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career. This goggle wearing halfback from SMU, set a rookie single season rushing record his first year in the league, when he gained 1,808 yards in 1983. Dickerson followed that mark with an NFL record of 2,105 yards in 1984, a mark that still stands. During the decade Dickerson would go on to win 3 NFC and 2 AFC rushing titles, finishing his impressive career with 13,259 yards rushing. While other player had exceptional seasons in the 80's, the decade clearly belonged to Dickerson.

1990's:

Emmitt Smith (1990-2004): If greatness is measured by a combination of statistical achievements and championships won, few could begrudge Emmitt's high place on this list. The holder of the NFL's all time rushing record with 18.355 yards, Smith also won three Super Bowl rings with the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990's. Noted for having an ultra competitive heart, the durable Smith excelled at the position by blending speed, power, and balance, with great vision. Among his crowing statistical achievements are 164 career rushing touchdowns, and 78 games in which he ran for over 100 yards. A tribute to his durability is the record 4,409 times that Smith ran with the ball in a regular season games.

Barry Sanders (1989-1998): On the other hand, if greatness is measured by unparallel skill on the football field, a case could be made for Barry Sanders. The 5' 8" Sanders, who holds the college football record for most rushing yards gained in a season, was a highly gifted and instinctive runner whose performance sometimes defied description. This former Heisman trophy winner was a prolific rusher who gained 15,269 yards during his career. Had he not decided to cut his career short for personal reasons, it is a safe bet that Sanders, not Smith, would be ranked first in career rushing yards. Unlike Smith who played most of his career on championship caliber teams, Sanders' career was spent with the lowly, and often one dimensional Detroit Lions. Still, this skilled runner chalked up 10 Pro Bowl appearances and was NFL MVP in 1997 when he led the league in rushing with 2,051 yards. Sportswriter Paul Zimmerman wrote that, "Nobody has ever created such turmoil at the point of attack as Sanders has," a high tribute for this one of a kind runner.

2000's:

LaDanian Tomlinson (2001-2007): There should be little dispute as to who the greatest runner of this decade is. Picking off where Smith and Sanders left off, Tomlinson has been as steady and prolific a back as the NFL has seen. With a penchant for the end zone, Tomlinson set a league record in 2006 with 31 total touchdowns. A highly versatile back, LaDanian can score on runs, and receptions, as well as throw the occasional touchdown pass. Already, in his brief seven year career, Tomlinson has amassed 10,650 yards rushing and scored 115 touchdowns. At the pace he is on, look for Tomlinson to surpass all but Smith, and Payton on the all time rushing list.

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