Saturday Night Five: Favorite Running Backs

[sanjosefuji]

Walter Payton, Jim Brown, Earl Campbell. They're some of the greatest running backs of all-time. But the fact is... they don't crack my top 5. In fact, they don't even get an honorable mention.

It's simple... they were a little before my time. Sure, I've seen highlight films that make me appreciate what they've brought to the sport. However, my list only includes players I've followed since I became a NFL fanatic back in the early 80's.

So let's start things off with three backs who just missed the list:

The Nigerian Nightmare and Beast Mode himself. Anyone else appreciate a quality power back?

Alright... my top 5:

#5 Shaun Alexander

Alexander holds nearly every Seahawks single and career franchise rushing record. During his eight seasons with the Hawks, the team went to the playoffs five times and had a 69-54 record.

#4 Eric Dickerson

The guy rushed for 2,105 yards in his second season and wore goggles like Kareem. Heck yeah, I thought Dickerson was cool.

#3 Barry Sanders

No doubt... the best running back I've ever watched. He's seriously in a league of his own.

#2 Bo Jackson

Fuji knows Bo, because Bo single-handedly destroyed my favorite team on Monday Night Football during his rookie season. It was one of the greatest performances I've had the (dis)pleasure of witnessing. He left me no choice, but to bow down and idolize him. Bo = Beast.

#1 Curt Warner

Surprised? Let me explain. As a kid, he was my favorite running back on my favorite team. Sentimental pick? No doubt. And it's quite possible that he'll still be my number one in twenty years too.


Okay... it's your turn.

Who are your five favorite running backs?

Remember... they don't necessarily have to be the five greatest running backs of all-time. Although I'd love to hear those responses too.


Enjoy the rest of your weekend and sayonara!

More...

[ucffans]

For me, just missing the cut would be Gerald Wilhite. Most people won't know him, but he was a back up for the Broncos in the late 80's. When he scored a TD, he would do a back flip in the end zone.

5. Earl Campbell - he crushed defenders. I watched him towards the end of his career, but he was still awesome to watch.
4. Terrell Davis - Hard runner, classy guy, helped the Broncos finally win a Super Bowl!
3. Thurman Thomas - made the Bills a legitimate SuperBowl team with a strong running game. Had Nor"wide" made that first FG, the Bills would be looked at in a different light.
2. Sammy Winder - favorite team growing up was the Broncos. There should have been 10 different guys who beat him out for the starting job, but he always held on to it!
1. Barry Sanders - best running back of my generation. Exciting to watch, fantastic plays out of no where! When he scored a touchdown, he would just hand the ball to the ref.

[hayn]

Well, Mrs. Toshi's favorite is Darren Sproles and Ray Rice. She can't believe the stature of these two RB as they break away and make plays throughout the game!

My current favorite is Marshawn Lynch, Skittles? Beast Mode? What else can be said!

As for times of yor. My goal is to acquire a rookie card of Barry Sanders and Jim Brown. Two of the most extremely humble men that played the game.

[bcw716]

I'm grew up in the late 80's & 90's so my 5 faves are a little newer.

5. Bo Jackson-dude was a beast. I remember watching the game where he scored & kept on running down the tunnel. I though that was the coolest thing as a 4, 5, 6 yr old. What could have been...
4.Marshall Faulk-Colts years were great but the Greatest Show on Turf years were awesome. Total Dual threat through the air & on the ground
3. LaDainian Tomlinson-A bit of a homer pick here as I'm a TCU supporter but he's vastly underrated in his accomplishments & standing among the greatest running backs.

These two could be flip-flopped and will be forever linked but since I'm a Cowboys fan, no. 2 goes to:

2.Barry Sanders-he was just fun to watch. fast as heck & nobody will ever have those moves again.
1.Emmitt Smith-Top rusher of all time, hardest worker of any athlete I've ever seen. made the most of out his abilities

[sanjosefuji]

I totally remember Wilhite! SJSU graduate. Love the list... Sanders was part of my generation too!

For me, just missing the cut would be Gerald Wilhite. Most people won't know him, but he was a back up for the Broncos in the late 80's. When he scored a TD, he would do a back flip in the end zone.

5. Earl Campbell - he crushed defenders. I watched him towards the end of his career, but he was still awesome to watch.
4. Terrell Davis - Hard runner, classy guy, helped the Broncos finally win a Super Bowl!
3. Thurman Thomas - made the Bills a legitimate SuperBowl team with a strong running game. Had Nor"wide" made that first FG, the Bills would be looked at in a different light.
2. Sammy Winder - favorite team growing up was the Broncos. There should have been 10 different guys who beat him out for the starting job, but he always held on to it!
1. Barry Sanders - best running back of my generation. Exciting to watch, fantastic plays out of no where! When he scored a touchdown, he would just hand the ball to the ref.

Your wife has good taste. Both of those guys are part of my short athlete PC. Good luck finding those rookie cards. The 1989 Score FB set is one of my personal favorites.

Well, Mrs. Toshi's favorite is Darren Sproles and Ray Rice. She can't believe the stature of these two RB as they break away and make plays throughout the game!

My current favorite is Marshawn Lynch, Skittles? Beast Mode? What else can be said!

As for times of yor. My goal is to acquire a rookie card of Barry Sanders and Jim Brown. Two of the most extremely humble men that played the game.

I remember that Jackson run. As for the Greatest Show on Turf... you didn't have to be a fan of the Rams to be entertained by Bruce, Holt, Warner, and Faulk. Those guys were awesome!

I'm grew up in the late 80's & 90's so my 5 faves are a little newer.

5. Bo Jackson-dude was a beast. I remember watching the game where he scored & kept on running down the tunnel. I though that was the coolest thing as a 4, 5, 6 yr old. What could have been...
4.Marshall Faulk-Colts years were great but the Greatest Show on Turf years were awesome. Total Dual threat through the air & on the ground
3. LaDainian Tomlinson-A bit of a homer pick here as I'm a TCU supporter but he's vastly underrated in his accomplishments & standing among the greatest running backs.

These two could be flip-flopped and will be forever linked but since I'm a Cowboys fan, no. 2 goes to:

2.Barry Sanders-he was just fun to watch. fast as heck & nobody will ever have those moves again.
1.Emmitt Smith-Top rusher of all time, hardest worker of any athlete I've ever seen. made the most of out his abilities

[Melagoo]

1- Walter Payton
2 - Earl Campbell << Favourite Player ever!
3 - Jim Brown
4 - Terrell Davis
5 - Marcus Allen