by Richard Butler

Created on: March 24, 2007   Last Updated: May 03, 2007

This is a much debated question amongst football fanatics...and of course everybody has an opinion. Is there a real answer or is it impossible to compare the greats of old with the athletes of today? Which criteria is the most important when judging who might be the best back of all. Does one rely on straight statistical merit, or should winning championships outweigh overall statistics? These are just a few questions that may come up during such a discussion.

So many names come to mind when considering which back deserves the title of best back ever such as Jim Brown, Gale Sayers, O.J. Simpson, Walter Payton, Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders, Roger Craig, Emmit Smith, Marshall Faulk, Jerome Bettis, Ladainlian Tomlinson, Marcus Allen and im sure im leaving out some names. I'd like to start the debate with a couple similar backs, Marshall Faulk and Roger Craig, both players were phoenomenal players who played on great teams (or at least Faulk did once traded to St. Louis) and both won championships. Roger Craig was the first back to ever gain 1,000 yards rushing and recieving in the same season and few have accomplished it since. Both were great all around backs that were ground threats as well as reciever out of the backfield though I dont think that either one could be considered the best ever but certainly greats though.

When looking back on greats such as Jim Brown and Gayle sayers their statistics are more impressive to me because back during their day teams played only twelve games as opposed to sixteen. I'm pretty sure Brown is still in the top five...I believe fourth but don't quote me. Despite walking away from the game at the peak of his prime and playing less games. I feel Brown is a strong contender for best back of all time, seldom has there been such a large and fast and all around talented player he passed caught and ran and even kicked for the Browns. Sayers was quite the opposite type of back smaller but fas as can be but also strong. He would spin and slice through entire defenses he was truly a great but he falls just short of Jim Browns greatness.

Many people will probably disagree with Jerome Bettis as a contender despite the fact that hes in the top ten. To overlook Bettis though would be nothing shy of criminal. Easily the most powerful running back ever to run in the NFL, while maybe not the fastest Bettis bulldozed defenders for ten plus seasons. Not since Earl Campbell has anyone ran with such authority...theres a name I forgot to mention.

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