Adrian Peterson Can Bring “Juice”
January 27th, 2017
Offense needs “juice.”
Last week, future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson sent Bucs fans’ hearts fluttering when he cited the Bucs as one of three teams he’d consider playing for if the Vikings make him a cap causality in March.
Joe, being the suspicious, cynical scribe that he is, immediately thought Peterson’s comments were agent-driven rehearsed words. But hey, Joe could be wrong.
Well, if Peterson really is cut, long-time Bucs beat guy Woody Cummings believes Peterson, who will be 32 in March, is just the “juice” the Bucs offense needs to get the team into the playoffs.
Cummings discussed this subject with dangerous Dan Lucas on “Super Sports Sunday” just before the stroke of midnight.
Dan Lucas: Adrian Peterson can probably get them over the hump. Let’s assume that. What about the injury history? If that blows up in their face, then it could go backwards.
Woody Cummings: You are absolutely right. That’s something they have to be careful of. You know, he’s had two injuries now in the last three years; he could be breaking down a little bit. But the other thing is, you know he is a guy, look, short-term you have an issue at running back as it is. You don’t know what the future for Doug Martin is. You don’t really know what you are going to get out of Charles Sims. He has had a lot of injuries as well. So this is a position you can’t really think long-term. This will allow the Buccaneers to kind of take their time, figuring that out for the long term, but getting a guy for the short-term who they know that can get them some juice in the offense and they need that juice in the offense.
It’s one helluva gamble, an expensive gamble, if the Bucs do go buy Peterson. The data on running backs — no matter who they are — is damning for 30-year-old running backs. Father Time is undefeated.
So the Bucs are going to take a chance on injury-prone Peterson at 32? If Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht does this, surely he will also draft a running back and Peterson would be his “bridge” back.
Just look at last year, Licht signed cornerback Brent Grimes and drafted Vernon Hargreaves. Same with Mr. Beasting Robert Ayers. Licht signed Ayers and then drafted Noah Spence, hoping Ayers would buy Spence time to develop.
Joe isn’t sold on Peterson being the guy who could push the Bucs over the top. This is 2017, not 2007. One thing is clear, though: Bucs fans would be totally juiced by such a signing.
January 27th, 2017 at 10:09 am
Explain how Grimes is a Bridge player for VHIII? VHIII is a starter. Grimes is a Bridge for maybe Ryan Smith who they moved back to CB and probably want to see get on the field for some snaps next year at the Luther outside CB. Especially if we don’t draft another one in the 1st three rounds.
January 27th, 2017 at 10:11 am
I’m probably in the minority on this, but I’d rather see what happens in the draft as well as waiting to see how Doug Martin makes out with his rehab. I guess it should come down to Licht assessing the value of a future HOF RB that has a lot of wear and how much guaranteed money he’s looking to get? Also, RB doesn’t seem like a Bucs area of dire need quite like some other positions.
January 27th, 2017 at 10:13 am
Sign AP then draft Joe Mixon(3rd-4th round), Kareem Hunt(3rd-4th round) Marlon Mack(3rd-4th round) they should take the approach the Raiders took spend big on defense add pieces to the offense that can develop and be the future with franchise QB Jameis just like the Raiders did with Carr.
QB-Jameis
RB-AP, Rodgers, Rookie
WR-Evans
WR-Ross
WR-Hump
TE-Brate
TE 2-Butt or other rookie
T-Smith
G-Sweezy
C-Marpet
G-Pamphile
T-FA signing Dotson(swing tackle)
Offense could work to go along with Mike Smith defense
January 27th, 2017 at 10:19 am
@R.O.
My thought process is turning in that same direction. I was going that way about DE (same situation where not much is there after Ayers is gone) but Ayers has 2 years left and Grimes has 1. Starting to make more sense to me to go CB early and by early I mean round 1.
January 27th, 2017 at 10:22 am
I’m not one who is so hacked for Doug’s betrayal of his teammates with Molly that I want him gone. But I do understand and respect the opinion of those who feel that way.
I just think he’s the most overrated back I can recall. In five years only twice has he averaged over 4 yards per carry and 1000 yards! The other three he was in the 400’s…that’s not even mediocre…that suckks.
Doug brings zero “juice” he continually gets hauled down from behind even when the DB’s spot in a ten yard head start. I don’t care what his 40 times might say…..just under 4.6…slow for an RB…my eyes see a SLOW RB.
As for AP I see both sides of that coin. Yes backs wear out after 30 but there is more than one story of a back that the league gave up on who still had some tread on the wheels…Frank Gore comes to mind and he’s a bruising runner not a dancer…making it more amazing to me.
If we didn’t think we had MAJOR needs elsewhere…obviously WR..we could probably engineer a deal that would give us both Foreman from Texas…and my dream would be Dalvin…Alstott and Dunn again…but I realize that’s a heavy lift…Christian McCaffrey however and Foreman might be had…to me McCaffrey is a poor man’s Dalvin…not quite the same burst but still a lot of burst and speed and he’s a flexible versatile athlete.
I know…I know…we can’t think of two RB’s without first making sure we address the WR position but I think we can do it all.
January 27th, 2017 at 10:25 am
AP, d,foreman and quiz don’t sound too bad….at this point we all know what we have in sims…
foreman will be able to learn from his idol AP, AP has to “REAL” chance at winning a ring “NOW” and quiz can be the change of pace back that can do everything….injury happens, call up barber….
im more worried about the oline and lack of depth at wr….we have to sign and draft a lineman and wr to protect jameis and open up holes for the rb….GO BUCS!!!!
January 27th, 2017 at 10:25 am
No, No, No, No, No, No, No and again I say NO!
January 27th, 2017 at 10:35 am
“Father Time is undefeated”
Doubt Adrian Peterson could question that statement. Ouch
January 27th, 2017 at 10:36 am
Yeah I definitely wouldn’t be juiced. Imo the uncertainties with Sims and Martin they talk about are all the more reason not to roll the dice on yet another guy. What if you roll all 1s? Look you can only carry maybe 4 backs… the last thing I’d want to see is 3 of those in Martin, Sims, AP and have all 3 have issues and we only have 1 guy to rely on. Jac Rodgers has to be in the mix, he’s probably the only solid reliable guy we have. Also I think Sims deserves a chance still, I think keeping a developmental guy like Barber or Hansborough is a good idea. I like the idea of drafting a mid round guy. It really doesn’t leave room for gambling on Martin or AP (who imo is pretty much done at his age and two major knee injuries).
January 27th, 2017 at 10:37 am
@stpete….this rb class is deep with talent in the draft….I would love to have foreman and a shifty back like wayne gallman or d.pumphrey in the later rounds but the only way to do that is to trade down and collect more picks….I like the idea tho….something similar to what we have to deal with twice a year in atl….GO BUCS!!!!!
January 27th, 2017 at 10:40 am
Stop it, stop it right now with this AP stuff………Stop It!!!!
January 27th, 2017 at 10:45 am
We wasted a 1st and a 3rd on Sims and Martin. Now we’re talking about signing a 32 year old Has-Been. Only the Bucs!
January 27th, 2017 at 10:46 am
One last look at Frank Gore to see how injuries have impacted his career…
He tore his ACL in college in spring practice and missed the following season in rehab. Yeah young dudes heal better than old dudes so perhaps some will want to ignore the severity of an ACL to an RB’ career.
He had the usual assortment of ankle injuries etc until 2010 when he had his second major injury…a fractured right hip. OUCH for a RB.
Gore has had almost 3,000 carries!!! 2,965 with over 500 of those in his last two years…OVER 30!
Peterson has had 2,418…16% fewer carries than Gore…one season shortened by injury the other by the suspension or he’d probably be right there with Gore.
No doubt it’s a gamble….but it’s not like betting on the Cleveland Browns to win next year’s SB…THAT’s losing bet.
January 27th, 2017 at 10:48 am
I second that Tom, stop this nonsense!!
January 27th, 2017 at 10:53 am
My last thoughts about AP. It also depends where his head might be. Is he REALLY just after a ring now and no worried about stats since he’s already an HOFer.
The Viking totally built their offense around him early in his career. He had four years of rushing more than 300X…twice reaching 350 carries.
I do not see the Bucs featuring AP in that fashion. AP didn’t get to play that much with Bridgewater who is arguable a franchise QB. #3 is ready to blossom…imagine the play action pass possibilities faking handoffs to AP.
If AP can accept he’d only be part of the puzzle and not the straw that stirs the drink…he MIGHT be worth a look.
One thing is for sure…I do not want to sign him or ANY player to sell tickets or simply create buzz. If he’s done in the Bucs estimate…let him sell tickets somewhere else.
January 27th, 2017 at 10:58 am
Dalvin Cook seems to be falling down draft boards a little definitely would be BPA the 2nd round could be Kupp or Ross if he slips Reynolds, KD Cannon in 3rd we know GM Jason not afraid to go get player he loves maybe he trades up in 2nd for Kupp
1st-Cook
2nd-Kupp or Ross
4th-Butt, Cannon, Reynold
#Weapons for Jameis
January 27th, 2017 at 11:30 am
Stop it, stop it right now with this Dalvin Cook stuff………Stop It!!!!
January 27th, 2017 at 11:33 am
if Bucs are living with the “dancing poodle” Sims as 3rd down back again, a bonafide bruiser needs to be lead back…Peterson for one year contract is fine..Cook is finesse back…like Foreman of Texas better as chain mover…
January 27th, 2017 at 11:37 am
Joe i fricking love Peter Schragger he just nailed it on John Lynch. HOF! GMFB
January 27th, 2017 at 11:49 am
So, just to clarify, some are willing to spend big $$$ on an injury-prone 30+ year-old AP with only slightly better stats over the same 5 year period as our currently suspended, injury-prone 27 year-old?!
Yep, that makes sense (sarcasm!). You don’t build a team on an old rickety foundation guys. In this scenario you either bring back Doug or get younger through the draft.
January 27th, 2017 at 11:51 am
Can Mr. Peterson please come in one Buc place and show his juice, cutting ability, and most importantly his speed after his latest injury before we speak of how great he will be on our team. Maybe just maybe he is not what he once was.
January 27th, 2017 at 12:00 pm
Isn’t he still under contract though???
January 27th, 2017 at 12:10 pm
AP already has an advantage over Doug…besides the fact he doesn’t get pulled down from behind EVERY time he gets into the secondary.
AP MAY lose games next year to injury. Doug WILL lose four games due to Molly.
I can grasp that some of you are dead set against AP…that’s a gamble..on an HOFer….but gamble on Doug…WHY? He’s no spring chicken himself. He’s entering the sixth year of a career where he’s only been effective for TWO SEASONS.
And there’s this…AP at 75% of his original ability blows away Doug at 100% of his abilities…which it’s doubtful Doug will ever see again.
Relying on Doug is like signing a player you know will get injured in pre season and miss the first four games…and then the last 12 are no more solid than AP’s prospects given Doug’s own injury history…when he was young!
AP MAY not be the answer…he’s a big gamble….DOUG MARTIN IS ABSOLUTELY NOT THE ANSWER.
January 27th, 2017 at 12:21 pm
@Stpete- There is ZERO debate as to who is the better back. I just fail to see any benefit in bringing in a guy like AP. If we were 1 player away, maybe. But it’s a gamble either way you slice it.
I keep Doug in the conversation more so because of his knowledge of the playbook. We’ve seen both of these backs and know what they can do. I don’t know that either one will last much longer. AP will be more expensive too.
I’m not staunchly opposed to AP. If we’re “building” though, I’d like to see more players that we can get more than a year from.
January 27th, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Yesssssssss
January 27th, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Cut Martin.
Get AP for 2yr deal.
Draft the future RB.
AP and a No. 2 receiver will help in the development of Jameis.
Get FA Campbell for the defense and I lke our chances against anyone in the NFL.
Go Bucs!!!
January 27th, 2017 at 1:16 pm
Remember people getting AP is not for more the 2 yrs. nor 15 mil guarantee contract. Under those conditions is a no brainer. We have the money!!!
January 27th, 2017 at 1:20 pm
D’onta Foreman, Alvin Kamara, or Marlon Mack instead.
January 27th, 2017 at 1:28 pm
Signing Peterson would be a huge mistake. I have no doubt that when he is healthy, he is the best. But that’s the problem.
January 27th, 2017 at 1:38 pm
Not alll fans would be so excited. I think it would be a total bust signing. There are running backs in this draft!
January 27th, 2017 at 2:52 pm
Im feeling that Cooper Kupp in the second. Can’t wait to see him play tomorrow.
January 27th, 2017 at 3:09 pm
@Nosbos
Should be fun to watch. Sucks that the QBs throwing to him and the others aren’t very good lol
January 27th, 2017 at 3:28 pm
Cut Martin, Sign AP 2 year deal
Round 1. Davis, Cook, Howard
Round 2. Kupp, Foreman, Ross
Round 3. Cannon, Rudolph, Butt, Mixon, Hunt, Mack, Reynold
January 27th, 2017 at 3:33 pm
I’m not dreaming about signing AP, but I wouldn’t mind if we did. I’m sure Licht would structure the contract in such a way that we wouldn’t be on the hook for too much if things went sour. AP has defied expectations throughout his entire career. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he had another 2 or three years in the tank. Athletic Freak.
January 27th, 2017 at 3:42 pm
AP move is similar to the mankins move. He’s a vet and will bring the right mindset to the team. Say what you want but Peterson plays HARD and the team can learn from that.
January 27th, 2017 at 3:47 pm
Why, he is done. He is hurt more than on the field at this point in his career
January 27th, 2017 at 4:30 pm
No freaking way. AP will be 32.5 years old come next season. He averaged only 2.0 yds per carry last year. His best days are behind him. Are you people insane? Unless he signs for peanuts, he is not worth the risk.
Draft a RB and combine him with Rodgers, Sims and maybe Martin (if he cleans up, agrees to restructure his contract and looks good in training camp).
January 27th, 2017 at 5:18 pm
Pass on the child abusing 32 year old RB.
January 27th, 2017 at 8:51 pm
Not liking this possibility at all. I still like Martin and Sims. Martin had the initial speed and toughness to bust nice runs even if he was eventually tackled before scoring. Both of these guys can still compete effectively. Here or elsewhere. AP should just retire.
January 27th, 2017 at 9:40 pm
RO, I see it as Grimes is the #1 CB for the bucs. He plays the left side, usually the #1 plays there. VH3 plays the right side and is the #2 CB. Grimes and VH3 have similar size and athletic ability. Grimes mentors VH3 in the meeting rooms and gives him help in practice. After Grimes leaves the bucs, VH3 will assume the #1 CB position. This is why Grimes is a bridge player. If the bucs do draft another rookie, it is likely he will fall behind VH3 on the depth chart. And if he is good enough he will take over the #2 CB position after VH3 takes the #1 spot from Grimes. But really starting position is kind of irrelevant to being considered a “bridge” player. It is more about his mentoring of the young guy(s). Passing on the knowledge and experiences that he has had. Hopefully expediting the learning curve the rookie goes through and brings him up to elite status sooner than learning it all on the fly by himself.
The other side of the “bridge” doesn’t have to be a non contributor or back up. Sometimes it is a bridge from being good to being elite. There are many type of bridges, some connect two distant lands, others are merely an overpass.
January 27th, 2017 at 9:45 pm
I saw Peterson play this season. He looked like a worn down shadow of his former self. The Vikings will cut him because he is not what he once was. Not even close. If they thought he was even half the man he used to be, they would keep him and make another title run.
Peterson is not worth the money he would demand. If he did take a reasonable salary, then maybe. Something like 5 mil a yr. but anything higher than that, it would be best just to draft a rookie in the 3rd round. It would be a lower risk, higher reward type move, IMO.
January 28th, 2017 at 12:53 pm
Ugh. Much like my complete hatred of the idea of signing Desean Jackson, this makes me want to pour my hot coffee directly onto my eyeballs.
No.
Just no.
Signing over 30 players because they were once “really, really, really ridiculously good looking” on the field a few years ago is what LANGUISHING BAD TEAMS DO.
I would love the Bucs to sign AP from 3 or 4 years ago. But that dude is gone forever. No quick fixes. Build the team the right way. Period.
January 29th, 2017 at 8:45 am
Ap couldn’t even get out of his own way last year. He looked like he was running in mud.