Senser81 said:
No. Barry Sanders was obviously better than all of those guys in the NFL. My point was in response to someone saying that Barry wouldn't have been able to utilize the Dallas Cowboy run blocking. Well, when he got good blocking in college he seemed to do ok, so I don't really buy that argument. Its not a stretch to say Barry Sanders was the best RB in college history.
I bring those guys up since they most if not all of them were labeled greatest College backs by tv suits. Its not so much the actual blocking as it im referring to schemes.
Senser81 said:
Not really. Barry did well in the run-and-shoot, and he did even better once the Lions went to a more pro-style offense. Barry was also for a time subbed out in goal-line situations, which really didn't make sense because he had been effective in goal-line situations in the past. Emmitt was in an ideal system...he could use his vision and balance to maximize the blocking, the Cowboys typically would get a lead so Emmitt could use his durability and get 30 carries a game.
Lions never went to a traditional 2wr/te/fb offense for any extended period of time. He didnt do as well as you think he did in goalline/short yardage situations. So much so that 2 different coaches decided it wasnt a good idea to put him those situations. Say what you want about Fontes but Bobby Ross is a hallmark of smashmouth running and he tried to put a fb and I form in front of barry he had some really bad games.... they go back to the spread offense wammo he pops off a series of 100 yard games. You cant tell me the lineman forgot to block early on then learned after a few games.
I think all these guys were in ideal offenses. Frankly if they werent I dont think any of them are in the top 10. No player is so talented that he can bypass system restrictions. Thats what some Lion fans would have you believe. But the fact is there's been a wealth of superbly talented runners who either by injury or by system have been robbed of potential greatness.
How do you know Barry doesnt get hurt being forced to take 3-4 LBers head on in the box 30 times a game as opposed to 2 linebackers in open field ? How would you know Emmitt wouldnt have had a field day with 1 less Lber and no safety on the box ?
I dont mind splitting hairs or breaking down a guys game but the what ifs dont lead anywhere.
Senser81 said:
I think Dickerson's legacy is also hurt by the fact that his teams were usually mediocre. That hasn't hurt Simpson or Sanders, but both of those guys were spectacular-style RBs. Dickerson wasn't. He was just productive.
3 seasons of 1800+ yards , 2100 yard season , and 4 seasons of 2000 yards from scrimmage for a guy who barely caught passes is insanely productive. I admit he doesnt have alot of juke 4 defender highlights but a reel between him and Faulk/OJ/Dorsett would result in alot of the same flying past dumbfounded defenders.
Granted he wasnt on any superb teams but Rams were consistenly in the playoffs with him and he was always the best player on the field.
No matter the reason I do think it sucks hes overlooked. The guy made things look insanely easy.
Senser81 said:
Faulk is hard to rank because he was also a great receiving threat. Not like a Walter Payton catch the ball out of the backfield threat. He was like a Lenny Moore RB who can play WR threat. I would definitely take Faulk over Thomas if drafting a team.
The more I think about it the more I would lean towards a completely different top 10 if just drafting all over for todays game.
Im also willing to bet most guys would end up in a Spread offense as opposed to a Power I.
