Who is the best running back in the NFL currently?

jbergey22 · 11-30-2008, 11:24 PM

Who is the best Running back in the NFL as of right NOW ?

Based on skill and try to look past any injuries that may have hindered some of the better backs this year. Also try to think of each back in the same situation so a good back like Gore isnt punished for being on a bad team.

MorseMoose · 11-30-2008, 11:31 PM

Although there are many good running backs in the NFL, one guy stands out. Don't question his style because he will pound your defense to submission. Running as fast as he does, he can blow by some of the fastest backs in the league. I know, and you know that you would pick him as your #1 back. And while his team is subpar, he is without a doubt, single handedly keeping his team in the playoff hunt. Nobody can stop this guy and nobody ever will.

Big Willis 16 · 12-01-2008, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

Although there are many good running backs in the NFL, one guy stands out. Don't question his style. Because he will pound your defense to submission. Running as fast as he does, he can blow by some of the fastest backs in the league. I know, and you know that you would pick him as your #1 back. And while his team is subpar, he is without a doubt, single handedly keeping his team in the playoff hunt. Nobody can stop this guy and nobody ever will.

Fixed!

mlyons · 12-01-2008, 11:00 PM

Really? No Brandon Jacobs? I know he's running behind a great line and everything, but come on. LaDainian Tomlinson? Brian Westbrook? Marion Barber? Steven Jackson? Can you honestly tell me you think those guys are close to Jacobs right now?

MorseMoose · 12-01-2008, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Willis 16

Fixed!

That's really hard not to laugh at.

JWay · 12-02-2008, 01:50 AM

Marion Barber Jr played a long long time ago...

Tony M · 12-02-2008, 05:34 AM

[time travel to the 90s]

Emmitt Smith

[/time travel]

Cryomaniac · 12-02-2008, 08:47 AM

I voted Peterson.

koohead · 12-02-2008, 09:15 AM

tough one to answer but I voted Westbrook. He does it all...he can run, he can catch, he can block...even return kicks in a pinch. overall, he's the best RB from an All-Purpose standpoint and someone I can build an offense around.
As far as pure runner, I'd go with Barber. the man does not get stopped for a loss. Sure some of that may be attributed to his offensive line, but he does not go down on first contact. AP may have the break away potential, but he too often ends up getting caught at or behind the line.

mlyons · 12-02-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koohead

tough one to answer but I voted Westbrook. He does it all...he can run, he can catch, he can block...even return kicks in a pinch. overall, he's the best RB from an All-Purpose standpoint and someone I can build an offense around.
As far as pure runner, I'd go with Barber. the man does not get stopped for a loss. Sure some of that may be attributed to his offensive line, but he does not go down on first contact. AP may have the break away potential, but he too often ends up getting caught at or behind the line.

You do realize that it's no longer 2007, right? Westbrook is half the back he was the last couple of seasons. Barber's averaging fewer than 4 yards a carry and has been stopped for a loss or no gain almost as often as Peterson (20 stuffs to Peterson's 26, according to SI).

jbergey22 · 12-02-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlyons

Really? No Brandon Jacobs? I know he's running behind a great line and everything, but come on. LaDainian Tomlinson? Brian Westbrook? Marion Barber? Steven Jackson? Can you honestly tell me you think those guys are close to Jacobs right now?

Well he has to get on the field consistently for me to consider him a top back but that is why I left other as an option. I considered Matt Forte on there as well. I see Jacobs as more of a 15 carry a game back that catches no passes. Not a top back IMO.

Jestor · 12-02-2008, 01:10 PM

For pure speed and excitement, Reggie Bush.

Jonzard · 12-02-2008, 01:56 PM

On another note, is LT in the league in 3 years?

mlyons · 12-02-2008, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbergey22

Well he has to get on the field consistently for me to consider him a top back but that is why I left other as an option. I considered Matt Forte on there as well. I see Jacobs as more of a 15 carry a game back that catches no passes. Not a top back IMO.

He's on pace for 1200 yards rushing this season. That's not on the field consistently enough for you? (Especially considering he has more carries than Westbrook or Jackson.)

mlyons · 12-02-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonzard

On another note, is LT in the league in 3 years?

Not a chance. He's already a senior citizen in running back years.

jbergey22 · 12-02-2008, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlyons

He's on pace for 1200 yards rushing this season. That's not on the field consistently enough for you? (Especially considering he has more carries than Westbrook or Jackson.)

Is 1200 yards with no recieving yards ever going to consider merit as the best back in the NFL? Atleast you could make a case for Jackson as he had 2000 total yards just 2 years ago and Westbrook has been pretty dominant this year as well as the past 3 years. I specifically said to try and overlook injuries as much as possible when making a decision. Its a poll so you have every right to your opinion I just dont see too many people choosing Jacobs over Westbrook or Jackson under the conditions all teams are equal.

jbergey22 · 12-02-2008, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonzard

On another note, is LT in the league in 3 years?

Probably. Hes taken care of himself and has avoided major injury and will always be a threat as a 3rd down back because of his great recieving skills.

Slackker · 12-02-2008, 10:00 PM

I'm not sure I have an answer to this one. Some quick, short thoughts.

I need to see more out of Peterson receiving.

Portis doesn't have the speed he used to.

Tomlinson has fallen off majorly.

Steven Jackson has only had one huge year.

Marion Barber has had a few minor injuries in his first year as the lone starting HB. And he's not even averaging 4YPC.

The reluctance of the Eagles to run on short yardage pretty much hits the nail on the head regarding my thoughts on Brian Westbrook.

Marshawn Lynch is starting to become well-rounded (in a very inconsistent offense) but.. he needs to at least top 1200 yards for me to call him the BEST.

Michael Turner has a long reception of SIX this year. Just have to see more.

Two-back system and horrible offense or not.. Jones-Drew needs to break 1000 yards before I care.

Jamal Lewis and his 3.6 YPC is suffering in Cleveland's terrible offense.

My conclusion?

BenJarvus Green-Ellis!

As far as stats.. I'd put Forte, Slaton, and Chris Johnson up against any of these guys. Rookies, gotta love 'em. Forte coming out ahead, although Johnson would have more TDs (and a lower average) without LenDale.

All in all.. I gotta go with LT until someone emerges from the 'good but not great' bottleneck.

bigdgp2 · 12-02-2008, 10:11 PM

Matt Forte!

MorseMoose · 12-02-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slackker

I need to see more out of Peterson receiving.

The topic was Running Back right? I realize that RB needs to be able to make catches, but seriously? Look at Emmitt Smith's receiving numbers...Walter Payton...those aren't anything extraordinarily special. Are you going to fault him next because he doesn't throw TDs like LT has?

View Poll Results: Who is the best Running Back in the NFL currently?
Clinton Portis	7	11.29%
Adrian Peterson	38	61.29%
Micheal Turner	2	3.23%
Ladanian Tomlinson	3	4.84%
Brian Westbrook	7	11.29%
Chris Johnson	0	0%
Marion Barber Jr	0	0%
Stephen Jackson	1	1.61%
Frank Gore	1	1.61%
Other	3	4.84%
Voters: 62. You may not vote on this poll

12-01-2008, 11:00 PM	#4
mlyons Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 3,725	Really? No Brandon Jacobs? I know he's running behind a great line and everything, but come on. LaDainian Tomlinson? Brian Westbrook? Marion Barber? Steven Jackson? Can you honestly tell me you think those guys are close to Jacobs right now? __________________ Things can always be worse.

12-02-2008, 08:47 AM	#8
Cryomaniac Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hucknall, Notts, UK Posts: 4,902	I voted Peterson. __________________

12-02-2008, 09:15 AM	#9
koohead Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,137	tough one to answer but I voted Westbrook. He does it all...he can run, he can catch, he can block...even return kicks in a pinch. overall, he's the best RB from an All-Purpose standpoint and someone I can build an offense around. As far as pure runner, I'd go with Barber. the man does not get stopped for a loss. Sure some of that may be attributed to his offensive line, but he does not go down on first contact. AP may have the break away potential, but he too often ends up getting caught at or behind the line. __________________ GM - New Jersey Bears of the NPBL;

12-02-2008, 01:56 PM	#13
Jonzard Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,647	On another note, is LT in the league in 3 years? __________________ For a scientist must indeed be freely imaginative and yet skeptical, creative and yet a critic. There is a sense in which he must be free, but another in which his thought must be very precisely regimented; there is poetry in science, but also a lot of bookkeeping. — Sir Peter B. Medawar FTB

11-30-2008, 11:24 PM	#1
jbergey22 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,481	Who is the best running back in the NFL currently? Who is the best Running back in the NFL as of right NOW ? Based on skill and try to look past any injuries that may have hindered some of the better backs this year. Also try to think of each back in the same situation so a good back like Gore isnt punished for being on a bad team. Last edited by jbergey22; 11-30-2008 at 11:30 PM.

11-30-2008, 11:31 PM	#2
MorseMoose Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 6,023 Blog Entries: 4 Infractions: 1/1 (1)	Although there are many good running backs in the NFL, one guy stands out. Don't question his style because he will pound your defense to submission. Running as fast as he does, he can blow by some of the fastest backs in the league. I know, and you know that you would pick him as your #1 back. And while his team is subpar, he is without a doubt, single handedly keeping his team in the playoff hunt. Nobody can stop this guy and nobody ever will.

12-02-2008, 01:50 AM	#6
JWay Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 5,021 Blog Entries: 3	Marion Barber Jr played a long long time ago...

12-02-2008, 05:34 AM	#7
Tony M Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Here Posts: 6,156 Blog Entries: 3	[time travel to the 90s] Emmitt Smith [/time travel]

12-02-2008, 10:00 PM	#18
Slackker All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 777	I'm not sure I have an answer to this one. Some quick, short thoughts. I need to see more out of Peterson receiving. Portis doesn't have the speed he used to. Tomlinson has fallen off majorly. Steven Jackson has only had one huge year. Marion Barber has had a few minor injuries in his first year as the lone starting HB. And he's not even averaging 4YPC. The reluctance of the Eagles to run on short yardage pretty much hits the nail on the head regarding my thoughts on Brian Westbrook. Marshawn Lynch is starting to become well-rounded (in a very inconsistent offense) but.. he needs to at least top 1200 yards for me to call him the BEST. Michael Turner has a long reception of SIX this year. Just have to see more. Two-back system and horrible offense or not.. Jones-Drew needs to break 1000 yards before I care. Jamal Lewis and his 3.6 YPC is suffering in Cleveland's terrible offense. My conclusion? BenJarvus Green-Ellis! As far as stats.. I'd put Forte, Slaton, and Chris Johnson up against any of these guys. Rookies, gotta love 'em. Forte coming out ahead, although Johnson would have more TDs (and a lower average) without LenDale. All in all.. I gotta go with LT until someone emerges from the 'good but not great' bottleneck. Last edited by Slackker; 12-02-2008 at 10:02 PM.

12-02-2008, 10:11 PM	#19
bigdgp2 All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 605	Matt Forte! __________________ https://challenge.ootpdevelopments.c...lawlsopher.jpg Last edited by bigdgp2; 12-02-2008 at 10:12 PM.