Where will Ronnie rank among the Auburn greats?

[Phinanthropist]

When the dust settles years from now...who do you say will be considered the best NFL back to hail from AU?

"When asked to rank Auburn's all-time greats, Davis put Jackson first, himself second and Cribbs third. He didn't mention Williams."
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=2212870

Interesting stats to ponder: Among this talented group, Brown is the biggest (6'00" / 232), Brooks has had the longest pro career to date (12), tallying the most rushing (7,962) and receiving yards (3,621), the most touchdowns (79), total yardage (11,583), and pro bowl selections (4). Jackson has the highest recorded rushing average (5.4).

 

[Dolfan2788]

I think Bo Jackson just because of his freakish ability and he also played 2 sports, he is still mentioned here and there today in sporting circles often enough which indicates to me that it will be him.

I think that Ronnie will have a great career but unless he finishes top 5 all time I doubt he surpasses Jackson on that list.

 

[finswin56]

I hope Ronnie turns out to be their best ever, but Bo is still Super Man to me.

 

[3Ply Stagliano]

I think Bo Jackson's only playing part of a season and his injury problems are too much of a knock on him to be regarded as the best in that list of backs. He might well have had the most potential but my personal choice would be James Brooks for his career production.

 

[BlueFin]

It depends upon the context of the question, who had the best career in the NFL? Who was the best in their prime for a game or two?

I think Ronnie Brown will surpass them all before he is done, and thats not just the homer in me.....barring injury I think he is going to have a huge career.

 

[flintsilver7]

Those of us who watched Bo play probably remember that there was simply nobody else like him. Not even Barry Sanders. Emmitt Smith played on a great team. He was an excellent back - not flashy, but efficient and effective. Barry Sanders was amazing. I only caught the tail end of Walter Payton's career, and I was still pretty young. But Bo Jackson was something else.

I can't really describe it any better than that.

 

[BlueFin]

Those of us who watched Bo play probably remember that there was simply nobody else like him. Not even Barry Sanders. Emmitt Smith played on a great team. He was an excellent back - not flashy, but efficient and effective. Barry Sanders was amazing. I only caught the tail end of Walter Payton's career, and I was still pretty young. But Bo Jackson was something else.

I can't really describe it any better than that.

I was more than old enough to remember Bo Jackson, and as a pure runner nobody touched Barry Sanders.

Bo was a rare blend of speed and power and had he stayed healthy and devoted himself to football only he would probably have been a hall of famer, but the fact is he just didn't play long enough to rank him among the all-time greats.

People will always in private talks discuss the potential that was Bo Jackson but it just didn't happen long enough on the field, most of that was Bo's fault for trying to be a multi-sport athlete.

Gale Sayers was one of the greatest runners ever, but his career was cut short due to injury, not as short as Bo, but too short for him to be considered when serious discussion turns to who is the greatest runningback ever.

 

[popularwar]

I can't believe so many people said Ronnie Brown. Do they even know who Bo Jackson was?

 

[Raekwon The Che]

Bo Jackson based on pure freakish and almost unnatural ability.

 

[BlueFin]

I can't believe so many people said Ronnie Brown. Do they even know who Bo Jackson was?

No offense, but what do you know about Bo Jackson except what you've seen on ESPN Classic?, your 17.

I watched Bo play, at Auburn and in the Pro's.

I took the question in the context of who will be the best Pro runningback.

Bo never committed himself to football, he never had a 1000 yard season.

Ronnie Brown will in my opinion have a long committed career in this league and will rank among the top 15 rushers ever when he is done.

 

[DolfanTom]

Bo Jackson because of his freakish athletic ability, and overwhelming success at Auburn.

Too bad his career was cut short - he was fun to watch.

As good as Ronnie is, and the others on this list, Bo was the man, plus he had mad props in the media. Endorsements? He was something special!

 

[Krie30511]

I don't think you can quite fill that out yet... Ronnie is proving he is going to be a VERY good back, most likely GREAT back, but its too soon... but I would put BO at the top of that list right now....

 

[tay0365]

If Ronnie continues to improve, and be consistent, Ronnie might merit that honor, but for now, have to go with Bo.

You have no idea how much it hurts to have to pick a former Raider...even if he was only parttime. :blowup:

 

[BlueFin]

Bo Jackson because of his freakish athletic ability, and overwhelming success at Auburn.

Too bad his career was cut short - he was fun to watch.

As good as Ronnie is, and the others on this list, Bo was the man, plus he had mad props in the media. Endorsements? He was something special!

The question posed was, who was the best "NFL" back to hail from Auburn?

NOT who had the best career at Auburn?

Bo never had a 1000 yard season so there is no way he was the best NFL back to hail from Auburn.

 

[DolfanTom]

The question posed was, who was the best "NFL" back to hail from Auburn?

NOT who had the best career at Auburn?

Bo never had a 1000 yard season so there is no way he was the best NFL back to hail from Auburn.

My bad. If that is the case, then Ronnie certainly has the potential to be the best by far - but he obviously has a ways to go.

If that's the case, it's pretty clear Stephen Davis is the best pro, while all have had/are having decent careers. James Brooks was fun to watch. Joe Cribbs helped lead the Bills to two straight 2-14 seasons :rofl3: