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[sonorajim]

Imagine if Emmit Smith was as big and in some cases bigger than the OL he played with and DL he played against. Cause that was the situation for Jim Brown. He was a man among boys every game. LIterally

Jim Brown was 6-2, 232 lbs. Emmitt was smaller and ran behind a far bigger, stronger OL.
If Emmitt was 6-4, 320 he'd have been an OL.

[jamrock]

That's a defensible opinion, although I don't share it with you.

Lawrence Taylor was a more disruptive defender than ANYbody else I've seen play. But Lawrence was such a loaded gun, I'd still take Reggie White over him.

At the time, I thought it was pretty clear that Reggie White was better than Bruce Smith. Seems like there are more people who disagree with that NOW than there were THEN.

If I was building a defense from scratch, I'd start with Rey Lewis

[jamrock]

Good stats to show how starkly better Barry was.

Also, Barry was the offense. His QB’s were Rodney Pete, Scott Mitchell, Charlie Batch, and Andre Ware. All opponents had to do was focus on stopping Barry.

Emitt had Troy Aikman throwing to Michael Irvin. Troy was Emmitt’s QB for 12 years. Barry only played 10 years with crappy QB’s. This stuff matters.

There’s no comparison.

Barry Sanders was a magician.
Jim Brown was a mauler.
OJ had that glide.
LT, AP and Walter all belong in the conversation

[sonorajim]

If I was building a defense from scratch, I'd start with Rey Lewis

Not bad. Lawrence Taylor was probably better. I was a big fan of Dick Butkus.
How about Jr Seau? Mike Singletary?
Looks like the RB discussion to me.

[Boltinloudguy]

We're getting lost in this debate with hypotheticals and terminology.....

I'll just end it with this... Emmitt Smith had the greatest career of all time at the RB position.

Only because he played 3-5 years longer than the other RBs, just to add to his total. Just because he played longer, doesn’t mean it was a better career IMO. Don't get me wrong, Emmitt was great, just not the best.

[dmac_bolt]

Emmitt had some of the best offensive lines any running back has ever had, period...I think he was a very good back, he was efficient, sneaky quick and powerful for his size but he had some amazing offensive lines, I can only imagine what Sanders or Tomlinson could've done with those lines!

Barry and Walter played 1 on 11 for far too much of their careers. 100% agree, Emmitt was an above average good RB with the best situation by far. He couldn’t wear Barry or Walter’s cleats imo. Not even LTs.

[jamrock]

Not bad. Lawrence Taylor was probably better. I was a big fan of Dick Butkus.
How about Jr Seau? Mike Singletary?
Looks like the RB discussion to me.

jr is right there for me.

and yes, it's like the RB discussion. No right or wrong answers. As a Charger fan watching guys like Jr and LT was a treat and worth the ticket price even when the team was bad

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

If I was building a defense from scratch, I'd start with Rey Lewis

Difficult choice to argue with.

[dmac_bolt]

Omarian is very comparable to Emmit Smith .... but not to LT.
I doubt Emmit gets drafted above Omarian in today's NFL, knowing what he had done in Dallas ... too small and too slow.

Someone here said that Emmit's Oline was not great?

Eric Williams was a HOF candidate if not for the car accident injuries ... still played in pro bowls after it.
Nate Newton was a 2 time All Pro and played in 6 pro bowls
Mark Steponowski was a 3 time 2nd team All Pro (2 with the Cowboys)

and of course Larry Allen, but there were others, along with a HOF QB and receiving weapons so that they couldn't push everyone in the box.

I agree, these details matter for an honest assessment vs blind allegiance to stats accumulated. I watched Barry and Payton playing the entire defense 1 on 11 and they were far more impressive imho.

[DerwinBosa]

Difficult choice to argue with.

For most, it's between Ray Lewis and Dick Butkus for who's the greatest middle linebacker of all time. I happen to think Lewis was too reliant on the defensive linemen occupying blockers in front of him so he could run free. I remember a Monday Night game against the Chiefs, in which Lewis was whining about the defensive linemen in front of him because Kansas City's offensive line was roughing him up. Lewis sure had it easier when the 700-pound duo of Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa were in front of him for that legendary 2000 Ravens defense.

[21&500]

I know I'm biased but I'd start my defense with Jr. Seau.
I think overall he is a better individual player than Ray and just as much a leader in his own way.
If Jr plays his prime on a championship quality roster there is a good chance he becomes a defensive GOAT.

[Bolts4ever213]

Debating greats… E. Smith is the LeBron James of running backs. Who did we acquire, cause that’s why I come here?