Best NFL Running Back of all times?

[drgondog]

Bears mid 80's defense gets my vote

[renrich]

TO, you make a great point about the rules favoring passing and when John U was playing, they did not protect the QB like he was the crown jewels. The 85 Bears were impressive but in the first five games of that year, the Bears allowed 88 points, 52 points in two games including 28 points in the first game, when the defense is supposed to be ahead of the offense, to Tampa Bay, that wound up ranked 21st in scoring offense. During the last four games, they weren't much better and gave up 38 to Miami. In 1976, the Steelers, over the last nine games of the season allowed an average of 3.1 points per game and had five shutouts. At one point they went 23 straight quarters without allowing a TD. Compare personnel- L C Greenwood V Dan Hampton (slight edge Hampton), Joe Greene V Steve McMicheal(Huge edge Greene), Ernie Holmes V The Fridge Perry (Holmes edge), Dwight White V Richard Dent(edge Dent), Jack Ham V Otis Wilson( edge Ham), Jack Lambert V Mike Singletary (Tie), Andy Russell V Wilbur Marshall (tie), J T Thomas V Mike Richardson ( edge to Richardson) Mel Blount V Leslie Frazer( Huge edge to Blount) Mike Wagner/ Donnie Shell V Dave Duerson (Edge to Wagner/Shell) Glen Edwards V Gary Fencik (edge to Fencik). That adds up to 5-4 for Steelers with the huge edges all in favor of the Steelers. Greene and Blount were special players.

[ToughOmbre]

ren, the '85 Bears D allowed 198 points (12.4/g), 1st in the league.

Also Scored 456 points (28.5/g), 2nd in the league.

Pitt scored 342 points (24.4/g), 5th of 28 in the NFL.
Allowed 138 points (9.9/g), 1st.

The problem is, they got blown out in the conference championship to Oakland, 24-7.

The '85 Bears gave up 10 points in three playoff games on the way to the championship.

The Bear's post season defensive performance gives the edge to the Bears IMO.

TO

[renrich]

TO,I think a good case can be made for the Bear's season of 1985 as a dominant defense and your point is well made about the playoffs in 1985 versus 1976. The Bears, from 1984-1988 had good defenses, but their playoff record during that stretch does not stand up to the playoff record of the Steel Curtain in the 70s. Pittsburg won four Super Bowls in the seventies when the Steel Curtain was in its prime. Chicago won one during the eighties when their's was at it's best.

[Messy1]

It just depends on your what your own personal requirements are for best defense. Both have valid points.

[ToughOmbre]

Originally Posted by renrich

TO,I think a good case can be made for the Bear's season of 1985 as a dominant defense and your point is well made about the playoffs in 1985 versus 1976. The Bears, from 1984-1988 had good defenses, but their playoff record during that stretch does not stand up to the playoff record of the Steel Curtain in the 70s. Pittsburg won four Super Bowls in the seventies when the Steel Curtain was in its prime. Chicago won one during the eighties when their's was at it's best.

No doubt about it ren. Over the longer haul the Steeler defense was better, and during the run of four titles in six years, probably the best ever. But for a single season, I'll still take Buddy Ryan's "46".

How about greatest coach? You better say Lombardi!

TO

[drgondog]

Originally Posted by renrich

TO, you make a great point about the rules favoring passing and when John U was playing, they did not protect the QB like he was the crown jewels. The 85 Bears were impressive but in the first five games of that year, the Bears allowed 88 points, 52 points in two games including 28 points in the first game, when the defense is supposed to be ahead of the offense, to Tampa Bay, that wound up ranked 21st in scoring offense. During the last four games, they weren't much better and gave up 38 to Miami. In 1976, the Steelers, over the last nine games of the season allowed an average of 3.1 points per game and had five shutouts. At one point they went 23 straight quarters without allowing a TD. Compare personnel- L C Greenwood V Dan Hampton (slight edge Hampton), Joe Greene V Steve McMicheal(Huge edge Greene), Ernie Holmes V The Fridge Perry (Holmes edge), Dwight White V Richard Dent(edge Dent), Jack Ham V Otis Wilson( edge Ham), Jack Lambert V Mike Singletary (Tie), Andy Russell V Wilbur Marshall (tie), J T Thomas V Mike Richardson ( edge to Richardson) Mel Blount V Leslie Frazer( Huge edge to Blount) Mike Wagner/ Donnie Shell V Dave Duerson (Edge to Wagner/Shell) Glen Edwards V Gary Fencik (edge to Fencik). That adds up to 5-4 for Steelers with the huge edges all in favor of the Steelers. Greene and Blount were special players.

The problem Ren - different day, different players, different opponents and subjective comparisons - not to mention they never played each other.

[Doughboy]

How about greatest coach? You better say Lombardi






What to choose....Bill Walsh?,Vince Lombardi?, or Chuck Noll?...I am leaning Lombardi.

[renrich]

On the record, I have to go with Paul Brown. Back to running back. Best all around running back. Played only 5 years in NFL. His team won at least one championship. He played running back, defensive back, flanker, threw passes and was the extra point and field goal kicker. Led the league in scoring at least one year. Returned punts and kickoffs. Is in NFL Hall of Fame. Doak Walker, the Old Mustang.