Is Emmitt Smith A Greater Running Back Than Walter Payton?

I have never been a big fan of "Who is better..." comparisons. Without putting two people in the same situation and seeing how they perform, there is really no way to know. You could compare all the stats that you want...40 yd. dash speed, yds. per game, yds. per carry, rushing TD's, etc., but unless they are playing on the same team, against the same opponents, under the same conditions, there is no possible way to answer that question objectively. Personally, I might prefer Emmitt Smith to Walter Payton because Payton was on the team that defeated the Patriots in the 1986 Super Bowl. Actually, the only thing that bugged me about that game was that Payton was taken out and they let the 'Fridge' score that touchdown. Payton should have had that honor. Anyway, both Payton and Smith were great players and they should be honored in their own right. It really doesn't matter which one was better...

Walter played on bad teams but he was better than emmitt. Emmitt had a good oline. Walter was way tougher ill take walter.

Emmitt Smith wasn't even as good as Jim Brown or Barry Sanders. Emmitt had a great line and for the most part good teams. Barry Sanders never had a good team, Jim Brown and Barry both retired early. Walter was a much better back then Emmitt. He was just in the right place on the right team.

I'm never got to see walter payton play. I'm 31 so maybe it was way before my time. As far as Emmit Smith or any other running backs that are compred to each other to see who was the best, it's hard. Every running back has their own style of running. Some analyst say Brandon Jacobs is the top guy right now. It's hard to argue that when you look at his size and speed. He's like Lebron James. 270 pounds and quick. And he also runs right over you. I like Marion barber from Dallas. I'm no cowbows fan at all, but I like the way he runs. He's my version of the wolverine. He's a small rugged little bats@rd, and he just puts his head down and runs straight into people and bounces off of them. I think it's hard to say who the best running backs are. Barry Sanders is another name that peole mention. I think the guys who are good at catching the ball like Brian Westbrook are very dangerous. This is a conversation that can go on for days. I can't really answer between Emmit Smith or Payton because I've only seen highlight clips of Payton on espn. I have never seen him play, but as much as I've heard his name and from the little that I've seen he looked pretty d@mn good!

walter payton was better to me eventhough emitt broke his record. to be truthful barry sanders would have broken his record first. barry had 2000 yrds rushing without having the line that either of them had.

I think Walter was better. I got a chance to see some of his old college and even some of high school highlights. Until he made the pros man people thought his brother Eddie was a better back.I think the big difference was Walter came to play everyday. He never took a play off.

Walter Payton is the greatest running back ever! No one comes close! Emmitt Smith is the all time leading scorer but to me is not as the same class as Payton! No one is!