Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton, or Matt Forte

[DaBadGuy]

Now I'm not saying who's better today because that would hand's down go to Chris Johnson. What I'm talking about is who impressed you the most in their rookie season out of the 3. These 3 where by far the best rookie RB out of the 2008 draft and all 3 had over 1,000 yards rushing and put up other amazing numbers.

Chris Johnson
Rushing G 15 GS 14 Att 251 Yds 1,228 Avg 4.9 Lng 66T TD 9
Receiving Rec 43 Yds 260 Avg 6.0 Lng 25 TD 1 FUM 1 Lost 1

Steve Slaton
Rushing G 16 GS 15 Att 268 Yds 1,282 Avg 4.8 Lng 71T TD 9
Receiving Rec 50 Yds 377 Avg 7.5 Lng 46 TD 1 FUM 3 Lost 2

Matt Forte
Rushing G 16 GS 16 Att 316 Yds 1,238 Avg 3.9 Lng 50T TD 8
Receiving Rec 63 Yds 477 Avg 7.6 Lng 19 TD 4 FUM 1 Lost 1

 

[Rhonda Rousey's Sports Bra]

Well basically all of them. There really can't be a definate answer to this question because they aren't just comparable, they're nearly identical.

If I have to answer this question though I go with Chris Johnson based on what I know now, had he not been sharing carries with White his numbers would have been astronomical. He's also the RB that will be more than just a flash in the pan, you look at Slaton and you just know he won't keep it up throughout his career, but Johnson has already proven what he can do.

Again it's too hard to say who impressed more in their rookie season because of the numbers but what sticks out the most is the presence of Lyndale White on the Titans that took away some carries from Johnson, so Johnson it is.

 

[DaBadGuy]

Well basically all of them. There really can't be a definate answer to this question because they aren't just comparable, they're nearly identical.

If I have to answer this question though I go with Chris Johnson based on what I know now, had he not been sharing carries with White his numbers would have been astronomical. He's also the RB that will be more than just a flash in the pan, you look at Slaton and you just know he won't keep it up throughout his career, but Johnson has already proven what he can do.

Again it's too hard to say who impressed more in their rookie season because of the numbers but what sticks out the most is the presence of Lyndale White on the Titans that took away some carries from Johnson, so Johnson it is.

I actually agree with you that its kind of hard to say who's better out of the 3 which is why I made this thread. But back to Steve Slaton, the guy did have a rough season last year but alot had to do with him being injured the whole season and him gaining weight. From what I hear he's back in shape and healthy so I believe he will be back on track this year. As I said before and said agin i don't believe Slaton rushed for over 1,000 his rookie season on accident. Also he finally has help in the backfield which he didn't have his rookie season or last year.

 

[Big Sexy]

Just based on rookie seasons I'll go with Steve Slaton. Forte was the starter from day one in Chicago and he also had the most carries of the three so he had the easiest opportunity to put up huge numbers yet his numbers were just on par with Johnson and Slaton. He also only averaged 3.9 yards per carry which was well behind Johnson and Slaton.

Chris Johnson had to split carries with Lendale White but the Titans had a run heavy offense so he was still able to get close to the same amount of carries as Slaton. Also, Johnson was a first round pick so he was expected to come in and contribute right away.

Slaton was a third rounder who was able to beat out veteran Ahman Green for the starting job after week one. Slaton was not expected to do much other then be a third down running back and he ended up having numbers that were just as good as Johnson rushing the ball and he had superior numbers catching the ball out of the backfield.

Johnson is clearly the best of the three after what we know now after his 2,000 yard season and Slaton's shitty sophomore campaign, but just based on rookie seasons Slaton was the most impressive.

 

[Platypus Palsy]

I'm biased, but I'm going with Chris Johnson. All three of these guys had similar and great numbers, but the fact that Johnson was sharing time with White, shows that Johnson can still put up great numbers even when he isn't carrying the entire running game. Johnson has ridiculous speed and can pop off a 80 yard run whenever he wants and pretty much outrun anyone he wants.

 

[Born To Fly]

I'm going to have to say Matt Forte. Not only was his thrown into an offense in which he needed to carry, Forte held onto the ball which Slaton can't say. Forte also had to do it alone while Johnson had LeDale White breathing down his neck (which was pretty easy once you figure how fat White is).

 

[Big Sexy]

Not only was his thrown into an offense in which he needed to carry

Forte didn't carry the offense as much as you'd think. Kyle Orton actually had a good season. Slaton didn't exactly have amazing qb play that year either. Schaub played well but no where near as well as this last year. He also missed 5 games so Sage Rosenfels had to start.

Forte held onto the ball which Slaton can't say.

Slaton only lost 2 fumbles in 2008. 2009 was the year that he really struggled hanging on to the football.

Forte also had to do it alone while Johnson had LeDale White breathing down his neck (which was pretty easy once you figure how fat White is).

Slaton had to do it by himself as well and he did it better and more efficiently then Forte did.