Peterson Cancels Cook
April 1st, 2017
It’s Gil Arcia’s Saturday column! His eighth since joining the team.
By GIL ARCIA
Signs.
They’re everywhere.
From Instagram posts to Dirk Koetter’s giddiness to players Tweeting, dots between the Bucs and unsigned veteran running back Adrian Peterson are mounting but aren’t not connected. What’s that line again? Where there’s smoke, there’s …?
Look, I am uncertain where Peterson is at this point in his career. People are drooling over his training videos but there is one apparent thing that these videos do not show. That is him getting hit.
Will his knees hold up? How long into the season will he last? There are so many valid questions to ask it makes me wonder if he really is worth the gamble.
Sure, they can sign him to a two-year deal. Make each year have a “prove it” type clause in it. He stays healthy, he gets paid. That’s easily discussed. But I have this notion he wants more guarantees.
That’ll be hard to commit to, from a team stand point.
What This Kind Of Signing Could Mean
Let’s say Peterson becomes a Buccaneer. The fan base will go nuts. It’s a thought that must leave ownership pondering the idea of Jameis Winston, Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, and Adrian Peterson on the same offense, and what it could mean from a financial standpoint.
And this is all before they even hit the field.
On paper, it would do wonders. It’ll be the talk of the town and nation. All the jerseys sold, all the air time they would get, and, oh yeah, HBO’s Hard Knocks will be begging to show up at One Buc and set up their cameras.
The Glazers have to be looking at this from all angles. Peterson would instantly place the team in talks for a deep playoff run.
That’s music to the ears of the Glazers.
Kiss The Cook Goodbye
If Peterson is signed, you can forget about the Buccaneers drafting Dalvin Cook. Heck, forget about them drafting a running back in the first round period. Why? I just don’t see the team spending a first round pick on a running back who will be watching a future Hall of Fame running back for perhaps two years.
Do you really think the team would sign Peterson to only give him 10 to 15 carries a game and to share the load with a rookie along with Jacquizz Rodgers?
I’d see the team spending a late-round pick on a back in the Peterson scenario. Maybe Joe Mixon, if they feel comfortable with their vetting process? That pains me to even think that. But hey, if they trust their process…
Despite the team’s presence at the Florida State pro day, it’s hard to imagine Cook being an option with the signing of Peterson. There aren’t many carries to distribute.
Sure, Koetter can get creative and use Cook heavily in the passing game. But it still doesn’t erase the fact that Peterson would likely want the bulk of the action — and might deserve it. So drafting the Florida State standout will be less of a reality.
What feels like a reality is the potential signing of Peterson, and I’m starting to buy into it more and more.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:05 am
You’ve done it now Gil…
April 1st, 2017 at 10:08 am
Whatever happens the rest of the offseason, the Bucs are going to be fn STACKED by the start of the season.
We’re SB bound. I trust our guys…
U guys did notice how specific Jameis was in his endorsement of Peterson the other night when he was interviewed and asked about Peterson at Javorski Lane’s foundation dinner the other night, right?
He was giving Koetter a scouting report. And he said, ‘He’s out here training like a rookie who’s trying to make the team. He looks great and I would love to play with him from this day forward.’
April 1st, 2017 at 10:08 am
I feel like u guys are reading too much into one or 2 pictures of JW3 working with his QB guru and his personal trainer (Tim Grover) who also happens to be Petersons personal trainer. And AP doesn’t change anything about our draft strategy because he won’t be signed until AFTER the draft. Licht will work his draft magic then see if AP can fit into what we need. And I honestly think we will be trading back from 19 unless someone who shouldn’t be there falls to us
April 1st, 2017 at 10:11 am
one thing is certain, we will eventually find out, sooner or later.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:11 am
Though I agree that if we sign AD we don’t draft a RB in the first round… i think it would beseech us to grab his eventual replacement somewhere between the late second to fourth round since the draft is so deep at the position AND considering Peterson’s injury history.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:12 am
Typo above
Anyway, If Jameis really wants All Day on the Bucs after working with him, I trust him.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:15 am
It’s gonna happen. He will be a buc after the draft. Jameis knows Dalvin isn’t going to drop to them in the draft. All the photos and the hype are making the bucs the team to talk about. That gets exposure for the team and which would lead to way more money in the glazers pockets. It’s a win win for the bucs organization.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:17 am
“If Peterson is signed, you can forget about the Buccaneers drafting Dalvin Cook. Heck, forget about them drafting a running back in the first round period.”
That is the best argument I’ve seen for signing Peterson.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:19 am
I will say, If I am NFL GM Jason Licht, and the plan is to sign AP. I would have a deal in place that would not be signed or announced until after the draft!!! You want teams to think that you would draft a RB so maybe a team will jump in front by trading up only to push better players down to the 19th pick!!!!
Deception!!!!!!!
Of course, if you want one of the RB in the first, I would bring in AP to 1 Buc to make it look like the Bucs are not interested in drafting a RB!!!!
The Smoke Screen Season is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dominik sucks!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 1st, 2017 at 10:24 am
I don’t see this happening. Get a young RB with young legs in the draft. On a side note, do you think VHIII would sell his jersey number for 2 years? I don’t.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:31 am
WTF! This MF is a ruh-tard. No way in hell will they pass up on Cook even if they had AP. This would be the perfect setting for a rookie. Learn behind a future HOF, ease into the NFL, and don’t get overworked like they did Cadillac Williams. If Cook is as advertised he will show he’s ready even before AP’s contract expires. AP will become the goal line/3rd down back.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:33 am
Back in 2012 Peterson wanted to change his number to 23 but didn’t want to pay the hefty price to do it. I don’t think Chris conte would even care to give Peterson his number.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:34 am
Nothing further gets addressed until after the draft.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:36 am
I agree with you on this one Gil.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:38 am
Why do ppl keep reiterating nothing will happen till after the draft? Everyone already knows that.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:42 am
All this talk about Cook is a moot point. Unless the Buc’s trade up they have no chance at Cook as he will be selected in the 1st 15 picks.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:48 am
Mike Evans why do you think they will trade back? You do realize they have to find a partner that wants to trade up as well right? What basis do you have for this belief? Who is going to be available at 19 and what team will be desperate to move up to get said player? Not trying to be a jerk but unless you have a specific team that will need a specific player and be willing give up draft picks to get him that is basically a ludicrous comment.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:48 am
Light doubles down all the time and cook probably won’t be there anyway they’re probably drafting a tight end out of Miami
April 1st, 2017 at 10:51 am
Several people post things about trading up and down in the draft and they act like it is simple as wanting a player or extra picks and it will happen. Seems like most guys don’t even consider the fact that they would have to find a willing trade partner to make these moves.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:52 am
Where did you find this guy? It’s just filler in a very slow ride to the draft and it sucks! Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
April 1st, 2017 at 10:53 am
I would sign AP to a friendly deal, cut ties with Chris Sims, and draft McCaffrey. Martin would have to restructure his deal too.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:53 am
Nole & Buc you might want to check some of the newer mocks out there. The majority of them have Cook being available when the Bucs pick. Seems like his stock has fallen since the combine and it is looking more and more like the Bucs will have a shot at him when they pick. Several mocks have the Bucs passing Cook and see him falling into the 24-29 area.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:54 am
Our. Acid would last through playoffs to the Super Bowl
April 1st, 2017 at 10:55 am
Touchdown, My mock has Cook going 4 to Jacksonville. You heard it first
April 1st, 2017 at 10:57 am
TD
I have no idea who wants who. I’m not that plugged in. Just sayin that it would make the most sense to move back if Cook, OJ, Davis, or Williams isn’t there. This is a weak tackle class and it is very likely that the top rated Tackle is there at 19. Teams could be worried that another team will take said tackle ahead of them and may want to leapfrog them. Early 2nd round teams could be worried about the aints taking a QB who falls. May want to move up to jump N.O and also get the 5th year option on a potential franchise QB. Just my opinion tho
April 1st, 2017 at 10:59 am
We’re not getting Cook without trading up anyway.
And if we draft McCaffrey, it would probably be in his best interest to get snaps primarily on 3rd down and be our returner initially – instead of having the expectation placed on him that he will be “the man” as a rookie. (due to his 1st round selection status)
Assuming he’s physically capable – Let AP be THE MAN for a year or 2 on 1st and 2nd down while Cmac eases himself into the league – learning day in and day out from a 1st ballot HOFer.
That actually sounds like a pretty good plan to me…
April 1st, 2017 at 11:00 am
You could draft Christian and have him play the slot handle punts and And kickoffs and get 10-12 touches.
April 1st, 2017 at 11:03 am
Dont want cook. Kareem hunt/ any 2nd or 3rd rd rb can pair with peterson to keep his legs fresh. Also keeps kareem from hitting the rookie wall.
I like
April 1st, 2017 at 11:09 am
I will repeat it again for Pick. Check out some of the newer mocks. The majority have Cook being available at 19 and even falling into the mid to late 20s in some. It is looking more and more like Cook is going to be there if the Bucs want him.
Jack101 I will take that bet. I am guessing that the one who is going to go much earlier than projected is Mcaffery. I think he will be gone and Cook will be there if we want him on draft night.
Having said that, I would prefer to have AD here and draft his future replacement in the middle rounds.
April 1st, 2017 at 11:13 am
First Kaepernick, now mixon.
When are you gonna ask for Ray Rice? Kraken?
Its to bad Hitler, Jack the Ripper, and Charles Manson didnt play football
Coulda called them “Gil’s Gutter rats”
You coulda coached’em. Birds of a feather.
Or, even lower- are you just after the clicks.
April 1st, 2017 at 11:17 am
Dont want cook personally
April 1st, 2017 at 11:21 am
@Pick, I think that would be a heck of a move.
Although the more I think about it, the more I come to believe that we should go defense in round 1. Be it a top flight safety like Budda Baker/ Obi (Who I think we could trade back and get), or another upper echelon pass rusher like Hassan Reddick or Charles Harris to pair with Spawn.
Defense wins championships. More often than not, top level defenses trump top level offenses. And Jameis has shown me a ton of grit and moxie as a game manager. Both games against the Panthers, and the Cheifs/ Seahawks come to mind.
Not saying don’t supply him with weapons or a running game, Just make the D as good as it can be to give him more opportunities. As well as the ability to hold on to 4th quarter leads. If our defense held on to leads against the Raiders & Cowboys, then we would’ve been in the playoffs.
April 1st, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Peterson does not cancel McCaffrey. Go bucs
April 1st, 2017 at 12:46 pm
Blake, I’d rather draft S Marcus Maye from florida in the 3rd or something… Better instincts than Melifonwu and better size and overall skillset than Baker, IMO.
And I’m not a gator fan at all.
April 1st, 2017 at 12:52 pm
Sign Peterson and draft Cook. Put Cook in limited action his first year.
April 1st, 2017 at 12:52 pm
Or draft McCafferey
April 1st, 2017 at 1:14 pm
signing a proven vet to bridge the gap. Get a mid round (2-4) RB that has a great talent and give him time to grow into the league and system. Peterson can be your everything. Starter at the beginning of the season, Pass protector for Jameis, play action, goal line, and later in the season reduce his carries with the rookie back which will keep him fresh. IF we hit the playoffs then we have a very experienced and trusted back with a rookie to take the beating as well.
April 1st, 2017 at 1:18 pm
Also, my thinking is signing AP will let us trade back and get much more value in the 2-4 rounds. Or, just let the draft come to us. If we do not feel forced to go RB in the first, then we can select a very good RB later and groom him. I was not sold on this a couple of weeks ago but now I really like the idea.
April 1st, 2017 at 1:42 pm
If we don’t need a rb in the 1st round then why force it? Safety and TE are way more important and lass value further along in the draft. Draft a rb in the 1st is just stupid
April 1st, 2017 at 1:43 pm
Less
April 1st, 2017 at 1:49 pm
They are not drafting a RB in the first round anyway.
April 1st, 2017 at 1:53 pm
If u want a rb so bad take Alvin Karma in the 4th from Tennessee. Kid has low thread and can run and catch. He could be a sleeper. But nooo y’all want to reach in the 1st
April 1st, 2017 at 1:54 pm
Alvin Kamara* damn auto correct.
April 1st, 2017 at 1:58 pm
Rb by committee. That feauture back stuff is on its way out
April 1st, 2017 at 1:59 pm
Alvin kamara would be a steal with our 2nd round pick. He’ll never make it to the 4th round. Lol
April 1st, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Naw second round is pushing it maybe 3rd
April 1st, 2017 at 2:02 pm
The point is no need to reach
April 1st, 2017 at 2:02 pm
@TB all day
There have been mocks with Kamara going in the 1st. He’ll probably be an early-mid second rounder.
April 1st, 2017 at 2:03 pm
O ok my bad I stand corrected. But u get my drift
April 1st, 2017 at 2:04 pm
You’ll see in a month. The guy is borderline late 1st early 2nd round. Don’t believe Walter football, their mock drafts are some of the worst out there. Like throwing $hit at the wall and hoping something sticks
April 1st, 2017 at 2:08 pm
@ME GOAT appreciate that info
April 1st, 2017 at 2:09 pm
@ Blake you 2
April 1st, 2017 at 3:02 pm
You draft Cook anyway in case AD gets hurt. We went thru 3 RBs in 3 weeks last yr def need the depth.
AP – 2y 11mil 10 garunteed. We all know that’s really a 1 year contract.
D. Cook –
D. Martin
J. Green.
Simms gets sent to the WR group. Whoop there it is.
D Jackson
M Evans
V Jackson
A humphries
C Simms
Bam!!!
D.Smith- Pamp- Marpet-Sneezy-Dotson
Not the worst line in the world.
Brate
Cross
Sheehan
That could work.
April 1st, 2017 at 3:18 pm
Just wondering if you’ll let me use that crystal ball after the draft Pick. Funny how four of the 7 writers found on the Bucs app have us drafting Dalvin. Can you shed light on your source that assures us they are wrong. After Ira stated there is pressure inside the building to draft him (Fameis). And then there’s that poll Joe did that shows fans outside of JBF are in favor as well. Who you know on the inside???
April 1st, 2017 at 3:22 pm
H3ll I guess I could argue most of JBF does want us to draft Dalvin. All those good folks happen to be here to vote. So I stand corrected. Y’all just post everyday,but you don’t speak for the entire website clearly. Many are quiet but trust me they won’t be cone draft night. This b@!! gone blow up with activity I assure you. Tags y’all ain’t never seen before. “Just Wait On It”.
April 1st, 2017 at 3:37 pm
Sign AP find a Way to get OJ Howard at 1 and vet the heck outta Mixon with the 2 . We’d be lethal !
April 1st, 2017 at 3:57 pm
WAKE UP JOE !!!
Enough with the cook talk. The Patriots either win it or are in it year after year and they don’t waste first round picks on rib’s.
Bill learn’t his lesson with the Lance Maroney pick back in 2006 AND NEVER MADE THAT MISTAKE AGAIN !!!!
Learn from the GOAT.
April 1st, 2017 at 4:28 pm
Pats also have a future HOF QB and future HOF HC there guy. Kinda makes it a little easier. Until You have those I would suggest loading up on as much talent as possible. Ya see Once Fameis master’s the QB position like Brady has then needing an RB in the first won’t necesarry. Until then well..
April 1st, 2017 at 4:34 pm
Don’t care what round they were drafted in Joe Money had Roger Craig,Bradshaw had Harris,Elway had Davis, Young had Waters,Ben had The Bus,Farve had Levens,Rodgers d$$# what was his name #44 that year,Hostetler had Smith. Had Marino had someone he would’ve made the list but unfortunately he never did. Aikman had Smith,Rypien had Byner should I continue. A picture should be forming. Fameis will have someone dude. Like it or not and he ain’t coming from no later rounds. He coming from well y’all know the Tally zip code..
April 1st, 2017 at 4:36 pm
@ Nole u been pounding that stupid Calvin drum all off season ( I respect that BTW). But its still a stupid pick when its deep at rb like wtf are u missing.
April 1st, 2017 at 4:36 pm
Guess I should add Warner had Faulk right. I know.
April 1st, 2017 at 4:36 pm
Dalvin *
April 1st, 2017 at 4:37 pm
Can you prove any will be in the league after three year???
April 1st, 2017 at 4:42 pm
Martin gets moved draft day bank on it
April 1st, 2017 at 4:49 pm
Not for nothing but can we stop using the Patriots as the example team in any scenarios. They are the exception, not the rule.
April 1st, 2017 at 4:49 pm
Don’t be shocked if we move up and take a corner… if we can move Martin for an extra pick or Simms but I think koetter likes a Lil more than Martin because of his wr ability..and it’s still a hand full of FA out there still available and will be a lot cheaper .. either way this team is in a good position and finally being ran right
April 1st, 2017 at 4:54 pm
Not really Pop they’re players are not better than the players thru out the rest of the league. Belichess wins because he isn’t afraid to break convention in order to do.
April 1st, 2017 at 4:56 pm
Silly of me to leave out young Wilson having had Lynch to help ease the pressure of a young QB. How dare me.
April 1st, 2017 at 4:57 pm
For all his passing records Peyton ain’t get it done until Adai came of age.
April 1st, 2017 at 5:00 pm
Allday wtf are you missing bro.
April 1st, 2017 at 5:02 pm
D@$! God bless the dead how could I. Jimmy Mac just so happen to have Sweetness behind him.
April 1st, 2017 at 5:04 pm
Now here’s my challenge show me the list of QBs that won Superbowls without a great runner behind them.
April 1st, 2017 at 5:12 pm
Peculier thing is going into the off season I could’ve swore the slogan was “WeaponsForJameis” guess somewhere over time it became “weaponsfor93”..
April 1st, 2017 at 5:32 pm
If you sign AP you might want to draft a right tackle at 19.
April 1st, 2017 at 5:46 pm
@ nole bruh none of those running backs had a exceptional year the year they won a sb. Over 1000 is good not great. That’s what we need. Its more to it then having a great rb. Its a luxury we don’t need right now. Your stuck in the 90s bruh or your stuck on your love for FSU
April 1st, 2017 at 5:56 pm
@ nole brad johnson. Aaron Rodgers. Brady. Ben( Bettis had an OK year.) Trent dilfer. Just to name a few what u gotta say now
April 1st, 2017 at 6:01 pm
My bad on ravens Jamal Lewis was there
April 1st, 2017 at 6:20 pm
☺I was about to mention Jamaal. But I don’t think a thousand yards is required to win a superbowl bro. Erik Dickerson,Barry Sanders,Jamaal Charles were premier rushers that never won because they didn’t have the QB to get it done. My belief is they go hand and hand. Only reason I left out Kelly is because he Ann Thurman reached but didn’t win. Mainly because they came up against some really really good NFC teams.
April 1st, 2017 at 6:23 pm
Ladainain Tomlinson also. But he had Rivers and for whatever reason they never did. They were always staples in the playoffs tho. My opinion is whatever the era no one’s titles without some sort of quality behind a quality QB.
April 1st, 2017 at 6:24 pm
You gotta take Ben out that list Allday.
April 1st, 2017 at 6:26 pm
“Now here’s my challenge show me the list of QBs that won Superbowls without a great runner behind them.”
How are we defining great runner? Hall of Famer? Maybe a Top 10 rusher that season? Name recognition? Just want to be clear any confusion before I dive into that task.
For example, I would not count Joseph Addai as a “great RB”
April 1st, 2017 at 6:38 pm
The Saints won with Reggie Bush as the main RB. Nearly every poster on JBF seems to think he was a bust. We won with Michael Pittman. Rodgers won with James Starks, Favre’s packers won with William Henderson. The Patriots have won multiple titles with pedestrians at RB. Eli won with Ahman Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs who were not a super stars.
So it’s not exactly rare in the recent history of the superbowl to win one without a dominant featured back.
April 1st, 2017 at 6:42 pm
Oh and the Broncos won 2 years ago with undrafted CJ Anderson.
April 1st, 2017 at 7:03 pm
Well, I went back to SB 25 (1990 season) and here is every team that won that did not have a great RB that year. If that teams leading rusher had 1,000+ yards and/or was voted Pro Bowl or All Pro I considered them great that year.
SB 25 (1990): Ottis Anderson – 784 yards, 3.5 YPC
SB 31 (1996): Edgar Bennet – 899 yards, 4 YPC
SB 37 (2002): Michael Pittman – 718 yards, 3.5 YPC
SB 38 (2003): Antowain Smith – 642 yards, 3.5 YPC
SB 43 (2008): Willie Parker – 791 yards, 3.8 YPC
SB 44 (2009): Pierre Thomas – 793 yards, 5.4 YPC
SB 45 (2010): Brandon Jackson – 703 yards, 3.7 YPC
SB 46 (2011): Ahmad Bradshaw – 659 yards, 3.9 YPC
SB 49 (2014): Jonas Gray – 412 yards, 4.6 YPC
SB 50 (2015): Ronnie Hillman – 863 yards, 4.2 YPC
So 10 of the last 27 SB winners did not have 1 great RB that season.
April 1st, 2017 at 7:16 pm
And if you want to shrink that list to be more recent. 6 of the last 10 SB winners did not have 1 great RB that season.
April 1st, 2017 at 10:49 pm
Signing him would allow us to focus on a guy like TJ Watt in the 1st. Spawn and Watt together is terrifying especially when you put GMC and Baker in between them. That’s a whole new kind of S&W!
We can still get a good back in the 3rd-5th round of this draft. We would have the luxury of bringing him along slowly and more importantly getting a year or 2 being with AP all day everyday.
Last, I love Sims but he clearly hasn’t cut it. I would go into the season with AP, Rookie, Quizz, and Peyton as our 4 RBs. Which would be nasty and allow us to keep our guys fresher throughout the season.
April 2nd, 2017 at 9:47 am
Restructure Doug’s contract, sign AD for the low, ship off Simms and draft Mixon if he falls. If everyone stays healthy best backfield in the league for sure.
April 2nd, 2017 at 10:06 am
Some how you can still fond a way to make this a dalvin cook article
April 2nd, 2017 at 10:39 am
Do people understand that Peterson had a 1.9 average last season? That spans just 3 games, because he had yet another busted up knee. At 33 years old you think it is forgone conclusion he can last another 2 years? No team should sign him unless their starting RB gets injured in training camp or something. His effectiveness is gone. He isn’t as explosive, he doesn’t have power any more. His knees are brittle and he can’t catch or pass block. If this were 6 years ago. I would have been drooling for the chance to have AP. But it’s a hard no on a 33 yr old version of the future hall of famer.
April 5th, 2017 at 3:46 pm
Nice article, Gil! Love your podcast visits with Justin as well! Keep it up bro! Go Bucs!!!