Huddle Up

NFL News and Analysis with Andrew Perloff

Perloff
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  • 04:26 PM ET  11.04

You can start a franchise with either LaDainian Tomlinson or Adrian Peterson, who do you take?

Give me Peterson.

Tomlinson is obviously one of the best of all time. But he's attacking the record book on  a  slow and steady pace, accumulating stats through the years without too much flash. Peterson, who set the single-game rushing record today with 296 yards against the Chargers, is the most exciting running back to enter the NFL since Barry Sanders.

Commentators say LT is a threat to take it to the house from anywhere on the field. That's simply not true. Tomlinson has six runs over 60 yards in his seven-year career. That's less than one a year. Peterson already has three runs of over 60 yards in his rookie season, including a 64-yard touchdown in the Vikings' 35-17 win today. And Peterson took a screen pass 60 yards for a touchdown in Week 1.

The debate is similar to Emmitt Smith vs. Barry Sanders. Smith is the NFL rushing king, but it's hard to remember more than one or two specific long runs in his long career. Sanders' career was filled with breath-taking long dashes.

Tomlinson gets a lot of credit for setting the NFL touchdown record last season, as did Shaun Alexander in 2005. But many of those were of the 2-yard variety, so that statistic doesn't say much.

With all the rule changes to help the passing game, the break-away running back had become a thing of the past. Backs have big statistical seasons, but that's because yards and scoring are up so much as defenses scramble to catch up with aerial attacks like New England and Indianapolis. Also, defense are set so far back to stop the pass, running backs can't get past the deep guys.

Peterson is a throwback to the running backs of my youth, like Sanders, Earl Campbell, Eric Dickerson, Tony Dorsett and Walter Payton - players who seemed to be capable of ripping off 70-yard touchdowns every game. Guys you couldn't take your eyes off.

Tomlinson is a great running back. One of the best ever. He will likely break most NFL rushing records. Peterson, however, won't be far behind if he can stay healthy. And Peterson will do it in a much more exciting fashion.

November 4, 2007  04:41 PM ET

I agree with you that Adrian Peterson would be better to start a team with, but LT does have some good years ahead of him. He is very good and I would probably pick him because of experience and that he is good, but Peterson probably has more speed and he did play very well today. He should win ROY this year and is very good. So overall I agree with you. Peterson is a great running back and I would start a team with him because he can do everything. He has speed, power, and catching ability.

November 4, 2007  04:47 PM ET

When I saw Peterson as a freshmen I thought he would win two or more Heismans but injuries hurt him. I would take him over any back.

November 4, 2007  04:59 PM ET

I took him in the third round in all 4 of my fantasy leagues. I've been offered LT for him and turned it down. Peterson's simply the best

November 4, 2007  05:08 PM ET

I agree with your post.

To me, LT's strength is that he consistently finishes his runs. His great body of work is more impressive than his individual runs. On the other hand, AD is other worldly. When I saw him as I freshman, I thought he was the best college back since Herschel Walker. Unfortunately, AD had an ankle sprain his sophomore year and was not allowed to rehab it properly before returning to the field. (The trainers tried to have him play in an ankle brace to prevented lateral mobility. Unbelievable.) In his junior year, AD broke his collar bone when he was lightly touched while running full speed but he landed awkwardly in the end zone. Another limited season.

Career records are great, but sometimes style matters. :)

November 4, 2007  05:14 PM ET

I seen this day coming ever since 2001 when I witnessed what appeared to be a grown man in maroon and white running around and through boys from my HS Alma Mater....I knew he was something special then

November 4, 2007  05:38 PM ET

Pretty good and pretty young. Good idea!

November 4, 2007  06:01 PM ET

AP= MVP

November 4, 2007  06:14 PM ET

Never. But I would take Steve Hutch, Matt Birk, Bryant McKinnie and company over the SD line. Even Chet Taylor was rolling up huge gains.

November 4, 2007  06:33 PM ET

Yep! AP all the way. The Sanders/Smith thing I never understood. Put Barry behind the Dallas OL of its day and it would have been a sight to behold. No controversy. But this Peterson? He's special.

November 4, 2007  06:43 PM ET

saying you would take peterson over LT is like saying you'd take tony romo over tom brady or manning. I'm not saying hes not going to be amazing, but LT's a proven back. Look at petersons freshman year, amazing, what did he do after that?

We'll just see and if he stays healthy for awhile. which i hope he does so he can torch more Ds.

November 4, 2007  06:50 PM ET

This is a ridiculous discussion to be having. LT is 28 and in his 7th year. Peterson is 22 and in his 1st. Tomlinson has 118 touchdowns in his career, not including his 7 passing TDs. Peterson has 8. Why don't we hold off on crowning Peterson right now. He's very good, but let's calm down. Tomlinson's been the best for about 5 years now, maybe when Peterson has the body of work Tomlinson has then we can crown his as the best.

November 4, 2007  07:15 PM ET

peterson is the best back ever....no qualification.....ever!

November 4, 2007  07:35 PM ET

A little what have you done for me lately. "That statistic doesn't say much" is an easy way to sweep one of the most heralded records in football under the rug. LT has shown durability and excellence throughout his career. You would be wrong to take LT over Peterson this year, however, if you pay attention to AD's running style and his history, it would be a good bet that he'll spend some time on the IR before his years are done. LT is one of the top four or five backs to ever play the game, so let's halt the knee jerk reactions until Peterson's posted a few seasons worth of his current production.

November 4, 2007  07:58 PM ET

You guys are whack to think this kid is already better than LT..Are you kidding me? Sure he is very talented and right now he is very hot. Have him play a couple of seasons and then come with the hype. LT has Mouth pieces in the NFL longer than Peterson. Give me a break..

November 4, 2007  08:42 PM ET

This is exactly the "what have you done for me lately" attitude that is so commonplace in the NFL. LT is dynamic in so many ways and is a proven, durable back. AP COULD end up as one of the greatest ever but he's played half a season.... an amazing half season, but still half a season. Everyone jumps all over every one of these backs each time they break out huge.. but few ever hold up. This isn't even a new story... in 2005, cadillac was the first rookie to start with 3 straight 100 yard games and everybody was jumping on him as the "new LT", and now, behind a subpar line and injuries, he's not even mentioned in the top 10 backs. Can we all just stop to breathe before we put peterson in the hall of fame?

November 4, 2007  09:29 PM ET

Both AP and LT are phenomenal running backs. To say that AP is the best back ever is a bit much, especially after seeing him play in only half an NFL season. But, I would have to say that everything he is doing is unreal. The only rookie to ever rush for over 200 yards twice in his rookie year, I believe he has a couple more of these days in the near future. Both times he has rushed over 200 yards has been against a defense that gives up very few yards a game (Bears, Chargers) and he has the potential to break a big run every play. LT has alot of the same abilities, and he had one of the most amazing seasons last year with his record setting performance. But, it seems as if defenses have seen what he can do and have picked it up to contain him. I understand that AP is in his first year, but defenses can try to stop him, but he will run them over. I truly believe that AP is better than LT right now and will be on his heels from this moment on with all of the NFL records LT sets. I pick AP to start a team around.

November 4, 2007  09:46 PM ET

I'm an avid OU fan which means I'm a huge fan of Adrian Peterson (btw, he goes by "AD" rather than "AP". He's had the nickname "All Day" since high school.

With that said, you can't discount what LT has done over his career for a player barely 8 games into his. Right now LT is the more complete player. Yes, AD may have more break away speed, but LT is a tremendous receiver out of the backfield and can do so many things.

Until AD gets 1500+ yards rushing AND 90 catches in a season (and a few TD tosses to boot), LT is still the best. And I'm biased!

November 4, 2007  10:23 PM ET

Adrian Peterson can do things that no other back in football can do right now. If he turns the corner on you, he's as likely to run over the safety as run past him. He's an amazing talent, especially since he just broke into the starting lineup in the last two games. (Childress is the only guy who can hold him under 100 yards, it seems.)

LT is great, but he's old for a running back already. I'd take Peterson.

November 4, 2007  10:41 PM ET

The flashier RB's just seem "flashy: because they're usually special talents playing for sub par teams (see Edgerrin James, Where's the Flash From Indy?) The debate should begin and end with the Question: Would Emmitt Smith be the rushing king if he played in Detroit and Sanders ran behind the bequemoths in Dallas? Not likely....Sanders might still be playing if he had a few Super Bowls under his belt. (Yeah, that's an exaggeration of the point [see Brett Favre]:)
Also, let's see All Day in the next few years when defenses are prepared for him (see Vince Young) before we crown him the greatest.

 
November 4, 2007  10:53 PM ET

Defenses aren't preparing for him now? What are they worried about, Tarvaris Jackson and the Vikings deep passing game???

The Vikings don't have anything else. To do this against team defenses like Chicago and San Diego... if he can get past the line and make a cut or two, he could go.

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