Bruce Arians Predicts Older Running Backs Will Thrive
July 16th, 2021
Bucco Bruce Arians
Think the Bucs have ruled out adding Adrian Peterson?
Think again.
Bucco Bruce Arians was talking to Silver Solutions about aging and football recently and explained that 40 is the new 30 at many NFL positions.
“Sports science has evolved unbelievable in the last 10 years,” Arians said, noting how amazing it was to watch Alex Smith’s comeback and that a blown Achilles has turned into a six-month injury versus something career-threatening.
Then Arians turned his attention to the position that arguably takes the most punishment on the field.
“I think 40 is now the old guys. even at running back,” Arians said. “You’re going to see guys going into their late 30s like Adrian Peterson, that are going to be playing into their late 30s and have and have three or four or five contracts.”
Hearing Arians talk about aging, Joe remembered how Tampa Bay has 17 players who will be 30 or older on opening day, including the oldest current NFL player on offense and defense.
It’s interesting to think of Arians’ take in the context of potentially signing Antonio Brown (33) to a multiyear contract after this season, as well as fellow free-agent-to-be Jason Pierre-Paul (32).
No, you can’t teach the fire and explosiveness in young legs. But if the Bucs have another great season with this old crew, then Joe suspects everyone at One Buc Palace will believe they’ve discovered the NFL version of the Fountain of Youth.
Of course, this doesn’t mean the Bucs are signing Peterson, who averaged 3.9 yards per carry last season with seven touchdowns. But Arians has called Peterson one of his favorite players, and he remains an eager free agent waiting for a phone call.
July 16th, 2021 at 5:45 pm
I can’t see the Bucs signing Adrian Peterson. Hell, it will be tough giving Ke’Shawn Vaughn 4 o 5 plays a game.
July 16th, 2021 at 6:08 pm
Arians is right, most any good running back will thrive here in Tampa, with Brady, all our weapons, and our smash mouth O Line.
July 16th, 2021 at 6:41 pm
Time to bring Vinny back as a backup
July 16th, 2021 at 7:09 pm
This sounds like something an old person would say. LOL 🙂
July 16th, 2021 at 7:20 pm
Vinny as a backup…… probably better than Gabbert.
July 16th, 2021 at 7:34 pm
Is it true that the Bucs may get suspended for not reporting that Brady had a torn MCL last season? I was unaware of that being a rule. What if Tom never disclosed it to the team? Anyways, hopefully if anything or Is just a fine and the Glazers can weather that I am sure.
July 16th, 2021 at 7:36 pm
Watching Brady on the shop talk about finding something that helped take the pain away in his arm was great. I agree with Arians and Brady is showing it. Learning new ways to take care of your body and what you put in it is huge. That game against the Raiders that show that pic of the QB for the raiders and Brady, both over 40, showed how much it works and how much it’s changed
July 16th, 2021 at 7:56 pm
Please don’t.
July 16th, 2021 at 8:21 pm
Andrew Luck had broken ribs and a lacerated kidney, and yet he never showed up on an Indy injury report. The NFL looked the other way back then, they’ll likely do the same now.
July 16th, 2021 at 8:23 pm
I’d love for a scenario for Frank Gore to come here, he’s the running back version of Brady
July 16th, 2021 at 9:09 pm
All that and the way the game is played in 2021
July 16th, 2021 at 9:12 pm
Rayjay1122 Says:
“Is it true that the Bucs may get suspended for not reporting that Brady had a torn MCL last season? I was unaware of that being a rule.”
.
.
I have no idea what the rule says, but I’m pretty sure the spirit of the rule is that the public have an accurate idea of what the gameday roster will look like. In that spirit, Brady’s injury took place in the off-season, and never had an effect on his week-to-week preparation. To me, this seems totally immaterial to the purpose of the rule, unless he aggravated it and limped off during a game.
July 16th, 2021 at 9:43 pm
Ummm, no. Running Back is still going to be the position where 99 out of 100 times, guys over 30-32 years old won’t have anything left in their legs. Adrian Peterson and Frank Gore are far and away the exception and not the rule.
July 16th, 2021 at 9:59 pm
Forget Vinny, we thrive on play action. Let’s bring DeBerg back. best in the business on play action.
July 16th, 2021 at 10:23 pm
Adrian Peterson would fit if we lost a RB during the season and needed somebody midway though.
Theres usually a few RBs who save their legs and wait for a contender in need. I dont see the Bucs making a move at RB before the season.
July 17th, 2021 at 6:50 am
My all time hero, John Rigging, gained 1200 yards and 20+ touchdowns at 35 years old (sadly, there was no fantasy football back then) He was done halfway thru the next season tho
July 17th, 2021 at 6:51 am
Stupid phone Riggins
July 17th, 2021 at 11:10 am
We’ve got enough running backs. There’s nothing wrong with the group we have. We don’t need to add any more, unless of course someone like Derrick Henry wants to become a Buc. Forget the aging wonders of the NFL (Peterson, Gore, etc.).
July 17th, 2021 at 11:30 am
Ya never know, someone could tear/break something in preseason
July 17th, 2021 at 7:49 pm
Love AP but… no. They have a couple backs that can’t do anything but run the ball, they are younger & faster. Plus AP has a ton of mileage
July 17th, 2021 at 9:26 pm
God no. Not Peterson. You can be too old and he is.