The Great Debate: The Greatest Running Back of All Time

: 306 att 1527 yards 10 TDs, 35 rec 292 yards 1 TD, 492 touches 1819 yards 11 TDs 4 Fumbles

Smith: 294 att 1224 yards 11 TDs, 34 rec 215 yards 1 TD, 328 touches  1439 yards 12 TDs 4 Fumbles

Tomlinson: 338 att 1521 yards 16 TDs, 65 rec 482 yards 2 TDs, 403 touches 2003 yards 18 TDs 3 Fumbles

 

How They Fare Against Each Other (Game)

Brown: 20 att 104 yards .9 TDs, 2 Rec 22 yards .16 TDs, 22 touches 125 yards 1.06 TDs

Payton: 20 att 88 yards .5 TDs, 2 Rec 24 rec .07 TDs, 23 touches 112 yards .6 TDs

Sanders: 20 att 100 yards .7 TDs, 2 rec 19 rec .06 TDs, 22 touches 119 yards .7 TDs

Smith: 20 att 81 yards .7 TDs, 2 rec 14 yards .04 TDs, 22 touches 95 yards .8 TDs

Tomlinson: 21 att 96 yards 1.03 TDs, 4 rec 30 yards .12, 25 touches 126 yards 1.2 TDs

 

Conclusion

Statistically speaking, Smith is the greatest running back per career, Tomlinson the greatest per season, while per game is a toss up between Brown and Tomlinson. Smith, however, falls short of the rest when looking at game and season averages, although there is something to be said for longevity.

Barry Sanders and Jim Brown each averaged over a 100 yards a game, while Sanders and Tomlinson averaged over 1,500 yards a season. It is also interesting to note how close every back is in terms of touches a game, besides Tomlinson, who touches the ball considerably more. Whether this is a hindrance or a credit to his durability is up to interpretation.

Tomlinson blows the competition away when it comes to scoring touchdowns. He is the only back to average more than one rushing touchdown a game. He also catches about twice as many balls per season and per game.

So who is the greatest back? Jim Brown dominates per game with a 5.2 yard a carry average, Barry Sanders is consistently great, while LaDainian Tomlinson is a workhorse who produces more and turns it over less than any other back.

For those reasons, it is my opinion that when he hangs them up, LaDainian Tomlinson will be the greatest back to ever play. But as of right now, Barry Sanders is the greatest running back of all time.

Verdict: Barry Sanders (now)/LaDainian Tomlinson (future)

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