Throwdowns > Closed

Runs Harder??????????? I don't think so
Better nose for the end zone???????? Sanders was a one man show my friend and blew everyone any, Put LT on those Detroit teams and see how many 30 TD seasons he has

There has been a huge Barry Sanders love fest on here the past few days.

Do you realize that Tomlinson already has more career touchdowns than Sanders does? And the last time I checked, even considering what my Red Sox fan friend said above this, despite the massive Sanders love fest going on, I have yet to hear the adjective "punishing" to describe him. Tomlinson is a far more complete back than Sanders. If he wants Barry, he can have him.

Hey, yardage over TDs is good to me if I have a very good short passing game or a big fullback or halfback to come in and punch the ball into the endzone.

Sanders has Tomlinson 5.0 to 4.5 in yards per carry. Tomlinson has Sanders 100-99 in touchdowns, in 53 less games (three entire seasons and change). I would think the half-yard difference per carry is more than made up by the fact that Tomlinson is a workhorse at the goal line. Or, to put it simply, Sanders' 1-yard carries weren't touchdowns. Tomlinson's are.

I agree that Tomlinson all around is better, but Sanders did a lot more with a lot less than Tomlinson. Granted Tomlinson was on terrible Chargers teams his first three to four years in the league, but Barry was on the Lions. The only reason they made the playoffs was because of Barry Sanders. The only reason they made the NFC Championship Game in 1991 was because of Barry Sanders. Tomlinson doesn't carry his team by himself.

Why is it that the default Barry Sanders Apologist Position is he was better because he played on worse teams? Why do Tomlinson, Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton get overlooked because their teams won.

Does it occur to anyone that perhaps the reason Smith's teams were so good is because he was at an elite level for so long? Keep in mind, Tomlinson was cracking out Better-than-Sanders numbers when the Chargers were absolute dogs early in his career.

you know what would settle this.... Would you rather watch LT replays or Barry Sanders replays... I think that is a better throwdown. In fact I'll post it!

Yeah, you're right. Barry Sanders was a more exciting running back. That's why the Lions won as much as they did. It's the same reason Michael Vick is a better quarterback than Drew Brees.

Didn't I say that Steelercooz (that Tomlinson was great even when the Chargers sucked just as I said the same of Sanders). Also, that is the position because it was true.

LT by far!!! its not a contest you can do more things with him... he's a leader... and he doesn't bail under contract... I'm sure they lions knew barry couldn't handle the ball in the red zone thats why they took carries away from him... blame LTs line all you want but the fact is when its all said and done LT would be on top in almost every stat... on pase for ... running yards... TD... receptions... passing TD's come on... the best first 6years of any running back...

Thank you, Bolthead! And yes, I do agree with you, Big Ben. At the very least, you made something of an argument. I just don't like the way that no back will ever be compared to Barry Sanders because the Lions weren't very good every year (made the playoffs often enough in his career). It disrespects the running backs who make their teams into winners, i.e. Tomlinson. He could have gone free agent, and gotten out of San Diego when they were bums, but he signed his extension because he wanted to make them a winner. He has, and now all the credit goes to the rest of his team. So apparently, the moral is your team can't be TOO good if you want to be the best RB of all time.

Well, I'll give you that Barry Sanders and Tomlinson made those teams what they were/are (were for BS, are for LT) yesterday/today (yesterday: BS, today: LT). But Barry Sanders is a Hall of Famer and was great for ten years. Tomlinson's been great for six, you don't know if some freak injury in the next couple years will ruin his career and he'll never break another record. But hopefully that doesn't happen.

The question at hand, loosely defined, is which player you would rather have on your team anyway. It really doesn't matter, Tomlinson has already showed he won't bail on his team when they aren't winning. Sanders can't say the same, as much as I like the guy.

theres two LTs really