quest1mark

i remember back in the day when oj was cutting it loose with the bills, when eric dickerson was a RAM, sweetness trotted down the field with the bears, and barry sanders was breaking ankles in detroit.

nowadays we dont have those kind of running backs anymore. i was listening to local sports radio the other day and the two personalities were arguing who was the most explosive running back of yesterday, and who arguably is the most explosive halfback of today.

heres what they had to say:
yesterday- barry sanders
today - fred taylor

heres my two cents:
yesterday- jim brown. 8 rushing titles in 9 years. it was his freaking team.
today- marshall faulk. this guy is ridiculously agile. he reminds me of barry sanders except that marshall catches passes too. hes so tiny that he just dodges the defense. i wonder if he wouldve been so great if hed stay with the colts.

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GunslingerCold

Of todays running backs, I think Michael Bennet is the most explosive. I remember that 70 yard td run he had against the Bus. It was just a great run. He has great speed and continues to get better

godukehoops

today- Ricky Williams
yesterday- Earl Campbell

Cross-Over

Of the past: Barry Sanders
Present: Priest Holmes

Holmes did a solid job backing up J. Lewis during Baltimore's title year, and he has had two amazing seasons with the Chiefs since. Running or catching, he is tough customer in the open field.

VirFighter

Ricky Williams might be the best pure runnning back right now.

Barry Sanders will never be topped though. Thanksgivings just have never been the same without watching Barry break a big one for the lions.

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bouray

Let's think about this. Barry Sanders would have gone down in history as the greatest RB of all time. He was explosive, could stop on a dime, turn, and then accelerate back up to full speed just as quick. If he hadn't had the little spat with the Lions, there would be no way in the world Emmitt Smith would have the career rush yardage record. I can only imagine what Barry's stats would look like if he was still playing.

Today---Ricky Williams is no doubt the most explosive. There may be other more agile, fast, or powerful; but no one can hit and exploit a hole in a line better than Ricky. Just the amount of speed and power that he puts into that first expolsion into the line, makes him the most explosive today.

Andrew

In the past, it would have to be Barry Sanders. I come from Michigan, so there's no way in hell I would give it to someone else.

In the present, I'd have to go with Mr. Vick. Did you guys see that run he had against the Vikings? Daaaaamn, and he's a quarterback. For pure explosiveness, I'd have to go with him. If I had to list a running back, then Bennet would be the choice. For the best running back of the modern era, I'd go with Ricky Williams. He's simply amazing. Give him Griese and they'll win the Super Bowl.

Andrew.

Halx

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Glory's Sun

Williams is the most explosive, most powerful in the game today

gov135

I think McAllister may have the quickest feet - he's awfully explosive, and he can hit a hole - he's not all prance.

Yesteryear? Jim Brown. I'm biased, I grew up watching old film of him - but guys couldn't even get the right angle to tackle him. He was the explosive.

spectre

Yesterday - As much as I want to say Payton, I think Sanders was the greatest ever. And that says a lot considering his competition. Both could stop on a dime, then explode at full speed toward the end zone.

Today - I can't say Ricky Williams is the most explosive. He's possibly the best running back in the league, but I don't think he's the most explosive. My choice for most explosive now, Michael Bennett. I'm always amazed watching him play. I think he still has a lot of untapped potential too. It's just a shame he's not with a team that could make better use of him.

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warrrreagl

yesterday - Bo Jackson
today - Stephen Davis

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Todders2003

go ricky, go ricky!

Nikilidstrom

All I have to say is, regardless of when Sanders retired, could you imagine Sanders' numbers if he had an offensive line worth 2 shits? Just think if he didnt have to run the entire width of the field, then turn around and run it again just to open up a hole to gain some positive yardage. Talk about explosive, the mans legs were like tree trunks, and his low center of gravity made him onto a human weeble wabble. He is sorely missed, and Emmit Smith is a laughable replacement as a rushing title holder.

clockworkgreen

Sanders and Bo Jackson were the shit when I was growing up. It's sad we lost both of them early.

FunHater

Michael Bennett is definitely "explosive". His speed is fantastic, he just needs to develop his skills a bit more.

Andrew

Wasn't Bennet a track star in college, too?

livingitup101

I can't believe they were arguing that Fred Taylor is the most explosive today. That guy needs to stay healthy for at least 12 games before he can be even in the same category as Williams, McCalister and Tomlinson.

As for yesterday...definitely Barry Sanders. Eric Dickerson was a stud for a while too. But Barry, he was the man.

BigGov

Jerome Bettis! Ok, not really, but puny little DB's literally seem to explode off of him when he hits them at full speed (well, Bettis full speed anyway..)

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crow_daw

OK, for yesterday, I gotta go with Jim Brown as well. I always said Barry too, and then I saw this entire like 2-hour long special on Jim, and holy crap, they just could NOT take him down. He amazed me, and to do what he did in the amount of time he did it in, is just incredible.

For today, I would love to be able to say Eddie George, and he could've been the best, but he just isn't the same Eddie he was prior to the Super Bowl year for the Titans. That said, I'd have to go with Corey Dillon. If he played for a team worth a crap, he would be the most talked about runner as well. He's so good.

Side notes:
Best Young Runner: Clinton Portis/ Broncos (he's gonna be great, barring a disabling injury)
Most Underrated: Charlie Garner/ Raiders (very, very close to 1,000 yards rushing AND receiving last year, I mean c'mon!)

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thefatbaby

Well of the past, imma hafta go with Sweetness. He's just always been one of my favorites.

Of today, I would prolly say Ladainian Tomlinson. Hes got a very bright future. If Priest Holmes heals and recovers fully...he could be too.

GunslingerCold

I wouldnt say Corey Dillion is the most explosive but he might be the best running back in the game. Other teams basically played 11 on Dillion some games and he still gets a thousand a season. Hopefully with Lewis coaching the Bengals they will be able to make better use of all of his talent.
ANd I have to agree with crow that Clinton Portis is gonna be great. In a couple years he will be the best in the game.

dragon2fire

the past

jim brown

today presit holmes

Dooms

Explosiveness. Bo Jackson was this kind of runner. Payton was as well. Jim Brown was no joke. Today Ricky Williams seems to fit the bill. As far as talent, well Sanders had it. Priest Holmes and Thomlinson have it. These guys can flat out do it all. Running, receiving, blocking, you name it. I think Thomlinson will be the best back in the league this year. Portis will be a great one.

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ReggErving

yesterday-Barry Sanders
today- a healthy Edrign James, the man punishes DBs

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Jaiddin

tough question. I look back at all the talented and storied backs of the past, and a lot of names come to mind, many mentioned here already. I remember watching Bo, Barry, Sweetness, OJ, Dickerson, and many others grind it out on sundays. Hands down Sanders was the better back. I have to agree with Nikilidstrom on this one. If Barry had the line that Emmit had enjoyed for so many years, his numbers would have been absolutly staggering. To do what he did with the personel around him is a testament to his talent and skill.

Today, there are many running backs that have the talent, vison, and drive to be the next great back, but with the way the game is today, will such a back really emerge? free agency has, for the most part, killed team continutity, and forced many potentaly great players to go from 1-2 good seasons, to mediocere, due to changes in personel that u wouldn't have seen 10 years and more ago.
but i ramble. most explosive back today? Gotta say ricky, tho i think Marshal is a better back all around.

Sen

Yesterday: Barry Sanders and Bo Jackson

Today: Priest Holmes, hands down

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Jadey

I'm a Dolphins fan, so I would be remiss if I did not say Ricky Williams, but I have to agree with crow_daw and say Clinton Portis is spectacular. The first time I saw him play last season I was amazed. I remember seeing him in college, but now he's doing it on another level. But depending on how you define explosivness you could also make a case for Bennet. He's does have that "extra gear" and can turn it on once he breaks through the line.

As a side note, what happened to Micheal Pittman? When he first got a chance to play with Arizona 2 years ago I thought he was going to be fantastic and all he needed was the PT. I saw a guy that would take the handoff and then just explode through the line, but I don't see that anymore. He hesitate way too much.

daryl10

I grew up in Houston, so Earl Cambell will always be the best when he was in his prime. Unfortunately his prime was only for a few short years before all the hits took their toll on his body. The Monday night game against Miami is a classic. Bo Jackson also fit into this category. He was amazing. Bo could outrun or run over any DB and many LB in the league (Ask Brian Bosworth about classic Monday night plays).

When looking at a career, Jim Brown and Barry Sanders were hands down the best. Depends on the era as to which one was number one.

In todays era, offenses have moved away from the running back with more emphasis placed in the passing game. With that said, Faulk has to be the man.

troit

Best overall running back -- Bo Jackson hands down. If you haven't had a chance yet read the SI article about him in the June 30th issue of the magazine. The guy was a freak growing up and would have continued to be if he did not get hurt.


WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Happy Hunter
Bo Jackson takes dead aim at the good life
By Rick Telander

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_...2003/0630.html

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grayman

Yesterday: Barry Sanders
Today: Clinton Portis

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The_Dude

ricky williams or priest holmes.........hmm......what do they have in common??

oh look! they're both from UT!

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