“Glorified Fullback”
March 27th, 2017
Finished?
There is still a vocal sect of Bucs fans holding community seances in their backyards in an effort to lure Adrian Peterson to Tampa Bay.
One of the greatest running backs in NFL history is on the open market and apparently can’t find a suitor. Peterson, 32, recently took to Twitter to say he is looking for the “right fit.”
Translation: Whoever cuts the check with the most zeros in it.
Good guy Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report decided to do some digging as to why Peterson cannot find work in the NFL. It seems the vast majority of general managers think he’s toast.
The conundrum teams face as they decide on Peterson is determining which player the team that takes a chance on him will get? Will they get an angry Peterson, out to prove people wrong, who can still put up 1,500 yards in a season? Or will they get a slow has-been, like Emmitt Smith going to the Arizona Cardinals in his final days?
Peterson is a physical freak, so if anyone can defeat time, it’s him. After all, this is the same guy who one year after tearing two ligaments in his knee rushed for 2,097 yards.
But that was five years ago, when he was 27. Runners over the age of 30 have produced, but it remains one of the tougher things to do in all of sports. Frank Gore last year, at 33, rushed for 1,025 yards. How unusual was that? Only 10 players 32 or older in NFL history have rushed for at least 1,000 yards in a season.
In the link above, Freeman directs readers to a list of 32-year old and older running backs who have rushed for 1,000 yards in a season. It is grim.
One general manager Freeman spoke with claimed Peterson, in the sunset of his career, is nothing more than a “glorified fullback.” And we all know how popular fullbacks are in today’s NFL.
When Joe was in Indianapolis for the NFL combine, an NFL suit who is part of the Belicheat tree, of which Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is a branch, told Joe, “When is the last time a 32-year old running back did anything in the NFL?”
Well, that would be last year, when Frank Gore ran for 1,025 yards. But before that? You’d have to go all the way back to weed-friendly Ricky Williams in 2009.
March 27th, 2017 at 10:07 am
One year contract on the cheap and I’m in.
March 27th, 2017 at 10:14 am
Frank Gore quietly put together an awesome career. He is one of the most under-rated backs in history.
30+ Gore and his 1,000 yards was not coming off of multiple injured seasons, not like AP’s. I love AP. He WILL be a HOF’er. I see no good reason to sign an oft-injured 30+ RB.
March 27th, 2017 at 10:15 am
Peterson is a physical freak, so if anyone can defeat time, it’s him. After all, this is the same guy who one year after tearing two ligaments in his knee rushed for 2,097 yards.
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Well, that would be last year, when Frank Gore ran for 1,025 yards. But before that? You’d have to go all the way back to weed-friendly Ricky Williams in 2009.
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That’s it, that all you need to know. An amputated AP is still better than 2/3 of the RB coming out the draft and 80% of starting RBs in the league. I wouldn’t pay him more than 4 mil though.
March 27th, 2017 at 10:29 am
This draft has one of the best RB classes in the last 5-10 years. We can get a capable back to last 10 years longer than Peterson. Not trying to be a homer but dalvin would be wayyyyy better than Peterson. Even if he has gas left in the tank. Cook can be here with Jameis for a decade! Or longer! How can no one be onboard with that? Honestly I’m fine with cook, Kamara, foreman, mixon, Mack. But we just need someone to last and this year is the year to do it. GO BUCS
March 27th, 2017 at 10:29 am
“A glorified fullback”
Nuff said. Father time catches us all.
We have Rodgers, Barber, and Sims.
A middle round pick- like Marlon Mack or Kareem Hunt, will get us a lot more yards than a limping 32 year old.
Hes not wearing Purple for a reason, and no one knows him better thsn the Vikes.
Ditto for Charles.
Rb, like Rock and Roll, is a young mans game
March 27th, 2017 at 10:30 am
That’s a heck of a gamble DB55, even at 4 million. It’s not who he was, it’s who he is right now.
He wouldn’t even be available right now if he was the one with the 1,000+ yards. If Minnesota didn’t want him, then I’d have to err on the side of caution.
March 27th, 2017 at 10:32 am
This is exactly why I don’t believe the bucs will draft a running back in the first 3 rounds because I also believe that after the draft is done Adrian Peterson will be wearing a bucs jersey and be taking handoffs from Jameis Winston.
March 27th, 2017 at 10:33 am
Wasn’t there a report out a week or so ago that he was looking for $8+ million in the 1st year of his contract? Cause that will also play a role in why he isn’t signed.
March 27th, 2017 at 10:34 am
I agree 100% captjimbo!!! But chances are really low……probably impossible!!!!! I would go for Christian McCaffrey….if he is not there give a second chance to Martin with a new contract obviusuly…..
March 27th, 2017 at 10:38 am
Peterson also said that report was bogus.
March 27th, 2017 at 10:38 am
I know I said this last year and maybe the year before but it sure would be nice to see the Joec do a mock draft just concerning the Bucs
March 27th, 2017 at 10:41 am
Why bother? We can draft a young RB and keep him for years ,Someone will grab AP in training camp after somebody get hurt
March 27th, 2017 at 10:43 am
Buc
He wouldn’t even be available right now if he was the one with the 1,000+ yards.
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Wasn’t he making like 18mil/yr? Could be 1 reason he’s available. I also know he wasn’t happy with the oline in minn. plus they lost their LT in FA. I’m sure it more than his age.
If I were him I’d go to Dallas as a back-up. Fck pride! Get a ring!
March 27th, 2017 at 10:55 am
1.9 ypc last year in the few games he played and pretty terrible ypc over last 8 or so games played in general.
March 27th, 2017 at 11:00 am
Hate to say this, but he may be done, or Pete Carroll would have grabbed him for the Seahawks.
I tend to agree with DB55 here, got to Dallas or another contender, and get a ring.
March 27th, 2017 at 11:02 am
I’d have to think that the Vikings wouldn’t mind paying him $18 mil if he produced last year but that is a great point.
He’s from Texas so yeah, Dallas would be a great fit for him. He would not be expected to carry the load as he would here.
March 27th, 2017 at 11:08 am
Rodgers, Sims, Barber, and oh yeah, Martin. I don’t think the Bucs are done with Martin. Why? Martin screwed his team but I don’t think he’s an eternally bad guy…he has a conscience, and I think he wants a mea culpa year for rendemption for himself…which will be good for the Bucs and they may re-structure his deal. I think Rodgers and Barber for all-down pass pass plays, Sims can carry the load for few games. I seriously doubt the Bucs will go first three rounds for a RB. So AP? Doubt it, but I’d understand it if they did. They have to come out of the gate fast this year.
While I’m at it. Bold prediction: Game 1 of regular season, Bears at Bucs. Glennon vs. Winston. And we’ll be reminded why Schiano and Dom got fired.
March 27th, 2017 at 11:14 am
With Jameis, the foundation for the next decade is clear for the first time Doug Williams. This version of the Bucs isn’t a team filled with an aging QB and wily veterans who are playoff tested nearing the end of their careers trying to win one last championship. Wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Belicheat sign Peterson though, think about that for a moment, that would be scary.
Today’s Bucs are a team being carefully constructed around their leader by a smart GM and creative HC to become a true title contender for the next 10-15 years and the upcoming draft is way too deep in RB talent to go dumpster diving or venture out on a rummage sale hunt. Stay wise GM Licht. Listen carefully to HC Koetter’s input about what type of RB best fits his offensive vision and go get JW a young running mate in the first or second round that with luck and good health can be paired for the next decade.
March 27th, 2017 at 11:26 am
Last year koetter said he believe that sims had the talent to be an every down back… just sit on that for a minute and tell me if you really think their gonna use their first round pick on a running back. No! Koetter knows he can find better talent than sims in the later rounds. The back end of the secondary is what needs to be addressed first. We’re still missing one safety to have the 4 safeties we need. Tandy did awesome when he came in but conte was no good and he got resigned and I don’t see Wilcox as a player that can be a awesome starting safety for years to come. I believe the safeties projected to go in this first round are way more talented than the running backs going in the first round. Plus I do think they give Doug Martin one more prove it year.
March 27th, 2017 at 11:27 am
But they get Peterson as insurance after the draft
March 27th, 2017 at 11:28 am
@captjimbo:
Adrian Peterson isn’t about to go out and get beat up for “one year on the cheap”
March 27th, 2017 at 11:29 am
CalBucFan, you hit the nail right on the head. The Bucs are building a team that’ll last. We’ve signed a few ‘bridge players’ like Ayers, Baker & Jackson, plus retained a few older veterans like GMC, McDonald & Dotson but for the most part we’re a young team. We’ve got a decent stable of RBs in Rodgers, Sims & Barber … and potentially Martin … who’ve still got plenty of mileage left on those tires. Chances are close to 100% that Jason Licht will draft another RB since this draft is so deep in RBs. See no real advantage to adding Adrian Peterson to the fold at this point.
March 27th, 2017 at 11:48 am
Fullback and running back are two completely different positions. Not many running fullbacks out there, just bigger RUNNINGBACKS. Anybody who lines up behind or beside the QB in any formation is a running back in my book. The days of The I-formation are long gone and there really is no use for the term “fullback” anymore.
March 27th, 2017 at 12:09 pm
If he goes unsigned, he can always open a Daycare.
March 27th, 2017 at 12:13 pm
No go; AP has an allergy toward blocking, which the Bucs require for Famous Jamous.
March 27th, 2017 at 12:34 pm
many good football evaluators with bad RB situations who are not touching peterson. packers, patriots, ravens, seahawks and chiefs are just a few teams that would benefit greatly from 80% of the old peterson in 2017, and none of them are remotely close to considering the guy. tells me 80% of his old self might be a stretch.
March 27th, 2017 at 12:45 pm
Not happening. Move along, folks.
March 27th, 2017 at 2:43 pm
I just want ONE RB added… i won’t be happy with DM, JR, CS, & PB. A POWERRRRRRRRR BACK, BEEF, MUSCLE, a F’n TRUCK!!!!! Like Foreman
March 27th, 2017 at 6:23 pm
Fred, he is an injury prone, inconsistent, drug addicted RB coming off a horrendous year and will be suspendended for the first three games of the year. I think the Bucs are absolutely done with him unless he signs for the league minimum.
Chris, uh maybe you haven’t heard but Dallas already has a decent RB on their roster.
March 27th, 2017 at 7:55 pm
I WANT AP for a 1 year contract, incentive based. How can anyone argue with that, for the hall of fame RB? Let him groom the other RB (Cook if he falls) and that would be the perfect situation. If he plays half of the games for us, that would still work!
March 27th, 2017 at 9:34 pm
Thanks for the highlights and motivation Mr. Peterson, I think we pass.
Go Bucs!
March 28th, 2017 at 1:01 am
Fred E Bucs is right..I agree that’s exactly what’s going to happen..
March 28th, 2017 at 2:44 am
Tom Edrington
Exactly- in almost all hypothetical situations, the one factor that we all forget is the HUMAN factor.
Sure, you eventually might get Peterson to sign a cheap”show me “contract.
But how Happy is he gonna be about that? How much more wear and tear is he gonna endure- when hes been low dollared.
Answer- not much. Look for a quick trip to Injured reserve, and a long time there.
No matter what everyone else think, he’s gonna see himself as still a 15 million a year back. Its human nature to deny we’ve declined.
For 4 million- you get to watch him soak in the tub.