Adrian Peterson is dismissing LeSean McCoy's boasts that he's now the NFL's top running back almost easily as he does would-be tacklers.

"He didn't really mean it," said the league's last man to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season. "If you watched his response, he really didn't mean it. I tell the youngsters 'say it with your chest, like you mean it.'"

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The Philadelphia Eagles' star back led the league in rushing last season with 1,607 yards and is quite clear in asserting things will only get better from here.

"Yes sir," McCoy responded when directly asked if he has supplanted Peterson and all the league's other backs as the best in the game. While admitting that he is a "big fan" of Peterson's, McCoy added he now feels he "automatically gets the best running back label based on his reputation."

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Again, Peterson seemed to take it all in stride. "I've got to give the young guy credit because there is nothing wrong having confidence in yourself," he said. "But you've got to speak with more truth. He's a heck of a running back and I like his style, so I won't get on him too much."

Peterson rushed for 1,266 yards last year for the Vikings. The 29-year-old Peterson has also rushed for at least 1,000 yards in six of his first seven seasons.