OT: New to the board (Emmitt vs Barry)

[Nerm]

Let me start by saying I am a Cowboys fan... (pause for boos and insults). I have been reading this board for a while and I have to say Im impressed. This message board has a lot of knowledgeable fans who generally show respect for each others opinions.<br /><br />I noticed you guys discussing the Emmitt vs Barry debate and I thought I would add my 2 cents. I think Emmitt and Payton are the best RBs in history. Barry is the most exciting RB in history, but he is not a player I would want on my team. Every coach and OC that Barry ever had wanted him out of the game inside the 10 yard line or in short yardage situations. In my opinion, a player can not be considered one of the best RUNNING backs ever if he has to be taken out of the game in RUNNING situations. Although Emmitt is going to be most known for his all time rushing record, I think the rushing TD record is far more important, and this is a record he builds on every year. This is where Emmitt and Payton set themselves apart from the rest. They both ran hard, refused to go down, and had a passion for blocking. They were complete players who did whatever it took to get their teams in a position to win. (Note: although I am using Emmitt's name in the past tense, I think he is still a very good RB, just not a league MVP type player anymore).Whenever I watched the Lions it seemed like Barry would be chuging along in the 2nd half with a 1.5 yard per carry average until he broke a 60 yd TD run. He would kill most of Detroit's drives by dancing around in the backfield, Detroit would get way behind, their opponent would stop playing the run, Barry would break a long run and end up with a 6 ypc average. The stats look great, but he usually ended up on the loosing end of the game.<br /><br />A lot of Emmitt's detractors point to his OL and say that they made him great. For most of Emmitt's career, Dallas has used a run blocking scheme that allows the OL to push their opponents in whatever direction they want (much easier to do than traditional blocking). There is no specific hole the RB is supposed to run through, Emmitt just picks the biggest one and hits it. Without Emmitt's vision you cant run this blocking scheme. What I am saying is that Emmitt's ability to run this way makes the job of his OL much easier and hence makes them look better (Barry’s dancing around in the backfield made his OL look much worse). Dallas has had very solid OLs, but you have to ask yourself - Why has Dallas never had a RB (besides Emmitt) who looks even average behind that OL? Until last year there has always been a huge dropoff at the RB position when Emmitt left the game. This shouldnt be the case if the OL is making the RB instead of the other way around. <br /><br />As far as RBs go, Emmitt and Walter were the best. Jim Brown dominated more than either of them but he did it against smaller and slower players.

[daustin]

I'm not sure where Emmit ranks among the best of all time, but I do know this ... He consistantly KILLS us. Grass or turf, it doesn't matter.<br /><br />I will be VERY glad to see him pack it in.<br /> <br /> <small>[ March 18, 2002, 03:53 PM: Message edited by: SkinsMan ]</small>

[Die Hard]

Emmitt wasn't as flashy as Barry Sanders but he was equally elusive in the open field. Emmitt gave 100% and hit the holes hard. I respect that. Sanders was a little too finesse for my liking while waiting for holes to develop. Some call it 'patience' and 'vision'... I call it being 'chicken-sh!t'. There's a reason why Barry Sanders was taken out on 3rd and short yardage situations. Especially around the goalline area. Ask <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/profiles/stats/primary/2015.html" target="_blank">Tommy Vardell</a> <img border="0" title="" alt="[smile]" src="smile.gif" /><br /> <br /> <small>[ March 18, 2002, 04:39 PM: Message edited by: Die Hard ]</small>

[NavyDave]

I'll give Emmitt his props however I cant say the same about B Sanders who seemed to always become invisible in the playoffs especially against smashmouth teams.

[daustin]

I'm with you Dave.<br /><br />I can remember some BIG games Vs. the Skins (on grass) when guys like Barry and Eric D. disappeared.<br /><br />I wish I could same the same thing about Emmit.

[riggins44]

I'll take Riggins any day over Emmitt.

[Brave]

Welcome to the board, Nerm. We have a few good Cowboy fans already (Joe and Dale) so you won't be alone. <img border="0" title="" alt="[smile]" src="smile.gif" /> <br /><br />As I stated in the other thread, Sanders was a great runner. Probably as elusive a back as there has been. However, if you're talking COMPLETE running back he would rate behind Payton, Emmitt, Jim Brown and possibly even a few others. He's a first ballot HOFer, no doubt ... but if he cracked that top 5 all time it would be just barely. IMHO.

[Mickalino]

OUCH, Diehard !! Barry Sanders, a chicken-sh!t ?<br /><br />I guess that means, even if Skip Hicks ends up gaining another 10,000 yards, he'll STILL be a wuss in your book, ey ? <img border="0" title="" alt="[big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[JoeSkins]

Between the two: Barry<br /><br />Emmitt Smith is a class guy and a great RB, but he's still a cowboy and he has his best games against US. So, by bias, I think Barry was better...

[OrangeSkin]

I still think Barry was better. Smith is one of the best backs of all time, without a doubt. That's why there was such a huge dropoff when other backs came in, because they couldn't even compare to him. With Sanders' elusiveness and the power of the Cowboy's O-line, he would've been nearly unstoppable playing for them.

[TennesseeCarl]

Honestly, I thought O.J. Simpson was better than either Smith or Sanders. He had it all - the power and the moves.<br /><br /> My fear is that during some game in the 2029 season, the Cowboys will insert a wizened Emmit Smith (with leg braces) into the lineup vs. the Skins and he'll pick up 112 yards on 21 carries with no fumbles.