Adrian Peterson vs. Marshawn Lynch

[NEROtheZERO]

I've noticed that there is speculation right now on whether or not Adrian Peterson would last until the 8th pick and, if he did, would he be taken?

Peterson is a good back with a great combination of size, speed, and power. But, am I out of line in prefering Lynch over Peterson? Admittedly, I am a bit green on both players. I am more of an east coast college football guy so my exposure to both Lynch and Peterson is a bit limited. But, from the games and highlight reels I have watched of them, I prefer Lynch by a considerable margin.

It seems to me that Peterson runs a bit more upright, doesn't have quite the burst that Lynch has, doesn't have quite the shiftiness that Lynch has, and doesn't bull over defenders like Lynch does. I am also impressed with Lynch's route running and soft hands. Though I don't think he or Peterson have an edge in that facet of the game.

Does anyone have a link to a comparison on the two or a take on the issue yourself?

[tulexan]

No you are not alone. Lynch is going to be a stud and I believe fits our system better than Peterson.

[Texian]

Perterson is more of power back with speed and is rated the better of the two backs. Lynch has his admirers and opponents. Some say he is another JJ Arrington. This is what they had to say about Arrington;

"Arrington is an emerging talent who unleashed one of the greatest rushing seasons in Pac-10 Conference history and arguably the most productive of any 2004 running back in the nation. He was voted a consensus first-team All-American and was the country's only 2,000-yard rusher. He not only led the NCAA in total rushing yards and yards per carry, but was also the only player to rush for 100-plus yards in every game, as he gained the most yards by a Pac-10 rusher since Marcus Allen of Southern California totaled 2,427 yards in 1981."

Arrington is now sitting on the bench in Arizona. JJ was so disappointing the Cards went out and got "The Edge."

[SLO Texan]

IF we are thinking about actually taking one of these guys at #8 I would go with Lynch too.

My main reasoning is that I would just be opposed to picking a guy who has been injured as much as AP in the last year. I know he had amazing Freshman and Sophmore seasons but he was also a workhorse for OU that whole time. I believe he had 30 + carries in more games than any other college back during that span.

And he did'nt impress me in his bowl game either. If he had shown that the time off and injuries had'nt hampered his game and broke off some good runs I might think otherwise but he looked very mortal in that game.

I'm not saying we could'nt get a couple Larry Johnson type seasons from him but I want a long term solution if we're going to go with a RB at #8. Not another DDW we'll have to replace in a few years.

[coachdent]

Originally Posted by SLO Texan

IF we are thinking about actually taking one of these guys at #8 I would go with Lynch too.

My main reasoning is that I would just be opposed to picking a guy who has been injured as much as AP in the last year. I know he had amazing Freshman and Sophmore seasons but he was also a workhorse for OU that whole time. I believe he had 30 + carries in more games than any other college back during that span.

And he did'nt impress me in his bowl game either. If he had shown that the time off and injuries had'nt hampered his game and broke off some good runs I might think otherwise but he looked very mortal in that game.

I'm not saying we could'nt get a couple Larry Johnson type seasons from him but I want a long term solution if we're going to go with a RB at #8. Not another DDW we'll have to replace in a few years.

A couple of things on AP...

It seems that the way most people roll on this board is in a world of black and white. Awesome and sucks. Ugh! I think they are both really good backs. The knock against AP being an upright runner can be compared to other runners who also had the same knock against them. Eric Dickerson was thought to be too upright. Eddie George also ran incredibly upright and if you ever watch old films, Jim Brown was an incredibly upright runner. So, I don't put a tremendous amount of credence in that upright thing.

AP became an even more physical runner this past season which is fantastic. He has proven that he can deliver punishment in runs. His injury this year was diving into the endzone and sustatining a freak neck injury. That has nothing to do with conditioning, his running style or anything else for that matter other than bad luck.

As for the bowl game, it is extremely tough to perform lights out after the long layoff. Oklahoma did not play well and there weren't a ton of running lanes all night long. AP sure as hell looked pretty impressive with the first run in overtime right out the gate. Boise State outplayed the Sooners and the Sooners' QB was laughable all night. BS just pinned their ears back and stopped the run.

Like both both backs.

[HoustonFrog]

I'm not sure who I'd like more but I'm weary of both. It is what everyone is saying but I said last year that I though Peterson would have injury problems. He is a big dude who will takes punishment and who is going to get leg tackled alot. I would not be surprised if he didn't have a hamstring or leg injury every year. What worries me the most is mileage. In high school the guy ran a ton. Oklahoma then ran him into the ground. I just think he will start as a rokkie with the milaeage of a 2 year vet.

[jdog]

Everyone Sooner fan I talk to says they would take Peterson with the #1 pick. They say he is the real deal without a doubt.

I jworry about his durability because of two seasons with injuries, but the guy could have won the Heisman his rookie year if you ask me.

[TigerBait]

I go to Oklahoma, and a few things on AD and his so called injury problem:

In '05 he got an high ankle sprain, an injury anyone can get and it wasn't like he was going to week to week with a bum ankle and after he recovered on into the '06 season as well we never heard anything about ankle problems again. With the collar bone injury, he got taken off his feet and dove sideways into the enzone, it was a freak injury, something that might happen one time in a million. If anyone here has ever had a collarbone injury, you know the doctor tells you that once you recovery that bone will most likely now be one of the stronger bones in your body, and he's usually right.

Im not going to say I'm not concerned about his running style, because not only does he run upright, if the hole is not immediately there he tends to dance around a little bit too much. And to say Adrian is the same RB you see in all the highlights of his '04 and '05 season, is false. In '06 he seemed to resort to even more of a power running type back and seemed to rarely do the spin move or jump over people and what not. However he still makes great cuts in the open field for a big guy.

If your going to compare bowl games, Lynch, IMO, was even less impressive than Adrian and that is without a layoff. He just looks too mediocre at times. I would take AD.

[kastofsna]

can't go wrong either way. peterson is a more dangerous pure runner. lynch fits the offense well, and can catch the ball out of the backfield and do damage.

[stingray]

Originally Posted by Texian

Perterson is more of power back with speed and is rated the better of the two backs. Lynch has his admirers and opponents. Some say he is another JJ Arrington. This is what they had to say about Arrington;

"Arrington is an emerging talent who unleashed one of the greatest rushing seasons in Pac-10 Conference history and arguably the most productive of any 2004 running back in the nation. He was voted a consensus first-team All-American and was the country's only 2,000-yard rusher. He not only led the NCAA in total rushing yards and yards per carry, but was also the only player to rush for 100-plus yards in every game, as he gained the most yards by a Pac-10 rusher since Marcus Allen of Southern California totaled 2,427 yards in 1981."

Arrington is now sitting on the bench in Arizona. JJ was so disappointing the Cards went out and got "The Edge."

yeah,, and now Edge looks ordinary. It's not the Rb's there. It's the OL. Nobody can run behind that Line. I think JJ would be ok somewhere else.

[V Man]

Originally Posted by raytex

yeah,, and now Edge looks ordinary. It's not the Rb's there. It's the OL. Nobody can run behind that Line. I think JJ would be ok somewhere else.

That is kinda what I was wondering. How much is it that JJ isn't as good as he looked in college, or is it the O-line is so bad no one looks good. or is it a combination of both.

As for me I think Lynch is and will be better than JJ.

[bah007]

Originally Posted by V Man

That is kinda what I was wondering. How much is it that JJ isn't as good as he looked in college, or is it the O-line is so bad no one looks good. or is it a combination of both.

As for me I think Lynch is and will be better than JJ.

I think it is no question that Lynch will be better in the NFL than Arrington.

I never thought much of Arrington anyway. Even with the great season he had in college, I felt that he was overrated.

I think Lynch is overrated too.

In fact, I think this whole running back class is overrated.

Peterson is really good but he is no better in this draft than Maroney was in last years draft.

If Maroney and Peterson were both in this draft I would grab Maroney without hesitation.

When I saw how well Patrick played as Peterson's back-up that really reinforced my opinion. Is Patrick that good or is Peterson just playing behind an awesome run-blocking O-line?

[dbspi]

Originally Posted by kastofsna

can't go wrong either way. peterson is a more dangerous pure runner. lynch fits the offense well, and can catch the ball out of the backfield and do damage.

I am happy with both but AD was never given a chance to catch the ball out of the backfield. Same thing was said of LT coming out but look at LT, he does it all better then any one and I believe AD will do the same if given a chance. As a pure power rusher their is no comparison between AD and Lynch.

[cadahnic]

Originally Posted by NEROtheZERO

I've noticed that there is speculation right now on whether or not Adrian Peterson would last until the 8th pick and, if he did, would he be taken?

Peterson is a good back with a great combination of size, speed, and power. But, am I out of line in prefering Lynch over Peterson? Admittedly, I am a bit green on both players. I am more of an east coast college football guy so my exposure to both Lynch and Peterson is a bit limited. But, from the games and highlight reels I have watched of them, I prefer Lynch by a considerable margin.

It seems to me that Peterson runs a bit more upright, doesn't have quite the burst that Lynch has, doesn't have quite the shiftiness that Lynch has, and doesn't bull over defenders like Lynch does. I am also impressed with Lynch's route running and soft hands. Though I don't think he or Peterson have an edge in that facet of the game.

Does anyone have a link to a comparison on the two or a take on the issue yourself?

What the hell games have you been watching? Peterson is as explosive as Lynch, probably not quite as shifty, he runs with a lot more power and isn't afraid to run over guys whereas Lynch generally avoids contact at all costs and tries to juke around people. Lynch does have better hands but I'm sure Peterson can catch 4 yard curl routes without too much trouble.

Originally Posted by tulexan

No you are not alone. Lynch is going to be a stud and I believe fits our system better than Peterson.

I don't know how you came to this conclusion.

Originally Posted by HoustonFrog

I'm not sure who I'd like more but I'm weary of both. It is what everyone is saying but I said last year that I though Peterson would have injury problems. He is a big dude who will takes punishment and who is going to get leg tackled alot. I would not be surprised if he didn't have a hamstring or leg injury every year. What worries me the most is mileage. In high school the guy ran a ton. Oklahoma then ran him into the ground. I just think he will start as a rokkie with the milaeage of a 2 year vet.

If I remember right, some people had similar concerns about Tomlinson when he came out after he had 369 carries for 2158 yards his senior season, but in 6 seasons he's only missed one game and has averaged 341 carries a season to this point in his career.

Originally Posted by dbspi

I am happy with both but AD was never given a chance to catch the ball out of the backfield. Same thing was said of LT coming out but look at LT, he does it all better then any one and I believe AD will do the same if given a chance. As a pure power rusher their is no comparison between AD and Lynch.

Very true, LT's senior season at TCU he only had 10 catches. Oklahoma's offensive system didn't require the RB to catch the ball much, it just needed him to punish opposing teams by running the ball, which is the same basic role that our offense needs out of its RB.