Today's topic is about the best RB in NFL history. There are lots of people to choose from, so let's get started.
As of 1994, according to the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team, the 7 greatest RB's were (in alphabetical order):
Jim Brown
Marion Motley
Bronko Nagurski
Walter Payton
Gayle Sayers
OJ Simpson
Steve Van Buren
NOTES:
Gayle Sayers also made the 75th Anniversary Team as the only Kick Returner named.
Marion Motley and Bronko Nagurski also made the 75th Anniversary Team as two way players including Linebacker.
Steve Van Buren also made the 75th Anniversary Team as a two way player including Defensive Back.
So that helps to narrow down the players from the not so recent past (that we may not be as familiar with). Of that group, Jim Brown is the guy that is most commonly referred to when speaking about the greatest RB ever. So how does he stack up against say, LaDainian Tomlinson of today's era?
As of right now, LT has played 111 games and Brown 118 games. So if someone says Brown is the best despite his lack of playing time, then someone can say LT is the best as well without saying, "But LT hasn't played enough to be called the best ever."
Jim averages: 125.5 total yards per game
LT averages: 126.4 total yards per game
Jim averages: 1.07 total TD's per game
LT averages: 1.16 total TD's per game
Jim: 57 fumbles
LT: 24 fumbles
This is a fun stat:
Jim: 110.1 Passer Rating (12 passes attempted, 4 completions, 3 TD's)
LT: 154.4 Passer Rating (11 passes attempted, 8 completions, 7 TD's)
Moreover, Jim played on a great team.
Jim's teams: 79-34-5 (70%)
LT's teams: 63-49 (56%)
So why not LT? A great RB can run AND catch AND block AND score AND do the little things needed to win.
With respect to Brown he does better here:
Jim: 5.2 Yards Per Carry
LT: 4.5 Yards Per Carry
Jim: 9.5 Yards Per Catch
LT: 7.4 Yards Per Catch
I will say though regarding Jim's receiving stats, those numbers may seem a little out of proportion due to LT having so many more catches than Brown. (Brown's 262 receptions vs LT's 458 receptions). From a mathematical statistical standpoint, that is a very large difference.
Regarding the average yards per rushing attempt, Brown definitely has the advantage. Or does he???
As mentioned above, Brown played on a GREAT team.
LT's years in the league:
2001: 0 ProBowl Offensive Linemen & 0 All Pro Offensive Linemen
2002: 0 ProBowl Offensive Linemen & 0 All Pro Offensive Linemen
2003: 0 ProBowl Offensive Linemen & 0 All Pro Offensive Linemen
2004: 0 ProBowl Offensive Linemen & 0 All Pro Offensive Linemen
2005: 0 ProBowl Offensive Linemen & 0 All Pro Offensive Linemen
2006: 2 ProBowl Offensive Linemen & 0 All Pro Offensive Linemen
2007: 2 ProBowl Offensive Linemen & 0 All Pro Offensive Linemen
Jim's years in the league:
1957: 2 ProBowl Offensive Linemen & 2 All Pro Offensive Linemen (2 HOF's)
1958: 2 ProBowl Offensive Linemen & 2 All Pro Offensive Linemen (2 HOF's) (3 different guys)
1959: 3 ProBowl Offensive Linemen & 2 All Pro Offensive Linemen (2 HOF's) (4 different guys)
1960: 2 ProBowl Offensive Linemen & 2 All Pro Offensive Linemen (1 HOF)
1961: 3 ProBowl Offensive Linemen & 2 All Pro Offensive Linemen (1 HOF) (3 different guys)
1962: 2 ProBowl Offensive Linemen & 2 All Pro Offensive Linemen (1 HOF)
1963: 2 ProBowl Offensive Linemen & 1 All Pro Offensive Linemen
1964: 1 ProBowl Offensive Linemen & 2 All Pro Offensive Linemen (1 HOF)
1965: 3 ProBowl Offensive Linemen & 4 All Pro Offensive Linemen (1 HOF) (4 different guys)
Thus, the difference is pretty obvious. Jim was surrounded by massive talent blocking for him while LT did not have that same luxury.
Let's compare by adding them up per year:
ProBowlers: LT = 4, Jim = 20
All Pro Lineman: LT =0, Jim = 19