Grant

[HarveyWallbangers]

Adrian Peterson isn't overrated. He may or may not be injury prone, but there hasn't been a better runner come into the league since Jim Brown. LaDainian Tomlinson is still a better overall RB at this point. Marshall Faulk and Walter Payton were too, but Peterson is an incredible runner. Just on pure all-around running ability, I'd rank Peterson second behind Brown (and maybe Barry Sanders--who had such a unique style that it's hard to compare him to other guys) and just ahead of Eric Dickerson. Part of the reason why their (Peterson/Taylor) yards/carry were similar may be how the defense schemed when each was in the game. Also, let's not forget that Peterson's stats took a hit when he came back from injury.

[Partial]

Adrian Peterson isn't overrated. He may or may not be injury prone, but there hasn't been a better runner come into the league since Jim Brown. LaDainian Tomlinson is still a better overall RB at this point. Marshall Faulk and Walter Payton were too, but Peterson is an incredible runner. Just on pure all-around running ability, I'd rank Peterson second behind Brown (and maybe Barry Sanders--who had such a unique style that it's hard to compare him to other guys) and just ahead of Eric Dickerson. Part of the reason why their (Peterson/Taylor) yards/carry were similar may be how the defense schemed when each was in the game. Also, let's not forget that Peterson's stats took a hit when he came back from injury.

Wise man Harv. I can't believe a rare talent like AD dropped to #7. He's going to be a special, special player.

[texaspackerbacker]

Adrian Peterson isn't overrated. He may or may not be injury prone, but there hasn't been a better runner come into the league since Jim Brown. LaDainian Tomlinson is still a better overall RB at this point. Marshall Faulk and Walter Payton were too, but Peterson is an incredible runner. Just on pure all-around running ability, I'd rank Peterson second behind Brown (and maybe Barry Sanders--who had such a unique style that it's hard to compare him to other guys) and just ahead of Eric Dickerson. Part of the reason why their (Peterson/Taylor) yards/carry were similar may be how the defense schemed when each was in the game. Also, let's not forget that Peterson's stats took a hit when he came back from injury.

Didn't Gale Sayers come into the league after Brown? I'd agree that Peterson tops just about everybody in the last several decades, but not quite Gale Sayers.

Grant is a different kind of runner, and arguably, he is more valuable to the Packers, although we DO have a helluva a lot of other talent than the Vikings. Time will tell, but Peterson, at this early stage, appears to be even better than Grant. Grant just might last longer, though.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Didn't Gale Sayers come into the league after Brown? I'd agree that Peterson tops just about everybody in the last several decades, but not quite Gale Sayers.

I haven't seen enough of Sayers to have a informed observation of him. A lot of people from that era like him, but to me he didn't seem like an all-around runner. He had incredible moves and speed, but wasn't a power runner. More like Barry Sanders. Peterson, Brown, and Dickerson were three guys that could shake, overpower, and outrun defenders.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

[boiga]

Adrian Peterson isn't overrated. He may or may not be injury prone, but there hasn't been a better runner come into the league since Jim Brown. LaDainian Tomlinson is still a better overall RB at this point. Marshall Faulk and Walter Payton were too, but Peterson is an incredible runner. Just on pure all-around running ability, I'd rank Peterson second behind Brown (and maybe Barry Sanders--who had such a unique style that it's hard to compare him to other guys) and just ahead of Eric Dickerson. Part of the reason why their (Peterson/Taylor) yards/carry were similar may be how the defense schemed when each was in the game. Also, let's not forget that Peterson's stats took a hit when he came back from injury.

My point was more that Grant was a bigger upgrade over Morency/Wynn/Jackson last year than Peterson was over Taylor. Sure the kid has talent, but his Oline deserves equal credit for the Vikes run game.

It's hard to make direct comparisons between these guys because of all the factors like their blockers, the offensive scheme, etc. Our Oline stank at run blocking for most of last year. Ryan Grant single handedly made that unit productive. So, he deserves much of the adulation he received last season.

[Partial]

Chester Taylor is just a guy. Money Morency (albeit he has immense potential) is just a guy, same with Jackson as this point. Peterson is much better than Grant. The dropoff is greater from Peterson to Taylor than it is from Grant to Morency, because Peterson is that much better than Grant.

To me, I like Grant because he is fast and unafraid to hit. Kind of reminds me of a young Ahman Green. I'm hopeful that he can carry a team on his shoulders like Green and be the feature of the offense. His success will allow A-Rod's life to be much, much easier this season.

With that said, he had one of the best seasons for a running back ever. The only runner I've ever seen that I thought was more impressive and a bigger threat was Barry.

[Tony Oday]

But what about Gado!? hehe

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Adrian Peterson isn't overrated. He may or may not be injury prone, but there hasn't been a better runner come into the league since Jim Brown. LaDainian Tomlinson is still a better overall RB at this point. Marshall Faulk and Walter Payton were too, but Peterson is an incredible runner. Just on pure all-around running ability, I'd rank Peterson second behind Brown (and maybe Barry Sanders--who had such a unique style that it's hard to compare him to other guys) and just ahead of Eric Dickerson. Part of the reason why their (Peterson/Taylor) yards/carry were similar may be how the defense schemed when each was in the game. Also, let's not forget that Peterson's stats took a hit when he came back from injury.

A certain rb might cut you for not including him.

To not have him is ridiculous. He was the whole offense.

[texaspackerbacker]

Didn't Gale Sayers come into the league after Brown? I'd agree that Peterson tops just about everybody in the last several decades, but not quite Gale Sayers.

I haven't seen enough of Sayers to have a informed observation of him. A lot of people from that era like him, but to me he didn't seem like an all-around runner. He had incredible moves and speed, but wasn't a power runner. More like Barry Sanders. Peterson, Brown, and Dickerson were three guys that could shake, overpower, and outrun defenders.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

I wouldn't really say wrong. However, Sayers did have decent "burst"--like Peterson and Grant. I think he had even more pure speed than Sanders, and he was almost as shifty.

Since we're discussing quality RBs of the past 30 or 40 years, OJ was damn good in his prime too.

My criterion for greatness is that the guy seemed like a real threat to go all the way on any given play, and also could get the job done when blocking broke down.

I don't recall anybody in my lifetime like that other than Brown, Sayers, Simpson, maybe Sanders, and now maybe Peterson.

[Partial]

I've said consistently, Ryan Grant is a unique special talent, no less than the 3rd best RB in the NFL behind Peterson and Tomlinson (in that order).

The ONLY possible knock on him anybody could rationally have is that 2/3 or so of a season is not enough to prove how good he is. Fine, if you think that, I'll make it a prediction rather than a proven fact.

Ok that is just crazy talk.

Give me Stephen Jackson, Reggie Bush, Frank Gore, Bryan Westbrook and Marion Barber over him in the NFC alone.

He has talent, but has a lot to prove. He has the opportunity to be a very good player, on the level with those listed above and the other premiere backs of the NFL.

Don't flame me for Bush, but I think he's poised for an epic year.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

I've said consistently, Ryan Grant is a unique special talent, no less than the 3rd best RB in the NFL behind Peterson and Tomlinson (in that order).

The ONLY possible knock on him anybody could rationally have is that 2/3 or so of a season is not enough to prove how good he is. Fine, if you think that, I'll make it a prediction rather than a proven fact.

Ok that is just crazy talk.

Give me Stephen Jackson, Reggie Bush, Frank Gore, Bryan Westbrook and Marion Barber over him in the NFC alone.

He has talent, but has a lot to prove. He has the opportunity to be a very good player, on the level with those listed above and the other premiere backs of the NFL.

Don't flame me for Bush, but I think he's poised for an epic year.

I"ve already pointed this out to him before.

You can add portis, brandon jacobs (great talent..too many backs on the team), addai, ronnie brown, willie parker, magahee, lewis, white (on a bad leg), LJ, lynch, and michael turner..career 5.5 average.

while some may be debatable...there is no case to say grant is better...yet.

[HarveyWallbangers]

A certain rb might cut you for not including him.

He's dead to me.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Chester Taylor is just a guy. Money Morency (albeit he has immense potential) is just a guy, same with Jackson as this point. Peterson is much better than Grant. The dropoff is greater from Peterson to Taylor than it is from Grant to Morency, because Peterson is that much better than Grant.

I wouldn't go this far. Taylor is a quality RB. A decent starter. Huge upgrade on Morency. It's probably about even--as far as Peterson to Taylor and Grant to Jackson.

[bobblehead]

this thread has taken the silly pill. You can't put AP or Grant in any company yet. come on, bo jackson, marcus allen, you didn't even mention them...emmit smith anyone? how about how great billy simms looked before injuries...curt warren?? Excellent backs with burst aren't all that rare, ones that get on a team that runs and last a long time get more credit.

For my money I'm a dickerson fan...6'4" with top end speed and crazy vision. Lasted a long time, had a 2k yard season, and multiple 1500 seasons. but still, I can't put him well above brown, simpson, emmit, sanders, ect. I won't even put LT in the breath with those guys yet. LJ was the man just what...2 years ago? Shawn Alexander?

RB's are a dime a dozen, and there are 2 levels. 1, guys who have good burst, break arm tackles, and great vision, with no blocking they get a yard or 2. level 2, guys with decent skills taht can get it done behind a good line, but without blocking don't get anything done. Level 3, everyone who gets cut.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I never said he was the second best RB of all-time.

He may or may not be injury prone, but there hasn't been a better runner come into the league since Jim Brown.

Seriously. Peterson has crazy skills. Apparently, not too many people have watched him a lot. Athletically, he is to RBs what Randy Moss was to WRs when he came out. Of course, Green Bay as a team still did as well or better than the Vikings with Moss.