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NFL: Selecting the best player in each franchise’s history

By Brad Rowland

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) warms up prior to a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) warms up prior to a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Lions former player Barry Sanders comes out to announce the number ten overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Detroit Lions at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions former player Barry Sanders comes out to announce the number ten overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Detroit Lions at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Lions – Barry Sanders

Barry Sanders is the best running back that I’ve ever seen with these two eyes.

I’m sure that there is a more eloquent way to communicate that belief, but Sanders’ combination of power, elusiveness, speed and vision separated him from the rest (even his contemporary, Emmitt Smith). If there is a way to detract from the career that Sanders put forth, it is that it ended so quickly, as the former Oklahoma State standout virtually vanished from the spotlight with juice left in the tank. Still, Sanders played ten years in the NFL (longer than Jim Brown or Gale Sayers), and was transcendent during his time.

Sanders exceeded 1,850 rushing yards on two different occasions, including a season (1997) in which he averaged 6.1 yards per carry on the way to 2,053 rushing yards. Because of the quick exit, he is not the NFL’s all-time leading rusher (ranking third with 15,269 yards), but Sanders rushed for at least 1,350 yards in every season that he played at least 12 games. He also never fell below 1,100 yards in any year.

The superlatives are endless, from leading the league in rushing four times to being named an All-Pro on six occasions, but Barry Sanders was electric by any description. He is easily the most memorable player in Lions history, and he also doubles as the best.

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