05 Jun
A.A.D.Q. – Best Running Back
Posted by: Adam Best
Today’s question is based on a recent ESPN/Scouts Inc. piece, in which they rated the top 64 running backs in the league. Here’s where Larry Johnson ended up, and their comments on the Chiefs‘ Iron Man:
Now, where would you rank L.J. among today’s top running backs?
I didn’t want to have any influence on responses, and wanted the post to be unbiased, so I’m going to hold off on where I rank L.J. for a bit. I’ll just say that it isn’t where ESPN had him for now.
June 5th, 2008 at 5:10 pmI think it is a great breakdown of LJ. He needs some daylight to move the pile and when the pile is coming back towards you no RB can do much.
June 5th, 2008 at 5:22 pmI’m going to stand in Zach’s line.
June 5th, 2008 at 5:32 pmSure. But where would you rank him?
June 5th, 2008 at 5:39 pmRanking LJ is real hard this year, I think he could go # 4 behind LT, Peterson, and Westbrook. I put Westbrook ahead, even though he isn’t a pure running back, but he was the Eagles offense last year. I think Steven Jackson is ranked too high.
That said, last year is what made this tough, he faced great run defenses that slowed him, and the line was a mess. He wasn’t playing real well before his injury. He could be as low as 9, looking at the guys around him.
June 5th, 2008 at 5:46 pmI think that what was written about LJ is accurate. He is a “bell cow”. He does have remarkable speed for a big back.
On the negative side they forgot to add that he is not a good blocker.
As far as the ranking. I would put him at Number 1. Yep number 1! I would build a running team, and he would be the perfect back. No one, with the exception of Steven Jackson is a better bruiser.
Steven Jackson would be my number 2, LT number 3, and Adrian Petersen #4.
June 5th, 2008 at 5:52 pmSteven Jackson had his whole team hurt last year so I think thats why people think he might have had a down year last year. Plus he was banged up.
I think Ronnie Brown is way too far down. He was leading the league in rushing on a turr-ible team. To have backups ahead of him is stupid.
June 5th, 2008 at 5:53 pmim gonna have to say a healthy LJ is at the top of the list, im tell in you, its a rushing title this yr guys
June 5th, 2008 at 5:56 pmHere is the criteria they used:
“We studied the player’s body of work as well as looked ahead and projected future production. We took into account the kind of offense they play in, the scheme and supporting cast around them.”
This is a major problem with these rankings, they are almost like fantasy ratings.
That’s why Peterson is #2 in their rankings, he has a fantastic line, and the line of the Chiefs is very much up in the air, so who knows how LJ is gonna produce in the future if there aren’t any holes open.
June 5th, 2008 at 5:58 pmBrian, great point. Why if they are considering “body of work” that AP gets this sort of ranking after one year. I do think he is unreal, but its still just ne year!
June 5th, 2008 at 6:02 pmLJ is a horse, but he needs a good O-line. He does not have a great ability to make people miss. The evaluation is right one and the ranking is close. As the O-line goes, the Chief’s offense goes.
June 5th, 2008 at 6:05 pmNow that a bunch of people have chimed in, I’m going to put L.J. at No. 2, tied with A.D. and Westbrook. He’s shown that he’s more durable/dependable than both of those guys (last year was really his first ever injury), and he’s just as valuable to his offense.
To me, he’s also the best square-your-shoulders, North-South, battering-ram back in the NFL.
Steven Jackson is very close, but Jack is like a more explosive L.J. without the mean streak or gonads. Dude tippy toes a bit too often for my taste.
June 5th, 2008 at 6:14 pmMerlin,
Also, I agree with what you said. However, in the open field with his speed, strength and nastiness he is the last guy–THE LAST GUY!–I would want to tackle. I played some safety in my day, and I know it is not fun to tackle a guy like that when he gets a full head of steam behind him in the open field. I don’t think he gets enough credit for his gamebreaking speed or for how hard he is to bring down once he’s out in the open.
June 5th, 2008 at 6:17 pmI can agree with those points Adam, however, I don’t know if LJ can be ranked any higher than Peterson, while it was his first year, and he has little or no body of work, he did things in his first year that have NEVER been done. If he stays healthy, which is a big if considering his history, he has no ceiling.
June 5th, 2008 at 6:31 pmAdrian’s limited body of work, and limited body (injury-wise), prevent me from putting him any higher. On talent alone, he might be No. 1.
June 5th, 2008 at 6:55 pmi put him #2 behind LT based on the criteria they used. AP-only one year
June 5th, 2008 at 7:30 pmWestbrook- catches more than he runs i always look at him like a slot guy
steven jackson-#3 pretty good but we’ll see
basically LT is GREAT and LJ’s right there with him when healthy.
Right on, Zach and Adam. AP is good, but one year isn’t enough.
I’ll concede #1 to LT. He’s a game-breaker. Can wait to see the first time Dorsey swallows him.
#2/3 is a toss up between Westbrook and LJ.
Personally, I’ve never liked Jackson’s running style. There’s no way I’d ever put him above LJ.
June 5th, 2008 at 8:59 pmAdam:
I think we are on the same page here. What makes LJ so good is that he is a tough runner that has excellent speed. Once he gets into the open field, he is a load to bring down. He is a threat to score from just about anywhere on the field. Not many backs of his style can say that (and I do not want to bring up the name of the back he most resembles, no one should have to live up to that). The problem is that he needs an opening. He can not create one himself very well. IMO, that is why Kolby Smith had some good games with our line. Kolby can create more than LJ can. If we get good line play, a healthy LJ can carry us.
June 5th, 2008 at 9:06 pmMerlin,
I won’t mention that name, but I will mention Earl Campbell. That is who he reminds me off. He doesn’t want you to hit him, he wants to hit you.
Westbrook just gets hurt way too much, too. I have trouble even keeping him up where I have him.
June 5th, 2008 at 9:41 pmAdam:
LJ has some Earl Campbell in him. I don’t think LJ looks for contact the way Earl did, but I can see a resemblence. Earl was a treat to watch though. However, he is not a role model if you want to have a long NFL career.
June 5th, 2008 at 9:53 pmNo, and neither is Bo Jackson, who is another guy like that. Peterson reminds me more of Bo, though.
June 5th, 2008 at 11:57 pmAdam a three-way tie for 2nd? WTF? You coward…
Pick your order… lol
June 6th, 2008 at 12:24 amJamaal Charles got 64 and Kolby Smith is nowhere on there. Did anyone find that a bit odd?
I like where they’ve got LJ ranked. After a very disappointing season, that ranking is definitely based off past seasons and it just goes to show how incredible he was then – that he’s still ranked that high.
June 6th, 2008 at 8:09 amFine, Zach. Can’t call me a coward.
1. L.T.
2. L.J.
3. A.D.
4. Westbrook
Happy?
June 6th, 2008 at 8:14 amDisappointing season? Arkansas Dave, he got hurt and played against great front sevens to start the season. Plus, he played with Huard and Croyle behind a patchwork line. I think he played pretty well, actually.
Let me repeat:
4-4 with Larry, 0-8 without him.
And Jamaal Charles is a better player than Kolby Smith. I like Kolby as a back-up guy, but he’s not that special. Charles is really turning some heads.
June 6th, 2008 at 8:16 am#5: Brian Westbrook
This guy has been underrated his whole career, and he’s finally getting the recognition he deserves. He’s an accomplished receiver and just has a knack for elusiveness. He also plays hard.
#4: Michael Turner
You can call me crazy all you want, but I really like this guy. And I mean I REALLY like him. Even as the backup for LT, people have noticed him. He gets talked about for his power, yet his nickname — Turner the Burner — is based on his speed. If Atlanta can get their shit together offensively this year, look for this guy to be in the race for the rushing title. You heard it here first.
#3: Adrian Peterson
If Peterson had played more than 14 games I might rank him higher. He needs to prove himself for at least another season. He is freakish talent though, and he plays harder than any back in the league. Unfortunately, playing that hard could be what shortens his career. Nevertheless, I’m really excited about watching him play this year.
On a side not (and not affecting my ranking) did anybody else think it was just really bizarre that this guy got held to 3 yards on 14 carries in a game during the same season in which he broke the single game rushing record?
#2: Larry Johnson
LJ is a beast. Chiefs fans know that. And everybody knew that until he had an off season. Now I feel like he’s getting disrespected by a lot of folks who don’t seem to be able to remember what they ate for breakfast, let alone the success of this guy in back to back season just a couple years ago. If Larry can return to the running style he had in his 1750 yard season, he can be dominant. No back in the league is better at flat out ignoring arm tackles. Also LJ is deceivingly speedy for his size (4.5 40 if I remember correctly).
As far as him not being able to create when there’s no hole for him, I disagree. If you can find it, refer back to one of his runs against the Bengals in Dick Vermeils last game. The play breaks down and Johnson reverses the field and rumbles off to the endzone on his own. Also, a run against the 49ers that’s featured in most of his highlight reels. Come to think of it, I believe he created a play out of his ass for his first career touchdown too.
But anyway, he just needs to get back to running how he runs best. If we can beef up our line a little bit, he can go for a 2000 yard season, no question.
#1: REGGIE BUSH
Kidding.
#1. Ladainian Tomlinson
I don’t give a shit that he throws touchdown passes, but he has speed, power, technique, and everything else you can ask for in back, including insane receiving skills. His stiff arm is the picture of perfection, and makes me wonder why other backs don’t try the move more.
Yes, it helps that he has a great line, a great fullback, great tight ends, and always gets the ball in the redzone. But as much as I hate admitting it, no one can argue that he’s probably the best back in the league right now.
Steven Jackson is overrated. These are my rankings. Enjoy.
June 6th, 2008 at 11:42 amLJ is good right where he sits at #5. You cant rank him based on if he had a better line. The chefs suck anyway. Go Broncos!
June 6th, 2008 at 4:10 pmWell Adrian Peterson probably had one of the best OL, blocking FB, and backup running back so I think you can rank based on those things….
I still think letting T-Rich go is one of Carl’s biggest blunders.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:15 pmLarry johnson did not have a good year at all last year…even when he wasn’t hurt though i think he will find his place back in the top 5 running backs based on what he did when he wasn’t hurt i can’t put him there right now….he struggled to find holes becasue he is not a very elusive back and to prove my point we had a really bad line last year but Kolby smith managed to find some holes when Lj couldn’t becasue he is more elusive and more shifty, im not saying he is better becasue he isn’t but he hada better year, now that we have a semi decent line LJ should have a redeeming year, but based on him struggling to break 100 yards in a game fora very long time and even when he did it took him literally the whole game and it usally happened late in the game when A. it didN’T MATTER BECASUE WE WERE GOING TO lose, or B. when we had the game in hand and we really didn’t need it, that didn’t impress me what so ever but i hope and think that he will impress me this year enough for me to say that he is the best runningback in the league
June 6th, 2008 at 4:17 pmDave shut up
June 6th, 2008 at 4:18 pmthe broncos don’t even have a top ten running back and thier Qb may struggle this year with his diabetes not trying to be mean but it could affect him, they have decent recievers and a decent defense but i don’t see the broncos doing much better than the chiefs
June 6th, 2008 at 4:22 pmI played with a guy that had very bad diabetes and he was still a stud. If he monitors it and takes care of himself it shouldn’t affect him. With how much money these guys make and their medical teams he should have no issues.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:35 pmZach:
Letting T-Rich go was a major CP mistake. I would vote for letting Donnie Edwards go, even though that was not a CP decision, it was a Greg Robinson decision. I do think that you have the makings of an interesting poll to run on AA. i.e the biggest Chief mistake in the last… say 10 years. You could add things like drafting Ryan Sims, hiring Greg Robinson. What do you think?
June 6th, 2008 at 4:44 pmthats good to hear i don’t want him to struggle i would be a major dick ifd i did but i just thought he might but im glad to hear that
June 6th, 2008 at 4:58 pmhow do you think the broncos will do this year Zach
June 6th, 2008 at 4:59 pmPutting Michael Turner in the top 5 RBs is like putting Brodie Croyle in the pro bowl.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:18 pmIan -
I think the Donkeys will struggle like us. Their offense doesn’t excite me, especially with Marshall’s issues. I think winning 8 games for them would be a good season. I just don’t see the talent that they have had in the past.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:42 pmCrane -
I would’ve used Aaron Rodgers instead of Brodie. Turner as at least shown something
June 6th, 2008 at 6:42 pmYeah well, Crane, it’s my opinion. Talk to me again in January so I can remind you of that comment and rub it in your face.
ps. as much as I like Larry Johnson, if the Chiefs somehow ended up trading him and picking up Turner, I wouldn’t be that upset. I’ve envied the Chargers for years not because they have LT, but because they had Michael Turner.
June 7th, 2008 at 2:21 am[...] Ranking Chiefs running back Larry Johnson as one of the best running backs it just plain retarded. [...]
June 7th, 2008 at 8:46 amagain the landry hat has proven what WE ALL know
he’s an idiot
June 7th, 2008 at 10:19 amHas anyone heard anything about Glenn or Albert being close to signing just yet? I have been in Norway for work and have no info on their contract signing’s. Thanks!!
June 7th, 2008 at 1:41 pmDorsey will sign I think after Chris Long does.
June 7th, 2008 at 2:20 pmPlease. These comments are downright hilarious. I literally laughed at this stuff.
June 8th, 2008 at 11:33 am[...] was only a matter of time until I officially countered the attack launched by Chiefs fans when I opined that Larry Johnson is not a top-5 NFL running back. He’s not, and it is not [...]
June 8th, 2008 at 12:56 pmI give anyone the power to go over to the Landry Hat and make fun of him. The guy resembles who Cowboys fans are in this world, DELUSIONAL!
June 8th, 2008 at 1:04 pmMan, I guess you can lead the NFL in rushing over a two-season span, very recently, despite a lack of talent around you and still be chopped liver.
Who gives a shit. Being insulted by a Cowboys fan is really a compliment. They’re a bunch of self-indulgent, delusional morons.
June 8th, 2008 at 1:23 pmmy list would go…
1. Adrian Peterson
June 8th, 2008 at 1:48 pm2. LT
3. steven jackson
4. LJ
5. Westbrook
No Adam, I didn’t say he is chopped liver. Quite the opposite. He’s just not a top 5 back. Thanks for the compliments, guys.
June 8th, 2008 at 1:50 pmYour banned, lol!!!
(I “got banned” from TLH, so I had to have some fun guys)
June 8th, 2008 at 3:05 pmI am working now on banning you and AA’s IPs. Disgusting attacks at my site will not be tolerated.
June 8th, 2008 at 4:09 pmTop 5 tight ends with honorable mention is coming later.
June 8th, 2008 at 4:23 pmLOL…you banning us from The Landry Hat is kind of like Mark Cuban banning Commissioner Stern from Mavs games, isn’t it? Or maybe even Wade Phillips banning Jerry Jones from the sideline. C’mon, man. Blog wars make the ’sphere go round!
June 8th, 2008 at 4:59 pmCan’t wait for your top five TEs. Gates and Tony G will both be honorable mention, Witten will be first, second and third, because nobody else is worthy.
June 8th, 2008 at 5:15 pmNo Adam, your analogies do not work. The Landry Hat is mine. All Mine. You are banned for poor behavior. We Cowboys fans don’t tolerate pouters who throw tantrums when they don’t like what they hear. It also seems that the only ones who don’t agree with my running back list is you, Zach and SeanBCOol, the gayest nickname on the Web without being SeanBGay. With that said, the tight end list will be coming soon.
June 8th, 2008 at 6:07 pm[...] A.A.D.Q. – Best Running Back [...]
June 8th, 2008 at 7:02 pmill have to chime in on this one cuz your in our space here talkin about our back who will most definately have better numbers this season then yours so you over there with the cowboy boots with spurs and leather chaps with your bare ass hangin out and your big cowboy hat, and your leather vest with nothing underneath, get back on your high horse and head your ass back to brokeback mountain
June 8th, 2008 at 7:25 pmget along lil doggy…YEE HAW
June 8th, 2008 at 7:25 pmhahaha cowboys fans suck a$$!!! they cant accept a little off-season war….pretty sad
June 8th, 2008 at 11:26 pmHilarious how hypocritical he is. It really is. Anyway, back to the real discussion: Our top 5 backs.. I always think in my mind of who I would trade for on a Madden franchise. Supposing I had a solid line, a decent QB and other options, and my back would decide the fate of my team that year, as well as stay fully healthy the whole year, I’d go with these backs.
5. Stephen Jackson. When his team is healthy around him, the guy’s can be beastly, there’s no doubt about it. Fast, powerful, agile.. Has the ability to be a top back in this league.
4. Clinton Portis. He did it in Denver. He did it in Washington (pre-Jason Campbell era, anyway), he simply gets the job done. He’s no LJ or LT, but he’ll fight for those tough yards. If had had some offensive help- aka, not facing 9 man fronts all day long- he’d be an unstoppable beast, netting 100 yards a game, and in convincing fashion, I might add.
3. Maurice Jones-Drew. Home rune hitter, little quick ball of elusiveness. A small but powerful runner who also catches out of the backfield very well, and who can handle punt return duties, and pretty damn well, if I do say so. And I do. And I did.
2. Larry Johnson. We’ve all seen his runs. You know what I’m talking about.. Bengals, last game of 06. BEASTLY. ‘can’t make runs on his own?’ shove that whole game up your ass then, ESPN.. 200 yards, on alot of jukes/dodges/out running the defenders.. We know he’s a beast, and if we have any semblance of an O-line, he’ll be back in the top 3 RB’s where he RIGHTFULLY belongs.
1. LaDanian Tomlinson. Of course this man is a beast, he does it all. Throws, runs, catches, blocks. He’s pretty much singlehandedly made the Charger’s a contender. Others helped, but look at the monster stats he put up in the early 2000’s. He’s a stud. Hate to say it but it’s true.
Honorable mentions: Brian Westbrook- the guy gets little to no-credit around the league, despite being a stud on and off the field. I tend to think powerbacks are better, and that’s my bias, so he’s out, but definetly near the top of the NFL.
Adrian Petersen- if this kid can come out blazing, like he did in 2007, AND STAY HEALTHY! I think there’s no doubt about it he’s a top 5 back in the league. If he can notch another great season, and prove his injury was a rare event, then he definetly gets the nod. He did have alot of talent around him (Line, FB) but alot of those runs he made on his own. There’s a reason he’s called Purple Jesus, people.
June 9th, 2008 at 3:05 am