fantasysharkctb
Footballguy
CJ and it isn't close in my book. He made one of the jets just look silly this weekend on a 30 yard run where he had to slow down and jerk back inside.
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Most dangerous open-field runner in the NFL? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Raider Nation
- Start date
no kidding ... all hypeADPCJDeangelo....then a couple of WRs like Desean, SS, etc....
Wow! That is fun to watch.
Hipple Long Ware & Peete
Footballguy
AP. Cuz of all the guys he's most likely to break the tackle/run over the defender to sprig it long, whereas there are many elusive players on here who might make The DB miss (which AP can also do equally well).
Sproles likely a close second. Maybe Harvin third?
Sproles likely a close second. Maybe Harvin third?
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Hipple Long Ware & Peete
Footballguy
WTF? Chris Johnson? I mean if this was a race maybe, but the question has defenders in front not open space.
The Real Deal
Footballguy
Chris Johnson and it's not even close. He may be the most dangerous ever.
Interesting pick. He's a great return man (the best in the game imo) and is quite dangerous in the open field.
abe froman
Footballguy
This angle would still lead most to AP given his power=these 2 but he has the added elusivness of some of these smaller backs..
TitusIII
Footballguy
Guys like Hester(still the most intimidating/dangerous return man in the game, even if opposing teams simply take him out of the game by refusing to let him touch the ball, with all due respect to Cribbs, who is VERY close to Hester, which says alot about the talent of these two), Cribbs, Chris Johnson are borderline impossible to get in the open-field.
abe froman
Footballguy
I agree he should be on this list but have seen him thrown down buy defenders just grabbing some jersey enough that I couldnt see him at the top of this list*surprised at the lack of votes for MJD..Maybe we need to get some Youtube highlights in here.. also ALOT of love for the rooks..?Hipple said:
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Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
I'm not seeing the write-in love for Jacobs. If he gets up a head of steam in the open field, it's bad news for defenders. I get it.
But the premise of the poll was taking the ball 84 yards to the house.
Can Jacobs run that far without being completely gassed by the time he gets to the opponent's 25 yard line?
But the premise of the poll was taking the ball 84 yards to the house.
Can Jacobs run that far without being completely gassed by the time he gets to the opponent's 25 yard line?
I'd say Adrian Peterson and Mo Drew (and then DeSean Jackson in there, too). In 587 career carries + another 86 returns + 161 receptions, Mo Drew has 9 TDs that have gone for 40 yards or more, including 7 of 50 or more yards.In 660 career carries + another 17 returns + 47 receptions, Peterson has 8 TDs that have gone for 40 yards or more, including 7 of 50 or more yards.I voted Mo Drew simply because he seems to take most of the runs where he gets to the open field for a TD. But, if you told me I had to have Peterson instead, I certainly wouldn't be shedding any tears. Peterson's 40 and 50 yards + TD per touch is actually better.It's very close to me.
Apologies if I'm just splitting hairs here, but based on what you said above:MJD has a 50+ yard TD every 93 touchesAP has a 50+ yard TD every 91 touchesChris Johnson has a 50+ yard TD every 72 touches (5 TD's on 359 touches)Just sayin...
What are you just saying?
You were picking either MJD or AP for this hypothetical, and based on the information you presented, you were looking at 50+ yard TD's per touch as the basis for your choice. I was only pointing out that Chris Johnson has a better ratio than either of them.
Ok, I didn't actually see you say that other than just adding Chris Johnson's stats without saying anything. I used it as only part of the basis. Heck, I admitted that I was picking the guy who had a slightly lower ratio (Drew over Peterson).That being said, I think I'd need to see Chris Johnson do this a little more. As of two weeks ago, Johnson's ratio of 50+ yard TD's per touch was one every 155 touches. He got three in one game a little more than a week ago that really ramped up his ratio. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that he's not excellent in the open field, but I'm going with the more proven and powerful commodities of Mo Drew (who is one of a very few that I have seen listed to have 50+ yard TDs through all three of rushes, receptions and returns) and Peterson.
Steady Mooobin
Footballguy
WTF does all these stats of runs over 50+ yards have to do with anything?
The question is who is the most elusive runner. Not the fastest, not the most powerful, the most elusive. That means, who can break a mf'ers ankle.
The question is who is the most elusive runner. Not the fastest, not the most powerful, the most elusive. That means, who can break a mf'ers ankle.
No, it isn't. The question is, "Most dangerous open-field runner in the NFL?" And, that's a copy and paste.The 50+ yard TD runs have to do with providing at least some evidence for who are the guys that are the most dangerous (scoring a TD is dangerous to the defense, right?) in the open field (long runs where you get by the first wave and it's the RB vs. a couple guys in the secondary).
Steady Mooobin
Footballguy
Well, so. You're 100% correct.Carry on then!
CalmLikeABomb
Footballguy
Felix vote here.
money.never.sleeps
Footballguy
I went Hester.. guy has speed, agility + moves/vision
I would have gone CJ or possibly AD but decided go different.
I would have gone CJ or possibly AD but decided go different.
Ahmad Rashad
Footballguy
And at least one of those three wasn't because he was a dangerous open-field runner -- he was completely uncovered and didn't have anyone near him to evade. A defensive breakdown that anyone on the list would have scored on.
My mancrush on Westy is well documented in the FBGs archives, but at this stage of his career? No.
2 hand touch? That's not real football. What you're asking there is simply who's the shiftiest player in the league. There's a lot more to open-field running than pure shiftiness (although it certainly helps). That's taking several moves completely out of Peterson's repertoire.
Again, my mancrush on MJD is well documented around here (I could probably find several posts where I go on record calling him a more complete and more talented RB than Peterson)... but he doesn't have the open field moves to merit serious consideration in this exercise. A lot of his long scores were simply plays where the defense lost him behind his linemen, and by the time they found him again he was already gone. He's more than capable of running over people and running away from people, but he's not going to make a lot of people miss.
Jewell
Footballguy
I can't believe that I haven't seen Michael Vick mentioned yet. Granted, he's been out of the game for two years, we have yet to see what he has left in the tank this season, and he may be a questionable quarterback, but he's always been a deadly open field runner. The highest yards per rushing attempt in NFL history and moves like this in the open field.
how quickly has this guy become forgotten and underrated as hell?first 3 who came to my mind were him, westbrook, AP
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
I think you're barking up the wrong tree.
Well, right, the emphasis is still on elusiveness and explosiveness, but I think the ability to break tackles is still very relevant when it comes to open field running. There are inevitably going to be times when, even though a running back's in the open field, a defender still has a great angle and a shot at tackling the ball carrier. You might say, well, the best open field runners would avoid this situation in the first place, but there are still situations that even a person with perfect elusiveness wouldn't be able to get out of. That's where ADP's ability to break tackles becomes so valuable. If you unleash him on the second level where he's just going up against the secondary, then he's going to be better than probably anybody on the planet at getting to the end zone. His elusiveness and explosiveness will guarantee that the secondary doesn't get good shots at him, so that when he's faced with mediocre tackle attempts, he'll be able to break out of them. In the case of DeSean and CJ3, they might go down on these tackle attempts. This video of Adrian's run vs. the Browns on week 1 perfectly encapsulates my argument:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6pKIj87CYA
Who else on the list would've been able to make that run? The ones who are faster than Adrian would've gotten taken down by the guy that Adrian just threw off. The ones who are slower than Adrian are already out of contention. This is the situation I'm talking about in which the running back has made it to the open field, but is still in a bad situation because of how he's cut off by the sideline. Here, ADP's power is what allows him to make the touchdown.
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Neil Beaufort Zod
Footballguy
I'd say Hester and it IS close. Lots of talent in those choices.
It's nice of you to provide a highlight reel that includes several instances of him getting caught from behind, as well as no evidence of him making it more than 5 yards past the first serious contact.Norwood's very good, but he's probably the weakest name on the list in the open field.
Edit: Nevermind, I'd take him over Bush, Westbrook, and Bradshaw.
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http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlig...s-Redskins-2006You want a yards after contact vid I can show you Michael Turners 2008 highlight reel
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Challenge Everything
Footballguy
If these choices all had an open field, aren't they all dangerous, i.e. going to score?, so in essence neither of them are dangerous because they are all equal. No one stands above anyone else here. Now, put up a poll of lineman and them being dangerous in an open field and you might have something of validity. But, these guys, give them an open field and they are all gone so this question is on the side of dumb.
I don't just want yards after contact. For the title of *MOST* dangerous, I want a back with multiple tools in his belt. Norwood's not the fastest back in the league, and he's not the shiftiest back in the league (you'll notice his lack of stop-and-start moves in his highlight reel), and he has little in the way of after-contact skills. Everyone on the list handily beats him in at least one of those three departments. Many of the names on the list beat him in all three. Sproles, for instance, will break more ankles. CJ will never get caught from behind. Peterson could do all the shifty stuff that Norwood just did, then finish it all with a punishing stiff arm while running through a tackle.I have no problem with the statement that Norwood is ONE OF THE most dangerous open field runners in the league... I just can't buy him as *THE* most dangerous open field runner in the league.
DoubleG
Footballguy
All time, I'd take Barry if he was on the field by himself with the other 21 players on the field all trying to tackle him. And I'm a Bears fan. Although Sweetness would be a close second, as he could also stiff-arm guys into next week.
5Rings
Lurker
From the games I've watched this season, which is as many as I possibly can........Chris Johnson, Percy Harvin, and DeSean Jackson seem to possess a gear that no other NFL player has.
Same here.Here's a video of Maurice Jones-Drew with several very long runs. The run against the Chiefs is Barry-esque.
Highlights.
The video quality sucks.
Highlights.
The video quality sucks.
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Those are nice college highlights but my vote goes for CJ 1A and Sproles 1B.ADP is a step slower but a beast nontheless.
Hester should be breaking off more long plays as a WR if he were the best.
Bush appears to have lost a step due to injury, overhype or riding KK.
DJackson ??? I guess I haven't really seen enough of him yet.
If we make an old school category is it even a long list or does Barry Sanders walk away with the landslide victory?
Old school candidates: Barry Sanders, Gale Sayers, Walter Peyton, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, Deion Sanders, etc,,,
switz
Footballguy
Agreed - when is the last time you saw an RB put a move on someone like Jones did in MNF? Crazy for him not to be on this list.
stevegamer
Footballguy
If I could pick in their prime, I'd pick Westbrook.
If you're going to use stats, you need to think about Hank Baskett. Seriously. I mean it:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/play...a00/touchdowns/
I'd be willing to bet he leads the NFL in 84+ yard TD's per touch, at 1 per 24 touches.
I'd take Hester, myself.
If you're going to use stats, you need to think about Hank Baskett. Seriously. I mean it:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/play...a00/touchdowns/
I'd be willing to bet he leads the NFL in 84+ yard TD's per touch, at 1 per 24 touches.
I'd take Hester, myself.
Matt Waldman
Footballguy
MJD, Cribbs, and Peterson are all guys that stood out to me more than the worthy guys mentioned on this list.
Although the scenario of the OP was specific to a swing pass, drop any of these three guys in the middle of traffic that is an NFL field and they would have the best chance of making it to the end zone.
Cribbs combo of vision, power, speed, and fearlessness is nearly as good as Hesters but I think he might be a little better. I would argue Hester's special teams units have been better than Cleveland's.
Peterson is explosive power personified. How many backs have we ever seen who can run 25-30 yards down field, almost come to a full stop to throw a defender out of bounds with a wicked stiff-arm and the re-accelerate another 40 yards for a score, out-running players who caught up to him after the stiff arm? Then there's the Bears game from a couple of years ago where he looked like Gale Sayers knifing through the middle and making a great cut back just past the line of scrimmage that visually looked like the RB was a stick in a stream of water that suddenly turned and forced the current to completely change course. He doesn't have Barry Sanders moves, but he's okie-doked his fair share of NFL defenders in the open field. Combine that with his blunt force and he's incredible.
However, MJD is insane in a different way. He has all the moves Reggie Bush had in college - and maybe more. Just as good speed and more power than all the backs on that list except for Peterson. He's a bowling ball hooked up to a gyroscope with a jet pack and an ultra precise joy stick as the navigation.
Although the scenario of the OP was specific to a swing pass, drop any of these three guys in the middle of traffic that is an NFL field and they would have the best chance of making it to the end zone.
Cribbs combo of vision, power, speed, and fearlessness is nearly as good as Hesters but I think he might be a little better. I would argue Hester's special teams units have been better than Cleveland's.
Peterson is explosive power personified. How many backs have we ever seen who can run 25-30 yards down field, almost come to a full stop to throw a defender out of bounds with a wicked stiff-arm and the re-accelerate another 40 yards for a score, out-running players who caught up to him after the stiff arm? Then there's the Bears game from a couple of years ago where he looked like Gale Sayers knifing through the middle and making a great cut back just past the line of scrimmage that visually looked like the RB was a stick in a stream of water that suddenly turned and forced the current to completely change course. He doesn't have Barry Sanders moves, but he's okie-doked his fair share of NFL defenders in the open field. Combine that with his blunt force and he's incredible.
However, MJD is insane in a different way. He has all the moves Reggie Bush had in college - and maybe more. Just as good speed and more power than all the backs on that list except for Peterson. He's a bowling ball hooked up to a gyroscope with a jet pack and an ultra precise joy stick as the navigation.
Matt Waldman
Footballguy
And yes, the most dangerous open-field runner in the NFL ever was undoubtedly Gale Sayers pre-knee injury. Watch that NFL Films episode about his 6-TD day on a mudsoaked field in Keezar Stadium in San Fran and watch his final TD on a punt return. The cut he makes in mud at full speed looks like a hoax. If you understand why some people might be conspiracy theorists about a moon landing being fake, just rewind this cut and play it in slow motion.
