Adrian Peterson putting the hit on defenders (1 Viewer)

[FreeBaGeL]

It's a lot of fun watching Adrian Peterson punishing a defender when he could just as easily step out of bounds, but is anyone else getting worried about the long term effects on his career (and short term injuries)? Is this going to be another guy that sees his magical dropoff line extended down to 28 rather than the usual 31 or so?

In the video below you can see what I'm talking about. Those hits, especially the first one, are just brutal, and he could've just as easily stepped out of bounds. I'm guessing that his current back problems came from that first hit, so hopefully someone on the coaching staff will tell him to take it easy when there's no more yards to be gained anyway, since he already takes a pounding.

Here's the video, and these are just from this past week's game. That first hit just just about gives me chills:

Video: Adrian Peterson runs angry

 

[Kuz]

I'm really nervous but I really don't think it's going to change. It's just the way he does it. I really wish he would avoid some of those hits but not sure it will happen..

 

[rrhartjr]

I think the converse is what you're seeing with LT. He was the ultimate in the step out of bounds runner.

He's been healthy for so long, that he doesn't know how to deal with minor injury.

 

[Ditka is God]

Worked out OK for Walter Payton.

 

[sho nuff]

Worked out OK for Walter Payton.

And Earl Campbell? OH wait.Short term...not as worried.Long term...all players should worry. Just look at some of the former players who did such things and the effects on their body.Just look at the age these players tend to die at.I don't think changing up will do too much at this point. Only way the guy knows how to play...if he holds back, he simply may not be as effective and it could be even more dangerous for him.

 

[billrob]

I'd be more worried about the health of the defenders if he was playing against my teams.

What I was tought playing high school football and rugby is that it's harder to get injured if you're dishing out a hit as opposed to taking a hit.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

What I was tought playing high school football and rugby is that it's harder to get injured if you're dishing out a hit as opposed to taking a hit.

Without sounding too pompous, I wouldn't really hang on a high school coach's word too heavily.We constantly see DBs in the NFL getting hurt themselves after they lay out a WR who was in a "defenseless position".Also, Peterson is the one limited in practice this week, while Delmas is fine.

 

[billrob]

What I was tought playing high school football and rugby is that it's harder to get injured if you're dishing out a hit as opposed to taking a hit.

Also, Peterson is the one limited in practice this week, while Delmas is fine.

Ok, well ask both Peterson and Delmas about the hit and I guarantee you that Peterson would jump at the chance to do it all over again and Delmas would rather not.

 

[The Jerk]

While Adrian Peterson plays a lot like Superman, I'm pretty sure he's human.

Of course, all the hits will eventually take its toll. It's happened to every player in the NFL. Peterson will not be immune.

Whether it's the cumulative nature of all of the hits, or simply increasing the chance that one given hit will hit him just the "wrong" way, there eventually will be repercussions. It doesn't have to be injury that prevents a player from getting on the field, but it can be just one that limits him in some way. By December, while some players are clearly injured, virtually every player is dinged up, it's just a matter of extent.

 

[mystykoekaki]

Living in Minnesota and being a huge Vikings fan....yes, I'm worried.

 

[Coach3K]

I'd be more worried about the health of the defenders if he was playing against my teams.

Each Defense has 13-17 guys who are going to be absorbing those hits during the course of a game, and spread out among only one or two (if lucky, three) games a year.Peterson's taking/dishing them out each time he touches the ball.Yeah - I'd definitely bring his "dropoff year projection" down a bit due to all the hits. Maybe not into Earl Campbell territory, because modern medicine has made recovery and rehab a lot more effective. But he's definitely shaving time off his clock. However, as others have said, he's not likely to change anytime soon, and once you DO start to see him step out vs. dishing out a hit regularly, then the end is already nigh.

 

[yoadrian]

Well APs back was bothering him this week, its easy to see why. But as long as its not his legs or knees or other lingering injuries, he'll be fine

 

[barista]

better to hit than be hit... Gandhi didn't know football.