Obviously he didn't play full seasons, and his career was cut short, so we are not looking at aggregate stats here. That said, for those who watched him play, where do you rank him now that we are so far removed from both the hype, and the pain of seeing him get hurt.

It's a good time to talk about running backs because the way the NFL is going we are not going to see as many great athletes at running back, and when we do they will probably be catching the ball as much as they carry it. Additionally the tendency to platoon backs, while not even calling many run plays, and the creeping ubiquity of the spread, make evaluation even harder. Lastly, the only plays a lot of these guys get to run are shotgun draw plays that don't suit every type of back, and are more about keeping people honest in the passing game than actually putting the back in a position to make plays.


First question; was he actually BETTER than Marcus Allen?


What about the stars of the era that's ending now; Adrian Peterson? Marshawn Lynch?



Is he up there with guys like Barry and Walter?

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

With JB and Barry behind them.

You being serious?

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

as to where Bo was ranked and I did that. Accept my response and keep it pushin’!!!!

No need for all that, was just making sure you were serious.

Behind Walter and ahead of Jim Brown is as high as it gets, and I was surprised.


Any particular reason you have him that high?

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

across eras.

People like Jim Brown and Bo were ahead of their time and dominant in their era but would they be as dominant in other eras?

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

>across eras.
>
>People like Jim Brown and Bo were ahead of their time and
>dominant in their era but would they be as dominant in other
>eras?

I don't know if Bo would even play running back if he was coming up today. Just as likely to be a TE, pass rusher or who knows, even QB.

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

>I don't know if Bo would even play running back if he was
>coming up today. Just as likely to be a TE, pass rusher or who
>knows, even QB.

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

I think a lot of elite football players who have the size and athleticism to do lots of things on the field, will find themselves in positions other than running back by the time they are in college. I wouldn't be surprised if it's happening already.

Running backs were damn near more important that QBs when I started watching football. It was a glamour position and the axis on which lots of offenses turned, in the NFL and eve moreso, in college football.


You get a athlete like Bo in High School now, good chance he is playing QB.

If he is in college, anyone hoping to maximize his longevity and earning potential would probably urge him to play receiver or tight end (6-1, great track and field high jumper and fastest guys on the field).

Or suit him up as a pass rusher, if he had any feel for it.


Running back is no longer where teams are putting their best players, nor the position that kids are necessarily dying to play.

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

>I think a lot of elite football players who have the size and
>athleticism to do lots of things on the field, will find
>themselves in positions other than running back by the time
>they are in college. I wouldn't be surprised if it's happening
>already.
>
>Running backs were damn near more important that QBs when I
>started watching football. It was a glamour position and the
>axis on which lots of offenses turned, in the NFL and eve
>moreso, in college football.
>
>
>You get a athlete like Bo in High School now, good chance he
>is playing QB.
>
>If he is in college, anyone hoping to maximize his longevity
>and earning potential would probably urge him to play receiver
>or tight end (6-1, great track and field high jumper and
>fastest guys on the field).
>
>Or suit him up as a pass rusher, if he had any feel for it.
>
>
>Running back is no longer where teams are putting their best
>players, nor the position that kids are necessarily dying to
>play.

at the lower levels its all about getting the ball in the hands of your best athlete, with Bo's size and speed he's going to be a RB at any level

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

>>I think a lot of elite football players who have the size
>and
>>athleticism to do lots of things on the field, will find
>>themselves in positions other than running back by the time
>>they are in college. I wouldn't be surprised if it's
>happening
>>already.
>>
>>Running backs were damn near more important that QBs when I
>>started watching football. It was a glamour position and the
>>axis on which lots of offenses turned, in the NFL and eve
>>moreso, in college football.
>>
>>
>>You get a athlete like Bo in High School now, good chance he
>>is playing QB.
>>
>>If he is in college, anyone hoping to maximize his longevity
>>and earning potential would probably urge him to play
>receiver
>>or tight end (6-1, great track and field high jumper and
>>fastest guys on the field).
>>
>>Or suit him up as a pass rusher, if he had any feel for it.
>>
>>
>>Running back is no longer where teams are putting their best
>>players, nor the position that kids are necessarily dying to
>>play.
>
>at the lower levels its all about getting the ball in the
>hands of your best athlete, with Bo's size and speed he's
>going to be a RB at any level

The QB has the ball every play

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

>The QB has the ball every play

and at the lower levels they usually turn around and hand the ball to a RB

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

with different abilities?

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

My apologies because I thought that you were snarkin’.

Walter was the most complete back in terms of running, catching, and blocking. He is definitely the best blocking RB that the game has seen, especially for his size.

Even for the short length of time that Bo played... no one ran the ball that violently except for maybe JB and he was definitely faster than him as well. I often wonder what Bo would’ve become if he stuck to one sport. He was an elite baseball talent as well with one of the best arms, if not the best arm of any outfielder the game has seen. He probably could’ve surpassed Walter if he stuck to just football.

Folks really sell him short because he didn’t have a long career that was cut short due to injury. A lot of older cats say that same thing about Gale Sayers. He didn’t play long as well, but was elite as well.

>My apologies because I thought that you were snarkin’.
>
>Walter was the most complete back in terms of running,
>catching, and blocking. He is definitely the best blocking RB
>that the game has seen, especially for his size.

Agreed

>Even for the short length of time that Bo played... no one ran
>the ball that violently except for maybe JB and he was
>definitely faster than him as well.

Walter trucked people endlessly and was all about initiating contact, in a pretty rugged era. I agree that Bo was a very, very physical runner though.

I often wonder what Bo
>would’ve become if he stuck to one sport. He was an elite
>baseball talent as well with one of the best arms, if not the
>best arm of any outfielder the game has seen. He probably
>could’ve surpassed Walter if he stuck to just football.
>
>Folks really sell him short because he didn’t have a long
>career that was cut short due to injury. A lot of older cats
>say that same thing about Gale Sayers. He didn’t play long
>as well, but was elite as well.
>

I couldn't really see the argument to put him ahead of Sanders though. Sanders was better in college, then proceeded to light the NFL up.

Could also break tackles but was more elusive, thus taking less punishment. Carried a truly woeful squad, whereas those Raiders teams were very good. Was also a breakaway threat, on the same level as Bo, and just as exciting to watch. And to top it off, he had better hands.

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

>
>I couldn't really see the argument to put him ahead of Sanders
>though. Sanders was better in college, then proceeded to light
>the NFL up.
>
>Could also break tackles but was more elusive, thus taking
>less punishment. Carried a truly woeful squad, whereas those
>Raiders teams were very good. Was also a breakaway threat, on
>the same level as Bo, and just as exciting to watch. And to
>top it off, he had better hands.
>

Let us not lose sight over the fact that Bo had to share the backfield with another all time great in Marcus Allen. Bo’s talent stood out even when sharing the backfield with him. The hands thing I really can’t look at because the Raiders never incorporated him into the passing game. My thinking behind that is because he was such a dominant runner until they just used him mostly as a runner. Marcus was the guy that they threw the ball to. No Bo wasn’t elusive, but Bo had a special gift to run the football. We never got a chance to see his full potential because of him dedicating his professional career to baseball. Barry has no one to share the backfield with, so yeah he could do more. He was going to get all of the touches. When I judge them I am not looking at stats. If I had to hand the ball off to anyone other than Walter, it would be Bo. He is a threat to score from anywhere on the field with a single handoff. When he got by you, you weren’t going to catch him.

FOR him, not against him. Bo's yard per carry is the one stat he has over Barry - Bo at 5.4 with Barry at 5.0. But if Bo was an every down back, I'm doubting that average is anywhere near as high.

>FOR him, not against him. Bo's yard per carry is the one stat
>he has over Barry - Bo at 5.4 with Barry at 5.0. But if Bo was
>an every down back, I'm doubting that average is anywhere near
>as high.

It is an argument against because the was the sole focal point of the running game. Bo was always coming to football 6 or 7 games in. Had to share touches with Allen, and Bo still dominated. I don’t see why he wouldn’t have a high YPC as an every down back. He was an unstoppable runner aside from the hip injury.

dude was a human video game, the combination of speed and power was ridiculous

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

In this context, are you saying that he was the GOAT running back, prior to injury?

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

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I have a hard time tho because it’s about maintaining that level for a number of years to prove you were that dude.

It’s like folks who have Pun as one of the best. Dude was ill but if he was alive. I doubt anyone says that. Dying or retiring early has a way of elevating one’s status

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

Terrell Davis and Gayle Sayers

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

Career is incomplete, for sure. He can never truly be a GOAT, he didn't play enough, or even close.


But I still think we could look at what he did and assess, not his career, but how good of a back he was when he was on the field.


At their best, you taking him or AP?

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

>Career is incomplete, for sure. He can never truly be a GOAT,
>he didn't play enough, or even close.
>
>
>But I still think we could look at what he did and assess, not
>his career, but how good of a back he was when he was on the
>field.
>
>
>At their best, you taking him or AP?

at their best nobody is touching Bo, 4.1 speed at 230lbs?

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

Come on…do people really think he ran a 4.13????


I have a hard time believing Bo Jackson was the fastest person to ever play in the NFL.


That said, the combination of size and speed he had has never been seen at his position, I could agree to that.

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

>Come on…do people really think he ran a 4.13????
>
>
>I have a hard time believing Bo Jackson was the fastest person
>to ever play in the NFL.
>
>
>That said, the combination of size and speed he had has never
>been seen at his position, I could agree to that.

when he played he was the fastest person on the field by far

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

>>Come on…do people really think he ran a 4.13????
>>
>>
>>I have a hard time believing Bo Jackson was the fastest
>person
>>to ever play in the NFL.
>>
>>
>>That said, the combination of size and speed he had has
>never
>>been seen at his position, I could agree to that.
>
>when he played he was the fastest person on the field by far
>

He got run down from behind by a Bengals linebacker to end his career, so I dunno.

He also was not that elusive, couldn't catch and didn't find the endzone much- especially for a man of his breakaway ability. No idea as to his blocking.

That said, I am 100% agreeing that he was an uncanny combination of size and speed we may never see again.

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

>
>He got run down from behind by a Bengals linebacker to end his
>career, so I dunno.
>
>He also was not that elusive, couldn't catch and didn't find
>the endzone much- especially for a man of his breakaway
>ability. No idea as to his blocking.
>
>That said, I am 100% agreeing that he was an uncanny
>combination of size and speed we may never see again.
>

He didn't get run down from behind, stop it...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcovPe9Ckxo

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

>>>Come on…do people really think he ran a 4.13????
>>>
>>>
>>>I have a hard time believing Bo Jackson was the fastest
>>person
>>>to ever play in the NFL.
>>>
>>>
>>>That said, the combination of size and speed he had has
>>never
>>>been seen at his position, I could agree to that.
>>
>>when he played he was the fastest person on the field by far
>>
>
>He got run down from behind by a Bengals linebacker to end his
>career, so I dunno.
>
>He also was not that elusive, couldn't catch and didn't find
>the endzone much- especially for a man of his breakaway
>ability. No idea as to his blocking.
>
>That said, I am 100% agreeing that he was an uncanny
>combination of size and speed we may never see again.
>
>

I actually just watched the injury and it's not how I remembered it so I will take that part back.

Ironic that he got tackled on a 34 yard run.

Also, damn, the Raiders got a lot of mileage out of the toss sweep

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

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But he would be top 10 in my ranking

Barry
Walter
Emitt
OJ
JB
Faulk
Dickerson
Dorsett
Allen

Maybe Bo is next?

Ionno man.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

nobody ever includes him in their top 10, or top 5. he's in my top 5.

-----------------------------------------

>nobody ever includes him in their top 10, or top 5. he's in
>my top 5.

Top 5 all-time?


What's the list and who do you have AFTER Gore?


Because I'm pretty shocked and I like Frank Gore.

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

>>nobody ever includes him in their top 10, or top 5. he's in
>>my top 5.
>
>Top 5 all-time?
>
>
>What's the list and who do you have AFTER Gore?
>
>
>Because I'm pretty shocked and I like Frank Gore.

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

1. Jim Brown
2. Barry Sanders
3. LT
4. Walter Payton
5. Frank Gore

thats just my personal list, i wouldn't defend it to the death tho.

-----------------------------------------

Longevity award is all his. Top 20 no doubt. 5 is too high IMO.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

>1. Jim Brown
>2. Barry Sanders
>3. LT
>4. Walter Payton
>5. Frank Gore
>
>thats just my personal list, i wouldn't defend it to the death
>tho.

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

Faulk is #7 all time yards from scrimmage, with Gore right behind him at #9.

dude. at 34 years old, Frank had 961 rushing yards, 29 catches for 245.

722 rushing yards at 35!!

in his second season he had 1700 rushing, 8 TDs, 61 catches, 485 yards.

for a career that long to average 4.4 yards is MIND BOGGLING.

but he wasnt flashy so nobody really gives him the props he deserves. he nearly had 11 straight seasons of 1,000 rushing yards, missing it by 37 yards in one season and 147 yards in the other. nobody can even remotely sniff that.

-----------------------------------------

>Faulk is #7 all time yards from scrimmage, with Gore right
>behind him at #9.
>
>dude. at 34 years old, Frank had 961 rushing yards, 29 catches
>for 245.
>
>722 rushing yards at 35!!
>
>in his second season he had 1700 rushing, 8 TDs, 61 catches,
>485 yards.
>
>for a career that long to average 4.4 yards is MIND BOGGLING.
>
>but he wasnt flashy so nobody really gives him the props he
>deserves. he nearly had 11 straight seasons of 1,000 rushing
>yards, missing it by 37 yards in one season and 147 yards in
>the other. nobody can even remotely sniff that.

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

>1. Jim Brown
>2. Barry Sanders
>3. LT
>4. Walter Payton
>5. Frank Gore
>
>thats just my personal list, i wouldn't defend it to the death
>tho.


Frank Gore is not better than Marshall Faulk, come on. I'm taking Jamaal Charles ahead of him without hesitating (again, injuries do not matter in this scenario). I am not even sure he is better than Eddie George, Edgerrin James or Corey Dillon.



Honestly, if longevity were not a criteria and we are just looking at how good cats were, I am not sure Gore is even in my top 15.


If we DO consider his full career, even in just his OWN era, I would slot Gore fourth but if we didn't he might not even be in this top 5. I think I would take MJD and Rice over him, and MAYBE Forte.

Adrian Peterson
Marshawn Lynch
Jamaal Charles
Frank Gore
MJD
Race Rice
Matt Forte
LeSean McCoy
Arian Foster

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

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i'm not looking at what-ifs, or who had a better year here and there.

Gore's body of work lines up with any of them. and i wont even dismiss "athletically" that he's inferior to some of those dudes you mentioned.

i'll concede Faulk in this argument, but again Gore did shit no other RB has done in history. all those dudes you named are just good for their era but don't stand out historically. Gore does.

-----------------------------------------

The criteria is the point of the post or we wouldn't even be talking about Bo

Compared to Gore's career stats, Bo Jackson is a bum

But okay

>i'm not looking at what-ifs, or who had a better year here
>and there.
>
>Gore's body of work lines up with any of them. and i wont even
>dismiss "athletically" that he's inferior to some of those
>dudes you mentioned.
>
>i'll concede Faulk in this argument, but again Gore did shit
>no other RB has done in history. all those dudes you named are
>just good for their era but don't stand out historically. Gore
>does.


I'm pretty sure Adrian Peterson will stand out historically lol

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

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my all time 5 list off MY eye test only

1. Barry Sanders
2. Bo Jackson
3. Marshawn Lynch
4. LT
5. Marshall Faulk

im 33 so I never saw the old dudes.

-----------------------------------------

>my all time 5 list off MY eye test only
>
>1. Barry Sanders
>2. Bo Jackson
>3. Marshawn Lynch
>4. LT
>5. Marshall Faulk
>
>im 33 so I never saw the old dudes.

Word up. Dope list.

You are, without saying so, taking an outsider perspective on Adrian Peterson, while clearly being bullish on Ladanian Tomlinson*, who might not find his way into lots of people's top 10s


Very curious as to why?


*appreciate you throwing LT out there, it's interesting how little he is discussed.

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

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LT is special. as a Broncos fan i had the pleasure of watching him destroy us (and break nfl records against us).

i would definitely have AP at 6 on my eye test list. AP never really carried a team though so i think that kind of hurts him as the best of the best potentially.

these top 5 lists always boil down to a preference i think, so nobody is really wrong if he's in or out of the list. i think i ding a few points from AP for never really carrying his team like these other guys did.

and even right today, i'd take LT over AP creating a team. same with Marshawn. mentally, these guys have an edge over AP to me. great team leaders.

-----------------------------------------

definitely a tier below both of those guys career-wise

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

Why?

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

Real talk, I need a list of all the RB’s in order to rank them.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

>nobody ever includes him in their top 10, or top 5. he's in
>my top 5.


That moribund offense that he still managed to put numbers up on as the only option is why he isn't more highly regarded.

On a perennial playoff contender, his numbers are even better and we're talking top 10 status without controversy.

What's even harder to fathom is that dude fucked up his knee badly IN college and still balled out like this in the pros.

>>nobody ever includes him in their top 10, or top 5. he's in
>>my top 5.
>
>
>That moribund offense that he still managed to put numbers up
>on as the only option is why he isn't more highly regarded.
>
>On a perennial playoff contender, his numbers are even better
>and we're talking top 10 status without controversy.
>
>What's even harder to fathom is that dude fucked up his knee
>badly IN college and still balled out like this in the pros.


Solid points and easily forgotten context.

Thanks.

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----
bshelly

"You (Fisher) could get fired, Les Snead could get fired, Kevin Demoff could get fired, but I will always be Eric Dickerson.” (c) The God

Did you not read the post or just want to preclude anyone from even theorizing about Bo Jackson's abilities in comparison to other players?

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<--- Big Baller World Order

I understand this post is more about potential and imagination. Guys like Bo Jackson and Marcus Dupree are fun to talk about. But I just want to take a moment to appreciate the career of Marcus Allen.

In Marcus Allen's first 5 years in the league, which included a work stoppage and battling an ankle injury which resulted in missing time/playing hurt in 1986 he was:

2nd in rushing attempts to Walter Payton
2nd in rushing yards to Walter Payton
2nd in scrimmage yards to Walter Payton
1st in TDs (12 ahead of the next guy)
9th in receptions

In that span he led the NFL in rushing yards once, yards from scrimmage twice, and TDs twice. He made 4 Pro Bowls, 2 All-Pro teams, won an NFL MVP, and won a Super Bowl MVP.

In 1983 he had one of the all-time great post season performances where in 3 playoff games he had 584 yards from scrimmage and 5 TDs carrying the Raiders to a Super Bowl win over the heavily favored 14-2 defending Super Bowl champion Washington Redskins. 584 yards from scrimmage is still a record for a 3 games season in the playoffs.

That's a hell of a 5 year peak. Like back end of a Top 10 all-time conversation

From 1982 through 1986 Marcus Allen was in the conversation with anybody. I wouldn't put him over Walter Payton, but he that's it. In his prime, he was great.

But today when people talk about Marcus Allen, usually the first thing that they throw out is "durability". And he was durable. For different reasons including Al Davis, injury, age, and time shares he was never really "The Man" after 1986...But he still played 11 more seasons.

Let's not forget that was coming off leading a Heisman Tropy win where he set the single season collegiate record for Rushing Yards and Rushing Attempts. He carried 433 times in 12 games his senior year at USC. Nobody in the history of the NFL has carried 433 times in 16 games. He had 467 touches. The entire rest of the USC team had 273. Add in 107 incomplete passes (we don't know how many were intended for Allen) and over 55% of USC's plays ended with Marcus Allen holding the football.

For good measure he he carried 354 times for 1563 his junior year.

If you look at the guys in the history of the NFL who carried 380+ times in a season:

Eric Dickerson (3x)
Ricky Williams (2x)
Marcus Allen
Walter Payton
Jamal Lewis
Edgerrin James
Barry Foster
DeMarco Murray
Terrell Davis
Gerald Riggs
Eddie George
James Wilder
Jamal Anderson
Larry Johnson

RB is brutal position. It chews guys up and spits them out. Now let's cross-reference that list and see how many of them managed 1000+ yards from scrimmage in a season after turning 30:

Marcus Allen (4)
Walter Payton (3)
Eric Dickerson (1)
Ricky Williams (1)

Half the guys on that list weren't in the league after they turned 30.

He's a complete back who could run, catch, and block. Came into the league like gang busters won a regular season MVP, carried his team to a Super Bowl win, and put together an all-time 5 year run. Then he got old, got banged up, got screwed by his owner, ceded touches to some young bucks. But he still racked up 1,000 yard seasons and led the league in TDs at age 33.

He wasn't the fastest guy or a human highlight reel and he didn't have a Saturday morning cartoon with an inexplicably gluttonous Wayne Gretzky, but he was damn good.

>I understand this post is more about potential and
>imagination. Guys like Bo Jackson and Marcus Dupree are fun to
>talk about. But I just want to take a moment to appreciate the
>career of Marcus Allen.
>
>In Marcus Allen's first 5 years in the league, which included
>a work stoppage and battling an ankle injury which resulted in
>missing time/playing hurt in 1986 he was:
>
>2nd in rushing attempts to Walter Payton
>2nd in rushing yards to Walter Payton
>2nd in scrimmage yards to Walter Payton
>1st in TDs (12 ahead of the next guy)
>9th in receptions
>
>In that span he led the NFL in rushing yards once, yards from
>scrimmage twice, and TDs twice. He made 4 Pro Bowls, 2 All-Pro
>teams, won an NFL MVP, and won a Super Bowl MVP.
>
>In 1983 he had one of the all-time great post season
>performances where in 3 playoff games he had 584 yards from
>scrimmage and 5 TDs carrying the Raiders to a Super Bowl win
>over the heavily favored 14-2 defending Super Bowl champion
>Washington Redskins. 584 yards from scrimmage is still a
>record for a 3 games season in the playoffs.
>
>That's a hell of a 5 year peak. Like back end of a Top 10
>all-time conversation
>
>From 1982 through 1986 Marcus Allen was in the conversation
>with anybody. I wouldn't put him over Walter Payton, but he
>that's it. In his prime, he was great.
>
>But today when people talk about Marcus Allen, usually the
>first thing that they throw out is "durability". And he was
>durable. For different reasons including Al Davis, injury,
>age, and time shares he was never really "The Man" after
>1986...But he still played 11 more seasons.
>
>Let's not forget that was coming off leading a Heisman Tropy
>win where he set the single season collegiate record for
>Rushing Yards and Rushing Attempts. He carried 433 times in 12
>games his senior year at USC. Nobody in the history of the NFL
>has carried 433 times in 16 games. He had 467 touches. The
>entire rest of the USC team had 273. Add in 107 incomplete
>passes (we don't know how many were intended for Allen) and
>over 55% of USC's plays ended with Marcus Allen holding the
>football.
>
>For good measure he he carried 354 times for 1563 his junior
>year.
>
>If you look at the guys in the history of the NFL who carried
>380+ times in a season:
>
>Eric Dickerson (3x)
>Ricky Williams (2x)
>Marcus Allen
>Walter Payton
>Jamal Lewis
>Edgerrin James
>Barry Foster
>DeMarco Murray
>Terrell Davis
>Gerald Riggs
>Eddie George
>James Wilder
>Jamal Anderson
>Larry Johnson
>
>RB is brutal position. It chews guys up and spits them out.
>Now let's cross-reference that list and see how many of them
>managed 1000+ yards from scrimmage in a season after turning
>30:
>
>Marcus Allen (4)
>Walter Payton (3)
>Eric Dickerson (1)
>Ricky Williams (1)
>
>Half the guys on that list weren't in the league after they
>turned 30.
>
>He's a complete back who could run, catch, and block. Came
>into the league like gang busters won a regular season MVP,
>carried his team to a Super Bowl win, and put together an
>all-time 5 year run. Then he got old, got banged up, got
>screwed by his owner, ceded touches to some young bucks. But
>he still racked up 1,000 yard seasons and led the league in
>TDs at age 33.
>
>He wasn't the fastest guy or a human highlight reel and he
>didn't have a Saturday morning cartoon with an inexplicably
>gluttonous Wayne Gretzky, but he was damn good.
>


If you had a draft pick and was going to get one of them…who do you want? Bo or Marcus?

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

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One Hundred.

>If you had a draft pick and was going to get one of them…who
>do you want? Bo or Marcus?

Some GOAT potential there...

*sigh*


Why even come into a post like this if unwilling to entertain "what-ifs"?


That said, you made cogent observations about Marcus Allen and they are appreciated.

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

Bo Jackson - WC been the GOAT had injuries not beset him. The power and the speed, at his size, were unquestionably new age and his key to the throne.

Ricky Williams - WCS had a much better career if he was in the right head-space the entire time. Would have also helped if he had coaches who understood how to really use him. I really wish that he could have been on the Ravens roster for our last SB victory. His last season was the year before. Loved watching him play.

Marcus Allen - WCS been no question that he was the best RB of his generation and one of the recognized all-time greats. Al Davis screwed him and his legacy. Got pissed at dude and misused him the way he did for those years. There was no reason for Bo to be drafted by them at all. I was a huge fan of his as a teenager.

Barry Sanders - WCS been the ALL-TIME RB GAWD if he'd played with a greater complement of players especially on the offensive line. The abbreviated career left us all with "What woulda/coulda/shoulda happened if...?"

Jamaal Charles - WCS been the best of this last generation of RBs. However, them damned injuries slowed him down too much. Dude was the fantasy and video gawd for a few years.

--- praying for peace, love, and power

Trying to rank them is ridiculous because of the brevity of their careers.

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One Hundred.

Niggas saying he's better than Marcus fucking Allen
are on drugs.

Barry's total from 2 injury shortened years (11 gm, 15 gm): 2663 yds 19 TD

Bo's career numbers: 2782 16 TD

WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

woulda coulda shoulda category? As if Barry doesn’t already have GOAT level numbers with his career as is? Only thing missing from Barry’s career is a Suoer Bowl ring.

To be honest, I had ZERO expectation of people putting him second or third, even though this is just a thought exercise sort of thing.

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

I simply asked where people put him as far as running backs based on what they saw in the limited time he played.

You don't know anything about football, please go play somewhere.


Or alternatively, look up the pro-set formation in the dictionary

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

He was fun to watch for a quick second

But he's not in any all time conversation, at all

You can't read and know nothing about football.


Please get lost

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

The Yards per carry was great...only one RB had a higher average during Bo's big year (1989), and he had the longest run (92 yards), but he was 23rd in rushing, only played 11 games, and only scored 4 rushing tds. This was his BEST year. So really, he can't be in the convo with Sayers either. This is Tim Biakabutuka territory.

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One Hundred.

Firstly, I am fucking old. I watched Bo Jackson play.

Secondly, the first fucking sentence makes clear that this is not a real GOAT list BECAUSE BO CANNOT LOGICALLY EVEN BE IN THE CONVO.

This post is just about having seen him play and comparing his talent and play to other great running backs.

IF you have no interest in doing that, why click?


How angry are you guys?

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

I'm just in awe at how high some others are putting him. Second all time???? Above Barry????????????

>I'm just in awe at how high some others are putting him.
>Second all time???? Above Barry????????????


I agree. What does he bring that Barry doesn't besides raw power. You would probably also have less runs for negative yardage but other than that...

And although Bo was a threat to score every time he touched the ball…wasn't that the definition of Barry Sanders?


I need to do one of these on little running backs, now that I'm thinking about it. Curious to find out where people rank guys like Thurman Thomas, Darren Proles and Warrick Dunn (and yes, I realize one is not quite like the other)

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

Stat-wise....yes, Biakabutuka.

Electricity in the stadium-wise? Look at his stats. What we see on youtube is the BULK of his highlights as a professional football player.

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One Hundred.

Cool story, monsignor. But you are the one intimating people are getting their opinions on Bo from YouTube, not me.

>Stat-wise....yes, Biakabutuka.

Reading comprehension

>
>Electricity in the stadium-wise? Look at his stats. What we
>see on youtube is the BULK of his highlights as a professional
>football player.
>
>

I don't know how many times it can be made clear that this thread is premised on the idea that Bo cannot actually be a GOAT RB. We all know that he didn't play long enough or put up enough stats to be in the convo. EVERYONE KNOWS.

So what exactly is the issue here?

Is it that you don't think he was very good, or you just think he didn't play enough for anyone to really evaluate him?

If you don't think Bo was/could have been a very good player, just say so and keep pushing.

If you don't like hypotheticals, why not go click another thread? Go for a walk outside? It's really not that serious.

I'm from the lost black tribe of Israel, the Yos

http://coolehmag.com/frontEnd/

>The Yards per carry was great...only one RB had a higher
>average during Bo's big year (1989), and he had the longest
>run (92 yards), but he was 23rd in rushing, only played 11
>games, and only scored 4 rushing tds. This was his BEST year.
>So really, he can't be in the convo with Sayers either. This
>is Tim Biakabutuka territory.

but definitely not "Biakabutuka territory", Bo had a combination of speed and power never seen before or since.

Still you're right a lot of the hype is based off a few runs. Early on against the Broncos he trucked a guy they outran the rest of the team for the TD.

Then there was the nationally televised Monday night game against Seattle where outran everybody in the stadium on that 91-yard run then he destroyed the then-mythical Brian Bosworth on that shorter TD run.

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

He scored a TD in college that I still consider one of the greatest football plays I have ever seen. Even better than him trucking Brian Bosworth...but the truth is he didn't play that damn much in the NFL.

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One Hundred.