# Adrian Peterson: best in the NFL already? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 17, 2007, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089 "2007-10-17T21:10:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/21 "2007-10-18T19:06:16Z")
[QUOTE=Jimmy Chitwood] PS - the main problem with Peterson is that he’s one day going to suffer the most horrific injury in NFL history. Just like Cadillac Williams, the man runs too hard for his own damn good. [/QUOTE] Yes. One day he’s going to get popped by a 245 pound outside linebacker while going for an extra yard when he could have stepped out of bounds, and at that moment, NFL fans are going to learn why so many people like NASCAR, as…Peterson’s detached head, helmet and all, flies 20 yards in the air, then comes rolling to a gentle stop on the 12 yard line, as his still-attached spinal column swishes listlessly on the bloody turf like a catfish in the reeds.Followed immediately by ESPN replaying it seventeen times in slow motion, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/22 "2007-10-18T20:13:28Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] How did you manage that? I’m assuming you got LT first but did AP actually sit there until the 2nd round? I doubt that will ever happen again. He’s a gold plated fantasy player right now. [/QUOTE] No, get this; I didn’t draft AP until the 6th round. Rookies usually wait around a few rounds because no one can be sure what they are going to do. I drafted 2 RB’s and after I had someone at every other posistion, I started looking for backups. I couldn’t wait any longer to take him. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/23 "2007-10-18T21:53:56Z")
Hey, you know, I thought my joke was _pretty funny_. :mad: What, do you need me to add, _and into the sudden hush, John Madden intones “ **FATALITY!** ”_😛 ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2007, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/24 "2007-10-19T08:52:48Z")
[QUOTE=Madd Maxx] No, get this; I didn’t draft AP until the 6th round. Rookies usually wait around a few rounds because no one can be sure what they are going to do. I drafted 2 RB’s and after I had someone at every other posistion, I started looking for backups. I couldn’t wait any longer to take him. [/QUOTE] Yep. I drafted Peterson late in the 2nd round in the keeper league, which raised more than one set of eyebrows. People are dubious about drafting rookies in the early rounds. Plus, he’s a time-share with Chester Taylor, and Taylor is considered a solid fantasy starter. I saw Peterson against the Jets in the preseason and figured even though it was the Jets, the guy was a monster, timeshare or not. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/25 "2007-11-05T01:30:04Z")
Just a little bump to post the stats for the AP/LT showdown today. LaDainian Tomlinson: 16 carries, 40 yds, 1 TD. Adrian Peterson: 30 carries, 296 yds, 3 TD’s. Peterson broke the all-time single game rushing record today and became the first player in NFL history to rush for 200 yards twice in his rookie season. What makes it all the more amazing is that the Vikings have no passing game. Defenses are routinely stacking 8 and 9 in the box and virtually ignoring the Vikings receivers and All Day still puts up Playstation numbers. Is there any doubt that he’s going to be the number one running back taken in every 2008 fantasy draft? ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/26 "2007-11-05T01:36:27Z")
Bah, color me unimpressed, he didn’t even break the 300 yard rushing barrier. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/27 "2007-11-05T02:03:31Z")
Man, he really is fun to watch. I worry every time he touches the ball though. He runs full out and without fear on every touch and you just know a defender is going to catch him flush one of these times. I was literally screaming at the TV when he was sitting at 293 and the coach was about to pull him out. I usually only watch one football game every sunday so that I’m not in front of the TV all day and today I picked the Minnesota/San Diego and decided to forgo the Indi/NE game. I’m glad I did. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/28 "2007-11-05T02:51:27Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] Is there any doubt that he’s going to be the number one running back taken in every 2008 fantasy draft? [/QUOTE] I don’t think he’ll go higher than third, in general. A great rookie season doesn’t always mean a great career, nor does it preclude a sophomore slump. There’s no telling what will happen to the Vikes in the offseason, too. If they end up drafting Matt Ryan or Brian Brohm as their fix at QB, instead of getting a veteran, that will downgrade Peterson in my eyes for next year: teams will have a year of tape to give to the 8 guys they put in the box each play. ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/29 "2007-11-05T03:00:00Z")
Compared to this guy, Cedric Benson looks like he is running in quicksand. Sigh. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/30 "2007-11-05T03:11:04Z")
[QUOTE=Diomedes] I don’t think he’ll go higher than third, in general. A great rookie season doesn’t always mean a great career, nor does it preclude a sophomore slump. There’s no telling what will happen to the Vikes in the offseason, too. If they end up drafting Matt Ryan or Brian Brohm as their fix at QB, instead of getting a veteran, that will downgrade Peterson in my eyes for next year: teams will have a year of tape to give to the 8 guys they put in the box each play. [/QUOTE] It’s not like Jackson has been taking any pressure off of him this year. As for watching tape, you can’t tackle what you can’t catch. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/31 "2007-11-05T03:57:00Z")
If they would have really used him against the Bears he’d have had 350 yards. He’s just a running machine. I don’t know if he’s the best back in the league, LT is a pretty great all-around back. I get a feeling watching him run that I haven’t since Barry Sanders. They’re not the same kind of runner, but they both can produce chills. I like that he doesn’t pansy out on tackles either. Sure that might shorten his career, but it reminds me of Walter Payton and is that ever a bad thing? ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/32 "2007-11-05T05:08:20Z")
[QUOTE=KRM] It’s not like Jackson has been taking any pressure off of him this year. As for watching tape, you can’t tackle what you can’t catch. [/QUOTE] No, but Addai and Tomlinson have been showing continued consistency, and LJ will do his annual end-of-year string of 200 yard games which will vault him higher than he perhaps ought to be in the consensus rankings next year, just like it did this year. I don’t really know what O-linemen will skip from one team to another yet, which has a huge effect on RB rankings, but I’d bet half the magazines will have it 1. Tomlinson 2. Addai 3. Peterson 4. Johnson 5. Westbrook/Jackson/Alexander ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/33 "2007-11-05T05:10:09Z")
[QUOTE=Snarky\_Kong] I like that he doesn’t pansy out on tackles either. Sure that might shorten his career, but it reminds me of Walter Payton and is that ever a bad thing? [/QUOTE] It’s a bad thing if it ends up reminding you of Barry Foster. He loved to take hits. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/34 "2007-11-05T06:00:35Z")
[QUOTE=Diomedes] No, but Addai and Tomlinson have been showing continued consistency, and LJ will do his annual end-of-year string of 200 yard games which will vault him higher than he perhaps ought to be in the consensus rankings next year, just like it did this year. I don’t really know what O-linemen will skip from one team to another yet, which has a huge effect on RB rankings, but I’d bet half the magazines will have it 1. Tomlinson 2. Addai 3. Peterson 4. Johnson 5. Westbrook/Jackson/Alexander [/QUOTE] Tomlinson ahead of AP, I could buy, but Adai? No way. Peterson has a good O-line (which isn’t going anywhere next year), but the Vikings QB situation is a mess. If AP is putting up historic numbers against stacked defenses and with no help from a passing game, how much better is he going to get with any kind of a decent, solid QB? It wouldn’teven have to be Manning or Brady, even someone like a David Carr or a Kitna or a Byron Leftwich – someone with just some basic competence and an occasional ability to make a play with his arm – anyone just good enough to make the Vikes offense two dimensional enough that opposing defenses will have to back their damn safeties out of the box once in a while – and AP could be sailing for a 2500 yard season (I know that sounds absurd but he’s already had the best first half of a rookie season ever). Barring injury, I don’t see how a potential 2000 yard rusher is going to be valued any lower than 2, and I think even 2 is a stretch. Try to offer anyone a straight up trade of Adai for AP right now. See where that gets you. I doubt you’d even get many takers for LT. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/35 "2007-11-05T14:01:42Z")
The only question left now, that his talent has been established to not be a fluke, is will he beat Dickersons single year record. He’s slightly off pace, but that’s mainly from not getting many carries in the first few games. He could be on pace to shatter it if he had gotten 20 carries a game from day one. ---
**Author:** ![Cemetery\_Savior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Cemetery\_Savior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cemetery_Savior)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/36 "2007-11-05T16:26:21Z")
I think AP is probably the best pure running back in the NFL right now. I would definitely give the edge to LT on passing downs (for now), as he’s comfortable pass-blocking, and more importantly, is a great open field runner off the screen pass. I don’t think AP is as “quick” as LT, but I think he’s more powerful. As for why he’s the best running back? One word…Hutchinson. Wherever he’s been, he’s made superstar running backs. All you have to do is watch Alexander tiptoe around in Seattle to understand how Jones and Hutchinson made him the MVP in 2004 (?). Cedric Benson? Forget him. I’m hoping the Bears tank the season and trade up to get McFadden. Or…as a dark horse, wait in the weeds to draft Mendenhall out of U of Illinois (2nd rounder, I’m guessing)…if he goes pro. Think what AP might be if the Vikes had a decent Q-back and Chris Carter back in uni! -Cem ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/37 "2007-11-05T17:17:00Z")
[QUOTE=Cemetery Savior] Cedric Benson? Forget him. I’m hoping the Bears tank the season and trade up to get McFadden. Or…as a dark horse, wait in the weeds to draft Mendenhall out of U of Illinois (2nd rounder, I’m guessing)…if he goes pro. [/QUOTE] Noooo! Mendenhall has to stay another year. If he and Benn stick around the Illini are going to contend for the big ten title. ---
**Author:** ![Cemetery\_Savior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Cemetery\_Savior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cemetery_Savior)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/38 "2007-11-05T17:33:22Z")
[QUOTE=Snarky\_Kong] Noooo! Mendenhall has to stay another year. If he and Benn stick around the Illini are going to contend for the big ten title. [/QUOTE] I’m on the same Blue and Orange-colored page you’re on, **Snarky** …I hope they both stay, and that Juice can ramp his game up another notch or two (or McGee…I don’t care…RESULTS!). Ok, I’ll take McFadden. 🙂 -Cem ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/39 "2007-11-05T17:34:00Z")
As a Packer fan let me just say that I hope Peterson is really, really tired after that game. My completely objective opinion is that he should take a week off and rest up. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089/40 "2007-11-05T17:50:21Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] Barring injury, I don’t see how a potential 2000 yard rusher is going to be valued any lower than 2, and I think even 2 is a stretch. Try to offer anyone a straight up trade of Adai for AP right now. See where that gets you. I doubt you’d even get many takers for LT. [/QUOTE] I tried. SenorBeef didn’t bite. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adrian-peterson-best-in-the-nfl-already/423089.md?page=3)