A.D. VS. RUN DMC

AD VS. RUN DMC

A boy once asked his mother,

“Who do you love more me or my sister?” 

The mother replied, “I love you both equally, now go to sleep.” 

There are some questions that you just do not know the answer to. When making the comparison between Adrian Peterson and Darren McFadden there is no clear-cut winner as far as who is the better back. The purpose of this article “was” to ascertain who is better A.D (Peterson) or Run DMC (McFadden), yet after some research and soul searching I cannot make an educated decision as to who is better. The only clear difference between the two is the fact A.D. had on of the best rookie years in NFL history rushing for 1,341 yards in his rookie campaign. Here is a table outlining how close the comparison is between the two backs.


Adrian Peterson

Hometown: Palestine, Texas
College: Oklahoma
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 217 Lbs.
Collegiate Rushing Yards: 4,045
Combine 40 Time: 4.33



Darren McFadden

Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas
College: Arkansas
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 205
Collegiate Rushing Yards: 4.590
Combine 40 Time: 4.27

A.D. was drafted with the 7th pick overall in the 2007 draft and McFadden was drafted 5th overall in the 2008 draft. Peterson is a more physical back who punishes opponents. McFadden is more of a speed back that uses finesse in order to gain yardage. However, do not doubt the physicality of Run DMC when “packing the rock.” Both tailbacks have elite speed for their size. These two prototype backs are part of an overall movement in college football and the NFL towards bigger backs such P.J. Hill at Wisconsin, Brandon Jacobs of the New York Football Giants and, Chris Brown of the Houston Texas are just a few examples of the newest rage in football the Big Back. 

Peterson and McFadden both were the elite backs in college and Peterson has proved elite at the next level while the jury on McFadden begins deliberations this September. Peterson was the runner-up for the Heisman as a true freshman in 2004.  He was the only freshman in history to come in second in the race for the prestigious award. McFadden won the Doak Walker award twice both in 2006 and 2007. I could go on and on for years with comparisons between the two, but the more you look the more you realize that they are mirror images of each other no matter how you try to break down the argument of who is better. It will be interesting to see how McFadden does in his rookie year with the Oakland Raiders and for that matter how Peterson fairs as the hunted after a stellar rookie campaign with the Minnesota Vikings. 

The ending base assumption by this author is that the two are long lost twins who became separated at birth in the year 1236. Both are invincible and will live forever similarly to Hancock. The only clear separation between the two is the success in the first year of the pros for Peterson. I must think aloud that after his upcoming rookie campaign, that RUN DMC will make the comparison even tougher by achieving similar(which has been a recurring theme for this article) success posting around 1,400 yards this year with the Raiders. 

Peace, Young Linas