Adrian Peterson is not Overrated, statistical comparison CTaylor - AP

[BillNye]

Alot of people agree that Adrian Peterson is a damn good RB but I still am reading some excuses that are being made for why he is overrated. I know that the people who watched the games know how good he is, but for those who base their opinions off of ESPN, and Sportscenter...

The Vikings have a worse pass offense than last year. Currently 32nd in passing, 1st in rushing. I think its safe to assume that every team in the NFL knows that we are going to run the ball. Teams have stacked the box all year, but our Rushing offense has only improved? A lot of people who don't watch Vikings games keep spouting off about how they have some "godlike offensive line." I watch every game, I know that Hutchinson is a great Guard, but besides him this team is Average. McKinney is an average LT, Birk is a pass blocking specialist and makes the probowl purely on reputation (a pretty good center, dont get me wrong). Heres the big thing...Right Guard is Anothy Herrera who has started 2 games this year, and Artis Hicks who was the starter last year and through the first 6 games this year. Ryan Cook is a 2nd year player who played in his rookie season and is far below average like Herrera / Hicks. (I do like Herrera > Hicks fwiw).

Running back is a position that is commonly overrated because of great Oline play. Adrian Peterson gets it done w/ an average Oline (by no means top 10). He gets it done w/ no threat of a passing attack as well. He is simply the best pure runner in the league.

Heres my proof as to why the offensive line is simply average:

Last year:
Chester Taylor (average RB) with the same Oline for 90% of the games.

Games: 15/15 starts
Attempts: 303
Yards: 1,216
Average: 4.0
TDs: 6 rushing (Lengths: 4, 95, 1, 1, 1, 1 )
REC TDS: 0

Adrian Peterson:
through 8 games has:

Games 8/5 starts?, (not sure...moderately irrelevant)
Attempts: 158
Yards: 1036 yards.
Average: 6.6
Long: 73
TDS: 8 (Lengths: 11, 67, 73, 35, 20, 1, 64, 46)
REC TDS: 1 (Lengths: 60)

He is AVERAGING 1 play over 50yds / game, has 9! Last year Taylor had 1 over 50 all season.

See the difference? I for one never would of imagined the difference an elite RB can make, as I was on the "RBs are the most easily replaced / overrated position in the NFL" club. Yes, the Oline has had some good games, but watch the Eagles game and other games. There weren't any holes at all!

Its my hope that the Vikings will use their star to retrieve Cowher out of retirement and actually win some games next year.

Also... Leading the league in rushing as a rookie, owning the single game rushing record, and the 4th best all purpose yards in a game is a pretty decent sign that you are good.

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