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itself. Emmitt Smith had a natural sense for the end-zone and Cowboy fans and myself will remember Emmitt as a real pure-bread running back for the new millennium.

7. LeDanian Tomlinson LT as many call him is a touchdown machine. In the 2006-2007 season Tomlinson became the all-time leader with the most rushing touchdowns in a season. Tomlinson has the speed of Payton, the power like Emmitt and the ability to make you miss like Barry Sanders. This man will be the all-time leading rusher in NFL history, as long as he stays healthy. Oh yea, LT can pass the ball pretty darn good as well and that makes him even more dangerous around the end zone. Without LT the Chargers might as well be called the zappers because LT makes that team roll and without him they are no better than a average football team.

8. Jerome Bettis The "Bus" was a wrecking ball that drove through defenses. His body was built like a bus with his lower stature and big frame. He carried his teams on his back as if he needed too. No other running back could turn it on in the fourth quarter like Jerome Bettis. By the time the defense had played three quarters against Bettis they simply got worn out. His emotions were warn on his jersey and you knew when this guy was rolling toward the end-zone, many were fearful of his presence and determination to score. If the Steelers or Rams had the ball on the goal line there was a good chance, whether or not he had a great game rushing the ball, the bus would get the ball.

9. Earl Campbell Much like his predecessor of destruction Jim Brown, Earl Campbell ran through tackles as if his life depended on it. He would literally carry wimpy tacklers on his back as he marched down the field. No one and I mean no one got punished more when a defense had to face the Houston Oilers and Earl Campbell. If you catch Earl now on TV or in an interview you will see what I am talking about. Not to many risked his health and heart like Campbell and to forget Mr. Campbell on this list would be like forgetting Bart Star was a Packer.

10. Marshall Faulk The last member of my list is a Super Bowl MVP, a MVP in the regular season and just one of the best running backs ever. Marshall Faulk had it all, but perhaps his greatest strength was his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Faulk could line up against your best linebacker, defensive back or safety and still they would get burned badly. When Faulk first came to the St. Louis Rams he made that team Super Bowl caliber. He perhaps reignited Kurt Warner's career and has made coaches like Mike Martz and Dick Vermel offensive guru's. Now everyone in the NFL is looking for the next Marshall Faulk.

Learn more about this author, Kenneth Hofmann.
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