NFL - Are You Ready For Some Football?! - The Offseason

[Grandpa Troll]

Think of Marion Barber, but bigger, by far. "The Tyler Rose" would just as soon run over you as around you.

Thats also what gave Riggo his famous style
Of course, Riggo love him a beer as well

(insert obligatory Sandy baby! Comment)

In case you dont know, he was drunk and addressed Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in that manner

[SlowwHand]

Classy guy, indeed.

[-Jrabbit]

In his prime, Earl Campbell was an unstoppable machine -- bigger than a linebacker, faster than a DB. He was nimble and shifty, too, but didn't have to be. He was a true power back and one amazing athlete. Started his NFL career in 1978 as Rookie of the Year AND Most Valuable Player. Then he got better!

He took such a beating from stacked defenses that he only lasted until the mid-80s.

Another who deserves mention: Bo Jackson

[SlowwHand]

I'd have to put Bo way down the list, but he was good. We didn't see all he had, I don't think.
I used to like to watch Calvin Hill of the Cowboys run. He'd hurdle people, which cut his career short. Played while sharing the ball with many, including Duane Thomas, who is another we didn't see nearly the best of.

[-Jrabbit]

Bo only played about 4 years, and was a part-timer behind Marcus Allen at the beginning -- because he was playing baseball. But he averaged 5.4 yd/carry, and still holds the MNF record for rushing yards in a game.

Bo won the Heisman and was drafted #1 overall by Tampa Bay, but opted to sign with the KC Royals when given a "pick one" ultimatum. A year later, the Raiders drafted him and got him to sign when Al Davis said he could play football part-time during baseball season. He suffered a debilitating hip injury that ended his football career in 91.

Big and fast, you betcha. Bo was 6'1" and 227, and his 40 time? How about: 4.12. Mind-boggling.

Maybe not one of the top RBs of all time, but in his prime, he took a back seat to no one and would easily hold his own with others mentioned here. Damn shame he didn't stick with one sport full-time. Clearly one of the best pure athletes ever to play in the NFL.

[-Jrabbit]

Emmitt Smith?

Curtis Martin?

The Bus?

Tony Dorsett?

John Riggins..one of the best IMHO, not tops but still a great smash mouth RB

Great players, but clearly a cut below IMHO. Others in this class: Thurman "Thermal" Thomas, Eddie George. And let's not forget OJ Simpson.

And just so Ben doesn't hate on me -- I'm not including any active players on my list.

[SlowwHand]

One could argue for Emmitt Smith. Most rushing yards and owner of a record that can't be broken, 99 yard rushing T.D. Maybe not Top 5, but Top 10.

[-Jrabbit]

I'm a big Emmitt fan, but he doesn't crack my top 5. He rarely faced stacked defenses, and wasn't particularly fast or shifty. Put him on a mediocre team and he's, um, Curtis Martin.

But he was a stud, a warrior. Played hard, stayed healthy and did everything well. Paytonesque.

Sadly, I can never forgive him for doing those Just For Men hair color ads.

[Ben Kenobi]

And just so Ben doesn't hate on me -- I'm not including any active players on my list.

Why would I hate on you?

4 200 yard games in a season says it all.

LT's closest is 4 over 172 yards in the insane 2006 season.

He's also had 3 over 186 yards in a season with 2 over 200.

[Tuberski]

I've not had the pleasure of seeing Earl Campbell.

Was he really that good?

Earl Campbell is my most favorite football player. Ever.

He was a machine that often seemed to go out of his way to run into and over a defender. Now, however, he can barely walk. But he was awesome to watch.

I remember being amazed watching him on Monday night Football against the Dolphins. (The first part of the video).



ACK!

[-Jrabbit]

Just explaining why LT isn't on my list.

Are those 200-yd rushing games? The only one I know who has done that in the NFL is Earl Campbell.

[Ben Kenobi]

Which is why I can't fault you for putting him on your list.

As good as LT is, he's never done that. He doesn't even have 3 games at 200 yards in a season.

Sanders has 2 in 1997, with 4 games with 167 or over. That's a very special record.

OJ has 4 over 171, which is just shy of LT with 3 over 200.

Sweetness has 4 over 162 in 1977 with 2 over 200.

So it looks like OJ comes the closest, with 2 fewer games.

[-Jrabbit]

I don't think anyone else does, either.

I was just reading about Campbell some more. He was only 5'11" -- and 244 pounds. Quite a load. I always thought he was taller.

[Ben Kenobi]

Thanks Tuberski.

It's amazing he runs into the LB and the LB falls backwards. He's huge!

[-Jrabbit]

It wasn't just his size, but his strength. Pure power, especially in those legs. He's listed as having 4.8 speed, but he regularly outran DBs. Maybe they were just afraid of hitting him.