Question of the Week: Best Running Backs

Question of the Week: Best Running Backs 144

Gridiron Guru
Posted by: Gary Gramling
November 21, 2009, 12:56 PM

It's one of the most heated debates in the NFL today. You won't believe the wide range of answers to the Question of the Week:

Who is the running back in the NFL?

Read on for the best answers, and scroll to the bottom of the page to answer the next Question of the Week!...

It has to be Adrian Peterson. He already broke about four or five records and is the heart and soul of the Vikings running game.
-Bob, Virginia

Chris Johnson for sure. He is hard-hitting, speedy, and agile, which all add up to success. His stats also stand out. He averages 6.7 yards per carry! Also, with the absence of a franchise QB, the Titans can really count on him to make big plays, like his 91-yard TD in Week 2 and his 89-yard TD in Week 8. To me, Chris Johnson stands out above all backs.
-Ashane, California

It is a tough choice but I gotta go with Maurice Jones-Drew. He has one fumble while Peterson has four. MJD is a beast that can power his way through the biggest pile. Twelve TDs, 860 yards in 169 attempts, and his longest run is 80 YARDS. He is smart too. Did you see his play versus the Jets? He kneeled in front of the goal line to let his team run out the clock and win. He's got smarts and skills. He is the perfect package.
-AwesomeBrother84, New Jersey

There are so many great runners in the NFL right now. Adrian Peterson, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Matt Forte are all great at their position. But I'm going to say Cedric Benson of the Cincinnati Bengals. He's having a monster season this year. He's on pace to rush for more than 1,600 yards and 12 touchdowns. He's the reason the Bengals are performing so well.
-LeftyPitcher15, California

When you're a running back, it's more about consistency than big-play ability, that's why I pick DeAngelo Williams as the best RB over say AP, Cedric Benson, or Frank Gore.
-CoachPointGuard, Canada

Michael Turner. He is big, he is strong, and he's fast. As we saw in the past two games he's played in, unless you use absolutely perfect technique trying to tackle him, 10 out of 10 times he'll get by you.
-Joel, Pennsylvania

The best running back in the NFL is definitely Adrian Peterson (aka Stinky Pete). He has nine TDs and over 700 yards, and he can break tackles with ease. I mean, did you see how hard he got William Gay when they played in Pittsburgh? He's just that good.
-Robert, Michigan

There is no possibility that it is any one else but Barber, Marion. He is the very best. He is amazing.
-BaseballCatcher497, Canada

Despite the Wiz's arguments, it's no contest: Adrian Peterson. Not only is he tough and reliable, but the guy is just plain fast.
-BaseballAce3847, Pennsylvania

My answer is Cedric Benson of the Cincinnati Bengals because he has had an amazing season so far.
-BaseballBaseball646, Ohio

Please! Chris Johnson Baby! He is fast and he messed up Buffalo's DL Scott!
-Nate, Tennessee

The best running back in football is Adrian Peterson. He is a dynamic back who has a great team and an excellent career ahead of him. He is fast, elusive, and can run over people. His linemen make him even better.
-Alexis, Colorado

It has to be Adrian Peterson! The guy is a human beast! Not even that, he's the scariest guy on the Vikings! (Sorry Jared Allen)
-DancingEagle8, Indiana

I would have to say Maurice Jones-Drew. MJD is only 5-foot-7, but he's built like a tank. He puts up monster stats on the ground, is a great receiver out of the backfield, and scores tons of touchdowns. He's also improved his blocking. Did you see the hit he put on Shawne Merriman last year?
-Eric, North Carolina

I would have to give the edge to Chris Johnson over Adrian Peterson. Peterson's team has a passing game, so they don't go to him as much. Johnson doesn't have a very good passing game with Kerry Collins or Vince Young, so they give him the ball more. Plus, Johnson is more of a third down back than Peterson, who most of the time is taken out for Chester Taylor, who is a better receiver.
-Jacob, Wisconsin

Adrian Peterson, no doubt about that one! He is fast, can break tackles, and is flat-out good!
-Padraig, Pennsylvania

These past few seasons we've seen some of the greatest tailbacks in a long time. Right at this moment though, the best one is Adrian Peterson. He is the most powerful runner out there. Oh, and by the way, did you see his 64-yard run against the browns in Week 1? INCREDIBLE!
-AceAce343, Connecticut

This is a tough one. I like Maurice Jones-Drew and Chris Johnson. I think Chris Johnson has the slightest edge over Jones-Drew because if you check out the stats, Johnson leads the league in rushing with a team that's only won three games! UNBELEIVABLE! He's got more rushing yards in a harder scenario. Chris Johnson all the way!
-BaseballBro822, Canada

Well, if you’ve been reading my blogs for a while, or you listen to SI Kids RADIO, you know who I’m going to say: Maurice Jones-Drew. He’s the most complete back in the NFL. He can run inside and out, he’s the best pass-catching back in the league, and he’s great picking up the blitz. Adrian Peterson (aka Stinky Pete -- kudos to you, Robert from Michigan) is the best pure runner, and Chris Johnson is the most dangerous big-play threat. But neither are the total package that MJD is.
-The Wiz

Now for this week's question. People are still talking about this play (including Duane from New Jersey and I in our latest podcast). Former Patriots players Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi said it was a terrible decision. But former head coach Jon Gruden and many statisticians have said that Bill Belichick was right to go for it on 4th-and-2 from his own 28 with two minutes left against the Colts.

Obviously, we know now that the play didn't work and Peyton Manning came back and scored the game-winning TD. But if the same situation came up with two minutes to go in a playoff game against the Colts...