ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert

We asked you to name the NFC North's franchise player, your first choice of players -- offense, defense or special teams -- if you were starting a team from scratch.

The most frequent response was Minnesota tailback Adrian Peterson, who is strong enough to get tough yards but is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. His quick smile and easy-going personality also reflect well on his team, and his production has put some of his teammates in pretty favorable positions.

I thought Bill of St. Cloud, Minn., put it eloquently:

Adrian Peterson. He is the type of player who can change the pace of a game in a single play, brings up the level of play of the entire offensive unit, and most importantly, he excites the fan base. Does Soldier Field fill up to see Kyle Orton? Will Culpepper rejuvenate interest in the Lions? In only his second game as a starter, AP shattered the record for the best running game in the entire history of the NFL. People show up at the Metrodome just hoping they can watch history in the making when he does it again. In only 8 games this season, he already has five 100+ yard performances -- tied with league leading rusher Clinton Portis -- and he has done it in one less game. He makes defenses stack 8-10 defenders in the box, opening up the once non existent passing game to give a guy named Gus Frerotte the opportunity to play his best games in a 15 year career. Defenders fear him. Not just because he can run them over and keep on trucking, but because he also might make one move that makes them look foolish laying in the dirt while he busts a 60 yarder to the house. This guy will cost many defensive coordinators their jobs over his career. The thing is, when this guy sets his goal at 2000 rushing yards... nobody laughs. That is a franchise player.

James of Chicago took Peterson over Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers:

Of course, I would have to go with Aaron Rodgers. But that's taking the easy way out, picking a QB. So I'll take the 2nd easy way out. Adrian Peterson (Vikings) by far. If it wasn't for him, the Viking would be more disappointing as they already are. Adrian Peterson puts the fear into rushing defenses around the league. I mean, come on who would you be scared to face in a playoff game? Kyle Orton, Aaron Rodgers or Adrian Peterson. Who do you think has what it takes to bring there team in January. My answer is Peterson. Kyle Orton, even though he has been doing very well, I don't think he withstand the pressure in a cold football game. He'll be tested in the next few months. But I don't think he's quite ready. As for Aaron Rodgers, he is simply remarkable, but right now him in a playoff game. I don't think he would be as poised as say um.. a Mr. Favre. so to the young gun QB, I'll say no for now. Adrian Peterson is my pick.

Peterson has rushed for 823 yards in eight games this season, but favreftw suggests those numbers haven't always been meaningful and believes from the outside more people identify Rodgers as the most impactful player in the division.

ok, this poll is not measuring how much a guy has put in previous seasons, its measuring the face of nfc north 2008, and honestly, AP has not been putting up the numbers this year that everyone expected...if you were an outsider, and AFC fan, casual, and you looked through the big stories from the nfc north, you'd see three faces, orton, rodgers, and woodson, yes jennings has great numbers but he's still outside the top 5 this year for receivers...woodson has gone most of the season on a broken toe and still outperformed everyone, rodgers has been given the reigns to one of the most high powered offenses that's been sputtering a bit due to injuries, and orton is doing something barely short of a miracle in giving the bears, THE CHICAGO BEARS...just for the double take...an offense that isn't laughable...

in my unbiased opinion I'd say rodgers would get the face of the nfc north just because of how well he's played replacing favre, and how well hes played with all the injuries to him and around him that have been holding him back.

Gopackgo8512 noted that Rodgers has performed especially well given the Packers' quiet running game:

Aaron Rodgers is obviously the best quarterback in this division, he has been given hardly any help in the back field and has carried the load on offense without making many mistakes also if he continues to play at a high level he will be in consideration for the NFL MVP. Being the hands down best quarterback in the Division, with quarterback being the most important position on the field there is no question he is the best player in the NFC North!!!!

On the other hand, Lance Briggs 55 notes the mountain climbed by Bears quarterback Kyle Orton.

First off let me say I'm not saying this because im a Bears fan. At first i wrote about taking either Peterson or Johnson. Then i thought of what Kyle Orton has done. We came in with an offense that many proclaimed to be the NFLs worst.

Orton has done a superb job making something out of an offense that had no house hold name. A castoff Lloyd, a past his prime Booker, a former AFLer in Davis, and an unproven Hester. A Rookie RB and an OL well past their prime for the most part. Orton looks to be improving every week, spreading the ball around, reading defenses and limiting mistakes. I think he was a top 10 QB in many statistical categories before he got hurt last week. ... He's shown leadership and the whole offense is behind him. If you're going to pick someone, why not make it the most important position in football?

Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams received a few mentions as well, including from Alex of Toronto:

Gimme Kevin Williams. Pat Williams would also merit consideration, but he's older.. A force up the middle is the anchor of any good defence, and defence wins championships.

My take? Thought you'd never ask. I've been torn between taking Peterson and one of the quarterbacks. The technical premise of the question makes the quarterback a smarter choice; their careers are longer than most running backs, and therefore can have more influence on the development of a team built from scr atch.

But you can't overlook the unseen impact Peterson is having on the Vikings this season. On the one hand, you can't sneeze at his rushing numbers: He's on pace for a 1,600-yard season. At the same time, there is no way Vikings receiver Bernard Berrian would be on pace for the first 1,000-yard season of his career were it not for the attention Peterson is drawing from opposing defenses.

If you've got to take one player to start a team, you want him to be someone who can elevate the performances of the people around him. In 1 1/2 seasons, Peterson has proved to be the rare running back who can do just that. At this early point in their careers, neither Rodgers nor Orton have reached that level.

Peterson might not play as long as either of those quarterbacks. But if I were starting a team, I would take five years of Hall of Fame qualities over 7-10 years of good but not necessarily elite performance.