Started By
Message
re: Best Running Back in SEC History?
Posted on 6/1/22 at 9:37 am to RollTide1987
Posted on 6/1/22 at 9:37 am to RollTide1987
quote:
Nostalgia can be very powerful and affect the opinions of the most skilled and knowledgeable analyst. There have been many running backs to come through the SEC over the last 25-30 years who were just as physically gifted as Walker. However, due to the offenses they played in, did not get the same opportunities to tote the rock as Walker did.
Najee Harris is a prime example of this. Dude was a freak athlete and just might be the most talented RB Saban ever had at Alabama, but he played at a time where Alabama was airing out the football more than they were toting the rock. Despite this, however, he still managed to break the school's all-time career rushing record in a pass-oriented offense.
I actually think people underestimate Herschel Walker's athleticism. He was a world class sprinter. Faster times than Bo in every metric.
It is assumed that he was this big durable back and that there are a dozen others like him since.
Herschel's best 100m was 10.10 (wind aided). His best wind legal time was 10.23 seconds.
Herschel's 55m was 6.11 seconds.
I dont think Najee Harris ever broke 11 seconds in the 100m.
1
Posted on 6/1/22 at 9:50 am to meansonny
Speed isn't the only thing you measure a RB by. And when Harris left Alabama, he was running a 4.45 40-yard dash. Not as fast as Jackson or Walker were, but still blistering fast all the same. He's also taller and heavier than Walker was in his collegiate career. And it's quite obvious the dude is a world class athlete as he can hurdle a grown man and continue sprinting down the sideline without breaking stride.
Walker was built to play in the offense Georgia ran and amassed the stats you would expect someone with his measureables and physical attributes to amass. Harris broke Alabama's career rushing record despite only being a full-time starter for two years and despite playing in offenses that were oriented more toward the pass.
Walker was built to play in the offense Georgia ran and amassed the stats you would expect someone with his measureables and physical attributes to amass. Harris broke Alabama's career rushing record despite only being a full-time starter for two years and despite playing in offenses that were oriented more toward the pass.
Posted on 6/1/22 at 9:53 am to RollTide1987
quote:
quote:
Opinions can be skewed by many factors, but when an overwhelming majority of experts share the same opinion, those in the minority are most often, if not always, wrong.
Nostalgia can be very powerful and affect the opinions of the most skilled and knowledgeable analyst. There have been many running backs to come through the SEC over the last 25-30 years who were just as physically gifted as Walker. However, due to the offenses they played in, did not get the same opportunities to tote the rock as Walker did.
Najee Harris is a prime example of this. Dude was a freak athlete and just might be the most talented RB Saban ever had at Alabama, but he played at a time where Alabama was airing out the football more than they were toting the rock. Despite this, however, he still managed to break the school's all-time career rushing record in a pass-oriented offense.
Do you ever watch any football outside Bama? Bama players are all you talk about. Herschel was the best RB in the history of CFB. And Georgia was the 2021 National Champs. Deal with it.
This post was edited on 6/1/22 at 9:54 am
Posted on 6/1/22 at 10:10 am to RollTide1987
I was replying to the comment by the gump that said
It was a dumb statement and wrong.
Herschel walker was finishing 2nd place in races against Carl Lewis. Let that sink in.
The UGA offense in the 80s never helped Walker. Walker had to earn his yards despite the offense. The 1979 leading rusher had 589 yards for the Bulldawgs. The 1983 leading rusher had 519 yards for the Bulldawgs.
Herschel forced 5,259 yards in those 3 years between. He had success despite an offense running the same 3 plays over and over. He had success despite the defense keying 11 guys on him every game. Im shocked that gump fans are disputing this.
quote:
There have been many running backs to come through the SEC over the last 25-30 years who were just as physically gifted as Walker. However, due to the offenses they played in, did not get the same opportunities to tote the rock as Walker did.
It was a dumb statement and wrong.
Herschel walker was finishing 2nd place in races against Carl Lewis. Let that sink in.
The UGA offense in the 80s never helped Walker. Walker had to earn his yards despite the offense. The 1979 leading rusher had 589 yards for the Bulldawgs. The 1983 leading rusher had 519 yards for the Bulldawgs.
Herschel forced 5,259 yards in those 3 years between. He had success despite an offense running the same 3 plays over and over. He had success despite the defense keying 11 guys on him every game. Im shocked that gump fans are disputing this.
Posted on 6/1/22 at 10:19 am to BrotherDawg84
quote:
Do you ever watch any football outside Bama? Bama players are all you talk about. Herschel was the best RB in the history of CFB.
Were you even alive and cognizant of the sport of college football when Walker played? I sure wasn't. The best RBs I have witnessed in my life have all played from 1997 (when I started watching football) and into the present day.
I can't give you my opinion on Walker or Jackson because I wasn't alive to see them play. The only thing I can comment on is what I have seen with my own two eyes. And I have seen RBs who have been just as physically gifted on the football field as Walker and Jackson were but who were playing in offenses that limited their carries.
Posted on 6/1/22 at 10:22 am to DawgsLife
quote:So every Georgia fan saying Herschel is the best isn't a homer but every Bama fan saying that D. Henry is the best is
have a pretty good idea why y'all keep ignoring this challenge, so what we are left with is Experts and a preponderance of neutral fans on this board saying Herschel Walker and Bo Jackson are the best.....and a bunch of homer Alabama fans saying Derrick Henry was the best.
some of you guys let your emotions expose you. But since you want a link so bad my man here ya go: Orlando Sentinel Piece This post was edited on 6/1/22 at 10:35 am
Posted on 6/1/22 at 10:25 am to meansonny
quote:
Herschel walker was finishing 2nd place in races against Carl Lewis. Let that sink in.
Hot damn.
quote:
The UGA offense in the 80s never helped Walker. Walker had to earn his yards despite the offense. The 1979 leading rusher had 589 yards for the Bulldawgs. The 1983 leading rusher had 519 yards for the Bulldawgs.
That just tells me that Vince Dooley was smart enough to realize what a talent he had in Herschel Walker and rode him to victory the three years he was there. He had almost 1,000 carries in the three years he was there.
Posted on 6/1/22 at 10:31 am to Dawg4Life47
quote:
Herschel/Bo
v
v
v
Everyone else
Probably this BUT I think Derrick Henry was an absolute force in CFB during his time. I really think it's:
1a/1b: Herschel/Bo
2: Derrick Henry
Herschel and Bo played at a time where DLine and LBs were not absolute beasts with 7% body fat like they are now. Henry should get extra credit for going up against amazing DLine scheme's and absolute dragons vs. 30+ years ago.
Posted on 6/1/22 at 10:37 am to meansonny
quote:
The UGA offense in the 80s never helped Walker. Walker had to earn his yards despite the offense. The 1979 leading rusher had 589 yards for the Bulldawgs. The 1983 leading rusher had 519 yards for the Bulldawgs.
Cute.
When Derrick Henry really began his playing time at Bama, his QB's were:
2013: AJ McCarron (and he was buried in depth at RB this year)
2014: Blake Simms
2015: Jake Coker
Posted on 6/1/22 at 10:37 am to RollTide1987
quote:I was. I was 23 years old in 1980.
Were you even alive and cognizant of the sport of college football when Walker played? I sure wasn't. The best RBs I have witnessed in my life have all played from 1997 (when I started watching football) and into the present day.
quote:Fair statement.
I can't give you my opinion on Walker or Jackson because I wasn't alive to see them play.
quote:How can you say, "I can't give you my opinion on Walker or Jackson because I wasn't alive to see them play." and thhen turn around and say, "
The only thing I can comment on is what I have seen with my own two eyes. And I have seen RBs who have been just as physically gifted on the football field as Walker and Jackson were but who were playing in offenses that limited their carries.
quote:
I have seen RBs who have been just as physically gifted on the football field as Walker and Jackson were but who were playing in offenses that limited their carries."?
While they were playing Herschel Walker and Bo Jackson were bigger, stronger and faster than other RBs. They were bigger than a lot of the competition they played against in defensive players.
It is nearly impossible to compare players from different eras, so you have to compare them to the players in the era they participated in.
Put Herschel Walker and Bo Jackson in today's game with the training, coaching, facilities and nutritional advantages today's players have and you have to believe they would dominate today. Maybe they would maybe they wouldn't. nobody knows. But how do you definitively say today's RB that you have seen were as physically gifted as RBs you admittedly have not seen?
Posted on 6/1/22 at 10:42 am to qman91
quote:
So every Georgia fan saying Herschel is the best isn't a homer but every Bama fan saying that D. Henry is the best is some of you guys let your emotions expose you.
When we are backed up by tons of articles and polls and Alabama fans are not....yes. You are correct. Again. Show me some articles and/or polls by exerts that study the game that shows Derrick Henry as the best SEC RB All Time. because i have give y'all link after link of articles and opinions of non Georgia fans saying Herschel was.
quote:And that is talking about his NFL career so far. I am still waiting on one saying he was the best SEC RB of all time. I have given you many saying Herschel Walker was.
But since you want a link so bad my man here ya go: Orlando Sentinel Piece
Here's the hint. If you have to twist your argument to make your point, then your point is not a good one.
Posted on 6/1/22 at 10:45 am to DoubleDown
quote:
Cute.
When Derrick Henry really began his playing time at Bama, his QB's were:
2013: AJ McCarron (and he was buried in depth at RB this year)
2014: Blake Simms
2015: Jake Coker
You know Buck Belue was Herschel Walker's QB, right?
All of those Alabama QBs threw better than Belue and were better QBs. And the fact that Derrick Henry was "buried" in the depth chart says volumes about his being the greatest SEC RB all time.
Posted on 6/1/22 at 10:47 am to DoubleDown
quote:
Herschel/Bo
v
v
v
Everyone else
I am nto sure I would put them quite that much above the others. I mean, while I think Herschel and Bo were better there is no argument (In my mind) that Derrick Henry and some ofthe other guys were absolutely great RBs.
Posted on 6/1/22 at 10:51 am to DawgsLife
quote:
How can you say, "I can't give you my opinion on Walker or Jackson because I wasn't alive to see them play." and thhen turn around and say, "
I have seen RBs who have been just as physically gifted on the football field as Walker and Jackson were but who were playing in offenses that limited their carries."?
Because height, weight, and strength measurables are readily available on the internet in 2022.
quote:
While they were playing Herschel Walker and Bo Jackson were bigger, stronger and faster than other RBs. They were bigger than a lot of the competition they played against in defensive players.
Which wouldn't be the case anymore as defensive players, by and large, are now far more athletic and versatile than they were in the early and mid-80s.
quote:
Put Herschel Walker and Bo Jackson in today's game with the training, coaching, facilities and nutritional advantages today's players have and you have to believe they would dominate today.
See above. Also...Herschel Walker's career yards per carry average was 5.3 while Bo Jackson's was 6.6. I'd take Jackson over Walker in today's game.
This post was edited on 6/1/22 at 10:53 am
Posted on 6/1/22 at 11:11 am to meansonny
quote:
Is that your point? It wasnt mine.
The point is that it is easier to run the football when you are consistently throwing it at the same time.
It is harder to run the football when the defense has to prepare for 3 plays.
Except for the fact that every person on the team is dedicated to the run, because that's what the offense was at the time.
That every person recruited was recruited to run block and help that style of offense.
They didn't pass as much, but I bet they also didn't have 3 and 4 WR sets.
Who knows how many yards Henry could have gotten if the team was built solely for his success rather than having spread the ball around to other players.
Instead, he had lineman that were recruited on their ability to pass block as much as run block. The WR's were recruited on their speed, route running and pass catching ability, not their ability to block. Formations usually featuring only 1 back, not extra backs in the backfield to block. I'll bet Walker didn't even know what an 11 personnel formation looks like.
And of course, on top of that Henry actually played against good competition, unlike Walker who played a total of 1 SEC team that finished ranked in his entire 3 year career.
This post was edited on 6/1/22 at 11:15 am
Posted on 6/1/22 at 11:20 am to BrotherDawg84
quote:
Herschel was the best RB in the history of CFB. And Georgia was the 2021 National Champs. Deal with it.
Barry Sanders....
Posted on 6/1/22 at 11:22 am to meansonny
quote:
Herschel forced 5,259 yards in those 3 years between. He had success despite an offense running the same 3 plays over and over. He had success despite the defense keying 11 guys on him every game. Im shocked that gump fans are disputing this.
Now this I will agree with. Same deal for George Rodgers. You knew it was a pitch left or a pitch right. Those backs that ran in those offenses and still amassed a ton of yards have my respect.
George Rodgers
Walker
Campbell
etc.
This post was edited on 6/1/22 at 11:23 am
Posted on 6/1/22 at 11:24 am to DawgsLife
quote:And all of those are OPINION based sir what are you guys not getting listen you are a homer and that's fine man I'm a homer for Bama to a certain extent but I'm not so blind in my fandom to believe that we can't have a discussion about certain topics because just as many articles as you can pull up about Herschel I can pull for Bo (whom I believe is the best ever). However you wanted a Derrick Henry piece so I presented you one.
When we are backed up by tons of articles and polls and Alabama fans are not....yes. You are correct. Again. Show me some articles and/or polls by exerts that study the game that shows Derrick Henry as the best SEC RB All Time. because i have give y'all link after link of articles and opinions of non Georgia fans saying Herschel was.
quote:Actually that was encapsulating his whole journey to this point and why he believes he was the best ever from high school to college of course he can't say for the pros as he is only a few years into his career
And that is talking about his NFL career so far. I am still waiting on one saying he was the best SEC RB of all time. I have given you many saying Herschel Walker was.
Here's the hint. If you have to twist your argument to make your point, then your point is not a good one.
. As you read, a majority of the article highlighted his college career. At the end of the day, this is the rant so you can't have sound debates without mudslinging and childish retorts so im gonna bow out of this one, it's a troll thread anyways so it got me Posted on 6/1/22 at 11:26 am to RollTide1987
quote:
That just tells me that Vince Dooley was smart enough to realize what a talent he had in Herschel Walker and rode him to victory the three years he was there. He had almost 1,000 carries in the three years he was there.
I can agree with that.
If it aint broke...
But Herschel had no help. Significantly less than Henry.
Herschel had 3 offensive lineman drafted from his 3 year stint at UGA.
Nat Hudson 6th round after the 1980 season. Tim Morrison 11th round after the 1980 season. Guy McIntyre was a 3rd round selection after the 1983 season. Imagine having 12 rounds and only drafting 3 linemen starters from those 3 seasons.
For Henry...
Cyrus Kouandijo was drafted 2nd round after the 2013 season.
Arie Kouandijo (4th round) and Austin Shepherd (7th round) were drafted off the 2014 team.
Henry had 3 OL starters drafted from the 2015 season (Cam Robinson in 2nd round, Ryan Kelly in the 1st round, and Ross Pierschbacher in the 5th round).
Herschel had 1 wide receiver drafted from his teams.
The 2015 Bama team alone had Calvin Ridley, ArDarius Stewart, and OJ Howard.
Having help doesnt take anything away from Henry in one regard.
The best running back attribute was his 19 rushing TDs in the red zone. Defenses knew he was the primary target and, like Herschel, he got the job done anyway.
Henry is a beast.
I havent once said that Herschel is better than Henry. But it is undeniable that a lot of the comments from gumps about Herschel have been flat out wrong. And that is why this thread is 20+ pages in.
Posted on 6/1/22 at 11:30 am to GamecockUltimate
quote:
Now this I will agree with. Same deal for George Rodgers. You knew it was a pitch left or a pitch right. Those backs that ran in those offenses and still amassed a ton of yards have my respect.
George Rodgers
Walker
Campbell
etc.
Not me. Those entire teams were built around that. It's not like he was on a team devoted to the pass, but then put up all those stats anyway.
Page 27 of 40
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News