Peterson: Chasing Jimmy Brown
I try to avoid over-the-top statements. But sometimes, events warrant radical thought. Take, for instance, Adrian Peterson.
Two seasons and one game into Peterson’s NFL career seems as good a time as any to discuss where he might land on the all-time running back list. And here’s the kicker: Peterson has a chance to be No. 1.
Might as well get the arguments started immediately. Here’s my top five all-time:
1. Jim Brown
2. Barry Sanders
3. O.J. Simpson (character doesn’t count, especially post-career)
4. Eric Dickerson
5. Walter Payton
If you want to argue about Dickerson and Payton, don’t bother. Not that big a deal to me. You could insert Emmitt Smith and Red Grange, or Tony Dorsett and Marcus Allen, or Earl Campbell and Marshall Faulk, and I wouldn’t have a beef.
The top three, I’m pretty set on.
O.J. was truly an epic ballplayer, both in style and production, and that’s all been overshadowed in the 15 years since we found out he’s a reprehensible thug. One of the most underrated records in sport: Simpson’s 143 yards rushing per game in 1973.
Sanders was an American original; there never has been anything like him, before or since. Think about that for a minute. Think of the hundreds of thousands of football players you’ve watched in your life. Not one of them comes close to playing like Sanders played. Nobody.
But Brown was the best. Eight rushing titles in his nine seasons. Retired at the very top of his game. Big and fast, strong and tough.
Just like Adrian Peterson. When Peterson was drafted by the Vikings in April 2007, only fools thought he wouldn’t be a star. By that November, I was writing that Peterson might be the next Brown. I think we can affirm that now.
Peterson opened Year 3 on Sunday with 180 rushing yards against Cleveland, including a long touchdown run in which he toyed with the Browns defense like it was some poor Texas high school trying to tackle Peterson back at Palestine.
To set records and reach the top of the NFL’s various rushing lists, Peterson will have to stay healthy and play at least a decade. But for just sheer impact on a game, he’s approaching the greats already. Peterson’ is that rarest of ballcarrier; a guy who runs away from defenders but will run violently if need be. Or sometimes when it’s not necessary.
Peterson is a man among boys in a league that is all man. He’s got a chance to the NFL’s greatest ballcarrier.
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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Comments
I’ve only had film to watch Jim Brown from, so I haven’t seen all of him, just the highlights–but he’s the most consistent and brutal runner I’ve ever seen. I would put Payton as the second greatest. His style of play is just astounding, just as brutal but in a different body-type, and he had a cunning that simply dumbfounded defenders. Sanders with his blurring cartoon-like footwork and Dickerson’s gold-and-blue streak, a combination between an elk and a lightning bolt (kind of like O.J., too, who I’ve only seen limited footage of) are a tight next in line for me. Those four guys just had something at all times that made them greater than anyone else on the field. Bo Jackson’s short career showed me the fifth greatest. A powerful athleticism that hadn’t been seen before and hasn’t been seen since. No one has had the command of body that he had–for such a short while, unfortunately.
Those differences in opinion aside, I was saying the same thing as you during Peterson’s first season. But in my mind, he already is the greatest back ever. You don’t become great, you are great. It seems to be a very personal, instinctual thing. You can see it right there before your eyes in Peterson. His health and longevity will only determine if he becomes “considered” the greatest ever.
Personally, I’ve never seen anything like him. If I were a defender in the NFL, he’s the only man over the past two decades I’d be legitimately afraid of tackling. I’d rather take on The Nigerian Nightmare or Ironhead Heyward barreling at me full speed than Peterson, even from an angle. Less embarrassing when you get destroyed.
I agree with Barrry Switzer when he recently said he thought Barry Sanders was the best running back of all time. Jim Brown was great, but played during an era when the defense consisted almost entirely of white guys trying to run him down.
Peterson is the best runner I have ever seen. Too yound to comment on Brown, Simpson or Sayers.
1.Peterson
2.Dickerson
3.Sanders
4.Payton
HM- Campbell, his first 3 years were unbelievable
“He’s a stronger and faster version of Eric Dickerson.”
He’s not faster than Big Dick, but he’s twice as physical and has twice the desire and determination.
Wow I actually agree with Tramel, except I might switch Payton and Dickerson. But I’m not sure any of thoee guys combined the power with the speed and agility that Peterson does. Of course longevity and staying healthy will ultimately tell. If he does, he will be the greatest.
I would never accuse anybody in the Oklahoman Sports Department of making over-the-top statements. Just the facts and nothing but the facts with this bunch!
A thought provoking top 5 you have chosen Berry. It’s obvious you didn’t go solely with the numbers, and went more the “talent” direction. Jim Brown, Red Grange, or Bronco Nugurski deserve to be in a different category. It’s hard to imagine how they would be superstars to the same extent, were they playing today. Jim Brown, Gayle Sayers, and Leroy Kelly would be on the fringe as far as I’m concerned. I would consider them to be at the end of the first era of football.
It would be like in baseball having Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, (Shoeless)Joe Jackson, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, Nolan Ryan, Alex Rodriguez. We know I’ve left out Willie Mays, Lou Gehrig, Koufax, Reggie Jackson, and a ton of others. Different era’s, different rules, and the number of games played convolute the evaluation process.
So I’m going with the 2nd (present) era of football running backs:
1. O.J. Simpson. In my mind has done things no other back has done. A world class sprinter that could “shake and bake”. Could carry a team on his shoulders and did.
2. Barry Sanders. More moves than exlax as they say. Played for the worst football franchise in history and kept them in games they should have had no chance in winning.
3. Eric Dickerson. The flying gazelle that hit like a hammer. Had a very similar running style to Adrian Peterson.
4. Earl Campbell. The Tyler Rose. Probably the toughest back that ever touched a pigskin. Made the rest of the backs look like sissies in comparison. No telling how many helmets he shattered hitting the opposing teams. A one man wrecking crew.
5. Tony Dorsett. Lightning in a bottle. Could strike from anywhere on the field. All he needed was a crack. A great finesse running back. My favorite moment was when OU was playing Pitt and Scott Hill knocked Dorsett senseless.
What a great tease to throw out for football lovers. We could sit and argue for hours. Adrian Peterson will definitely be up there. How long he lasts will determine the spot in the top 5 he assumes. He’s a stronger and faster version of Eric Dickerson.