Since entering the league, Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson have seemingly been locked in a battle for the designation of the NFL's top running back. Of course, there are other candidates here and there when Peterson or Johnson don't perform up to par, but both players surely have legitimate claims to the throne.
Chris Johnson vows to out-rush Adrian Peterson in 2013
Chris Johnson says he’ll have more rushing yards than Adrian Peterson in 2013.
Frederick Breedon
Peterson took the NFL by storm (again) this past season, when he returned from major reconstructive surgery on his leg to rush for 2,097 yards, falling just eight yards short of Eric Dickerson’s record set in 1984. Johnson rushed for 2,006 yards in 2009, earning him the “CJ2K” moniker that he loves to use.
But which running back will have more yards in the 2013-14 season? According to FOX Sports, Johnson thinks he has it in the bag. Appearing on ESPN’s NFL Live on Wednesday, Johnson said “Of course, 2K,” when asked which of the two backs between himself and Peterson would have more yards.
Both Johnson and Peterson are being paid like top running backs. In 2011, Peterson signed a seven-year, $100 million contract with $36 million guaranteed. That contract came 10 days after Johnson signed a four-year, $53.5 million extension with $30 million guaranteed with the Titans.
Last season, Johnson managed 1,243 yards, which was actually up from the 2011 season, in which he only had 1,047 yards. Many were disappointed by Johnson’s season in 2011, but he looked more to form last year. Still, at under 1,300 yards, he is playing under expectations set by himself and, generally, the fans.
It will be interesting to see if Johnson can build on his 2012 performance and get closer to re-earning the “2K” portion of his nickname. On top of that, it will be very interesting to see if Peterson maintains his pace and gets close to breaking the record again. If he can do that coming off major surgery, just think what he could do when fully healthy.
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