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Don’t Look Now: Adrian Peterson May Be Running on Borrowed Time
Published: June 29, 2009
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It’s no secret that Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is the best young back in the NFL today.
Having exploded onto the scene with 1,341 rushing yards as a rookie and breaking the single game rushing record with 296 yards against the San Diego Chargers, Peterson only improved in 2008. Last season he ran for an astounding 1,760 yards, recording the best season by a Viking runner in the franchise’s history.
However, as widely known as Peterson’s dominance is, the short shelf life for an NFL halfback also recognized. In fact, the minor decline of 30 year-old LaDainian Tomlinson garnered Peterson the title as the NFL’s top runner today.
A comparison to LaDainian Tomlinson is no doubt an honor in a number of ways. But when it’s said and done, there are a few names that I’m sure Peterson—along with LT—would not like to mentioned in the same sentence with when it comes to winning. Those are the names of Hall-of-Fame caliber players Barry Sanders and Curtis Martin.
What do they all share in common? A career’s worth of ball-carrying brilliance, and an empty ring finger to show for it.
Peterson is far from the same type of back as Barry Sanders was, but when examining farther, there are a number of similarities between the two. Like Sanders, Peterson was drafted into the NFC North to a franchise that is far from a championship organization with hopes to change that.
At first glance, it seemed as if both were capable. In 1989, Sanders rushed for 1,470 yards as a rookie and found the end zone 14 times. Peterson scored two fewer times on the ground with 12 TDs.
Although Sanders’ outstanding rookie campaign was not enough to propel the Lions to the playoffs—they finished 7-9—it looked like the franchise had a star destined to launch them to the next level.
However, 10 years and 15,269 yards later, Sanders was yet to taste an NFL championship.
Many feel the lack of fielding a competitive team in Detroit was the reason Sanders retired early. Sanders’ desire for a Super Bowl was more prominent than his desire to rewrite the NFL record books.
Now, on the brink of his third NFL season, Adrian Peterson takes the back seat to an even bigger name that is dominating the Minnesota headlines: Brett Favre.
Peterson admits that he would love to play with a Hall of Fame quarterback.
“If he is a part of our team when the season comes around, we’re going to welcome him with open arms and see where the chips fall.”
Peterson also isn’t hesitant to place his trust in Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress.
“I know our coach is going to do his job, and at the end of the day, his job is having the best team possible to win games,” Peterson explained.
“That’s his job, so I’m going to let him handle his job and I’m going to do my job.”
Now I pose the question: has Adrian Peterson misplaced his trust? Are the Vikings best suited going after an ancient Brett Favre, who is a shadow of what he once was? And is Brett Favre even enough to propel the Vikings to a championship caliber team?
Peterson was blessed to already compete in the NFL Playoffs.
However, he has also been handed the ball by four different starting quarterbacks.
Bring someone else to mind? That’s right, as great as Barry Sanders was for such a long period of time, the Lions fielded 10 different starting quarterbacks during that time.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the Vikings have no shot. I have more faith in their organization than I do the Lions.
However, if persuading Favre to come out of retirement with an injured throwing shoulder and hoping he can work his magic once more is their best attempt at getting Peterson to the big dance, then it’s time to get serious.
If they fail to do so, they may find Adrian over the proverbial hill at 30-years-old with more miles on him than even the most durable of stallions can bare.
And like legendary Barry Sanders…nothing to show for it.
Packers Only Hope: Greene’s Fire Catches On
Published: June 22, 2009
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Entering his first season as an NFL coach, Green Bay Packers outside-linebacker coach Kevin Greene takes on a tough task: to mold the current group of outside linebackers, who are completely unaccustomed to the 3-4, into your prototypical outside rushers, wreaking havoc for quarterbacks and running backs alike.
It’s a task that Greene takes head on, as he always has during his 15-year NFL career.
As a player for four different teams, Greene was a tough assignment for anyone to block. With 160 career sacks, he ranks third all-time in NFL history behind Bruce Smith and Packer great Reggie White.
Perhaps a more interesting statistic is that he is first all-time among linebackers, playing a part along with Lawrence Taylor in revolutionizing the position itself during the 1980’s.
Clearly, Greene has the 3-4 outside linebacker position down to a science and brings a world of experience to the table. However, the experience is not the only asset of value Greene provides. One of his most outstanding qualities is his fiery attitude and his passion for the game, a quality that Packers players and coaches alike hope is extremely contagious.
A brief stint with the WCW showcased Greene’s charisma, and Packers defenders joked that Greene showed them some old wrestling videos during meetings to lighten the mood and build a relationship with his new projects. When it comes to football though, Greene is strictly business.
Greene is quietly one of the more important parts of making this transition to the 3-4 a successful one. Having played under Dom Capers in Pittsburgh, he knows the system inside out, and knows what is expected out of the Packers new defensive general. More importantly than knowing the system, he knows how to succeed in it.
His more notable project will be molding Aaron Kampman into a modern-day version of himself. Head Coach Mike McCarthy didn’t fail to express his excitement about this new relationship earlier this offseason.
“I know Kevin Greene is excited about working with [Kampman] and the individual time they’ve spent up to this point,” McCarthy said. “Personally, I think this is really going to help Aaron Kampman.”
Usually a media savvy guy, Kampman has taken a more quiet approach to dealing with the media this offseason, coming off as having a “strictly business” type of attitude with unmatched focus and intensity. Perhaps this is the first step in his transformation to becoming the Packers’ own version of Kevin Greene.
If Kampman, along with the rest of the outside linebackers, could now emulate Greene on the field, then rest assured, opposing quarterbacks will have nightmares of the Green and Gold’s pass rush all season long.
Jets Weigh Options: Consider Making Plaxico Sanchez’s Newest Weapon
Published: June 11, 2009
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On the brink of his court date set for this coming Monday, Plaxico Burress has drawn the attention of more than just the justice system in New York.
After inking first round quarterback Mark Sanchez to a franchise record $50 million deal on Wednesday, $28 million guaranteed, the New York Jets are warming up to the idea of keeping Burress in New York.
That is, of course, if he can shed gun charges that can possibly land him in jail for a minimum of three-and-a-half years as easily as he can shed defensive backs.
With a rookie quarterback, there is no doubt that the Jets should be looking to surround him with a few weapons to aid his transition into the big leagues, so it comes as no surprise that they are looking to address their need at receiver.
Jerricho Cotchery is the only wide-out with significant experience that poses a threat to opposing secondaries, so the thought of matching him with a player like Plaxico is one that makes plenty of sense, based on talent alone.
However, in signing a player like Burress, much more than just talent comes along with the contract. Is the baggage really worth it? Some potential teammates at Jets mini-camp certainly thought so.
In a recent interview with the New York Daily News, Cotchery was asked about the idea of the Jets signing Burress if he is eligible to play this coming season, and he made it clear that Burress is too talented a player to pass on.
“Any team would find a way to welcome him. It’s rare that you have that type of talent on the market this time of year. I don’t think anyone would pass.”
Cotchery is entering his sixth season with the Jets, and has showcased his limitless potential numerous times. However, as of now, the lack of another receiving threat may land Cotchery more double-coverage, and ultimately hurt his production in the near future.
If Burress is able to play this coming season, the Jets would be a potential suitor off the bat, seeing as they contacted Drew Rosenhaus in regards to Burress earlier this offseason, and the receiver position is their most glaring need.
The type of talent that Burress possesses is enough to take a franchise to that next level, and ultimately become a contender. First year head coach Rex Ryan assured the New York media Tuesday that in inquiring about Burress, the character issues are weighed heavily.
“One thing to know for sure is that if he is here or any other player is here that we decide to pick up, understand we would have done our homework on that particular player,” said Ryan.
At the very least, it would provide both Cotchery and rookie Mark Sanchez with more opportunities to grow into the stars that they have the potential to become.
We’ve seen it happen time and time again. Prima donna receivers letting their off-the-field issues infiltrate the locker room, hindering a team’s chemistry and leading to their downfall.
The question remains, can these people change? Can they put their problems of the past behind them, rid their selfish ways, and move forward in an effort to better their franchise?
If Burress is eligible to hit the field in 2009, the Buffalo Bills may not be the only team in New York hoping so…
