The Great Debate..

by Mackels45 on Nov 18, 2009 11:51 AM CST

Chirs Johnson v.s. Adrian Peterson.. ( who is really the better back )

I'm sure by now we have all heard the debates throughout the media outlets. Who's really the better runningback in the NFL Adrian Peterson or Chris Johnson? Well lets take a closer look at who is the better back. Adrian Peterson is in his 3rd season for the Minnesota Vikings. Up to this point he has a total of 5,038 all purpose yards. This including running, catching, and returning. Peterson has accumulated a total of 34 touchdowns. While losing the ball a total of 11 out of the 17 times he has fumbled the ball.

Peterson has also accumulate a few defensive stats like his 8 tackles and 1 assist throughout his 3 years for the Vikings. Ok so in 39 NFL games Adrian Peterson is looking pretty damn good. However you have to take into granted who and where he plays. He plays in a Dome, in the NFC North, and against talented teams like the Bears, Lions, and Packers. Well maybe not so talented teams in that NFC North.

Lets now take a look at Chris Johnson. Johnson is now in his 2nd season with the Tennessee Titans. To this point Chris Johnson has a total of 2,858 all purpose yards. This including running, receiving and returning. Well not so much the returning as he only has returned the ball 1 time in his career. Johnson has found the endzone 19 times with the Titans. Chris has also lost the football a total of 2 times in the 24 games he has played for the Titans. As did Peterson; Johnson has also found a way to get a few defensive stats recording 3 tackles.

Well just by looking at the stats Adrian Peterson is the better runningback by a mile here. When looking deeper though i say he isn't. Peterson is now in his 3rd season while Johnson only his second. Adrian has played in 39 games while Chris only 24 which is a significatant difference. It's hard to digest who is really better. They both have things that make them better than the other. Peterson's power or ability to make linebackers runaway is shocking. While Johnson's speed to run 200 yards in 10 seconds is merely amazing.

Both can catch the ball pretty well, and both know how to find the endzone. The problem is handling the ball though. Peterson likes to let the ball go free from time to time. Johnson really doesn't know how to cough up the ball as good as Adrian does. The biggest problem is whom they play though. Adrian plays in the NFC where the most talented team might just be the Minnesota Vikings. I mean when you play the Lions, Bears and Packers twice a year you are bound to pat your stats at least 3-5 times. Now don't get me wrong the NFC has some good teams, but those good teams just are not as talented as the AFC.

The AFC South has a few good teams. The Colts, Texans, and Jaguars are pretty good. Chris would have as much if not more success in the NFC North as Adrian would have in the AFC South. That fact that both teams are in decent divisions is a lost subject. The fact that they both play in different confrences is not. The AFC has tougher teams than the NFC. Johnson has to find ways to sneak past teams the Steelers, Ravens, Patriots, and Colts almost every year. Peterson needs to find ways to get past teams like the Giants, Bucs, Cardinals, and Falcons. This one is easy Johnson wins based on the type of teams they play by a mile.

When it really comes down to it thought if your a Minnesota Vikings fans Adrian Peterson is the best runningback in the NFL. If your a Tennessee Titans fan hands down Chris Johnson is the man. This debate will go on and on for years to come. When this debate will come to an end is when both Johnson and Peterson are retired for the game they both know how to play very well. For now you make your own choice.

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"200 yards in 10 seconds"

and that’s if he walked the last 15 yards!

Music City Miracles blogger and official Jon Bovi tour manager.

by August West on Nov 18, 2009 1:05 PM CST reply actions

Backwards!

by hartley on Nov 18, 2009 2:30 PM CST up reply actions

Overall I think you have to give a slight edge to AP.

The reason I say that is because he is a better short yardage guy, he can really run over guys. He is also a smarter football player in my opinion.

Chris Johnson is easily more gifted in terms of speed and is THE best breakaway back in the league. But he gives you less yardage on a play for play basis than AP. AP can grind out a game. If a defense can prevent CJ from breaking a 60 yarder or two, he isn’t going to give you much else.

I don’t remember the exact stats , but in the Texans game something like half of CJ’s runs were for a loss. Of course the huge runs made up for that.

The point is that makes him slightly more risky over time than AP.

Over all, at least for right now, AP is the more complete running back across most phases of the game.

That said, CJ is a close second.

"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."

The ROSENFAIL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAKAKE-uq-8&feature=related

by TexansForever on Nov 18, 2009 3:58 PM CST reply actions

I'm tired of this short yardage argument.

Watch CJ’s short runs from the SF and Bills games. You tell me thats not finishing at the goal line? Goal line carries are far more about the blocking than the back.

Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove

by BonzosMontreaux on Nov 18, 2009 4:36 PM CST up reply actions

Not just talking goal line. Short yardage between the 20's as well.

"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."

The ROSENFAIL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAKAKE-uq-8&feature=related

by TexansForever on Nov 18, 2009 4:45 PM CST up reply actions

He still blows by people in the 20s

Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove

by BonzosMontreaux on Nov 18, 2009 6:17 PM CST up reply actions

you clearly made that judgement based on the fact u r a texans fan.

ap is just as bad as cj about having runs go for no gain or negative yardage. the difference is that cj is faster and holds onto the ball more than ap. only time will really tell who is better. but the writer has a good point when he says that cj has to play tougher teams than ap too. of course i’m biased cuz i’m a titans fan. either way its a very close race. its like comparing brady and peyton, no one can really say who is better.

by TitansFanForever on Nov 18, 2009 6:47 PM CST up reply actions