Saints Sound A Lot Like Jameis
June 2nd, 2017
Who could forget the over-the-top glowing about running back Adrian Peterson this spring from America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston?
It was stunning. Jameis truly sounded as if training with Peterson transformed his football life.
And Jameis said he “absolutely” wanted to play with Peterson.
Of course, the Bucs didn’t sign Peterson in free agency for a few million bucks to play this season. That honor went to the Saints and their powerhouse offense.
Many Bucs fans applauded; many Bucs fans groaned.
But what’s interesting now is how Saints players are floored by how great 32-year-old Peterson is performing in spring practices, aka OTAs. This Times-Picayune story is stunning in its array of quotes from Saints players and the description of Peterson’s feats of strength.
Also quite telling are the comments from the author, long-time beat writer Jeff Duncan.
This is my 20th year covering the NFL. I’ve long since grown accustomed to offseason hype. It arrives every June, just like the heat and humidity. But I’ve never heard players talk about a peer the way the Saints spoke about Peterson on Thursday.
This went beyond your typical, run-of-the-mill, pie-in-the-sky optimism. Players, many of which rank among the best in the NFL, spoke in reverential tones about his athleticism and were awestruck by his work ethic and drive.
Joe will just say this. The May/June hype for Peterson is as utterly worthless as the praise being heaped on Doug Martin by Bucs staff and players.
June 2nd, 2017 at 2:26 pm
I’d rather have AP for 3 mill than Doug “I have an Owwie” Martin for 6.5
June 2nd, 2017 at 2:36 pm
The way I’ve been seeing it, the Saints offense was never an issue. They are always the top of the league and it’s because of the passing game. They rush can only help them so much, if at all. I can’t see the offense getting that much better to be honest, but we will see.
I highly doubt their defense improves which will be their backbreaker.
June 2nd, 2017 at 2:52 pm
I don’t doubt that he’s in great shape and has a work ethic 2nd to none – I just don’t see how he’ll all of a sudden have that “burst” and if he does have some burst – how long does it last. Lots of hits on those tires…saying that, I hope he’s great – not just against the Bucs.
June 2nd, 2017 at 3:17 pm
Hes a gamble, and not a bad one. The true issue is how many games will/can he play? If its 16, look out.
June 2nd, 2017 at 3:30 pm
If he helps them win one game against us, or God help us, two, the goals for this season are on very thin ice…. the only kind of ice in Florida.
June 2nd, 2017 at 3:37 pm
I question the Bucs decision to not sign AP considering the Saints got him for only $3M. We shall see if it was good decision or not.
June 2nd, 2017 at 3:54 pm
Exactly Eric. Their defense will once again keep them out of the playoffs. Good ole payton just cant spend his money n draft picks on defense. Once again trading to go up n get another running back. Gona spell doom. Go bucs
June 2nd, 2017 at 4:03 pm
Joe clearly has some personal beef with Doug, and has for quite some time.
Absolutely not. Not in the slightest. Joe simply isn’t ignoring Martin’s awful season last year, or him being injured significantly in three of the past four seasons. And Joe’s not pretending underwear football is telling for running backs.–Joe
June 2nd, 2017 at 4:18 pm
Saints are definitely one of the most fascinating teams in the NFL … thanks to Drew Brees IMO. They’ve had a 7-9 record each of the last 3 yrs, but they always have a top-ranked offense counter-balanced by a bottom-ranked defense. Looking back at 2014-2016, Saints ran about 1,100 plays every season (that alone amazes me), and of those they averaged 63% passing & 37% running plays. They gain lots of yards & put up lots of points, but their defense let them down time and time again. Interestingly their TOP was excellent … gut feel is that Saints want to run the ball more & eat up even more clock. Signing Adrian Peterson may just give them that capability.
June 2nd, 2017 at 4:59 pm
Wesley, don’t mistake me for Joe.
I have an issue with that lazy SOB, has a hammy pulled and missed 65% of the season. Then to make matters worse, he’s doing (some) drug(s).
Yea I can see why everyone loves and is loyal to this guy. ::eye roll::
June 2nd, 2017 at 5:03 pm
saints better enjoy their last season with peyton and their last few seasons with brees and ad before they’re the armpit of the league again.
Joe’s logical and doug only has a 10% chance of making the team so I guess this is all for nothing… 🙁
June 2nd, 2017 at 5:03 pm
Who gives a sh!te. He’s not with us. If AP ,makes it thru 8 games, it will be a miracle. Maybe he will have one more big season and the Bucs will say “Ooops!”… but I think, on the whole, staying on the path they’re on, and avoiding RBs who appear past their prime is a good idea. Not concerned in the least.
June 2nd, 2017 at 5:04 pm
Light is a moron, should have got AP, would have showed up for practice, unlike #1 er #11, he’s forgetting about team chemistry
June 2nd, 2017 at 5:06 pm
Seem to forget that Peterson had 2 really bad seasons out if the past 4. Kinda like Martin. Of course the buccaneers ol was no where as good as the vikings IMO. Good way to poke that dead horse Joe
June 2nd, 2017 at 5:08 pm
Yeah it’s all worthless to me until the pads are on. EVen then I’d like to see him in preseason against another team. That’s when I could visibly see in 2015 that Martin was back in form
June 2nd, 2017 at 5:49 pm
What is with the Doug Martin love here. He had TWO….TWO good seasons out of five!!!! The good seasons were just that….good not great. He’s not a gamebreaker….he frequently gets hauled down from behind…and oh hey…he’s freaking unavailable for 60% of the time.
I do not dislike Doug Martin personally. I do not know him but he seems like a very nice fellow and his teammates seem to like him. It’s not about hating on Martin…it’s about a score of 40%….produce only 40% of the time and that’s just not enough to excite me.
But I concede that some here love Doug for whatever reason…I do not impugn bizarre motives to their like of Doug….I do not understand why there is so much anger with Joe for simply reporting the TRUTH about Doug Martin.
June 2nd, 2017 at 6:08 pm
Hey Joe, off topic, what number is D Walker wearing at practice? Oh, and I think we’ll be just fine at RB this year. But I wouldn’t be surprised if All Day puts together a nice season. If he starts out hot, that could be a helluva play action combo.
Walker wears 87.–Joe
June 2nd, 2017 at 6:16 pm
Is it just me and Mike or is anybody else. Getting tired of hearing DJax being too good for practice? I thought this team was fixing to make a run. Takes Championship players to make a run and I thought that’s why we got Jackson. Not sure he is the player I thought he was when they signed him.
He could be added to the long list of flashy athletes that take a big payday to get to a beach town while giving minimal effort
Don’t think that the elite franchise pay big money for their players to give the finger to practice. My desean balloon was over inflated two weeks ago. Now its barely floating and sinking.
June 2nd, 2017 at 6:27 pm
SPBF – I’m right there with you on the 40% availability of DM and having doubts because of that history. But the TRUTH is that (when healthy) Martin is the most talented runner on our team and in fact one of the better RBs in the league (when healthy – there’s that disclaimer again).
I was all for signing AP if the price was right (it was) and letting him and Doug and whoever else is on the roster fight for playing time. The Mo’ the better IMO when it comes to a position that was a ??? heading into the off season. Competition is a good thing. Oh well.
Bottom line though I believe is that Martin has a pretty strong chance of being on this team in 2017 if he does everything asked of him, doesn’t “relapse” and looks good in TC and pre-season.
June 2nd, 2017 at 6:45 pm
T Y Joe.
June 2nd, 2017 at 7:22 pm
Re: DJax attendance
They knew what they were getting with him. My guess is they felt they already had established the work ethic and culture in the locker room that the vast majority of guys would show up for OTAs. In the end, it’s all about how you perform when it counts. DJax doesn’t necessarily need the extra reps. I think it would be better if he were there and as committed as Mike Evans, but that’s what you buy when you go for some veteran FAs. It’s why free agency is something to dip your toe into rather than build a team with. The drafted players are the ones whose work ethic and commitment will form the winning culture for years to come. DJax is a hired gun, a contractor.
June 2nd, 2017 at 7:58 pm
Maybe I’m blowing OTAs out of porportion. I really don’t know how big of a deal it is but its unsettling as a fan. Things like these make it tough to support a player under some circumstances. Guys that miss underwear football leave the door open for fans to root for them on a “no excuses” basis.
One things for certain. You need a lot of players to be 100% committed to win a title. No show for practice will get fans to question the guys motive. And there’s no way he’s too good for practice, I’ve seen the guy turn invisible for quite a few games with philly and washington
June 2nd, 2017 at 8:21 pm
TIME WILL TELL IF THE BUC’S SHOULD OF SIGHED HIM OR NOT …….
June 2nd, 2017 at 9:03 pm
Crazy Talk that AP would make us better this yr. Stupid as well. We don’t need a guy on his last leg proving that he is great to Himself to make US a better team. We need Young Hungry guys battling it out. You guys hung up on has beens are missing a bunch.
June 2nd, 2017 at 9:24 pm
Peterson might have something to say about that “has been” label SB. We shall see if it was a mistake or not to have not signed AP. I think he’s gonna have a good year if he can stay healthy.
June 2nd, 2017 at 10:28 pm
MIKE Says:
June 2nd, 2017 at 8:21 pm
TIME WILL TELL IF ALL CAPS IS NECESSARY…..
TIME WILL TELL IF THERE’S AN APOSTROPHE IN BUCS….. (hint: there’s not)
TIME WILL TELL IF IT’S “SHOULD HAVE” OR “SHOULD OF”…… (hint: it’s “should have”)
TIME WILL TELL IF THEY SHOULD’VE SIGNED HIM OR “SIGHED” HIM……
I don’t need any time to tell that I don’t want to sacrifice a roster spot for one overpaid over-the-hill RB who might have one more good season left.
June 2nd, 2017 at 11:43 pm
GREAT POST bucs_365!
June 3rd, 2017 at 12:01 am
Joe gets dig into Martin everyday. Starting to get old….Very very old.
June 3rd, 2017 at 5:53 am
Didn’t JW fly DJax and Mike Evans out to work on timing at some thing in Houston or something like that? If that is the case, I am not as upset with him sitting OTAs out, although I am sure that the extra reps with his QB would not hurt.
June 3rd, 2017 at 2:16 pm
The Saints added Adrian Peterson and Alvin Kamara to their backfield. I believe they will be the surprise of the NFC this season.
June 5th, 2017 at 8:36 am
This is pretty late and I know nobody is going to read it but in response to doug, he had 2 GREAT years, not good, but GREAT when he was on. Do not belittle those seasons they were elite. PERIOD.
That is why he is given another chance and will ultimately be on the roster week 4. Nobody is giving joe crap for speaking the truth, they are giving him crap for guessing that he won’t make the team and has a little chance of doing so. THAT IS NOT A FACT. I’m okay with facts, but I’m not cool with irrational logic.