Dave Meggett vs. Reggie Bush

For my money, it's close between LDT and Adrian Peterson for the most dangerous back in the league.

 

I don't know, Mizzou. I think you've got to mention Westbrook over Peterson. If I was picking a back to build a team around right now, it'd probably be Tomlinson or Peterson.

But as far as pure danger goes, I'm positive no running back in the league alters gameplans more than Westbrook.

And fishwrap: My argument is you can't compare Bush to Megget or Metcalf, because the way the Saints use Bush isn't even close to the way the Browns or Giants used their respective players.

Bush was supposed to be Faulk or Westbrook. He isn't close to either. Therefore, he is a bust. But you are right - Bush really is a Metcalf or Megget, and the Saints would probably be better off using him as such, rather than trying to make him a Faulk.

 

If we are talking about return/RB hybrid players, the guy who always gets overlooked is Brian Mitchell, who spent so many seasons with the Redskins and Giants. The guy is second on the NFL's all-time list for all-purpose yardage with 23,316 yards. He trails only Jerry Rice (23,546). Metcalf is 12th on that list, and Meggett is 34th.

Mitchell
388 car., 1,917 yards, 12 TDs (5.1 avg)
255 rec., 2,336 yards, 4 TDs (9.2 avg)
464 PR, 4,999 yards, 9 TDs (10.8 avg)
607 KR, 14,014 yards, 4 TDs (23.1 avg)

Bush:
312 car., 1,146 yards, 10 TDs (3.7 avg)
161 rec., 1,159 yards, 4 TDs (7.2 avg)
31 PR, 228 yards, 1 TD (7.4 avg)

Meggett:
398-1,684 rushing, 4.2 avg
336-3,038 receiving, 9.0 avg
349 punt returns, 10.6 avg, 7 TDs
252 kickoff returns, 22.1 avg, 1 TD

Metcalf:
630-2,392 rushing, 3.8 avg
541-5,572 receiving, 10.3 avg
351 punt returns, 9.8 avg, 10 TDs
280 kickoff returns, 20.8 avg, 2 TDs

 

I'm not sure if he was ever a return threat, but how about Ronnie Harmon? He could certainly catch the ball out of the backfield.

 

Westbrook over Peterson? That's laughable. Westbrook is multitalented, but there are some things he can't do well. If it's 4th-and-1 for your season, you feel comfortable handng the ball off to Westbrook? Peterson is bigger, faster and stronger. He can run over and around any player on the field. Hell, he set the single-game rushing record in what, his third start?

 

If you take a poll of NFL GMs and head coaches and ask them who'd they'd rather have to gameplan for in a playoff game, I guarantee a majority say Peterson.

That, to me, is the eptiome of danger.

Ask them who they'd take to build a team around, and most would probably side with Peterson. But that wasn't the contention Mizzou made.

 

So, next season:
Do you think teams playing the Texans will spend more time talking about Mario Williams, than teams playing New Orleans and Reggie Bush?