Chris Johnson Better Than AD?

by VikingsFan92 on Nov 13, 2009 5:04 PM CST

According to Kerry J. Bryne of SI, he is.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/kerry_byrne/11/12/johnson.peterson/index.html

I don't know, Chris Johnson is really good, no doubt, but I don't think he's better than AD. I realize that CJ has more yards this year, but, I think AD will finish with more. Also, I think that fact that the Vikes are 7-1 and the Titans only have 2 wins says something about the two players. Well, what do you guys think?

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.

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Its ludicrous. If you were starting a team, you wouldn’t take Johnson over Peterson. You just wouldn’t. With Johnson, you need another back to start with. He hasn’t really been a factor in the redzone, he’s effective between the 20’s.

by LoveHate on Nov 13, 2009 5:23 PM CST reply actions

people place way to much emphasis on

yards. It’s all about points, and keeping drives alive (aka getting a new set of downs).

by TheEvilProfessor on Nov 13, 2009 5:37 PM CST up reply actions

Johnson is good

Adrian Peterson is great. CJ is fast, but somewhat one dimensional. Adrian is multi-dimensional – fast, elusive, powerful. I’d love to start a team with either of them, but given the choice I’d take AD.

by Belarus on Nov 13, 2009 5:54 PM CST reply actions

That is about as well said as it can be

Perfect description.

by PurpleJesus on Nov 14, 2009 6:26 PM CST up reply actions

I think Bill Simmons had it right when he said...

… Chris Johnson is the new Barry Sanders. Who cares who has more yards? Tennessee has no one else to get the ball too! AD will win more games, and has the better support cast. We know AD’s better, doesn’t matter what Johnson does when he rushes for 175 yards this weekend, his teams out of the playoffs.

Go Nevada Wolf Pack!

by BacksThePack on Nov 13, 2009 6:26 PM CST reply actions

Its silly I’m sure no matter what coach in the league if you asked them what RB they could have if they we’re building a team everyone of them would say Adrian Peterson.

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by Zoxide on Nov 13, 2009 6:35 PM CST reply actions

I'm a fan of Adrian Peterson

Peterson is an integral part of every Vikings game plan. His presence on the field changes what the defense does.

by medicineball on Nov 13, 2009 7:22 PM CST reply actions

CJ is great

But AD has been elite for 2 and a half years. I’d say Johnson has been better so far this year but its only half a season.

by ckb on Nov 13, 2009 7:29 PM CST reply actions

AP all the way.

like stated above, AP is someone that is very multidimensional, and defenses plan to stop him, thus opening up the passing game. although it is nice to have both of them starting in fantasy.

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by IABerserker1 on Nov 13, 2009 7:53 PM CST reply actions

No such thing as "best back"

It is rare to find a Dominating running back that can described as “the best”. People generally use the term to talk about a bruising style runner that is at the top of the league and punishes defenders. Thats why AP gets the nod from most analyst. Barry Sanders never punished like AP but he and Gayle Sayers were so silky shifty that they were special. Payton and Riggs punished. Bo Jackson was fast, Erick Dickerson was a bruiser. Each was the “best for their team”.

Check out a couple of years where you would have to pick the best back.

Marcus Allen, Walter Payton, Gerald Riggs, and Erick Dickerson.

Barry Sanders, Erick Dickerson, Bo Jackson

Fred Taylor, Edgerrin James, Ricky Williams, Marshall Faulk

No way to really distinguish, except by longevity. I would argue that Steven Jackson and Deangelo Williams are as valuable to their teams as Chris Johnson or AP is to theirs.

But if you want an NFL prototype back then AP is your guy.

I know he’s mine.
Skoal

Bo Jackson,Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders

by lifelongvike on Nov 13, 2009 8:34 PM CST reply actions

+ 1

You are spot on in your comments lifelongvike. One back not listed in your post, Emmitt Smith, was conspicuous in his absence.

by Belarus on Nov 14, 2009 9:22 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed

No way to really distinguish, except by longevity.

This is perhaps the most critical issue. There’ve been lots of backs who lit it up for a season, but are they top-rated year after year? I’ve been wanting to see AP rack up 3000 yards, but for that to happen he’d have to get twice as many touches, and it would probably cut his career in half. Better for him to have 12 1500 yard seasons, than 3 2000+ seasons.

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We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!

by DCPurple on Nov 15, 2009 1:08 PM CST up reply actions

Well, look who is talking, another group of Vikings haters (Media that is). Of course, they want to see A.P. fail. Keep saying he might already be on the down swing because no 200+ yard games this season, tho he is still in the hunt for the rushing lead. They, SI, ESPN and so on, keep going on about how we dont really have any reserves and the rest of the B.S. they spew. This is just another reason why they are not to be taken serious. Now, I will admit Johnson is good, so not taking that away from the Titans in the least, but I think if A.P. was on the Titans, he would still be out running Johnson head to head.

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by VikesFaninNM on Nov 13, 2009 8:41 PM CST reply actions

I look at it from a Fantasy perspective

Chris Johnson has more fantasy points this year than Adrian Peterson does, but I know I’m getting 20+ points a week from Peterson (I’d get more if Chilly didn’t give Brett Favre so many throws inside the 5 fucking yard line) and with Johnson I might get 50 points one week and 5 points the next. In terms of average value, they’re the same, but in terms of who I’d rather have? Give me the guy who’s going to consistently give me 20 points per week please. I don’t get to count a player’s “average points” when I play each week in fantasy, I have to count their actual production.

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by fourstick on Nov 14, 2009 9:33 AM CST reply actions

Chris Who?

Oh the Speedy Guy! H mm A diesel w speed vs. a corvette. You decide, but I’m definitely choosing the Diesel!

Why Do People Question The Vikings' Status?

by UnBannedVikingholic on Nov 14, 2009 10:29 AM CST reply actions

CJ doesn't have all of AD's tools

And his team is missing tools as well. So they run a lot. I don’t see CJ breaking the tackels like AD does or running over db’s (Gay) like AD does. AD brings a lot more than speed to the RB position, he even brings more than elusiveness, he brings the power as well. Look at AP’s gains yesterday 75% of it was up the middle. A lot of speed backs are good running to the outside but have serious issues running between the tackles. AD can do both with equal enthusiasm. Now if he could catch a ball a bit better there would be no need to ever discuss this.

by Grime on Nov 16, 2009 9:42 AM CST reply actions

+1

Well said. I would add “Protect the ball in the open field from desperate, lunging, defenders.”

by jshep on Nov 16, 2009 5:28 PM CST up reply actions

+2

I have never seen an RB truck the secondary (Gay, Harris, that guy on the Browns) the way AP does. I mean… if you’re in the secondary and you have to go head-to-head with AP, it can’t be a good feeling knowing that you might be about to become a Viking highlight reel, lol.

by DCPurple on Nov 18, 2009 10:24 AM CST up reply actions