A good argument...

[lightsout]

So I can be a bit of a homer. Let's hear you guys duke it out. Who is the better running back: Deangelo Williams or Chris Johnson?

I'm saying Williams based on the whole body of work. Johnson is faster and more agile (a better athlete) but I wouldn't go so far as to say he is the better running back. I think it is more accurate to assume Williams can repeat his 08 season if he stays healthy than to say CJ will repeat a 2,000 yard season (or even a 1,700 yard season).

Also, I'm in a heated discussion on this on a prep board. PM me if you would rather have a link to THAT argument. (I'm duking it out with an illogical moron)

Discuss.

[Darth Biscuit]

They are very similar... Johnson is faster but as long as Stewart stays healthy, DeAngelo won't get the carries or yards that Johnson does, so it's kind of a moot argument.

All things being equal, they would be so similar that it would be hard to make a comparison.

[lightsout]

They are very similar... Johnson is faster but as long as Stewart stays healthy, DeAngelo won't get the carries or yards that Johnson does, so it's kind of a moot argument.

All things being equal, they would be so similar that it would be hard to make a comparison.

The best argument I can come up with is that in 2008, it was Williams first year as the full time starter and he split carries. It was also CJ's rookie year and he also split carries.

The stat line favors Williams in literally EVERY category for that year. Yeah, its Johnson's 1st year, but you don't become a veteran after 1 year. He's still young, he was good in 2008 and good last year.

I agree, it is a bit of a moot point. But if I'm looking at a back I would rather have as a PREMIERE back (not splitting carries) for say, 4-8 seasons, give me Williams any day of the week.

[The NFL Shield At Midfield]

Johnson also got about 85 more carries in 2009 vs. Williams' 2008 total. Their YPC are similar but it smacks of the Michael Turner vs. Williams argument following 2008-their actual efficiency is probably quite close, it just so happens that there isn't much behind Turner/Johnson to take carries away.

[dimbee]

Adrian Peterson