best football players

This is a much debated question amongst football fanatics...and of course everybody has an opinion. Is there a real answer or is it impossible to compare the greats of old with the athletes of today? Which criteria is the most important when judging who might be the best back of all. Does one rely on straight statistical merit, or should winning championships outweigh overall statistics? These are just a few questions that may come up during such a discussion.
So many names come to mind when considering which back deserves the title of best back ever such as Jim Brown, Gale Sayers, O.J. Simpson, Walter Payton, Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders, Roger Craig, Emmit Smith, Marshall Faulk, Jerome Bettis, Ladainlian Tomlinson, Marcus Allen and im sure im leaving out some names. I'd like to start the debate with a couple similar backs, Marshall Faulk and Roger Craig, both players were phoenomenal players who played on great teams (or at least Faulk did once traded to St. Louis) and both won championships. Roger Craig was the first back to ever gain 1,000 yards rushing and recieving in the same season and few have accomplished it since. Both were great all around backs that were ground threats as well as reciever out of the backfield though I dont think that either one could be considered the best ever but certainly greats though.
When looking back on greats such as Jim Brown and Gayle sayers their statistics are more impressive to me because back during their day teams played only twelve games as opposed to sixteen. I'm pretty sure Brown is still in the top five...I believe fourth but don't quote me. Despite walking away from the game at the peak of his prime and playing less games. I feel Brown is a strong contender for best back of all time, seldom has there been such a large and fast and all around talented player he passed caught and ran and even kicked for the Browns. Sayers was quite the opposite type of back smaller but fas as can be but also strong. He would spin and slice through entire defenses he was truly a great but he falls just short of Jim Browns greatness.
Many people will probably disagree with Jerome Bettis as a contender despite the fact that hes in the top ten. To overlook Bettis though would be nothing shy of criminal. Easily the most powerful running back ever to run in the NFL, while maybe not the fastest Bettis bulldozed defenders for ten plus seasons. Not since Earl Campbell has anyone ran with such authority...theres a name I forgot to mention. Campbell though was much faster than Bettis however I feel that Jerome is a bit higher on the list than Campbell. Many people might not mention O.J. when considering best back mostly because of his legal situation while this is understandable he is still the first back to break 2,000 yards. for that reason alone I've decided to mention him though he certainly can't be called best ever.
If you happen to be familiar with Marcus Allens career then you know why hes on the list. If not for Al Davis's(Raiders owner) personal vandetta against allen then he may very well be the all time rushing leader, for those of you who dont know Marcus Allen was forced to sit the bench for several seasons with the Raiders. Exactly why im not sure but there were some kind of differences between Allen and Davis...Al Davis being the most worthless owner in the history of football. He's done nothing but destroy the Raiders once great legacy with his idiocy. (sorry that was a bit off topic but its the truth folks)
Now for the heavyweights Emmit Smith, Ladainlian Tomlinson and Barry Sanders. In this writers opinion it's between these three. Some might argue that L.T. is too young in his career to put him on the list, im going the other way though. At the young age of 27 this young back has already done the 1,000yd rushing and recieving thing, no other back in the history of the NFL has gained as many yards as Tomlinson has in as many seasons. Not to mention he has all but single handedly brought the Chargers back to championship contention. Most everybody is familiar with Emmit Smith and his football story. He is the statistical leader in rushing yards all time, won three super bowls, until two years ago he held the record for most rushing yards in a season.(until Shaun Alexander broke it, then Tomlinson the following year)
Lastly theres Barry Sanders, who's fluid running style unmatched balance and amazing quickness made him easily the most enetertaining running back to ever grace an NFL field. Sanders routinely made defenders look foolish with his sidesteps, jukes and insane spin moves. Having never played for a prennial winner some might overlook Sanders in favor of Smith. It comes down to these two as far as the debate goes. Who you consider to be the best up for debate. If youre a cowboys fan then obviously you say Emmit Smith. He was a phoenomenal back no doubt, but was surrounded by a team of superstars on both offense and defense. Sanders however was a one man offensive show...running behind a sub par offensive line each year he played in the league. Also he joined the elite club of backs to break 2,000 yards despite the lack of talent surrounding him. Another amazing bit of info is that despite routinely loosing yards on carries he still averaged close to five yards per carry for his career and what a great sport I dont think I ever saw the man spike a ball or do an endzone dance. Like Jim Brown Sanders walked away from the game while still capable of performing at his best. At this point im sure it's obvious that Barry Sanders should get the title of best running back ever. He just nudges out Emmit Smith despite his numerous titles and records.