LeSean McCoy vs. Adrian Peterson: It's On

Life in the NFL is one of bravado, talk, and one upsmanship.  So a couple of days ago, when LeSean McCoy stated he felt he was the best running back in the NFL, I kind of shrugged my shoulders and said 'okay, whatever.'

Now, make no mistake, McCoy is an exceptional back, and he made a good case:

"But the last three years? I've been All-Pro, first-team, twice. I never leave the field. I block. I catch. I never leave the field," McCoy said. "I don't have anybody do my job; I do it myself. Tons of credit goes out to Adrian Peterson. I'm a big fan of his, for sure. But I feel I'm the best."

Hey, confidence is half the battle in the NFL, and in McCoy's defense, what was he supposed to say, no?  Of course not.  And he wasn't disrespectful to Adrian Peterson while answering a question that was asked of him. And in 2013, McCoy outrushed Peterson by over 400 yards.

However, Adrian Peterson cares not for your excuses nor your arguments, and he will show you no mercy. When asked to respond, Peterson said:

"I definitely started laughing," Peterson said. "It was funny because when Stephen [A. Smith] asked him the question, you know, he kind of hesitated. If you watched it, you know he didn't believe it when he said it. So I've got to tell the youngsters, ‘Next time, say it with your chest, man. Say it like you mean it!'"

"He didn't really mean it," Peterson said. "If you watched - if you've seen his response - he didn't really mean it. ... But, you know, I've got to give the young guy credit, you know. There's nothing wrong with having confidence in yourself."

McCoy had a better 2013, no doubt, but does one year make him the best RB in the NFL? The one thing Adrian Peterson uses for motivation are sleights, either real or perceived. A couple of seasons ago, Tennessee running back Chris Johnson said he thought he was the best running back in the game. Johnson held out, went into the tank, and he's now on the New York Jets, hoping to revive his career.

So please, rest of the NFL, keep doing this.  Pretty please.  I would recommend insulting his mom next. He'd probably brush that off, too.