The NFL's leading rusher is now in the discussion with A.P. Matt Bowen
The Titans’ Chris Johnson is quite possibly the most exciting player in the NFL. And after another 100-yard performance on Monday night against the Texans, I believe it is time to raise the stakes when it comes to the NFL’s leading rusher.
That is why I am posing the question to you this morning: Is Johnson the best running back in the National Football League?
Now, before we get into this discussion—or argument—I am well aware of Adrian Peterson up in Minnesota. If we would take both A.P. and Johnson and put them back at the NFL Combine together, most of us would draft Peterson on his measurables. He looks like an NFL running back, and up on that stage at the Combine—where players are on display like livestock—A.P. will turn heads. He is 6-1, 217 pounds and runs with the power of a fullback and with the speed of a wide receiver. Once Peterson gets to the second level, he has a variety of tools at his disposal that can fend of tacklers and make even the toughest of safeties in the league look weak—and small.
The question with A.P. has always been his reliability out of the backfield in the passing game. Last season, Peterson only caught 21 passes from the running back position, but with the addition of Brett Favre—who has vaulted this Vikings offense to another level—Peterson has become more of a complete back, catching 25 passes already this season for an average of 8.8 yards a grab.
In ‘09, A.P. has 999 yards on the ground, with an average of 4.9 yards per carry to go along with 11 TDs. That’s good for third in the league behind Steven Jackson of the Rams (1,031 yards) and Johnson, who has posted a big number through ten games—1,242 yards and 6 TDs, to go along with an eye-opening average of 6.2 yards per carry.
But those are just numbers, right? Sure, and at times it is hard to compare numbers, especially since the Vikings have started to throw the ball with much more production under Favre than last season. They are a more complete offense that doesn’t have to rely on Peterson to produce the big play week in and week out.
And Tennessee, even with the return of Vince Young, is still a team that counts on Johnson to give them that big play either out of the backfield as a receiver or running, pressing the edge and turning the ball up the field with more speed than anyone I have ever seen in a set of pads.
That is why numbers and stats in this league can sometimes lead us down the wrong path when considering one player over another. But maybe the one big number that stands out is reliability at the position. In just over a year-and-a-half, Johnson has fumbled twice, while Peterson, in two-and-a-half-plus seasons, has put the ball on the ground 17 times—a pretty substantial number when it comes to the running back position.
So, there has to be an answer here, right?
Both backs can break games wide open, and every time they touch the ball we expect to see big things happen. Whether it be A.P. running through the second level of the defense and hardly breaking stride or Johnson turning the corner, making one move and then running down the field like he is taking part in an offseason conditioning drill on his way to another TD. They both bring excitement to the pro game that we haven’t seen in a while, and they both have us wanting more every time we see them play—because they are just that good.
But, it is hard not to notice Johnson’s overall impact at the position for the Titans. He is a game-planning nightmare because he can run routes out of the backfield that always provide the Titans with the advantage when it comes to matchups. There isn’t a linebacker in this league that can match Johnson’s lateral quickness in the flat or if he is working over a safety in the middle of the field on an option route. Seventy-three receptions in his career so far proves that, and watching him block in the open field and in pass protection is something I would not have expected when he came out of the draft.
And, that is why I am starting to lean his way whenever the running back discussion is brought up. And as we have seen, he is becoming more powerful at the point of contact and does have the natural ability to break tackles and use his quickness in the open field that leave defenders standing still.
Yes, Peterson is a running back that each and every team in the entire league would take over its current starter—except in Nashville.
And I have to agree, because Chris Johnson is not only the best running back in the NFL, he is also the best true football player at the position.
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For a look at five AFC players knocking on the door of their first Pro Bowl, check out this piece from Bleacher Report.
Johnson will also last longer than AP, who will soon turn into the next Eddie George
Shocking. More anti-Vikings bias at the NFP. There isn't a team in the league who would choose Chris Johnson over AP.
I actually happen to think Sjackson is the most complete RB in the league.
He runs behind an average Oline, with an average QB and WRs and still puts up big numbers every week.
I would have Peterson 2nd because as much as people like to proclaim the Vikings Oline is great, it isn't. They have 2 first year starters at C and RT and their RG is average at best, Hutchinson has struggled all year with a back injury and hasn't looked a probowl calibre player at all.. On so many occasions when i've watched them this year, Peterson is stuffed at the line with nowhere to go. Sadly for Peterson but good for the vikings, teams are still stacking the box which is making Favre look better than he is and the team to win.
Cjohnson is running behind the best Oline in football and they have been for almost 2 years now. Johnson often goes untouched 2-4 after LoS which might not sound alot but that almost guarantees 5+ yards a carries every game.
Most of Johnson's yards have come since VY came in. This is because he gets a hell alot of yards from option plays which in my opinion is cheap yardage from a RB perspective (I could pick up 25 yards on an option run). I'm not dismissing the option play, from a team perspective it works and thats brilliant but looking at it from a RB yardage standpoint, it's an easy 20 yard gain minimum and when a good RB like Johnson gets it, it's often a 65 yard TD. One or two of them a game and you have 50-100 yards and thats exaclty what the Titans and Johnson as had since VY came in.
In my opinion, this is an example of a good RB in a great system rather than a great RB. When you look at his numbers from when Collins was in and he was used in a more othordox running system, his numbers weren't impressive.
Daniel, I totally agree, and have made similar comments on other posts. I thnk the media talked about how early on the Titans were loosing, so they must not be any good. Maybe they weren't winning but that line is the best at creating holes...just look at the highlights of Johnson. He is fast and takes advantage of the great holes created for him. Look at the highlights of Adrian this year and you quickly realize that he is having to break tackles almost immediately. And Adrian keeps giving praise to the o-line so everyone must believe they are doing a good job. They are not.
Kerry Collins was playing week 2 when Tennespeed ran for 197 yards and 2 tuddies and had 87 receiving with an additional TD so it isn't just because of Vince Young. If an option play was an automatic 20 yards every time then all teams would run it every down, that is a silly argument. I'd take Mr. 4.24 over Peterson, both in real life and definitely in fantasy. Got him with the 24th pick this year and I'm laughing all the way to the bank.
There is a remarkable number with regards Chris Johnson in terms of the amount of his runs which go for negative yardage. I think in late October, a third of his carries went for no or negative yardage. Way higher than any other high level runner. I would say with some certainty that he's the best home run hitter in the NFL from the tailback position, but the best overall? He's certainly not Adrian Peterson or Ronnie Brown in pass pro and whilst Peterson has ball security issues and isn't perhaps the same recieving threat, as an overall running back, he's well established as the league's best.
You could certainly put Johnson in the pack of elite runners that contains Steven Jackson, the aforementioned Brown, etc., but he's not Peterson.
Ask Shaun Alexander if there's a difference when you take away Hutchinson.
This argument was made years ago. Who is the better RB? Barry Sanders or Emmitt Smith? I'm not saying either Peterson or Johnson are up to that standards but style wise its similar (although we can agree Sanders had zero o-line while the other 3 have great ones). But Johnson reminds me a lot of Barry in this sense. 2 yard 0 yard -2 yards 60 yards. Yes Peterson can break his share of big runs and he does. But I would say this johnson is more likely to hit hte HR while Peterson is more likely to move the pile.
8 years ago I probably would have gone for the Peterson type back. Give me the guy who just picks up yards, even the tough ones. Run the football to win. I think in todays NFL with the passing game being so big that when you are running the ball you want a Chris Johnson who can hits the HRs. At the end of the day its a lot like asking a coach who would they pick. Manning or Brady. I don't think the guy picking second would complain.
I am HUGE Vikings fan, but I believe Chris Johnson...right now...is the best back in the league. Amazing to watch.
And I agree with daniel about the Vikes o-line, they are actually better in pass protection this year (or maybe it's just Favres quick release), but I have been very underwhemled with the run blocking, and have been for years, never gotten the hype they get.
And don't get me started on Tahi...I think the Vikings should try running out of the 3 WR set more.
I am HUGE Vikings fan, but I believe Chris Johnson...right now...is the best back in the league. Amazing to watch.
And I agree with daniel about the Vikes o-line, they are actually better in pass protection this year (or maybe it's just Favres quick release), but I have been very underwhemled with the run blocking, and have been for years, never gotten the hype they get.
And don't get me started on Tahi...I think the Vikings should try running out of the 3 WR set more.
Well, since no one else will say it, I will. Peterson, while a great RB, is arguably the most over-rated player in the game today. Yes, he's great and yes he produces but people need to stop talking about him like he's on some whole different playing field compared to the rest of the NFL because he simply isn't, never has been, never will be.
Yes, he breaks long runs on occasion but he also has bad days just like every other RB in the league (56 yds on 26 touches against GB this year comes to mind). The overall statistical difference between these two and RBs like Michael Turner, Rashard Mendenhall, Ray Rice and Stephen Jackson is so minute it's insane. Even Pierre Thomas and Frank Gore play at this level.
Sorry but I'm just tired of listening to people act like AP is the Reggie White or the Lawrence Taylor of RBs - he's good but he ain't that good.
It should also be noted that most of AP's fumbles come on the 3rd or 4th hit he's taken on the play. He's so strong that he just doesn't go down very fast. And the referees know that and are slower to blow the whistle for a stop of forward progress.
They are still fumbles but I think that is a big reason for them.
And Scott M. is insane. Turner, Mendenhall, and Rice cannot be compared to AP. It's not close.
Numbers don't lie and at the end of the day, its what matters...
Did you know there has been only 5 RBs in NFL history to break 2000yds in a season and CJ will do it his second season in, and the only reason he didn't is because he had to share the ball with L.White. So yes CJ all the way, gold teeth and all.
AP might do it too one day, who knows..
Um, Kevin... I wouldn't be too sure of making that proclamation about AP over CJ. I'd bet my soul there are plenty of teams who would take Johnson over AP any day of the week.. Don't be so AP biased. He's really good but as long as CJ plays like he's playin, he's gonna have to step it up to be considered the best.
JeffE - thank you for playing. Here's the thing, if it's not even close, then how come so many RBs put up numbers as good and in many cases better against the same defenses AP is playing against? I'm not saying he isn't good or even the best, I'm just saying it's ridiculous to say that no others compare. Consider:
Against Pittsburgh (#1) - Peterson was 18 for 69 (3.8), Bensen went 16 for 76 (4.8), Johnson went 15 for 57 (3.8)
Against GB (#4) - Peterson was 25 for 55 (2.2) and 25 for 97 (3.9), Bensen went 29 for 141 (4.9), Jackson was 27 for 117 (4.3)
Against Ravens (#5) - Peterson was 22 for 143 (6.5), Bensen was 27 for 120 (4.4) and 34 for 117 (3.4)
Against 49ers (#6) - Peterson was 19 for 85 (4.5), Jackson was 23 for 79 (3.4), Turner was 22 for 97 (4.4), Johnson was 25 for 135 (5.4), Grant was 21 for 129 (6.1)
Against Seahawks (#15) - Peterson was 24 for 82 (3.4), Jackson was 16 for 67 (4.2)
The rest of Peterson's games were against the Lions, Rams and Browns who get shredded by everyone. My point is, if Peterson is SO MUCH better than every other RB in the league, how come he can't consistently produce more than the other top backs in the league against the same teams? Obviously, an enormous number of variables take effect here - Peterson is truely a great back but there ARE in fact other great backs in this league right now.
B ROO- Huh???
So if that's the case why weren't the titans running the option when Collins was the QB?? How bout because Collins like most NFL QBs don't run a 4.5 40 like VY does.
Not every team can run it just because "it works" because it doesn't work if you have a Favre, Collins, Brady, Manning et al.
The option is a "system" (as i stated) offense that can only be run if you have a extremely mobile QB... the option offense only requires a mobile quarterback, the HB isn't important.
Oh and B ROO, yes CJohnson did run for 197 yards and 2 TDs in week 2 when Collins was playing. What a selective memory you have... because the other 5 weeks Collins was the starter and the Titans ran an orthodox run offense, Johnson got 0 TD's and averages 79 yards a game.
Orthodox rush offense with Collins:
99 yards average----- 2 tds in 6 games.
Option offense with VY:
161 yard average------ 6 tds in 4 games.
You tell me if his yards aren't system driven.
Oh DANIEL,
I forgot, if only you were running the option in the NFL instead of Chris Johnson it would be a 25 yard gain every time. Your credibility after that statement is absolutely nil. System this, Chris Johnson is a badass, whether you want to admit it or not...you on the other hand are definitely not.
Daniel, I like how u forgot to mention how many attempts per game johnson was averaging when collins was starting. Titans were consistently in passing situations so johnson usually ended up with about 16 attempts, but yet still averaging 99 yds a game??
Here are the real stats through the first 6 weeks
AP - 120 atts (20 per game) 618 yds (5.2 per carry)
CJ- 95 atts (15.8 per game) 596 yds (6.3 per carry)
Since then AP has drastically slowed down while Johnson has put his foot on the gas and is now doing things that we havent seen this century. Like having 2 rushing TD's of 89+ yds in the same season, or having 125+ yds in 5 straight games (Which is currently an active streak). And is also on pace to break the single season rushing record. These are some things AP may never do in his career, let alone this season.
Johnson currently has 6 less carries than AP and 243 more rushing yards
even without the 7, maybe 8 option plays they have ran in the last 4 games, It would still be a blow out. Besides he was also amazing last year when he was stuck with Crappy Collins all year, while splitting carries with White most games
If CJ rushes for 2,000+ (which he is on pace to do) and Titans finish atleast 8-8 (which they are on pace to do)
He will easily win MVP, A category in which AP doesnt stand a chance
Year after year the best RB in the NFL will change. But for a right now, your a fool for not realizing Johnson is the best. He has now proven he is a complete back. He can recieve, he can break tackles, he can beat you with his speed and most of all, HE DOESNT FUMBLE!
The ultimate playmaker of the NFL is Chris Johnson - Or as he likes to call himself
"Every Coaches Dream"
A phenom. He's fast, has a killer instinct, and can explode out of the blocks. He's fearless, and you can tell by the way he takes hit after hit and doesn't slow down at all. Linebackers don't know whether to gain weight to be able to knock him down, or to lose weight to catch him.
Who am I talking about? Chris Johnson... and Adrian Peterson.
They both put up a show, as well as numbers. But who's better? Easy. Chris Johnson. He has much faster reflexes. His speed cannot be compared with anyone outside of Usain Bolt, and can take a hit from anyone (ANYONE) and still keeps the ball in a death grip. He's even good for guaranteed yardage- ask Lendale how often he sees the field now...
His numbers speak for himself. As of week ten, he's put up numbers that only compare to NFL rushing records. He has twice the number of 100 yard games than AD (All Day) while averaging less carries, and not to mention less fumbles.
He runs better routes than AD and so earns more receiving yards for his team. Not to say he's across the board better than AD, he sure isn't, but overall Chris Johnson has no equal. I don't see how AD could get much better, but the way he's playing he'll be cast into the Hall of Fame right after Chris Johnson does.
I guess it will take cj breakin dickersons record, cj still won't get his shine. He is the best rb to ever play, barry is the only comparison. Ignorant comment bout the option, not 1 of cj's 50+ yd runs has come on the option, the 3rd time ran against texans went 4 2 yds(when cj was horsecollared 15yd pen.) He breaks MORE tackles than ap, his tpughness is amazing, sooo powerful, excellent blocker and reciever, u can't justify how good he is, whatever u think, he's better. Also he is a football plyr who happens 2 b fast,speed is not his only feature, that's ignorant, guarentedd 2-4 yds b4 he gets touched? That's ignorant, he leads the league in neg carries(just like barry) u r officialy haters, ppl r so heavy on ap's nuts, exactl what bout turner, deangello, mjd, ray rice and stephen j?
Chris Johnson certainly deserves praise for his accomplishments this year, but let's not go overboard. The Titans have the best run blocking o line in the league right now. The Vikings have a below average run blocking o line. Don't believe me? Why is Chester Taylor(a decent back in his own right) averaging less than 3 YPC? He doesn't get the 8 man fronts when he's in the game that AP does, yet he averages 2 YPC less than AP does behind the same line.
Everyone thought that Favre would open things up for AP and that he'd have a monster year, but the opposite has happened. Defenses fear AP more than Favre and as a result Favre is having his best statistical start to a season. If he continues with these numbers, they'll be better than when he won his MVPs.
All that aside, you've left out one GLARING omission in your analysis and it can be used for either argument. Peterson has been hurt since week 5 when he sprained his ankle. He had a back injury in week 2. He's been limited in practice every week since. He's doing what he's doing this year at 85%. Sure there's the argument that his running style opens him for this type of punishment, but give me the choice of a healthy AP or a healthy CJ and I'll take AP every time. I wouldn't argue with someone who would rather have CJ though.
If any of you guys honestly believe any team would choose AP over Chris Johnson you are dead wrong. Teams win games with defense and turnovers. AP is a turnover machine to say at the least. Johnson rarely ever coughs the ball up and okay so his o-line is good? hes one of the best if not the best at following blockers in the league isnt that what a running back is supposed to do? If anything it would be 50/50 for teams that would choose Johnson or Peterson.
Im not sure how many comments have been posted since the end of the season but anyone who watched the 2009 NFL season has to say CJ is easily the best RB in the league right now,its not even close for second.
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Nov 25, 2009
08:01 AM
I knew that AP was a fumbler, but I didn't know that he had coughed it up 17 times already! Wow.
Good thing he doesn't play for Gary Kubiak or any other coach who preaches ball security.