Eh let's not get ahead of ourselves. Yes, Emmitt played with a great offensive line, but don't take anything away from Emmitt. His ability to see plays unfold before they happened, along with his patience to wait for the hole to open, then his timing to hit the hole at the perfect time, his discipline to follow his blockers, they all played a huge part in his success.
I don't know if Barry had that same discipline and vision. Granted, I watched Emmitt 16+ games a year, and Barry maybe three or four games a year. I just don't like it when people attribute all of Emmitt's success to his line, as if any asshole could run for 1500 yards with that line. We all saw how ty the Cowboys played when Derrick Lassic or Sherman Williams had to sub in for Emmitt. Emmitt had superb discipline, vision, and intelligence on the field, perhaps more than any other back ever.
There is no question that Emmitt played in a better organization and was surrounded by better talent. But it's pure conjecture to say Sanders would have done better as a Cowboy during the 90s. The signs point to yes, but we'll never know because it never happened.
Both deserve to be mentioned in the conversation of all-time greats. No need to knock one to prop up the other.
But there is no doubt that the Cowboys had a much better O-Line than the Lions did. It's hard to believe that Barry would have only maintained his stats with a better OL.
Not to mention a better qb, te, wr's, and fullback.
Barry was incredible, but Emmitt was the perfect back for Jimmy Johnson's system. How would Barry have done in a system that demanded discipline and simplicity over creativity and risk-taking?
Emmitt basically ran two plays - run left through the line or run right through the line. He followed the blocking scheme and if the play was busted, he didn't do anything risky. Exactly what Jimmy Johnson wanted. I don't think Jimmy would have stood for all of Barry's negative yardage plays that he brought upon himself. Then again, he'd probably be pleased with him busting a 90 yard run from of a dead play. Either way, I doubt Jimmy's coaching style would have meshed with Barry's running style.
Emmitt would have done well anywhere, but he obviously was in the perfect situation for his abilities. Barry wasn't in the perfect situation, but I doubt Dallas would have been the perfect situation for him. I think it's really unfair to say Barry would have done better in Emmitt's situation, or that Emmitt wouldn't have done as well in Barry's.
Well, I dont think he was saying that he would do good if he was in Emmit's situation. I think he meant it more like, "imagine what he could have done with an OL the caliber of Dallas' OL"
IMO, Barry Sanders was the best pure runner ever. I think there were some better overall football players, but as far as just a pure runner...Barry was the best.
Even though I think there were better football players, to say he was overrated is just stupid. I am surprised SalPal didn't go on a 4 paragraph diatribe on how misunderstood and ignored by the HOF Wilbert Montgomery was.
I'm not saying that Barry would have necessarily been better than Emmitt with the Cowboys' line and peripheral players, just that he would have put up better numbers than he did in Detroit. Barry was probably the best ever once he got into the secondary and out into space. Having guys like Larry Allen and Nate Newton pulling in front of him definitely would have given him more opportunities to do that.
Would he have helped the Cowboys win more games than Emmitt did? That I will not and cannot say.
Surprisingly reasoned arguments by the Sanders' faithful. I expeced this to devolve into a all over Smith session, as these debates typically do. I think Spurs fans appreciate the value of team success over individual numbers enough to throw just a little respect Emmitt's way. Nicely done.
Barry wasn't overrated, and Emmitt ran behind a better line, but all of that aside...
Emmitt always showed up. Put 8 men in the box, make it as hard for him as possible, the defense still had to account for him and he'd give you at least 80 yards.
How many times would Barry end up with less than 30 yards from scrimmage? It just seems like here and there he'd get shut down or just not show up. You really can't say that about Emmitt.
Barry had 4 games, including the famed GB playoff game, where he totaled 30 yards or fewer from scrimmage.
Emmitt had 12 such games as a Cowboy.
Emmitt also hung around way past his prime. Barry had the good sense to go out on top.
I absolutely agree, I was not tying to Bring emmitt into the conversation, I was just using the Cowboys offensive line since it happened to be very very good. I think a lot of people would have a hard time running behind that O-line, you had to be patient and trust that the whole would open up, emmitt was very very good at this, the other guys that you mentioned would press to much and not give the line time to do their work. Also when it comes to Emmitt he did not have a great line for a lot of the 1000+ seasons.
Regardless I think if Barry would have had a line that good he would have been in a better situation, he would not of had to dance to get out out the backfield he would have been dancing to get pass the linebackers or the safety, would of had a lot more positive yardage.
STFU . Take your pessimistic know nothing ass right the out of this forum. Why would anyone on Emmitt and what the does it have to do with being a Spurs fan?
I ing hate the Spurs and I wouldn't dare on the all time rushing yards leader. I ing hate these philisophical bull posts that people put in here.
You're the same ass clown that wishes a celebrity a happy birthday in the club forum.
Um. What? It doesn't surprise me that you went to the trouble to post in this thread and the above is all you could muster.
Just about any Barry Sanders discussion inevitably becomes an attempt by some Lions fans to discredit Emmitt's numbers due to his superior team. Spurs fans, at least around here, appreciate the value of team success more than some others.
Don't like my posts? Click the X.
I've posted maybe three times ever in the club forum. You must be thinking of someone else. Wake me if you bring anything of value to the discussion.
LMAO johnsmith what the is irritating your vagina?
must be pissed that jay cutler is your QB.JAY CUTLER
I hate the Cowboys. Always have and always will, but I will say this....
Emmitt is one of the greatest RBs in history. Despite what line he had, what other weapons were around him, etc. He was just ing amazing at the position. But the things Barry could do were just ing incredible. I think they are both equally as great. Both in the top 5 RBs in history.
Oh yeah...
the Cowboys!!
Barry is the only football they had in for about 30 years
Took MJ99 1,604 posts to finally post something true.
Slow progress, but progress nonetheless.
I bet he's frustrated Cutler isn't his QB now.LMAO johnsmith what the is irritating your vagina?
must be pissed that jay cutler is your QB.
I just know the Bears gave up too much for him.
I'm putting together a long, and I do mean LONG, debate about both running backs that I will post on here as soon as I'm finished. I have been working on it for about 3 weeks. It took that long, mainly because of the research that I had to do to point out the common misconceptions between the two. I'll have it on here sometime today.
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