Wikipedia provides a pretty good account of how 757 came to be what it was/is. As abovee it was originally specced as a 2/engine/2 crew replacement for the 727. IIRC the overpower was because at time of design there was no suitably matched engine. The best option, as fitted, was the RB2-11 with a so called 'cropped fan'.
As an example of its performance from short runways here's an anecdote from 1984. At time runway at Leeds/Bradford (LBA/EGNM) was 5400 feet, though in process of being extended to present 7380. UK tour operators were using 737 200ADV versions to near Med destinations such as Palma but it only needed a full load and wind less than straight down runway for an outbound tech stop to be required for fuel. Among airlines were Britannia and Monarch. In Feb 84 Monarch's 737 was tech and they subbed a 757. Not only did it fly non-stop to PMI off the short runway it also took baggage from co-timed Britannia flight obviating need for that a/c (737-204ADV) to put down for fuel at Luton.