Top 10 Running Backs All-Time!

"Sweetness" The best to ever do it!

My list is skill set only! You don't have to look at stats to tell who was the best physically at running the football. Once again if you have to look at numbers you don't know running backs.

1. Walter Payton

"Sweetness"

2. Barry Sanders

"Mr Elusive"

3. Jim Brown

"Mr. Way Before His Time!"

4. Bo Jackson

"Bo Knows!"

5. O.J. Simpson

"The Juice"

6. Gayle Sayers

"The Kansas Comet"

7. Tony Dorsett

"The Speed Merchant"

8. Marshall Faulk

"The 1st dual threat"

9. Earl Campbell

"The Tyler Rose"

10. Eric Dickerson

"The Gazelle"

Now this list is in no particular order after the top two and many would argue that Barry should be at the top of the list. I could respect that. However, Walter did it for a longer period of time and played on a terrible team too. I can also hear the old timer's asking how in the world do you put Payton and Sanders ahead of Jim Brown?

Listen carefully, Jim played from 1957 to 1965 and there were very few African Americans playing during that era. He was 6'2" 232 lbs and pretty much the fastest and strongest guy on the field in every game he played. The average corner was 5'9" 165lbs and couldn't run him down. Would Jim had been as dominate if he were playing against guys like Deion, Rod Woodson or safeties like Jack Tatum etc. Players that could move as quickly as he could? Can't call it. However, I can't put him at the top of my list for that reason.

It's like saying that Babe Ruth was the best hitter ever and he didn't play against the best players in the world at the time. There were no Latin or African-American players playing when he was the king of baseball. Babe didn't line up against Satchel Paige or guys like that. Same argument with Jim Brown.

I‘m also hearing, "Why isn't the all-time leading rusher Emmit Smith on the list." Well he was the recipient of probably the best offensive line ever assembled and he played forever. He wasn't more physically gifted than the other guys.

Just think of what Walter or Barry would have accomplished during their careers if they were just on decent teams. Give me a break with the Emmit Smith argument! He wasn't very fast or elusive nor was his first step very impressive.

Bo Jackson was probably the most impressive physically of the group. No one possessed the size and speed that he did. He was 6'1" 220lbs and ran a 40-yard dash in a blistering 4.12 seconds (hand-timed), which is still the fastest verifiable 40-yard dash time ever recorded at any NFL Combine. Not to mention his ability to run through a guy at the mere sight of him. Just ask Mr. Steroid himself Brian Bosworth. Bo essentially ended The Boz’s career on Monday Night Football when he completely destroyed him at the goal line.

Many will question why I've got Marshall in the top 10 but those that know the game realize that he changed the running back position because of he was the first to catch the football out of the backfield. Without Marshall we wouldn't have the spread offenses that we've fallen so in love with over the past decade or so.

This is my list what is yours?

Holla At Ya Boy!
Jay Graves
Twitter:@jaygravesreport