Greatest NFL RBs ever...#25 and #24

Greatest Running Backs #25 & #24...

So finally we can get to the meat of the debate of who is the greatest NFL running back ever…or as far as 2008. These records can change year to year, so certainly what I am sharing is not the carving in stone gospel.

If you’re not hip to this subject on my blog, bounce back a few and check them out. My top 25 all time is a result of a formula that rewards running backs that played on championship teams, has great individual stats, has individual awards, and can survive the test of time.

Before I get into those top 25, let me share with you another name that didn’t make my list, and why:

Red Grange: 18 points

One of the more legendary names of American football, and certainly a great player, but not on my list of top 25 all time. ESPN had their college countdown of greatest college players ever, and Red Grange made the list as #1.

I am not really in agreement of that.

Grange is not on my list because even without the era adjustment, he still would not be on my top 25 list. He loses 7 points because he played so long ago. Remember folks, the reason I have this era adjustment is to prove that players that played back in the 30s and 40s are not the same athletes who play today. These guys are stronger, faster, and smarter than those before them.

But Red Grange does get points for being on a championship team. Yes this was way before the Superbowl, but I adjusted the points to give 10 points to a running back that played and won a championship. Remember there WERE championships “back in the day”. I credited him with 10 points for every championship he helped his team win, and 5 for every championship game he loss. His total originally came out to be 25 points, but he lost 7 due to era adjustment…thus 18 points…and NOT on my greatest 25 list.

So, having said that, let’s begin with the #25 Best Running Back EVER:

#25 Ladainain Tomlinson: 28 points

There is little doubt that he is one of the best of all time, and I tell you now, if he wins a Superbowl before his career ends, he will jump up at least 10 spots alone! He has been a superb player for the Chargers and is one of the few bright spots on a team that keeps having a tough time surviving the AFC. If they were an NFC team, it is quite possible that he might have had a better chance at a Superbowl, but right now with the way things are in the AFC this year (after 3 weeks) this could be as good a chance as any for him to make his mark in history as one of the greatest running backs ever.

Why not higher? Great LT may be, but with virtually no championship experience, he does not meet the first element of being the GREATEST ever. Nobody is going to question that he is very good, but as I said on another blog, great players make their team great. He has no team accomplishment points because he has been to no Superbowls or AFC Championship games. If he can do that, he can certainly rise up, especially since he is still active.

Why on the list? LT ranks very high in career yards, career touchdowns and yards per carry. Out of a max of 30 points in the individual stats element, he gets 15, which is very good. And remember, he’s still active. He also scores well on individual awards as well. In fact, his score of 28 is just one point above both Chuck Foreman and Joe Perry, who both had 27 points. Yeah, I know both of those guys had a better team accomplishment score, but overall they were just short, and the era adjustment hurt both of them.

#24 Shaun Alexander: 30 points

How can a guy that has only been to ONE Superbowl be considered one of the top 25 running backs EVER? I know that sounds insane but hear me out. As I share this, we are not sure if he has truly retired or not. After giving his heart and soul to the Seahawks, and getting them to their only Superbowl, he has been missing in action because many fear his best days are gone. But when he was there, he was one of the very few things Seattle had to cheer for. There is no doubt the reason they got to the Superbowl was on his now tired shoulders and legs. Say what you will about him, but Shaun was a warrior, even if many never saw it…in years to come, they will.

Why not higher? The easiest answer is similar to LT…not enough team accomplishment points. He did get 5 points for the Superbowl loss, but you’re likely going to find out that a GREAT running back has to make his team great. It’s a team sport, not golf. And as great as he was, his individual stats are barely on the top 30 list. Out of a possible 30, he got 7. Most of his points came from individual awards throughout his career. But he still has time, if he comes back…who knows?

Why on the list? In comparing him to other running backs, he seemed to have more in the body of work than others. He edges out LT because of his championship experience, but if LT can get the Chargers to an AFC Championship or even a Superbowl, that changes the list a bit. Still, Shaun Alexander stacks up points mainly through is body of work and awards. To give you an example, Corey Dillon is not on my list and has 23 points. Yes Dillon has championship experience and his individual stats number is fair, but he has very few individual award points. It’s the whole body of work that makes a running back great. That’s why Shaun Alexander is here.

Ok, so you see how I am working this. I know this isn’t the best list ever, but I wanted to take a stab at this debate and use some intellect on it. Remember guys, just because a guy does not make the list does not mean they “suck”. These are without a doubt some of the greatest running backs in history, and I am trying to isolate the top 25 as of late September 2008. Next year it could change…certainly 5 years from now it may change and what happens 10 years from now?

Some of my favorites didn’t make my own list, but I had to go by the elements that I felt made a player great. So if you’ll tune in next time, we’ll go over the next few players as we count down the top running backs EVER….

Later dudes.