Who is the Best Running Back in the NFL?

One player who stood out more than others at the running back position in the 2009 NFL season is the Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

Adrian Peterson had an extremely great 2009 season. He helped take the Minnesota Vikings to 12-4 record and a first round playoff bye. Adrian Peterson finish the season fifth in the NFL in rushing. Peterson finished with four games that he had rushed for over 100 yards, and also had eight games where he had rushed for over 90 yards. Adrian Peterson has 18 rushing touchdowns in the 2009 NFL season. In the 2009 NFL season Peterson was a more effective receiver coming out of the back field. The 2009 season Peterson caught 43 passes from Brett Favre coming out of the back field. Because Brett Favre was the quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, Adrian Peterson was able to catch more pass out of the back field because of the great blitz reading of Brett Favre. Peterson only caught 40 passes for 393 yards in his first two seasons, and in one season with Brett Favre had more catches and yard then the two prior seasons. Peterson is considered one of the most powerful running backs in the NFL.

He has the strength to run over any player in the NFL, but he sometimes tries too hard and has a tendency to fumble the ball when hit. Peterson fumbles more than the average running backs. He fumbles the ball seven times in 2009 and lost the ball six of them. The two fumbles in the NFC championship against the New Orleans Saints cost the Vikings a chance to go to the Superbowl. His fumbles were the reason that Brad Childress kept Peterson out of the game. Peterson only played half of the game. Chester Taylor was more reliable to the team at the end of the game. Peterson needs to know when players are looking to strip the ball, and learn how to put both hands on the ball. Stop looking for the big play and just protect the ball.

Still when people talk around the bar, they often look pass the fumbling problem of Adrian Peterson. Peterson's power is what people love to see. People are just used to seeing Peterson run over any player in the league. If Brett Favre stays other year in Minnesota, Favre will help take Peterson skills the next level. Because of the talent of players like Percy Harvin, Sidney Rice, and Bernard Berrian to strength the field, Adrian Peterson can run up the middle threw linebackers and safeties for big touchdowns.