RB Rankings

[mraynrand]

If you are trying to argue that Favre with a bad thumb was equivalent to what MN has had at full strength behind center during the Peterson era, I strongly disagree with you.

Not arguing that at all. Just pointing out that for one season Green was the focus of the offense, and defenses knew he would be getting a lot of carries each game. I suspect a lot of the defensive game planning went toward stopping Green that year.

I agree, especially since 'U-71' debuted in 2003. It is interesting (and sickening) to see the way Peterson and Favre compliment each other, much like Ahman and Favre did in 2000-2006. Peterson had a pretty big effect - in 2008 he even helped T. Jackson to a 95 passer rating over a stretch of 5 games (though the Vikings were only 2-3 in that stretch).

[HarveyWallbangers]

If I remember correctly, AP was actually talked about as a potential bust, due to his injury in college. He was hardly hyped

He was hyped to no end. It turns out deservedly so, because he is a special talent. People were surprised when he dropped to #6 for the Vikings. He was HIGHLY touted. It turns out the one knock on him, injuries, hasn't been a big problem. However, not too many people thought he'd be this fumble prone.

The first time I watched Ahman and then Peterson, I thought the same thing: "damn, that guy is awesome." You don't have to watch either very long to realize they are special talents.

[mraynrand]

If I remember correctly, AP was actually talked about as a potential bust, due to his injury in college. He was hardly hyped

He was hyped to no end. It turns out deservedly so, because he is a special talent. People were surprised when he dropped to #6 for the Vikings. He was HIGHLY touted. It turns out the one knock on him, injuries, hasn't been a big problem. However, not too many people thought he'd be this fumble prone.

The first time I watched Ahman and then Peterson, I thought the same thing: "damn, that guy is awesome." You don't have to watch either very long to realize they are special talents.

Yep. Both are great power backs - Ahman leans a bit more towards Jim Brown and Peterson leans a bit more towards Gayle Sayers.

[packerbacker1234]

Yup, and grant isn't close to their level, but I am still happy we have them. I think for the offense we have, Grant is simply the perfect fit. I am a person that values not turning it over at the RB spot really high, and that is one reason I never fell completely in love with Green or Peterson. I agree that Green's problem was really overblown - as in it wasn't as bad as everyone thought it was, but he always had that 2 or 3 game stretch with multiple fumbles that made you go "wtf" and they seemed to always happen late in games when were trying to come back or ice the game.

Everyone remembers him constantly changing his arm pad from cloth, to a more rubber type, and then going with none, and always switching blaming fumbles on the moisture and the gear - and I am sure that was part of it. Still, he just fumbled a few games a year in bad situations, but was solid the rest of the year. Peterson fumbles consistently throughout the year, and while the first fumble is technically a stat on favre fumbling at the end of the 1st half against the saints (that is even more blown up now considering it went to OT), he couldn't even grab the ball properly on a handoff in a big situation. If I remember correctly, Peterson clamped his arms too late, right? I can't even recall exactly how it happened. I just remember the ball being practically dead on peterson and then it just hit the ground like peterson clamped too late or too soon.

I mean, no excuse for that. At least the other fumbles he is hit.


Still, both players (green and peterson) are great RB's, and certainly special, but I trust teh ball in grants hands more than those two with the game on the line. Aka, I'll take green and peterson for 3 quareters, then give me grant in the 4th.

[Scott Campbell]

If I remember correctly, AP was actually talked about as a potential bust, due to his injury in college. He was hardly hyped

He was hyped to no end. It turns out deservedly so, because he is a special talent. People were surprised when he dropped to #6 for the Vikings. He was HIGHLY touted. It turns out the one knock on him, injuries, hasn't been a big problem. However, not too many people thought he'd be this fumble prone.

The first time I watched Ahman and then Peterson, I thought the same thing: "damn, that guy is awesome." You don't have to watch either very long to realize they are special talents.

Yep. Both are great power backs - Ahman leans a bit more towards Jim Brown and Peterson leans a bit more towards Gayle Sayers.

I never thought of comparing Green to Brown. I'd compare Peterson to Brown in that they both looked to take on tacklers head on.

I'd compare Sayers to Barry Sanders maybe.

[mraynrand]

If I remember correctly, AP was actually talked about as a potential bust, due to his injury in college. He was hardly hyped

He was hyped to no end. It turns out deservedly so, because he is a special talent. People were surprised when he dropped to #6 for the Vikings. He was HIGHLY touted. It turns out the one knock on him, injuries, hasn't been a big problem. However, not too many people thought he'd be this fumble prone.

The first time I watched Ahman and then Peterson, I thought the same thing: "damn, that guy is awesome." You don't have to watch either very long to realize they are special talents.

Yep. Both are great power backs - Ahman leans a bit more towards Jim Brown and Peterson leans a bit more towards Gayle Sayers.

I never thought of comparing Green to Brown. I'd compare Peterson to Brown in that they both looked to take on tacklers head on.

I'd compare Sayers to Barry Sanders maybe.

Leans a bit towards. I was trying to find a way to say that Peterson is more elusive and shifty while Ahman is more of an in-your-face power back. Both are pretty tough power backs, and yes Peterson enjoys running people over as well.

If you have the tape, check out Ahman at MN in 2000. That was a classic Ahman Green performance.