411's NFL Round Up 6.03.08: The Top Ten Running Backs of All-Time

Posted by Emmett Wilks on 06.03.2008

The Bears have big quarterback problem, Travis Henry shocking exit in Denver, and why the NFL is treating teams like they are kindergarten teachers. All this, plus the Top 10 running back of all-time in this edition of NFL Round Up

Hey everyone, welcome to NFL Round Up! Just a quick non-football bit. I watched the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday, and was just sad. MTV was once a great force in America. Not just musically, but culturally. That show was beyond horrendous. Unfunny, predictable, and just plain silly. Everything was scripted and forced, and the awards winners were pathetic. I know its fan voting, but come on. Johnny Depp in Best Comedic Performance over Seth Rogen. That douche bag from High School Musical was a bigger Breakthrough Performance than Jonah Hill. Man, I really wish the old, good, MTV made a comeback. But I digress. Onto the Round Up!


A brief correction, or clarification rather, on last week's Quick Notes. In my discussion last week of Joey Porter's comments about the New England Patriots, I inappropriately stated that other NFL teams were partaking in such activities. That was speculation that was delivered as factual, and therefore should not have been stated with such certainty as it was. For the record, there is no such evidence that other teams have partaken in what Bill Belichick and the Patriots did. I have the belief that in fact, other teams do steal plays. This is the reason why offensive coordinators and coaches cover their lips when calling plays now. It is because people will steal what they are saying, which is what the Patriots basically did, but with a video camera. It still did not make it right, and Belichick and the Patriots have been justly punished. Now, we can move on.


QUICK NOTES

Word broke on Monday night that the NFL will now allow Adam "Pacman" Jones to officially join the Dallas Cowboys for off-season workouts. Jones, whose numerous run-ins with the law were a major catalyst in the NFL implementing new player conduct policies, is likely going to be on a very, very short leash with the NFL, let alone the Cowboys. I will say it here now; I believe that this is going to work for the Cowboys. Did anyone really expect the behavior demonstrated by Terrell Owens in the last two years? Certainly not me. With this collection of veterans in the locker room, and a team built for a title now, expect Pacman to stay on his best behavior for the upcoming season. After that, who knows.

Rumor mills are circulating again about an NFL team in the city of Los Angeles. Developer Ed Roski is designing a new $800 millions stadium on the eastern edge of Los Angeles county, and hopes to attract an NFL team there. While Los Angeles has a huge throng of great football fans, that city simply does not deserve another team. Financially it would seem like a home run. The second largest population center in America, new stadium, all the amenities you need. But Los Angeles has had not one, but two franchises leave them for lack of fan support, leaving a great number of great football fans in the city without a pro team. Los Angeles has enough great things to keep them occupied, no NFL team needs to make the move there.

Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor has to be working with a publicist, because he is playing his situation with the Dolphins perfectly. Taylor, by stating he has never sought a trade from the Dolphins and wants to play in Miami has, in my mind, effectivly made Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano into the bad guys in this situation. Taylor, who was runner-up on the ABC series "Dancing with the Stars" offended Fins management by, GASP, having a life outside of football. This is a situation that can still be mended, and I believe it will be. As the great Mike Ditka said yesterday "it makes no sense to get rid of your best player when you were 1-15."

All reports out of Chicago right now make it seem the quarterback situation is very, very dire. Rex Grossman quietly resigned to a one-year deal this off-season, in the hopes to have one last chance to become the quarterback in Chicago. To challenge him, the Bears have kept 3-year pro Kyle Orton in the mix. Neither has been good in mini-camps thus far. Both throw multiple interceptions in 7on7 drills according to reports, and neither has taken a positive step forward. The Bears have had two years to address this problem (it was clear after 2006 season Grossman was not the answer). But they have not. This is the situation they have created, and they have to deal with it. There is a very strong likelihood that this Bears defense will be remembered with the Rams of the 60's, the Saints of the 1980's and the Eagles of the late 80's, early 90's as elite defensive units who could never overcome their inept offenses.

In what has to be the most surprising cut of the off-season, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan parted ways with running back Travis Henry, citing chiefly his commitment to football. While many guys have fallen out of love with playing football, it is rare they demonstrate so overtly that it leads to their abrupt dismissal. Henry has been an unhappy player since his departure from Buffalo two years ago. Henry was signed to a 5-year, $22.5 million contract in the off-season, but hamstring injuries during the season and mini-camps have hampered him. Called an "inconsistent person," by Shanahan, who refused to elaborate. I am stunned by this move and the motivation behind it. There is likely a very good back story here that will come to light in the upcoming days.

The Philadelphia Eagles resigned their GM, Tom Heckert to a contract extension thru 2011. The signs are clear that the Eagles are very satisfied with their current roster situations and the men who have made it possible. Eagles fans have been critical for the last few years about the lack of offensive help for quarterback Donovan McNabb and running back Brian Westbrook, as the Eagles top draft picks have typically gone to the lines the last few off-seasons (the Kevin Kolb selection not withstanding). The window for the Eagles as a contender may be closing soon, but the Eagles feel they have the right people behind the scenes to keep it open for a least a few more seasons.

Former Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman now is suffering indefinite suspension following another positive drug test from the NFL. Thurman, cut two weeks ago by the Bengals for missing off-season workouts, had already served a two-year suspension for substance abuse. Reinstated earlier this year, his short lease was yanked for his tardiness at Bengals camp. His suspension demonstrates that the NFL's new player conduct policies are working well, and further actions may not be needed.

KINDERGARTEN IS IN SESSION


Roger Goodell and the NFL are going too far with punishing teams with troublesome players

Last week, the NFL enacted new enforcement that would fine the team when players violate the NFL player conduct policy. Players who face run-ins with law enforcement or partake in actions against the league policy will face punishments for themselves, and for their employers. Commissioner Roger Goodell, as of June 1st, will not allow teams with players who continually exhibit poor, and at time criminal behavior off the field to go unpunished.

And once again, Roger Goodell is just going way too far.

Since 2006, there have been over 60 some cases of NFL players having run ins with law enforcement. Just over a year ago, Goodell's office rewrote and strengthened the punishments for players who had continual violations of the league policy. For the most part, the moves were met with strong support from owners, coaches, fans, and even most players. Overlooking some of the Goodell's efforts to overreach his authority (like helping the Titans to stop Adam "Pacman" Jones from appearing on a pro wrestling show), the entire new approach has seemed to work well. Players have been suspended and cut by teams (Jones, Tank Johnson, Chris Henry), showing that no one is above the law.

But now that they are going after the teams themselves, Goodell is simply going too far. The players in the NFL are men. Nearly everyone is twenty-one years or older. In all legal standards of our society, these are fully grown men who need to deal with the consequences of their indiscretions. To begin fining their employers for the mistakes they make seems as impractical as fining Target or Sears for an employee who has a hit and run on their day off. It makes no sense to me. Playing in the NFL is a privilege, and the NFL has, rightly, taken measures to punish these men who they do wrong. Does Goodell expect to have these teams monitor these players 24/7? It is not, and should not, be the responsibility of teams to have to take that kind of punishment. Heck, losing a player for any length of time is punishment enough.

Supports of this measure are spouting inane rhetoric in my opinion. The fact that you draft a player out of college does not mean that they have become your responsibility on and off the field. Same goes for a player signed as a free agent. A team is picking up a player, not a child whom they are legally responsible to take care of. For every player, whether making league minimum or $100 million over ten years, off the field, they are responsible for themselves, not ownership or management. Teams will be more than willing to just let go of problem players. Pacman Jones and Tank Johnson were both released by their teams after offenses. Teams have demonstrated that they can govern their own house just fine, without the constant intervention from the league.

It is still unknown what extent or amount the fines will be against teams, but any amount is too much. Goodell has suggested deducting draft picks as a possible repercussion, a move that may be met with strong dissent. We continue to live in an era that levies blame for problems on the wrong places. NFL players are people like everyone else, and like everyone else, they make mistakes, and have been punished for them. But we have yet to ask ourselves the one big question here. Will this even work in deterring teams from drafting or signing perceived problem child players? While we cannot know for sure right now, all evidence and history would say no. Coaches and teams will still go after players who they believe will help their teams. In the late 90's, Rams coach Dick Vermeil was adamant is trying to help troubled running back Laurence Phillips during several legal bouts. Eventually, he did give up and Phillips was cut, but not before Vermeil made an honest, sincere effort. Should Vermeil and the Rams have been fined for continually attempting to help this young man who they drafted?

This then leaves us with the situation that the commissioners office is threatening teams from going after players who may truly want to change their ways. Former Viking great Cris Carter battled numerous problems with drugs and alcohol early in his career, a situation that, given the new policy, would scare off teams from ever going near him. But he was able to turn his life around, and became one of the greatest wide receivers the game has ever known. Ironically, Carter is among the strongest proponents of Goodell's new measures. Given today's NFL climate, I find this surprising as Carter would perhaps not be signed by many teams today.

I cannot say for sure what the effect this policy is going to have, if any, on the current NFL landscape.


TOP DOGS

A few notes about last week's wide receivers list. I just knew that I was going to receive some criticism for keeping Andre Reed out of the top 10, and I did. An old friend, and avid Bills fan, sent me a lengthy (and polite) assessment of why I was very, very wrong. But I stick by my judgment. Reed was undoubtedly one of the best players of the era from 1988-1996, one of many dominate wide receivers. But, like all the players, certain red flags did arise. While some of the players longevity of dominance was not particularly long (Elroy Hirsch), their impact on the game of football, especially for the older generation, came into importance. Reed was the best receiver on the best team of the AFC for years, no doubt. It would be easy to argue that if the Bills had managed to win just one of those Super Bowls (and boy, they deserve to) that they would be held in the same regard as the Steelers of the 1970's or the Packers of the 1960's.
While Reed's career numbers are truly great: 13,198 yards, 87 TD's, and 951 career catches, they cannot define the whole player. His longevity as an elite receiver was shorter than others on the list, including TO. He went to seven straight Pro Bowls from 1988-1994, and was named to just one All-Pro team. After 1994 was always just a consistent, very good player, not great. Over the course of his last 5 seasons (I will leave out his injury shortened 1995 campaign), Reed averaged 50 receptions and 670 yards through the receiving. So, without those last five seasons, he would have maintained a career of 700 receptions and fewer than 10,000 yards receiving. Great numbers for sure, but not nearly as great as what people are painting them to be. Jerry Rice on the other hand was effective all the way through the 2002 season, the 18th of his career.

As for Chad Johnson. If I were to give him an honorable mention, I might as well give one to Herman Moore of the Detroit Lions in the mid-1990's, who was as much an impact player as Johnson was at this point in Johnson's career. Could he eventually attain a higher status? Sure, but not yet. Only 6 very good to great seasons on an average team. Not yet, and especially not over the other honorable mentions.


This week, we will stick with the offensive side of the ball and look at the top ten running backs of all time. The interesting thing about this list was how easy it was to assemble the players on the list. The first 8 names just rolled right out, and the real difficulty was figuring where to rank them. The honorable mention list was very difficult as well. Running back has been such a vital aspect of the game since its inception, while wide receivers (and to some small extend, quarterback) are products of the passing game, which is younger than the rushing game. So, this honorable mention list is longer than most others will be.


Honorable Mention- Jim Thorpe, Marcus Allen, Red Grange, Steve Van Buren, Lenny Moore, Terrell Davis(his three season stretch of 1996-98 was as dominate as anyone on this list.), and in the same vein as Davis, Priest Holmes.

TIE

10.) Marshall Faulk Indianapolis Colt (1994-1998) St. Louis Rams (1999-2006)

Initially, he was going to be left out of the top 10 in favor of Tony Dorsett, but I simply could not choose between them, so here they both are. Faulk was the most dangerous offensive weapon any team could muster. As a rusher and receiver (12,279 and 6,875 respective career totals), Faulk was known as one of the NFL's best players, but far from legendary until 1999. In that year, he was traded to the St. Louis Rams, and with a match made in football heaven, he helped make history. From 1999 to 2001, he accumulated three consecutive 2000 yard+ seasons, highlighted by his award winning 1999 campaign where he rushed for 1,381 yards and received 1048 yards. The Rams, known then as "The Greatest Show on Turf," would go on to win a Super Bowl that year. He would win the MVP award the next season in 2000, and lead to Rams to another Super Bowl in 2001.


10.) Tony Dorsett Dallas Cowboys (1977-1987) Denver Broncos (1988)

The prototypical NFL running back, Tony Dorsett dominated every level of competition he competed in. The only football player to; win a Heisman Trophy, a collegiate national title, a Super Bowl, and be enshrined in both the College and NFL Hall of Fames, Dorsett knew how to impress. Through his 12,739 career rushing yards, Dorsett demonstrated a patience and intelligent seen in few other players. Running, more than any other position, is instinctive more than scientific. Dorsett was the perfect complement of both those approaches. His deliberate approach to the line of scrimmage helped him achieve five rushes of 75-yards or more, including the unbreakable 99-yard touchdown, still an unmatched NFL record. He concluded his career with four Pro Bowls and five All-Pro selections, and held every major Cowboy record until Mr. Smith went to Dallas


9.) OJ Simpson Buffalo Bills (1969-1977) San Francisco 49er's (1978-1979)

A track star in football pads, OJ Simpson possessed some of the most enviable athletic gifts in NFL history. Perhaps the fastest of the entire top ten, Simpson combined great power and drive that led to 11,236 career rushing yards to go along with 61 touchdowns. No other back in NFL history has the same brilliant acceleration as he did when he saw the open field. That speed and power culminated in his brilliant 1972 campaign, where he rushed for a then-NFL record 2,003 yards. Though no one can ever see his name and not think of his trial and the aftermath of it, I will simply stay away from the whole thing and focus on the great player he was. Six times a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro five times, Simpson's place among football greats in unquestionable. The rest I leave to you.


Earl Campbell is the greatest power back in NFL history

8.) Earl Campbell Houston Oilers (1978-1985)

When 5'11", 232 lbs Earl Campbell came through the line, you had about as much of a chance stopping a Ford truck. The greatest power back in NFL history, Campbell was nearly impossible to bring down alone. It took a collective effort of wills to match Campbell's drive, desire, and strength. One of the best markers for a great player is when an opposition does everything to negate your effect, and you still deliver. Few did that better than Campbell. With five Pro Bowls and four All-Pro seasons, Campbell was among the most feared ball carriers to ever done a uniform. His 9,407 career rushing yards (6,457 of which came in his first four seasons) were gained with little flash, and a lot of grit. Seeing him today is a sad sight, as years of football have taken a dire effect on his body. He left it all on the field, and we should all be proud to have witnessed it.

7.) LaDainian Tomlinson San Diego Chargers (2001-present)

He easily makes this list, and there is likely more that will be written about his career when it is finally over. Highly regarded when he was drafted 5th overall out of TCU, Tomlinson held the unenviable title of a great player on a terrible team for the first four years of his career. He has already garnered six All-Pro seasons and five Pro Bowl invitations in his 7 year career. At 5'10", 220 lbs., he possesses great power, vision, burst, and determination that has made him the best offensive player in the NFL this decade. His 34 touchdown performance (28 rushing, 3 receiving, 3 passing) in the 2006 season earned him an MVP award, and ranks as one of the greatest single seasons in NFL history. San Diego has been a perennial Super Bowl contender for the last 5 years, and Tomlinson has been at the center of that. With three more years of production like this, he will be a top five all-time. Until then, here he sits, already among the greatest to ever play the game.


6.) Eric Dickerson Los Angeles Rams (1983-1987) Indianapolis Colts (1987-1991) Las Angeles Raiders (1992) Atlanta Falcons (1993)
It is truly remarkable how often in the discussion of greatest NFL backs; Dickerson's name can be easily forgotten. Playing in a great era of running backs, with Walter Payton, Marcus Allen, Earl Campbell, and Tony Dorsett, Dickerson, in terms of performance, impact, and production, is second to no one in NFL history. The second pick in the legendary 1983 NFL draft (6 Hall of Fame players), Dickerson was an immediate impact player. With sprinter speed and quicker than a hiccup, Dickerson could glide like a gazelle. He loathed contact, and because of his speed, he rarely had to deal with it. He has held the single season rushing record for 24 seasons now, when, in 1984, he rushed for 2,104 yards. While he was never able to win a championship in his career (half of the running backs on the list did, or have not either), he finished his brilliant career with 13,259 yards and 96 touchdowns to go along with six Pro Bowls and 5 All-Pro selections.


5.) Gale Sayers Chicago Bears (1965-1971)

One of the most important facets of any great NFL player is longevity. Not just sustaining top flight performance for a number of seasons, but also avoiding injury as well. For the most part, players with such short careers do not often make all-time great lists. But then again, most players aren't Gale Sayers. His career would last a scant five seasons. Two of those seasons were basically null and void due to injury. So that leaves five seasons of production. How can that warrant his inclusion? Anyone who asks that has never seen film of Sayers. Four Pro Bowls and Five All-Pro seasons help cement him as one of the elite backs of the era. Sayers recorded 22 touchdowns in his rookie season alone. He also holds an NFL record for three Pro Bowl MVP awards, in the day when that was a real game, not the two hand touch it is today.

4.) Emmitt Smith Dallas Cowboys (1990-2002) Arizona Cardinals (2003-2004)

Say what will, the man just got the job done better than anyone else. Football is at its core about production. Stats, but more importantly, wins. No one did those two things better than Emmitt Smith. He was never the quite the quickest, never the fastest, or the strongest. He was just really good at well, just about everything. With near supernatural vision and great tackle breaking ability, Smith was the most important player on one of the NFL's greatest dynasties. The NFL's all-time rushing king, Emmitt Smith ran roughshod over opposing defenses on his way to 18,355 yards (on 2,999 attempts) and 174 touchdowns. His 78 100 yard performances is a record unmatched in NFL history, topping the great Walter Payton by one game. Eight Pro Bowls and six All-Pro awards were nothing compared to the big prize, three time Super Bowl winner with the Cowboys. He was MVP in for the Super Bowl XXVIII. Those who argue that he was a product of great offensive lines are asinine. Smith was one of the best players to ever put a football in his hand.


3.) Walter Payton Chicago Bears (1975-1987)

Perhaps no other single football player captured the hearts and minds of the great city of Chicago more than Walter Payton. "Sweetness," as he was known was a polite, charitable, well-respected family man. But that was off-the field. On the field, well, he knew how to lay down the beatings very well. His 5'10", 200 lbs frame was a model of his character; hard working, disciplined, and full of desire. After 13 seasons, Payton had accumulated every major career record for an NFL back at the time; 16,726 rushing yards, 110 touchdowns, and 77 100-yard rushing games. Nine times he was named to the Pro Bowl. Nine times he was made an All-Pro. For the first eight seasons of his career, he played on sub-par Bears teams. With the addition of new coach Mike Ditka, who would later call Payton "the most complete football player I ever saw," the Bears became a contender. Payton's Bears would win Super Bowl XX against the Patriots, ending the decade of frustration Payton had endured. His tragic death from cancer in 1999 robbed the world of a great man, but still left us with a legacy and role-model we can all admire

2.) Barry Sanders Detroit Lions (1989-1998)

He was simply like no one else. My personal favorite player of all time, Barry Sanders could do thing with his legs that would make the Cirque Du Soleil performers take notice. The jukes, the jives, the sudden bursts and explosions were just sights to behold. He was a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro every year of his career. For ten brilliant seasons in Detroit, Sanders dominate the running back position. With an uncanny quickness and change of direction, Sanders amassed 10 straight thousand yard seasons, finishing his career with 15,269 yards, 107 touchdowns, and a remarkable 5.0 yards-per-run average. His abrupt retirement before the 1999 season stunned the football world, as he was just 1400 yards from becoming the all-time rushing king. But stats didn't matter the Barry, it was all winning, which Detroit just couldn't do well with him. He would be a first ballot Hall of Fame selection in 2004

1.) Jim Brown Cleveland Browns (1957-1965)

He was a close to perfection as anyone could ever be in sports. His name alone can surmise reverence, awe, and fear. Jim Brown is, and likely will forever be, the greatest running back in NFL history. His body seemed to be carved by Zeus himself. This list has seen a plethora of great players who all possess great attributes. There is the power of Earl Campbell, the speed and acceleration of OJ Simpson, the burst and lightning quickness of Gale Sayers, and the almost superhuman moves of Barry Sanders. Brown was a combination of all these men. Power, speed, agility, vision, any measurable and immeasurable standard you can come up with, Brown is at or near the top for all of them. That almost emotionless way he played, looking hurt and beaten after ever snap, was simply a mask for the drive within. In his legendary nine year career, he obtain an almost god like status among fans, players, and coaches. Nine times a Pro Bowler, and nine times named to the All-Pro team, he would accumulate 12,312 career rushing yards in his career to go along with a 5.2 yards per carry average. That folks is more than half a first down, every time he carried to football. The MVP three times (1957, 1958, 1965), he would dominate his position better than any other player before or since. In stunning retirement in after the 1965 season to pursue acting and community service was unfortunate for football fans. But what he left in his time can never, and will never be forgotten. Jim Brown, the greatest running back in NFL history.


Jim Brown remains the epitome of greatness in the NFL. Perhaps the greatest player in NFL history

For future consideration- Larry Johnson (Kansas City Chiefs), Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings).

That's going to do for this week. Have a good one folks, stay safe.