Make arguments then, I'm definitely open to here them. I think it is just overall consensus, coming into the season, AP was the best back.
Coming into the season, yeah. But man, Chris Johnson is definitely behind him and it's damn close. I love both runningbacks, and the only arguement that would really keep Adrian Peterson in that #1 spot is that he's done it longer, but Chris Johnson has: - higher yards per carry. (6.4 > 5.1) - nearly as much receiving yards despite playing 1 season less (522 < 592) - more receiving TDs As blockers, i have to give the edge to CJ by a bit (though none are really all too great at that aspect). CJ's faster, he's a better receiver, and mind you, he plays on a team where defenses KNOW he's their only threat, whereas the Vikings have a really good passing attack to balance the attention from AP. Obviously, their running styles are different (Run past vs. Run through), but Chris Johnson has been more effective with less carries. An arguement could be made for either runningback but i'd give the best RB title to CJ by a hair.
I love how you used YPC instead of actual yardage. I think its a better stat :]. I think Johnson is definitely in contention for the title of best RB, I just want to see him do it for another season or so before we just overthrow AP. That is all. I hated Chris Johnson last year, I thought he was just arrogant and annoying, but this year he's really won me over. The dude is a damn good RB and should have a brilliant career if he stays healthy.
Okay, if you had to do a list of top RB's in order, how would it go? 1a) AP 1b) Chris Johnson 3) MoJo 4) Michael Turner 5) Stephen Jackson 6) Cedric Benson 7) DeAngelo Williams Benson will definitely climb on that list if he stays productive and healthy in Cincinnati. Having a very respectable running attack has done wonders for that team this year.
I personally like MJD. Dude is quick and powerful, plus he's a good receiver out of the backfield. He's also a TD machine. And I don't think that there's any question that AP is the best player in the NFL. Despite having Favre is the QB, teams still load 7 or 8 in the box to stop him, and they still can't. The dude has everything. He is the absolute perfect blend of power and speed. He's quick, agile, he's getting better at holding on to the ball, and he's basically impossible to tackle high. You can try and make an argument for CJ, but he's pretty one dimensional IMO. He's a pure speed back. He's not going to run you over the way AP can. He might be a better receiver out of the backfield, but to AP's defense, the Vikings don't really ask that of him. CJ gets a lot of looks outta the backfield because his QBs are crap and have to go to the check-down pretty often, or they run some simple screen plays to get easy yards. You can try and argue, but I don't think there's any question that AP is hands down the best RB in the NFL, and it's not even close.
No I completely understand, everyone hates crowning a sophomore the best. Too premature. and I'd go: 1a) Chris Johnson 1b) Adrian Peterson 2) Maaaurice JD 3) DeAngelo Williams (very, very suprised he's put up half of those numbers despite injuries all season and sharing carries with Stewart) 4) Michael Turner 5) Steven Jackson 6) Ray Rice (Another sophomore, but goddamn, he's been amazing despite starting the season as the #3 back and only being the #1 back after 5 games) 7) Cedric Benson 8) Frank Gore A player to look out for is Knowshon Moreno. He hasn't been consistent, but he's shown flashes of possibly becoming a top 3 back by the end of NEXT season. He just needs more touches. Oh, and I MIGHT even switch up Ray Rice and Steven Jackson's spots.
Chris Johnson has gone a long way from becoming a bad blocker to an above average one. He's also made strides from last season with his cuts. He may not run over guys like AP, but why does he need to when he can simply run past them. And even though the Vikings don't ask AP to go young-LT in the receiving game, he's still not that great of a receiver. He's got average hands and continues to run straight up, which will keep causing him to fumble. Chris Johnson is easily the better receiver and at cradling that ball. I'd trust him not to fumble the ball on a 3rd & long situation; whereas, I'm iffy with Peterson. And I'd venture to say that CJ gets as much attention --maybe more-- from the defenses than Adrian Peterson. If CJ had the WRs and QB with half the awareness and technicality that Favre does, Johnson would be seeing more daylight. Being a fellow Lakers/Bulls fan, I love you Mook, but it's just dumb to say Peterson is the best RB, and its not even close. Hell, Maurice Jones Drew can be given consideration for best back, but his size worries me. At 5'6' his career will end shorter, and he's already starting to show some tear.
Yeah Moo, to say it isn't even close is pure stupidity to be honest. MJD is close. Stephen Jackson is close. CJ is close. Knowshon Moreno is good, but I hate him. God damn Bronco. Personally, I like backs like Turner, Jacobs, Jackson, etc...backs who can run right fuckin' through you. Speed is cool and all, but I love the hits some of these backs lay. However, I know it is smarter health wise to avoid hitting someone like that lol. I just love the exciting hits and the trucking abilities of backs. I used to love backs like LT, not the fastest and strongest, but he was the best and most consistent back in the league for years. He was all vision, cuts, stiff arms, and his ability to change paces. God, I hate seeing him wind his career down. So sad :[ I just depressed myself.
Why is DeAngelo so low on everyone's lists? Are we throwing out last year and ignoring how durable he has been so far in his career?
MJD can also block in pass protection. [video=youtube;eTbCtjX_y0w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTbCtjX_y0w[/video]
Maybe Chris Johnson, but it is amazing how the Titans were still losing all those games even with him beasting.
RB's can't do it all. Kerry Collins isn't exactly a stud QB and their overrated D did lose Big Albert. I'm not surprised by their start (I thought all year last year they overachieved), and I don't think it should be put on CJ.
Just curious HVK, how would you rank the RBs? I'm not a (TEN) fan btw, but anyone who does not have CJ in the top 4 doesn't even get a response from me.
