Recruiting Football Talk VII

Awesome OL which had only one HOF level player in its original lineup (Erik Williams)…Larry Allen happened later. Nate Newton was a journeyman and Mark Tuinei was a converted DL. It worked because Jimmy was dogged about them working towards an end game…maximized dosage of Emmitt. Doesn’t work for any other RB imo. As far as TALENT level, Detroit’s was much more storied. Two actual HOF’s in that group. They were shortchanged by the Run&Shoot. Get in the way and allow Barry to do his thing. Sanders is nowhere close as brilliant in Jimmy’s scheme…once again imo.
At times, Emmit had three pro bowlers on that OL. And then the Lions, oh those Lions. Barry ran around as if his life depended on it (it did). That line leaked like a sieve. Yet, very often, he made one, two, three, and more defenders miss. It was amazing. I was at some of those games while living in Detroit. Emmit was a good runner but for me, Barry was other wordly in his shiftiness. I would have loved to see Barry on a good team during those years. I say this even though Dallas is my team (a little less interest with their awful owner).
 
At times, Emmit had three pro bowlers on that OL. And then the Lions, oh those Lions. Barry ran around as if his life depended on it (it did). That line leaked like a sieve. Yet, very often, he made one, two, three, and more defenders miss. It was amazing. I was at some of those games while living in Detroit. Emmit was a good runner but for me, Barry was other wordly in his shiftiness. I would have loved to see Barry on a good team during those years. I say this even though Dallas is my team (a little less interest with their awful owner).
Watch some of Emmitt’s highlights. He didn’t always get a clean hole. He ran over and around defenders a bunch. Barry Sanders was an elite back, but I don’t think you have to downgrade Emmit to get there. I’m was at the Falcons game when 3-4 defenders had Emmit wrapped up, and he ended up scoring on a long run. His balance was incredible.
 
At times, Emmit had three pro bowlers on that OL. And then the Lions, oh those Lions. Barry ran around as if his life depended on it (it did). That line leaked like a sieve. Yet, very often, he made one, two, three, and more defenders miss. It was amazing. I was at some of those games while living in Detroit. Emmit was a good runner but for me, Barry was other wordly in his shiftiness. I would have loved to see Barry on a good team during those years. I say this even though Dallas is my team (a little less interest with their awful owner).
It was the scheme…and holding blocks for a freelancing RB isn’t conducive to dominating your assignment. The Cowboys OL optics with their guy hitting the hole and not dancing behind the LOS was advantageous towards Pro Bowls. Once again, Kevin Glover and Lomas Brown were two HOF’s in that “sieve”. With a halfway normal scheme, their legacy was elite.
 
Kirk Cousins playing Quarterback for Falcons this season will open the field up even more for Bijan Robinson.

NFC offensive player of the year this season while leading Falcons to NFC South division Champions. Bijan will win the award.
 
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When did RBs become an afterthought? When I started watching there were players like Marcus Allen, Roger Craig, etc. that got all the attention.
When they started changing all the rules to favor the offense in the passing game. When those guys you named used to play, defenses could manhandle wide receivers, so the running game was more crucial back then.
 
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When did RBs become an afterthought? When I started watching there were players like Marcus Allen, Roger Craig, etc. that got all the attention.
Some before those 2 RB's.

Billy Sims
John Riggins
Tony Dorsett
Joe Morris
Wilbert Montgomery
The Falcons Running Back can't remember his name
George Rogers.
Franco Harris

All these guys carried the water for their teams in the 70's and 80's
 
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Emmitt to me was just a high volume RB that had insane durability. 15 years and he only finished 2 seasons with 4.5 YPC or more. Barry only had 2 seasons where he failed to reach 4.5 YPC or better on the year.

Emmitt only had 6 of his 15 seasons end with him averaging 90+ per game. Barry only had 2 seasons where he failed to average 90+ per game.
 
Some before those 2 RB's.

Billy Sims
John Higgins
Tony Dorsett
Joe Morris
Wilbert Montgomery
The Falcons Running Back can't remember his name
George Rogers.
Franco Harris

All these guys carried the water for their teams in the 70's and 80's
Gerald Riggs.
 
Some before those 2 RB's.

Billy Sims
John Riggins
Tony Dorsett
Joe Morris
Wilbert Montgomery
The Falcons Running Back can't remember his name
George Rogers.
Franco Harris

All these guys carried the water for their teams in the 70's and 80's
how did you forget Sweetness?
 

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