Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings (2 Viewers)

[Jason Wood]

2010 Player Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The Shark Pool is, in our view, the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things fantasy football. In what's become an annual tradition, the Player Spotlight series is a key part of the preseason efforts. As many of you know, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. This year, we plan to publish more than 140 offensive spotlights covering the vast majority of expected skill position starters.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discussion expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways. 1) At the end of the week, we will tally the projections into a consensus. 2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Player Page Link: Adrian Peterson Player Page

Each article will include:

[*]Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member

[*]Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads

[*]FBG Projections

[*]Consensus Member Projections

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[*]Focus commentary on the player (or players) in question, and your expectations for said player (or players)

[*]Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"

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While not a requirement, we strongly encourage you to provide your own projections for the player (players):

Projections should include:

[*]For QBs: Attempts, Completions, Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Attempts, Rush Yards, Rush TDs

[*]For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs

[*]For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs

Now let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 

[vfourmax]

Granted although Peterson is still one of the best early round picks to come off the board I think that we have seen his peak and that he is not quite as unstoppable as once thought.

In '07 he had 1341/268 yards rush/rec

In "08 he had 1760/125 yards rush/rec

In "09 he had 1383/436 yards rush/rec

In '07 in 14 games played he had 6 100 yard games

In '08 in 16 games played he had 10 100 yard games

In '09 in 16 games played he had 3 100 yard games

In '07 he had 238 carries with an average of 5.6 yards per carry

In '08 he had 363 carries with an average of 4.8 yards per carry

In '09 he had 314 carries with an average of 4.4 yards per carry

In '07 he averaged 95.8 yards per game

In '08 he averaged 110.0 yards per game

In '09 he averaged 86.4 yards per game

In '07 he had 5 runs of 40+ yards

In '08 he had 4 runs of 40+ yards

In '09 he had 3 runs of 40+ yards

In '07 he fumbled 4 times

In '08 he fumbled 9 times

In '09 he fumbled 7 times plus 2 fumbles in the post season

In '07 he scored 12 TD's

In '08 he scored 10 TD's

In '09 he scored 18 TD's

If you look at his stats you can see that production levels are dropping each year in each catagory with the exception of Touchdowns scored which of course for fantasy owners is an important stat to track.

I think though that in some ways his decreased productions in all other catagories especially the fact that he managed only 3 100 yard games for the '09 year are a cause for alarm because having the passing game much improved with Favre and company should have opened the running game up by defenses not being able to focus on a single pointed spear in the running game as in previous seasons. Even in '07 when he was the only offense and played in fewer games, had 76 fewer carries but still had twice the number of 100 yard games makes you wonder as to what happened in that respect concerning '09.

Ball security is another concern as the team could start losing confidence in putting the ball in his hands when you just cannot risk turning the ball over in a crucial drive that the results in that drive could mean the difference in winning or losing.

Peterson though is definately still at least the #2 running back off the board right now as far as production is concerned but I think he will slide a bit more this year.

I predict 320 carries 1250/390 yards rush/rec. 12/1 TD's and at least 8 fumbles with 5 lost.

 

[Kree]

I don't think the drop in 100 yards game is a cause for concern. Afterall, he DID have games of 92, 94, 97 and 97, which are basically 100 yard games for all intensive purposes. that brings it up 7 to 100 yard games. Add in the post season loss to NO, thats 8 100 yard games. Then you have 3 games of ~85 yards, which aren't too far off being 100 yard games.

When it comes to fumbles, well Childress and co. won't be pulling him from games any time soon.

I think ADP is still worthy of being considered 'unstoppable' or thereabouts on average. The only problem is there are a few other RBs who have become worthy of a similar moniker.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

If you look at his stats you can see that production levels are dropping each year in each catagory with the exception of Touchdowns scored which of course for fantasy owners is an important stat to track.

I've seen this mentioned several times this offseason and it seems silly to me. If you plotted player's fantasy point totals on a graph, they'd look like an erratic stock portfolio, not a neat bell curve. LT's numbers trended downwards for a couple seasons ending with possibly the worst 8 game stretch of his career and the next year he went for 2300 yards and 31 TDs.

I think though that in some ways his decreased productions in all other catagories especially the fact that he managed only 3 100 yard games for the '09 year are a cause for alarm because having the passing game much improved with Favre and company should have opened the running game up by defenses not being able to focus on a single pointed spear in the running game as in previous seasons. Even in '07 when he was the only offense and played in fewer games, had 76 fewer carries but still had twice the number of 100 yard games makes you wonder as to what happened in that respect concerning '09.

People read way too much into the effect of a passing game on fantasy running backs. It's pure theorycraft. It sounds good on paper that better passing game = less focus on the running game = easier to run the ball. But lots of things in fantasy football sound magical, and have much less real world application than we give them credit for. Look at the top performing running backs last year outside of Peterson.Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice, Michael Turner, DeAngelo Williams, Steven Jackson, Jamal Charles, Frank Gore, Ricky Williams.NONE of them have elite passing games. In fact, if the group has anything in common it's that they all played with below average passing games.Peterson's numbers were down last year because the O-line sucked hard. Chester Taylor, who is considered a competent runner and had his ypc inflated by some cheapy 3rd and long carries, still only averaged 3.6ypc behind the same line. Peterson is electric when he gets to the second and third level, but last year that happened so much more rarely than it did with the other top backs because more often than not the line of scrimmage was just a giant log-jam with no semblance of a hole anywhere. The fact that Peterson was still a top 3 fantasy back with that mess of a run blocking situation last year is a testament to how good he still is.Did having a good passing game help? Theoretically, sure. But only by a minor fraction as much as having an awful run blocking o-line hurt.

 

[Go deep]

Obviously one of the most talented backs in the league, but i think 2010 will be a bit of a down year for AD. His YPC has gone down in each of the last 3 seasons and i think one of the reasons why is his workload. He is a violent runner, and even though he is dishing out as much punishment as he is taking, it has to be tiring to do it week in and week out. Not to mention its only a matter of time before a RB who runs so hard and gets so many carries gets hurt.

I suspect the Vikings feel the same way, and thats why they traded up to take Gerhart in the 2nd round. It certainly wont be a 50/50 split, but i think it will be a more even split than most think....at least during the regular season.

276 carries, 1267 yards, 10 TD's

38 rec. 320 yards, 1 TD

 

[baconisgood]

If you look at his stats you can see that production levels are dropping each year in each catagory with the exception of Touchdowns scored which of course for fantasy owners is an important stat to track.

Not true- his receptions and receiving yards were >>> than in 2008. He only had 66 fewer yards from scrimmage- if you are worried about 0.4 fewer fantasy points a game from yardage you are looking for things to worry about. Chester Taylor put up 44 + 45 receptions the past two years with Peterson grabbing 21 + 43. With Taylor gone there is a good chance ADP gets into the 50s, and possibly the low 60s. We will see how much and how they use Gerhart but he could get 100 carries + 20 receptions and we could still see Peterson's touches creep up from last year so I am not that worried.

 

[SayWhat?]

Peterson's numbers were down last year because the O-line sucked hard.

There wasn't much wrong, aside from the obvious fumbling, with Peterson last year. I just don't think the casual football/fantasy football fan realizes how truly terrible the Viking's O-line was at run blocking last year. There was simply nowhere for Peterson to go. I suspect that they'll be slightly improved this year, with Sullivan and Loadholt having a year of experience under their belts. 336-1,545-15 rushing41-340-2 receiving

 

[Iraqi Information Minister]

One thing that doesn't get mentioned enough is that he's a little injury prone.

He twisted his ankle somewhere around week 6 last year and I don't think he was the same for the rest of the season.

325-1400-12

 

[NDyse10]

Peterson's numbers were down last year because the O-line sucked hard.

There wasn't much wrong, aside from the obvious fumbling, with Peterson last year. I just don't think the casual football/fantasy football fan realizes how truly terrible the Viking's O-line was at run blocking last year. There was simply nowhere for Peterson to go. I suspect that they'll be slightly improved this year, with Sullivan and Loadholt having a year of experience under their belts. 336-1,545-15 rushing41-340-2 receiving

This is exactly correct. Being a big Vikings fan and having watched every game last season it was more the fact Adrian had no where to run. I can not remember how many times he was given the ball and was met with a defender before he even reached the line of scrimmage. The Minnesota run block was not as good last year as it is percieved to be.

 

[KellysHeroes]

Complete Stud if he can hold on to the ball little bit better.

As mentioned before he was a little banged up which is most likely the reason his carries where down from 2008

No Chester Taylor means to me that ADP will get all the 3rd down work and the Rook will some 1st and 2nd down handoffs.

330 carries for 1480 with 50 Recs for 500 - 16 TDs

and thats modest.. more than able to rack up 2200 to 2300 total. Entering his 4th season and just turned 25.

 

[BlueBandit24]

I'm glad Free Bagel touched on that point. The Vikings offensive line was absolutely brutal for much of the year and nowhere was that more evident than in the running game. Steve Hutchinson was banged up for most of the year, which may have played a role, but they're going to need more push from Sullivan and Herrera if they want to really get the running game going once again.

I'm excited about AD this year. I think he was too focused on being a bell-cow last year; with Gerhart in town absorbing some short-yardage carries I think Peterson an go back to hitting the home run and having some of those electrifying runs we saw very early in his career.

Still an elite RB1.

316 carries, 1,492 yards (4.7 YPC), 13 TD's; 36 receptions, 305 yards, TD

 

[bigmiiiiike]

I would not put much stock in a down '09 2nd half. Last year's season was flat out strange for the Vikings, as the Favre Circus causes different plays to be called, different attitudes in the locker room, etc etc. They were probably the best team in the NFC last year, but my only point is that I wouldn't rely on anything that happened last year too heavily in making statements like "we've already seen the best from AP."

We know exactly what AP is: a great back, not the best pass catcher, great nose for the goal line, has trouble holding on to the ball, and runs behind a great OLine when healthy. I'm fairly certain he hasn't lost a step, nor will the Vikings O in 2010.

300 carries, 1400 yards, 14 TDs

30 catches, 300 yards, 1 TD

 

[Grahamburn]

No Chester Taylor means to me that ADP will get all the 3rd down work and the Rook will some 1st and 2nd down handoffs.

I don't see the bolded happening. Gerhart will take some short yardage/goalline, and Percy Harvin will have his fair share of carries/receptions on third downs.

 

[Bayhawks]

They drafted Gerhart, so that means ADP will lose the short-yardage and goal-line work.

Yeah, right. But letting Taylor does seem to indicate that Peterson's receiving numbers could improve.

320 carries, 1440 rushing yards, 50 receptions, 460 yards, 16 total TDs

 

[Iraqi Information Minister]

They drafted Gerhart, so that means ADP will lose the short-yardage and goal-line work.

Yeah, right. But letting Taylor does seem to indicate that Peterson's receiving numbers could improve.

320 carries, 1440 rushing yards, 50 receptions, 460 yards, 16 total TDs

No it doesn't.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Adrian Peterson is a fantasy monster. The Vikings should be loaded this season and he'll have a very big year. Don't be fooled into thinking this guy is anything less than a fantasy stud because he fumbled too much last year or the Vikings drafted a rookie RB.

1420 yards and 12 td's

41 receptions for 390 yards and 1 td 8 fumbles

 

[Bayhawks]

They drafted Gerhart, so that means ADP will lose the short-yardage and goal-line work.

Yeah, right. But letting Taylor does seem to indicate that Peterson's receiving numbers could improve.

320 carries, 1440 rushing yards, 50 receptions, 460 yards, 16 total TDs

No it doesn't.

Did you not read the whole post? I was being sarcastic, which I thought was fairly obvious. Even if it weren't, my projections should show you that I don't really expect that to happen.

 

[vfourmax]

There is no doubt AP is a stud at his position, everybody knows that. He is a bruising style of runner and that does leave him at a risk for injury but every player in the league could be injuried.

The main thing that I see is that Peterson has to get his ball security down and quit coughing up the ball so often. I do not care how good of a runner he is if the coaches start getting skittish that he may cough the ball up when the team is in a game or on a drive that scoring points, even a field goal can be the difference in a win or a loss then if the coaches have an option that they feel ball security is a must then down near the goal line or crucial last quarter drives another running back that is known not to fumble the ball could well get the nod in those situations and take both touches and TD's away from AP.

 

[gladee88er]

I don't know why anyone would worry about him. He's an unquestionable #1 stud with a rookie back-up this year. He's starting to catch more passes, so this will help his overall yards.

He's capable of 2,000 total yards easily IMO. I think ADP, Rice, and MJD are close this year. I'd take ADP #1 all day in a TD only league. In PPR it gets cloudy of course. I would be happy with any of the three,

Not big on Chris Johnson this year, ESPECIALLY if he holds out for any time. I'd almost take Gore over him at 4, but prob. not.

 

[rzrback77]

Adrian Peterson is the #1 RB on my board regardless of whether in ppr league or not. I would be thrilled to be able to draft in third or fourth slot and be able to take Peterson after Chris Johnson, MJ Drew, or Ray Rice. I think that he is such a competitor that he will work more this off-season to reduce the fumbles and I fully expect him to have his best season yet catching passes.

I think that the Vikings other threats will help Peterson to gain more yards on every play. The Vikings have two awesome WRs in Rice and Harvin and their third (Berrian) is also good. They have a really good receiving TE in Shiancoe as well. Some folks gage the Viking's offensive potential on whether Favre returns or not. I think that they can be good, even without him.

Adrian Peterson 16 gms 320 rushes 1440 yards 4.5 ypc 70 targets 50 catches 410 yards 8.2 ypc and 20 total TDs

 

[Sabertooth]

Is Peterson worth 25% of a the cap in an auction league. I'm not so sure any more. He just seems to have peaked already.

 

[ScottyFargo]

Is Peterson worth 25% of a the cap in an auction league. I'm not so sure any more. He just seems to have peaked already.

Bahahahahahahahaha.But seriously. Vikes O-line sucked at run blocking last year. All 5 are coming back, so the real hope is that the injuries break easy this year, and Sullivan and McKinnie step up the run blocking. I'm concerned that they won't get the job done. The problem isn't Peterson's.

 

[cr8f]

Coach Brad Childress made it clear Friday that he's less than thrilled that Adrian Peterson will miss this weekend's minicamp.

Childress didn't find out about the plans for "Adrian Peterson Day" in Palestine, Texas until the middle of this week, and he emphasized that this is a "mandatory" minicamp. Suggesting that Peterson's situation is in no way comparable to that of Brett Favre, Childress also said discipline would be discussed. The Vikes have allowed Peterson to stay away from voluntary work all offseason, but they want him here for install.

 

[griff321]

One thing that doesn't get mentioned enough is that he's a little injury prone.He twisted his ankle somewhere around week 6 last year and I don't think he was the same for the rest of the season.325-1400-12

Pretty sure it happened week 2 against the Lions, but I can't find anything to back my claim, and he wasn't even close to the same player the rest of the season. He seemed to be as physical but he was nowhere even close to to having the same breakaway speed and really that's what sets him apart.I don't mean to be rude but to me "injury prone" is a useless label that adresses nothing.If anything I have less concern about AD and injury compared to almost any other back in the league. Could he be injured for a large portion of the next season? Of course, but the same could be said about any player in the NFL that's on the field for a large number of plays. The NFL is injury prone, have any guy around the ball enough times and it's just a matter rolling the dice. Then of course someone has to beat the dead horse with the old, "he'll get hurt because of his bruising style." .... ...I say his style leads to less injury and when injured he's more likely to play compared to many of his peers. What would you rather have, A.D. lowering his shoulder and trucking Al Harris or Al taking a free dive at his knee from the side as he scurries out of bounds? There are so many positive aspects regarding his style and personality that trying to slap such an negative and unimaginative label on him should be criminal.

 

[griff321]

Is Peterson worth 25% of a the cap in an auction league. I'm not so sure any more. He just seems to have peaked already.

Bahahahahahahahaha.But seriously. Vikes O-line sucked at run blocking last year. All 5 are coming back, so the real hope is that the injuries break easy this year, and Sullivan and McKinnie step up the run blocking. I'm concerned that they won't get the job done. The problem isn't Peterson's.

I feel confident in the unit being better. Sulli was not happy at all with his performance and he went to work on it right away, but for a first year center he did a lot of things very well. Granted it was mostly in pass blocking but I still have hope. Same goes for Loadholt, a guy that was always more of a pass blocker then run blocker. There is no question about Hutch as long as he recovers fully from the shoulder surgery but it was really more his back and then his ankle that slowed him down last year. Still no worries because he is so professional in his approach to the game. My real concern is with our record producer that happens to work as our LT. Looking at his twitter feed makes me believe that he isn't going to ever change. I could be in the wrong here and he knows he has to work hard after Peppers made him look like a child last year, but all I see is clubs, records, and strippers in his free time.

 

[fightingillini]

Another big year. Needs to hold on the ball better. Not concerned about MIN drafting a RB in round 2. Projection assumes Favre returns. Stats would drop if Favre doesn't return, but I am not sure how much.

315 car, 1450 yds rushing, 14 TD

40 rec, 300 yds receving, 2 TD

 

[captain_amazing]

I would not put much stock in a down '09 2nd half. Last year's season was flat out strange for the Vikings, as the Favre Circus causes different plays to be called, different attitudes in the locker room, etc etc. They were probably the best team in the NFC last year, but my only point is that I wouldn't rely on anything that happened last year too heavily in making statements like "we've already seen the best from AP." We know exactly what AP is: a great back, not the best pass catcher, great nose for the goal line, has trouble holding on to the ball, and runs behind a great OLine when healthy. I'm fairly certain he hasn't lost a step, nor will the Vikings O in 2010.300 carries, 1400 yards, 14 TDs30 catches, 300 yards, 1 TD

I agree very much with this post. Peterson has been working a lot on ball security at practices. I believe he will have a career low for fumbles, at 5, with the above stats.

 

[Jedimaster21]

All of you predicting 30 catches know he had more than 40 LAST year with Chester there, right?

He is a beast and the most talented back in the game. He will get an even larger portion of third down and goal line work this year. Gerhart is no threat, just depth. He is a stud...end of story.

350 carries for 1680 (4.8 YPC), 55 catches for 525 yards...and 20 TDs

 

[timschochet]

Critical 4th and 1 in the Viking-Seahawk game tonight, and in comes Toby Gerhart. I'm betting Gerhart is the sort of strong RB a guy like Childress loves. Does this worry ADP owners at all? Do you guys think he might get vultured more this year, because of the presence of the former Stanford Cardinal?

 

[timschochet]

Critical 4th and 1 in the Viking-Seahawk game tonight, and in comes Toby Gerhart. I'm betting Gerhart is the sort of strong RB a guy like Childress loves. Does this worry ADP owners at all? Do you guys think he might get vultured more this year, because of the presence of the former Stanford Cardinal?

Bump. Don't know if anybody else saw this last night.

 

[Abraham]

Critical 4th and 1 in the Viking-Seahawk game tonight, and in comes Toby Gerhart. I'm betting Gerhart is the sort of strong RB a guy like Childress loves. Does this worry ADP owners at all? Do you guys think he might get vultured more this year, because of the presence of the former Stanford Cardinal?

"no."

 

[ImTheScientist]

Critical 4th and 1 in the Viking-Seahawk game tonight, and in comes Toby Gerhart. I'm betting Gerhart is the sort of strong RB a guy like Childress loves. Does this worry ADP owners at all? Do you guys think he might get vultured more this year, because of the presence of the former Stanford Cardinal?

lolno. Im taking him at 1.01 today.

 

[John 14:6]

Critical 4th and 1 in the Viking-Seahawk game tonight, and in comes Toby Gerhart. I'm betting Gerhart is the sort of strong RB a guy like Childress loves. Does this worry ADP owners at all? Do you guys think he might get vultured more this year, because of the presence of the former Stanford Cardinal?

I'm more worried about his low average in the preseason...

 

[Stryker]

Critical 4th and 1 in the Viking-Seahawk game tonight, and in comes Toby Gerhart. I'm betting Gerhart is the sort of strong RB a guy like Childress loves. Does this worry ADP owners at all? Do you guys think he might get vultured more this year, because of the presence of the former Stanford Cardinal?

I'm more worried about his low average in the preseason...

Also, has had nowhere to run at all, the line has looked terrible.

 

[John 14:6]

Critical 4th and 1 in the Viking-Seahawk game tonight, and in comes Toby Gerhart. I'm betting Gerhart is the sort of strong RB a guy like Childress loves. Does this worry ADP owners at all? Do you guys think he might get vultured more this year, because of the presence of the former Stanford Cardinal?

I'm more worried about his low average in the preseason...

Also, has had nowhere to run at all, the line has looked terrible.

Yesterday on KFAN Mike Morris was talking about how the should go after Kevin Mawae. That'd sure be nice...

 

[Raider Nation]

You know, for people who maybe didn't see today's game, they might look at the stat line and say "Peterson only had 73 yards rushing? THIS GUY is supposed to be a superstar???" Well let me tell you, a mortal running back would have had about 24 yards if given the exact same carries Peterson had today.

He runs so damn hard, and his blocking is simply abysmal. I did not see any holes for him to run through. It's a minor miracle he even got 73 yards. If AD was behind a top-tier O-line, he'd be setting records which might never be broken.

 

[Steelfan7]

You know, for people who maybe didn't see today's game, they might look at the stat line and say "Peterson only had 73 yards rushing? THIS GUY is supposed to be a superstar???" Well let me tell you, a mortal running back would have had about 24 yards if given the exact same carries Peterson had today.He runs so damn hard, and his blocking is simply abysmal. I did not see any holes for him to run through. It's a minor miracle he even got 73 yards. If AD was behind a top-tier O-line, he'd be setting records which might never be broken.

Can you imagine the numbers he would put up if he played behind the OL the Seahawks had during S. Alexander's prime.

 

[Raider Nation]

You know, for people who maybe didn't see today's game, they might look at the stat line and say "Peterson only had 73 yards rushing? THIS GUY is supposed to be a superstar???" Well let me tell you, a mortal running back would have had about 24 yards if given the exact same carries Peterson had today.He runs so damn hard, and his blocking is simply abysmal. I did not see any holes for him to run through. It's a minor miracle he even got 73 yards. If AD was behind a top-tier O-line, he'd be setting records which might never be broken.

Can you imagine the numbers he would put up if he played behind the OL the Seahawks had during S. Alexander's prime.

I just wish he had the same Steve Hutchinson.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

You know, for people who maybe didn't see today's game, they might look at the stat line and say "Peterson only had 73 yards rushing? THIS GUY is supposed to be a superstar???" Well let me tell you, a mortal running back would have had about 24 yards if given the exact same carries Peterson had today.He runs so damn hard, and his blocking is simply abysmal. I did not see any holes for him to run through. It's a minor miracle he even got 73 yards. If AD was behind a top-tier O-line, he'd be setting records which might never be broken.

Yet because Hutchinson and McKinnie have high ratings in Madden, people still think that Minnesota has a good O-line. Even convincing them that the line is mediocre is a battle, but convincing them of the truth (that it is one of the bottom 5 run blocking lines in the league) is near impossible.Peterson in Tennessee would make 2k yards rushing look like child's play.

 

[griff321]

You know, for people who maybe didn't see today's game, they might look at the stat line and say "Peterson only had 73 yards rushing? THIS GUY is supposed to be a superstar???" Well let me tell you, a mortal running back would have had about 24 yards if given the exact same carries Peterson had today.He runs so damn hard, and his blocking is simply abysmal. I did not see any holes for him to run through. It's a minor miracle he even got 73 yards. If AD was behind a top-tier O-line, he'd be setting records which might never be broken.

Yet because Hutchinson and McKinnie have high ratings in Madden, people still think that Minnesota has a good O-line. Even convincing them that the line is mediocre is a battle, but convincing them of the truth (that it is one of the bottom 5 run blocking lines in the league) is near impossible.Peterson in Tennessee would make 2k yards rushing look like child's play.

Purple Jesus is a beast to have the numbers he does.I just wish that McKinnie would work on improving more then he works on records and going down on strippers on boats.If we get a franchise LT and move everone down the line they become a pretty good unit once again.

 

[qimqam]

You know, for people who maybe didn't see today's game, they might look at the stat line and say "Peterson only had 73 yards rushing? THIS GUY is supposed to be a superstar???" Well let me tell you, a mortal running back would have had about 24 yards if given the exact same carries Peterson had today.He runs so damn hard, and his blocking is simply abysmal. I did not see any holes for him to run through. It's a minor miracle he even got 73 yards. If AD was behind a top-tier O-line, he'd be setting records which might never be broken.

I mentioned this in a thread in the beggining of the season ... I never saw a rb have to work so hard for every single yard.

 

[encaitar]

I think the worst part of the whole thing is that it was an avoidable situation. Sullivan might turn out to be a good center in time, but he's such a HUGE backstep from Birk that it affects the whole line. The center is in charge of all the blocking schemes audibles and Birk was a master at this. His intelligence and recognition elevated the play of the whole line. Not saying they would be a "good" oline with Birk, but they'd at least be an average one. Management made a big blunder letting him walk.

Hopefully though we will soon stop hearing how great the Minnesota oline is at run blocking. Seeing Peterson get hit at the line of scrimmage on every fricken play and then hearing that said by people who obviously don't watch any Vikings games is pretty damn annoying.