I addressed why 1990 is the basis for all football related lists in The Most Dominant NFL Football Teams Since 1990
Although quarterback is unquestionably the most important position on the field – and I would argue in all of sports – many teams’ successes or failures hinge on the play of the person who generally touches the ball the second most – the running back.
Since 1990, the running back position has been radically redefined. No longer is the big lumbering sledge-hammer battering ram the template for running back, although it is still a necessary function. The days of “three yards and a cloud of smoke” are over. Of course, you will always need a bruiser for those tight games when somebody needs to hold onto the ball and eat up the clock, as well as those critical red zone moments when you need somebody to punch it in, despite the defense stacking the line with 300-plus pound genetic freak-men.
But with the advent of the west coast offense today’s running backs look more like Roger Craig than Earl Campbell, and this change requires that they have a wide array of skills. Today a running back must be able to run inside and outside the tackle, catch the ball out of the backfield, and block blitzing defensive players who usually weigh at least 25-30 pounds more than they do.
A small caveat, I believe that the past two decades have been the unquestionable renaissance of the running back. No other era has had this depth at the position. “Sweetness” was amazing, but nobody else from the 1980’s was at his level with the possible exception of Tony Dorset, but he was only truly dominant in brief bursts. I am not saying that OJ, Jim Brown, and other greats would not have been as amazing in today’s game, but consider that two men who had rushed for over 2,000 yards in a season – Jamal Lewis and Terrell Davis – are not on this list – they are not even in my top 8. In any other era one would be hard pressed to find many as dominant as these RB’s, in this era they are easily forgotten.
Also, as teams continue to search for a personnel edge the era of one starting running back may be coming to an end. More teams will continue to employ a two running back attack in the future, thus limiting the impact one RB will have on a team, so I think it is necessary to take a brief look back and acknowledge the best of the recent past before splitting time becomes the standard at this position.
Honorable Mentions:
These two players were so great that I could not completely ignore their careers.
Curtis Martin 1995- 2005 NY Jets, New England Patriots
Who is the 4th all-time in career rushing yards? Curtis Martin – I swear – no bullshit.
By many respects the most underrated player of his era; Martin’s career numbers are astonishing. Ten straight years with at least 1,000 yards rushing, 4 seasons with at least 1400 yards, over 3,000 career receiving yards, and over 100 career touchdowns. Martin was never dominate and his low key disposition kept him from becoming a major start despite playing a large chunk of his career in New York, but he was always effective – the very definition of a professional. His future will include wearing a yellow jacket and a speaking engagement in Canton, OH.
Thurman Thomas 1988- 2000 Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
Thurman Thomas killed my favorite team, the Miami Dolphins, so many times during his career in Buffalo that it pains me to acknowledge just how tremendous he was (I blame Thomas for single-handedly keeping Dan Marino out of the Super Bowl in the 1990’s), but I consider myself a quasi-journalist so I am duty bound.
Thomas, a Hall of Famer, was one of the first multiple skilled running backs to dominate the NFL and was the backbone of the 4 time AFC champion Buffalo Bills. Thurman was the first running back to be truly effective out of the shot-gun and he helped to usher in the era of RB’s making big gains without a full back clearing the way. He led the NFL in most yards from scrimmage from 1989 – 1992, including back to back years with over 2,000 total yards. He rushed for over 1,000 yards every year from 1989 – 1996 – not bad considering his team threw the ball all the time. Thomas also caught over 50 passes four times during this period and had nearly 500 receptions in his career.
And Thurman Thomas rocked the old school face-mask, which made him look more intimidating than Hillary Clinton at a campaign event. I still have nightmares of him scoring at will against the Dolphins in early 1990 playoff games.
To the list:
5. Jerome “The Bus” Bettis 1993 – 2005 La/Stl. Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers
In the era of the multi-skilled RB, the Bus was the throwback. Bettis comes from the same lineage of Bronco Nagurski, Larry Czonka, and Earl Campbell – gigantic beasts that sought to punish their opposition with their huge frames.
The best between the tackles runner of his generation, Jerome Bettis was built like a linemen, but was blessed with the footwork of a ballerina. Three times in his career he went for over 1,400 yards. Bettis had 8 years of over 1,000 yards and 91 career rushing TD’s. His 13,662 career yards are good for 5th on the all-time list. But more impressive than the Bus’ stats is his durability despite the fact he was responsible for more hits than The Beatles.
Bettis was the best “big back” of the era and was a consummate team player – especially when accepting a lesser role later in his career for the benefit of the team – and that is why he is on this list.
4. Emmitt Smith 1990 – 2004 Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals
I know placing the NFL’s all-time leader in rushing yards and rushing TD’s (164) 4th on my list is controversial. I know that many consider Emmitt the best that has ever played. I know, I know, I know…… but I have always thought Emmitt was overrated and benefited from circumstance.
The former NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP, was a part of three world championships. From 1991- 2001 Emmitt rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each season. During an amazing stretch from 1991 – 1995, Emmitt Smith led the NFL in rushing 4 times, he had two 1,700 yards seasons, he also had two seasons with 20-plus TD’s, and never rushed for less than 1,484 yards. Emmitt was also excellent in the passing game producing 4 seasons with more than 50 catches. And as I mentioned earlier, he is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, with 18,355 yards, while amassing an amazing 175 total touchdowns – second only to Jerry Rice. Smith was also a consummate professional – on a team of lunatics he was a rock and he should get an award for playing in that lawless environment and never getting caught with prostitutes or cocaine.
Here’s the rub, I think Emmitt’s numbers – as impressive as they are – could have been compiled by many different players if they had the luck of playing on the most dominant team of the generation. Smith’s line featured at least 2 Hall of Famers, he had a hall of fame QB and wide receiver, as well as a dominate defense that made sure the Cowboys did not have to throw the ball too often giving Smith plenty of carries. Emmitt’s greatness is more a reflection of a team than an individual. He was a product of environment. I stand by this statement.
3. Marshall Faulk 1994 – 2005 Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams
No player epitomizes the evolution of the running back position over the past two decades better than Marshall Faulk.
Faulk was the best overall player on the field throughout his career. With breakaway speed, soft hands, and a willingness to block, Faulk was the perfect compliment to any offense. The only reason the “greatest show on turf” was able to reach the zenith of professional football was because they had Marshall Faulk. He made Kurt Warner a MVP, Mike Martz an offensive genius (like it is really that tough to decide we are going to give the ball to this guy, anyway we can, 30 times a game), he made numerous defensive coordinators alcoholics, and Dick Vermeil a crying pussy. Simply, opponents had to pick their poison because in his prime Marshall Faulk was un-guardable – too fast for linebackers and too tough for defensive backs.
His prime was from 1998 to 2002. During this period, Marshall Faulk had at least 80 catches a season. That is an amazing stretch for a wide receiver and unheard of for a running back. During the same stretch, Faulk rushed for at least 1300 yards and accumulated at least 750 yards receiving each year. In 1999 Faulk rushed for 1,381 yards and had 1,048 yards receiving. In 2000 Faulk had 26 touchdowns and in 2001 he had 21. Marshall Faulk rushed for over 12,000 career yards and had nearly 7,000 career receiving yards along with 136 total touchdowns.
As the running back continues to evolve into a hybrid position Marshall Faulk should be the standard that all other multi-purpose backs are judged on because he was dominate at all aspects of the game. If I was building a team from scratch, Marshall Faulk would be my starting RB because he could do so much so well.
2. LaDainian Tomlinson 2001 – 2007 San Diego Chargers
Sometimes it is difficult to truly appreciate watching a master in his prime. You do not have the opportunity to reflect upon dominance when you are in the midst of it because people are busy over analyzing, addressing slight flaws, and just plain hating, mainly because he isn’t on their team. But LaDainian Tomlinson has already established himself as one of the best football players ever. Now he is embarking upon the task of becoming the consensus greatest football player who ever lived, and if he keeps up with his current pace he just may do it. Memo to Jim Brown, this guy is after your legacy minus the whole throwing a woman off a balcony thing.
Does everybody remember how terrible the Chargers were before Tomlinson? Behind Tomlinson the Chargers have become a perennial division leader and legitimate Super Bowl contender.
LaDainian Tomlinson has played in 111 career games and has scored 129 touchdowns. He is already third all-time in career rushing TD’s – behind Marcus Allen and Emmitt – with 115 in seven seasons. Since entering the league in 2001, LT has rushed for at least 1230 yards, caught at least 51 passes, and scored at least 10 TD’s in every season. He has led the NFL in rushing the past two seasons and has had three seasons of more than 1600 yards rushing. In 2006 Tomlinson set the NFL record with 31 touchdowns in a season. In 2003 he had 100 receptions. And perhaps the most impressive aspect of Tomlinson’s resume is his passing line, 8 of 11, 143 yards, 7 TD’s and a passer rating of 154. There is truly nothing that LT can not do.
To steal an ad slogan from Nike, we are all witnesses to one of the best football players to ever put on the helmet.
1. Barry Sanders 1989 – 1998 Detroit Lions
He has become a myth; a legend more akin to a character in an epic poem written by a blind Greek than a football player. He walked away at the top of his game – just one good year away from becoming the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. Since then he has disappeared. He has become the JD Salinger of football. His legend will only grow and grow as time elapses, thank god there will be game tape so younger generations will know that he was real. He was simply the greatest football player I ever had the pleasure of watching. Nobody will ever be like him. Nobody will ever be Barry Sanders.
In 1988 an undersized running back from Oklahoma State shattered the NCAA record books while completing the most dominant year in the history of college football. On his way to the Heisman Trophy, Barry Sanders rushed for 2,682 yards averaging 7.6 yards a carry, accumulated 3,249 total yards, scored 39 touchdowns (37 on the ground) and had four 300 plus yard games – all NCAA records.
The following spring, the Detroit Lions drafted Barry Sanders with the third overall pick (behind Troy Aikman to Dallas and Tony Mandarich to Green Bay – a bigger bust does not exist). That year Sanders rushed for 1,470 and 14 touchdowns, despite only starting 13 games. The NFL had entered the Barry Sanders era.
Over the next decade Barry Sanders led the NFL in rushing 4 times, averaged over 5 yards a carry in five different seasons (1997 he averaged 6.1), he also scored 109 career TD’s, he never rushed for less than 1300 yards in a full season (in 1993 he had 1,115 yards in 11 games), and had five seasons of more then 1500 yards, including two seasons with over 1800 yards. Barry Sanders retired as the NFL’s 2nd leading rusher – he is now 3rd all-time.
Sanders’ greatest season came in 1997. With new coach Bobby Ross struggling to figure out how to use his best player, Sanders got off to a slow start, gaining only 53 yards in through the first two games of the season. Ross eventually figured out that all he had to do was give Barry the ball and over the next 14 weeks Sanders rushed for 2,000 yards finishing the season with 2,053 yards.
But stats alone can not encompass the skills of Barry Sanders. Every play was an artful ballet. Sanders used his diminutive frame and uncanny balance as weapon which left defenses defenseless. Nobody ever broke more tackles or made a four yard loss look so exciting. Every time he touched the ball everybody just held their breath because even if the defense was in place and there was nowhere to go, Barry Sanders had the potential to make three cuts, spin, juke a tackler and bust free for 85 yards.
The great tragedy of Barry Sanders career was the fact he played on terrible teams. The Lions won exactly one playoff game during Barry’s career. The quarterbacks he played with included Andre Ware, Rodney Pete, and Scott Mitchell – all garbage. His offensive line was literally Swiss cheese, and the defense usually assured the Lions would be playing from behind, severely cutting into Barry’s carries. This is why I believe that Barry Sanders is a far superior running back than Emmitt Smith – Barry’s teams were bad, Emmitt’s were the leagues best. If you replaced Barry Sanders with Emmitt and vice versa, the Cowboys would have probably been more dominate and Emmitt would have become a journeymen.
The bad team was ultimately the reason that he ended his career at its peak and within a one productive year of becoming the games all-time leading rusher. The year after Barry Sanders ran for 2,053 yards, the Lions went 5-11, despite Barry’s 1,493 yds, and he walked away, briefly escaping to France and eventually resettling in Oklahoma.
But the highlight reel will live forever and the NFL will never be the same.
