Media Credability....or Fan Guliability?

Lost Ghost · #1

Okay....this is mainly about a single topic that is burning in my mind....if anyone wants to relate this to any other sport or position...feel free...

This is about the Running Back position in the NFL....

When you ask pretty much anyone who the best RB in the NFL is...they all say LT....

Is it that fans are just guliable....or that the media is really doing there job

Shaun Alexander constantly puts up better numbers.....is on the verge of breaking the TD record (is tied with it right now) and is the only player in NFL history to score 15 or more touchdowns 5 seasons in a row.....yes...Jerry Rice never did that...Emmit Smith.....no one except Shaun Alexander......and yet.....LT is highly touted as the best running back in football.........why is this? He's usually second behind Peyton Manning in most fantasy drafts.....but the guy has never produced like Shaun Alexander...

and its not just a this year thing.....Alexander is probably going to win the MVP....he's won the rushing title like 4 years now...(lost by a single yard last year to Curtis Martin) and has always put up better rushing numbers than LT....

so...the question stands... what is it that makes the media ignore alexander...and what is it that makes all the lay fans around the globe think that LT is the best of the best...when in reality...his numbers have never been as impressive as the media makes them out to be..

#2

Good topic...

I think that Shaun is getting more props this year than ever...And everytime I hear "Greatest RB" in the league, I think about the great ones, and what made them great...To me, between these two, it has come down to mainly one thing...

Recieving...

Let it be known that AYHJA will forever measure modern day running backs by the best RB in our era, at least statistically, and that is Marshall Faulk...His 1999 season in which he dropped a G into 2 stat columns is beyond magnificent...I doubt another running back comes close to that anytime soon...

Comparing the two, you can't argue with SA's productivity...But since the 2002 Season, Alexanders numbers in the recieving column have taken a dive...This year, he only has 15 catches for 78 yards...In comparison, LT has 50 catches for 366 yards...To many people that added dimension makes for a more complete player...Not to take anything from SA, I think he's fab, but he reminds me of Jamaal Anderson...Loved that dude...He ran for a gang of yards, had a shitload of carries...But he was in pretty much the same space as Shaun...

I haven't heard much of LT this year...I have only heard of SA, Edge, Portis, and those other cats gettin' it on...So maybe we are about to see a sway...But I think that the overall perception of the players, is shaped by both the media and those that know the game best...If I had to pick though, I couldn't really...I think they are both good backs, I'll save my 'great' reservation until later...

Lost Ghost · #3

But the question isn't whos the most complete offensive player in the league....in which case LT could be awarded that....its the best running back, and yes recieving makes you a complete player...but the basis of the position is defined in the name itself....RUNNING back....and in that case SA is undisputable...and yet....no one is ready to give him that crown....dispite his uncomparable statistics..

#4

I don't understand your argument...

A running back's only duty is not to be simply a runner...And I would be willing to bet that it never has...The best athletes on the field are probably RB's...And running back, for the record, is just the GP term for the postion...

Halfback
Tailback
Wingback
Fullback

All of those could be called running backs, depending on the offense...Just like Split Ends and Flakers are generally called Wide Recievers...And if we could count on statistics alone, there would be no argument that Emmitt Smith is the greatest ever, and I have never heard anyone make that claim, despite him being the all time leading rusher...I imagine that there is some kind of solid motive as to why LT is considered the heir apparent...Maybe from a perspective, he does more with less...Maybe they view SA as a system back, like the Broncos routinely do...

Lost Ghost · #5

Emmit played more years than the other record holders....and played behind a great line....

SA has broken not just a RB record...but an all time football record....he got one that Jerry Rice dont even got man....LT aint shit on that....

you could also make the case that LT hasnt made that team any better...so why should he ever be considered higher because of his team.

SA averages a touchdown on every 20 touches roughly...thats outstanding..

you can argue that LT is a reciever as well....but if hes some other dude comes in...and rushes for more yards...with half the touches.... you gotta think to yourself....THIS is the dude who everyone says is the best?

its late...im a little incohereant.....but come on man.......this thread is about...how come when Best RB topic comes up....NO ONE mentions Shaun Alexander's name....when he's been the best in the league for over 5 years now

#6

QUOTE(Lost Ghost)you could also make the case that LT hasnt made that team any better...so why should he ever be considered higher because of his team.

Yeah LG, The Chargers suXed big time before LT got there...It wasn't that long ago they was 1-15 or some shit and then drafting uber-bust Ryan Leaf, remember..? With a half decent QB, LT got his shine on...But that's what I'm saying, when the talk of league's best RB's comes up, there are lots of guys that have good numbers that are missed...But I haven't watched nearly as much pro football this year as usual, so I couldn't really say...Based on numbers, you'd be hard pressed to argue over either one...I do know that LT is considered to be one of the hardest working men in the sport, maybe that has something to do with it...

And also, its Seattle...Not exactly the premier haven for football...So alot of it is probably media perception...

I can say this, there aren't any backs that I will choose over SA in the NFL right now...He is dominating the league...If Seattle wins out in the NFC, he'll get his props...

#7

If you're talking rushing only stats LG, then SA has NOT scored 15 touchdowns each of the last 5 years.......he scored 14 in the 01-02 season and again 14 in the 03-04 season.....nothing to sneeze at but not an all-time record.

If you look at both receiving and rushing TD's then LD is on pace to do the same thing as he has over 15 in each of the last four years.

I am one of SAs' biggest fans but don't take away anything from LT....the guy is magic on the field!

#8

Alexander is an AMAZING running back but LT is just the whole package. now allthough i voted LT i think that they are both great running backs but i personally like LT more

#9

Best of all time- Barry Sanders

Best right now- Larry Johnson..dude has what, 8 straight 100 yd games after holmes went down? 1500+ yds, 18 TDs, and hes pretty much only played after holmes got hurt. Hell, hes even averagin 103 ypg for the SEASON, not bad for a guy who didnt start for the first half of it.

#10

QUOTE(Aemeth)Best of all time- Barry Sanders

Didn't I already prove that Jim Brown is the Greatest of all Times, or must I dig up the thread..? /laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":lol:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />