Hardest back in the NFL to tackle? (1 Viewer)

[Jewell]

Ravens say Trent Richardson is the hardest back to tackle in the NFL

PRO FOOTBALL TALK

November 2, 2012

The Ravens are preparing to meet the Browns and running back Trent Richardson on Sunday for the second time, and they haven’t forgotten the first time.

Several players on the Ravens’ defense have said this week that when Richardson had 47 rushing yards and 57 receiving yards against them in Week Four, he left an impression that they’re still thinking about five weeks later.

“I think he runs the ball harder than anybody in the league,” defensive end Pernell McPhee said. “Not saying he’s the best back in the league, but I’ll say he’s the hardest back in the NFL to tackle.”

 

[cstu]

Seriously.

 

[Jewell]

 

[SameSongNDance]

I knew right away it was going to be Trent. Whenever be breaks one and starts shedding tackles like hes back in college I just sit there and watch in awe. Seriously talented player. Seriously hard to tackle.

 

[Not Sleeping]

Well, obviously Beast Mode was the first thing to come to my mind. If Lynch isn't the hardest to tackle, he must be at least in the top 2.

 

[lod01]

Give him a few years in the league and he'll start going down easier. Either that or he will flame out fast.

 

[Annyong]

Adrian Peterman?

 

[Not Sleeping]

I truly never get tired of watching that play. (and I'm not a Seattle fan)

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Peterson!

 

[Concept Coop]

AP, Lynch, Richardson in some order, in my opinion.

And depending on what you mean by hard to tackle, I'd hate to see Sproles running at me in the open field too.

 

[Concept Coop]

Remember the Marion Barber near safety a few years ago? Seeing Lynch run always reminds me of that.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Tracy Porter provides plenty of laughs during the play.

 

[Inspiration]

Pierre Thomas, Jonathan Stewart and Fred Jackson haven't been mentioned, but all three seem to break quite a few tackles.

 

[SameSongNDance]

.

 

[asuterlowe]

Less impressive but I also love this Marshawn run

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Isaac Redman

 

[Rylenol]

Sproles.

 

[Maik Jeaunz]

AP, Lynch, Richardson in some order, in my opinion.

And depending on what you mean by hard to tackle, I'd hate to see Sproles running at me in the open field too.

that's what I thought at first, too. in order to tackle someone, you have to be able to get a hand on them...

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Lynch and Peterson would be my 1st picks but if the Ravens say Trent Richardson I believe them.

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

Lynch and Peterson would be my 1st picks but if the Ravens say Trent Richardson I believe them.

When have the Ravens played against Peterson last?

 

[Jewell]

MJD deserves mention, too. I've seen him emerge from piles and pinball off what looked like sure tackles on numerous occasions.

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

Lynch and Peterson would be my 1st picks but if the Ravens say Trent Richardson I believe them.

When have the Ravens played against Peterson last?

I will answer my own question.Peterson has played against the Ravens once in his career. It was in 2009. All he did was have 166 yards aginast them in a 33 to 31 win for Minny.

 

[trader jake]

LeSean McCoy

He just seems to make that first defender miss. Behind that offensive line, he better.

 

[Concept Coop]

MJD deserves mention, too. I've seen him emerge from piles and pinball off what looked like sure tackles on numerous occasions.

No doubt. I don't say this to discredit Rice, who is a great back himself. But I don't fully buy into the Rice MJD comparison for this reason. MJD is a much tougher load to bring down.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

I would have probably gone with Lynch, but I think Gore needs some love here.

 

[EBF]

Trent Richardson. The human tripod.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Me either. One of the iconic runs in NFL history.

 

[Alkahsu]

Statistically it was Lynch through the first couple of weeks of the season, but I think I read that it's now AP.

 

[paytonsdaman]

I have to hand this award to Sproles.

 

[Nucker101]

Marshawn Lynch, just from a pure power, strength and determination perspective. Spiller would be my choice as a speed back. Adrian Peterson probably has the best combination of speed, agility, power and moves once he gets in the open field.

Pierre Thomas and Trent Richardson are also very tough runners to bring down.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

I agree with AdP and to a lessor degree Lynch. In the same Marshawn Lynch type of vein, two guys who have not been mentioned are Gore and Stephen Jackson, both seem like they are tough to tackle.

 

[SWC]

dudehans the hardest to tackle is by far and aways james starks because it is ilegal to hit a guy sitting on the bench which makes him pretty hard to tackle and also illegal you can not just run over to a guy who is on the bench way over on the side and tackle his head off that would draw at least a penalty and who knows with goodall they might somehow be able to launch the guy who did it in to outer space just kidding around brohans it is adrian peterson that guy is ####### ridiculous lathough i think minnesota shoudl be bulldozed into a huge bass fishin hole bam right there take that to te bnak

 

[Raider Nation]

Ryan Mathews

(LOL)

 

[SSOG]

Jonathan Stewart.

 

[donkshow]

Arian Foster? You have to be able to touch the guy to bring him down.

I know, he doesn't break tackles like the others mentioned. But he certainly evades them tremendously.

 

[stronger88]

Ryan Mathews(LOL)

He'll drop the ball before you bring him down.

 

[Native]

Pierre Thomas is a good one. So underrated.

 

[socrates]

Sproles

 

[SameSongNDance]

Sproles.

I have to hand this award to Sproles.

Sproles

You guys sure have a funny way of spelling Spiller.

 

[snellman]

Has to be AD, although Lynch is a very close 2nd.

 

[jurb26]

I agree with the Ravens. The answer is Richardson. Many others are good as well but having seen him in at least 3 full games, I'd give Richardson my vote.

 

[KiddLattimer]

Was sitting really close to the field at the Giants/Browns game... Richardson ran so hard youd think his jersey was greased. He slipped through the first tackle almost every time he had the ball.

 

[kencav]

Can't believe Alfred Morris not mentioned.....675 lbs squat and delivers punishment....top 3 IMHO

 

[BaBastage]

Gore has to also get an honorable mention. He doesn't bust out 70 yard runs anymore, but he's pretty tough to bring down during the first 8-10. (During the Seahawks game they announced he led the league in 10+ yard runs. I'm not sure where to find those stats after week 8.)

 

[Ghost Rider]

Same here. But AP was the first guy who came to mind in regards to answering the question posed in the thread title.

 

[ImTheScientist]

 

[rockaction]

Gotta go with Lynch, though Turner and Jones-Drew led in YAC for 2011. Lynch's elusive rating was high per Pro Football Focus. I wonder what this year's elusive and YAC ratings look like over there.

 

[matuski]

 

[FF Ninja]

I agree with the Ravens. The answer is Richardson. Many others are good as well but having seen him in at least 3 full games, I'd give Richardson my vote.

I wouldn't listen to them. They can't tackle anyone this year.

 

[thatguy]

MJD deserves mention, too. I've seen him emerge from piles and pinball off what looked like sure tackles on numerous occasions.

Agreed. He was the first to come to my mind after the obvious ones: Peterson and Lynch. I think there are two kinds of hard to tackle, though. There are the tough runners who break tackles like the guys we mentioned, and then guys like Sproles who, when he gets in space, is damn near impossible to touch, let alone tackle. Very few backs are hard to tackle in both ways. Peterson would be the best example probably, particularly early in his career.