by Mighty-Pen

Created on: June 10, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Barry Sanders was the better career running back. If I had to choose between Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith, I would go with Barry. Emmitt played on a much better team. His supporting cast was "leap years" better than the Lions' teams that Barry played on. Emmitt had better blocking, passing, catching, and defense. Emmitt didn't have to be the "one" many teams keyed on to stop. Emmitt had Troy Aikmann, and Michael Irvin to occupy the defenses attention.

Yes, Emmitt was a consistent, grinding, gritty, shifty-nifty back, that was built rugged and durable. He ran behind his blockers. Emmitt had loads of heart and fortitude. He had everything you could want in a back, patience, good eyes, ability to break tackles, and power. But he couldn't hold a candle to the pure skills and athleticism that Barry Sanders possessed. Here is why I say that...

Barry Sanders was an "escape artist". You could not tackle him in a phone booth! He was as quick and shifty as they come. Wait a second, I used that line for Emmitt; but Barry was ten times more shiftier than Emmitt! Barry had gears and functions that Emmitt's model didn't have. Emmitt was the nascar, and Barry was the Lamborghini.

Barry found the endzone as if he had "radar" attached to it. If Barry had the same line blocking for him, that Emmitt had, he would have left the game on top. Sanders would have done things that Jim Brown didn't accomplish. Barry might have left the game larger than the great Jim Brown. The Lions were mostly one dimensional on offense. Barry was their feature, he was their "high light", and all teams had to do was "key" on Barry. Barry averaged more yards per carry than many of the all time greats. I can recall him averaging over six yards a carry at times throughout his career. The man was phenomenal! He was so elusive, and quick, you couldn't get your hands around him to make the tackle. He had moves like no other, since Gale Sayers.

Barry constantly led the league in average yards per carry, and most rushing yards in a season. He was a pro-bowl lock. If you younger people think that Ladamian Tomlinson is the "real deal", you would love Barry Sanders. He was LT with a wider array of moves and cuts. Oh yes, he'd see that whole, cut at just the right time, and angle, that you would wonder, how he saw, what he saw. Barry would leave you wondering, "how did he do that". I'll tell you ti seem like he used "radar" out there sometimes on the field.

Barry cut his career short because he didn't have the support to endure, and be competitive with the winners in the NFL. Emmitt was able to last longer in the league because he was on a winner, and his career was helped by having a better team mates.

We would not have to entertain this question, if Barry had a better team around him. He would have been far more productive than Emmitt and left his mark as one of the top backs to ever play the game. That would put him in the company of Brown, Sayers, Simpson, and Payton, without question.

Learn more about this author, Mighty-Pen.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.