Okay, I know that Emmitt's O-line was way better than Barry's, but I think it's definitely revisionist history and romanticizing of Barry when I hear about how godawful the Lions' O-line was back then.
That O-line was good enough to make Erik Kramer & Scott Mitc look like halfway competent passers. I know having Herman Moore & Brett Perriman helps any QB, but you've still gotta have time to throw the football.
I'm not saying Detroit had a great, or even a good line. But the revisionist history of "Barry did all that with the worst line in NFL History, he'd probably get 3000 yards a season with Emmitt's line" is just not true.
Barry didn't have the discipline to follow his assignment or the vision to know where holes would open up. He made up for it with superhuman agility. He is absolutely one of the greatest of all time, and definitely the most exciting player in NFL history, but I would put Emmitt right at his level as far as "greatness" goes.