2000's All Excitement Team: Running Backs/Fullbacks

Last week we looked at the best and most exciting quarterbacks and wide receivers of the 2000’s. This week we look at the running backs and get into the offensive line. There are plenty of backs who could make this list but I’m only going to name three and even throw a fullback in there because these running backs needed someone to help pave the way. Here are the best and most exciting running backs of the 2000’s.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers, 2001-2009): You can make the argument that L.T. is not only one of the best backs of up 2000’s but one of the best all-time. When he was in San Diego and wearing that powder blue number 21 jersey, not many players were more exciting. The 2006 NFL MVP ranks 5^th on the all-time rushing list with 13,684 yards. He wasn’t the biggest guy out there but he could make guys miss and was one of the best that caught it out of the backfield. In his 2006 MVP season Tomlinson set the single-season touchdown rushing record with 28 touchdowns. What made him so fun to watch was that he had the total package; he never went down on first contact, he had the speed to outrun defenders and if you tried to tackle him up high he gave you a heavy stiff arm. Oh, and those uniforms made him fun to watch too.
2.  Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings, 2007-present): If you were to close your eyes and picture what the ultimate running back would look like and what traits he would have, Adrian Peterson would be there when you opened your eyes. At 6 foot 1 and 220 pounds, AP has it all; the speed, the power, the quickness in and out of cuts, the vision, and the list goes on. I won’t get into the off the field issues that cost him the 2014 season because that’s not what this list is about. I will get into the fact that after he tore his ACL and MCL in December of 2011, he ran for over 2,000 yards the following season and won the MVP. Peterson proved that he is in fact a robot and isn’t like normal humans. He still has some miles left on his tires and if he continues the way he’s going he could very well pass Tomlinson for number one on this list.
   
   
   
   
   
3.  Clinton Portis (Denver Broncos 2002-2003, Washington Redskins 2004-2008): Portis is an interesting running back from the 2000’s for many reasons; he stormed onto the scene coming out of Miami with over 1,500 yards his rookie season in Denver. After his second season he was traded to the Washington Redskins but continued to put up great numbers. His first season in D.C. dropped in production but he still put up 1,300 yards. Portis was also an interesting player to watch off the field with his outrageous outfits, but that’s what made him so entertaining. He called it quits after just 9 seasons, which is somewhat of a disappointment because he was such a good back, and an exciting one too. After it’s all said the Miami product put up just under 10,000 yards with 9,923 and 75 touchdowns.

Fullback-

1. Lorezno Neal (7 team from 1993-2008): Every great running back that comes into the NFL hopes they can have a Lorenzo Neal leading the way. While the fullback position is a dying breed, Neal made it last as long as anyone. Neal made 7 stops during his 15-year career, his most memorable being in San Diego blocking for the number one running back on this list LaDainian Tomlinson. During his career Neal accumulated over 800 rushing yards and over 1,000 rushing yards. He wasn’t flashy by any means, mainly because he was a fullback, but the way he would open up holes for his running backs was nothing short of amazing and powerful. Much like Tomlinson, that powder blue uniform definitely helped him.