson has only 16 receptions but has 3 TD's. He's been productive and is going to be a real good player for us starting next season while he plays more. He may even be a starter.

[Spider]

alot of great ones come to mind , but Barry Sanders was simply the best ........
Earl Campell was a bulldozer , Eric Dickerson ran tall , TD was tough , but Barry , man just a pure joy to watch

[Mile High Mojoe]

alot of great ones come to mind , but Barry Sanders was simply the best ........
Earl Campell was a bulldozer , Eric Dickerson ran tall , TD was tough , but Barry , man just a pure joy to watchI can't believe an Ol' Trucker like you wouldn't vote for Walter Payton as the best ever Bro, he's the original diesel.

"Ol Truckers never Die they just get a New Peterbilt."

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f6/mrmilehigh/pete.jpg

[Spider]

I can't believe an Ol' Trucker like you wouldn't vote for Walter Payton as the best ever Bro, he's the original diesel.

"Ol Truckers never Die they just get a New Peterbilt."

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f6/mrmilehigh/pete.jpg

;D sweet truck ........... I liked Walter , man never did anyone wrong , was a true sportsman from the word go , I would say Walter was more then a Running back , He was the one guy you could look to , to always do what was right ....I guess Walter is on a different level then a Runningback as far as I can see .....A great man

[Mile High Mojoe]

;D sweet truck ........... I liked Walter , man never did anyone wrong , was a true sportsman from the word go , I would say Walter was more then a Running back , He was the one guy you could look to , to always do what was right ....I guess Walter is on a different level then a Runningback as far as I can see .....A great manTo me he's the greatest football player to ever put on a uniform. To many the older guys forget and the younger ones just don't know. He was a force of one.

[Popps]

;D sweet truck ........... I liked Walter , man never did anyone wrong , was a true sportsman from the word go , I would say Walter was more then a Running back , He was the one guy you could look to , to always do what was right ....I guess Walter is on a different level then a Runningback as far as I can see .....A great man

It should be mandatory for every NFL fan under the age of 30 to watch Payton's biography.

I was blessed to be able to see him play as a kid... the time when you're really most impressionable with regards to sports stars.

Besides Muhammad Ali, no sports figure had ever drawn my admiration as much as Sweetness.

[BroncoBuff]

But - the question said "for ONE SEASON," so durability and longevity are less important imo, I went for Sayers/Campbell/TD - definitely not the "durability trio," but for one season - they're the guys.