Who is the best running back in the upcoming 2010 NFL season? Is it Adrian Peterson, the 4th year beast out of Oklahoma on the Minnesota Vikings, or is it Chris Johnson, the 3rd year speed demon out of East Carolina on the Tennessee Titans? Based on the 2009 statistics alone, Johnson gains the advantage with 2,006 rushing yards on 358 attempts and 14 touchdowns, averaging 5.6 yards a carry and 125.4 yards per game. However Peterson had more scores with 18 TDs and 1,383 rushing yards on 314 carries; he averaged 4.4 a carry and 86.4 yards a game. In regards to receiving stats, which are also very important, Johnson had 50 receptions, 503 yards, and 2 TDs; while Peterson had 43 receptions, 436 yards, and 0 TDs. Their receiving game this year was closer and more similar compared to their running game this year.
The problem with comparing these two running backs is that they are different types of running backs, with Peterson’s downfield running and Johnson’s outside running you have to examine them closely. However, if anyone were to go one-on-one with either of them in the secondary they would most likely miss. Johnson would use his pure agility and speed to juke or spin out of the way, and Peterson would use his power and speed to push through any opponent. They both have incredible speed but Johnson again draws the advantage with a 40-yard dash time of 4.24 compared to Peterson’s time of 4.37. Johnson is one of the fastest players in the game if not the fastest. The biggest problem that can change the outcome of this question is Peterson’s problem with fumbles. In his three seasons he has had 20 fumbles in which 13 were lost, and 6 of those lost fumbles were last season. Johnson only had 4 total fumbles and 4 lost fumbles in his two seasons. Will Peterson’s fumbling problem become a big enough disadvantage to make Johnson the better running back?
There were changes last season on both teams that could have changed both Johnson and Peterson’s stats. For Peterson, the Vikings acquired Brett Favre during the offseason that caused the team to adapt and change from more of a running team to more of a passing team. To prove this, Peterson had 49 less carries than in 2008, and almost 400 less rushing yards. Although Peterson did not look the same throughout this year as he did his previous two years. He showed glimpses of his power and speed throughout this season, but not in every game like Johnson did. The change for Johnson that affected him was quite different. Johnson became the full feature back and backup LenDale White only had 64 carries in 2009 instead of 200 in 2008 and 303 in 2007.
With both players now top of the league running backs and full feature backs for their respective teams, the final question comes back, who is better? With their selective similarities and differences it is a very tough choice because they are both so good. I believe that Adrian Peterson is the better back because despite his fumbling problem, he is a bigger, tougher, and more of a powerhouse back. This was a very tough decision with Johnson very close behind, however, in order for Peterson to keep his top spot this year he will have to have fixed his fumbling problem during the offseason which he has been working on, and also try to get back to his 5.6 yards per carry he had his rookie season. If Peterson is not able to run better and hold onto the ball this season, then I believe that Chris Johnson will take over as the top running back in the game.
Original Story:
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