Are today's running backs less powerful?

[c_reinert]

Also:

Peyton Hillis, Marion Barber, Mike Turner, Marshawn Lynch, Adrian Peterson, LaGarette Blount, Toby Gerhart, Steven Jackson, Brandon Jacobs, Jerome Bettis, Mike Alstott, Frank Gore, Mike Tolbert, Alfred Morris.

But hey, there were like 2 backs that ran people over sometimes back in the day. Modern RBs must all be physically inferior

[steelcityroller]

Defensive players are much bigger and faster now than in the past whereas running backs have stayed the same size. It is really that simple.

For example the 1985 Chicago Bears had what was considered a mammoth defensive line at that time. The weights of their starters on the defensive line? 325, 270, 265 and 264. That would be considered very small by today standards especially having a 270-pound defensive tackle.

Back in the late 70s there was only a few players in the league bigger than 300 pounds. Now you can nearly forget starting at offensive linemen or nose tackle unless you are over 300 pounds.

But I'm sure the league was full of 270-280 pound defensive ends running 4.6-4.8 in the 40.

[JdKing7]

double post

[JdKing7]

I believe a lot of it has to do with the impact current medicine and knowledge has on the game. Why risk severe head trauma or injuries that can vastly affect the longevity of a running back's career. Adrian Peterson is as physical of a back as they come. Running backs defiantly are just as powerful in the present as they were in the past. With the updated knowledge behind how serious head injuries are as a result of playing in the NFL, it would be absolutely moronic to not try to at least minimize punishing hits every time you touch the ball. Without modern day medicine I have no doubt Adrian Peterson would lower his shoulder and try to run you over. He is the type of back that can either run someone over due to the physical beast he is or run around you due to how freakishly athletic he is. I think option b would add a few extra years to his career. When the situation calls for it AP will lower his shoulder and run you over but it would be in his best interest and the Vikings best interest if he kept that to a minimum. AP has proven time and time again that when the situation calls for it he will run your *** over. Maybe it doesn't happen as much as in the past but it's not due to a lack of power. It's due to the acquired intelligence in this era compared to past eras.

[Im Old Gregggg]

Peterson is a tank, he can run through people and 99% of the time needs to be gang tackled to bring him down when he touches the ball

[Fired-Up]

I believe a lot of it has to do with the impact current medicine and knowledge has on the game. Why risk severe head trauma or injuries that can vastly affect the longevity of a running back's career. Adrian Peterson is as physical of a back as they come. Running backs defiantly are just as powerful in the present as they were in the past. With the updated knowledge behind how serious head injuries are as a result of playing in the NFL, it would be absolutely moronic to not try to at least minimize punishing hits every time you touch the ball. Without modern day medicine I have no doubt Adrian Peterson would lower his shoulder and try to run you over. He is the type of back that can either run someone over due to the physical beast he is or run around you due to how freakishly athletic he is. I think option b would add a few extra years to his career. When the situation calls for it AP will lower his shoulder and run you over but it would be in his best interest and the Vikings best interest if he kept that to a minimum. AP has proven time and time again that when the situation calls for it he will run your *** over. Maybe it doesn't happen as much as in the past but it's not due to a lack of power. It's due to the acquired intelligence in this era compared to past eras.

AP is more effective when he doesn't lower his shoulder. He has his most success when he eludes. Earlier in his career he tried to run over everybody. This season he was noticeably more careful about the hits and he went for 2,097.

[rwynyc]

It's more about defenders getting bigger stronger faster

closed thread

[NateyB24]

It's more about defenders getting bigger stronger faster

This, Back then most guys weren't very big like they are coming out of College now a days.

[Fired-Up]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7mhr4MlEXE

that is what I'm talking about. payton just clobbers people all game. Linebackers would just be slammed into the turf. Even the guys who just shove him out of bounds end up on the ground. nobody does that these days.

[MGB]

you're using the best RB in the history of the nfl as your example, of course "today's guys" won't stand up.

[Pinstripe pride]

It's more about defenders getting bigger stronger faster

this. power backs shelf life is much shorter now because of this as well

[MagicHero3]

lol go to youtube and type "Adrian Peterson runs over " and see how many diff names come up.


RIP
william gay
al harris
ray lewis
troy palamalu
charles tillman
janoris jenkins
patrick peterson

** just saw, those are only searches. not actual videos. my mistake