“A Complete Unknown”

October 15th, 2017

Newest Cardinal, Adrian Peterson

So what kind of running back will Adrian Peterson be bearing down on the Buccaneers’ run defense today?

Well, a guy studying Peterson for the past six months says Peterson was such a beast through training camp that it’s a complete unknown what will happen when/if the Cardinals actually give him a chance in an offense that suits his game.

Longtime Saints beat writer Mike Triplett, now of BSPN, visited Arizona sports radio 98.7 FM after Tuesday’s trade of Peterson from New Orleans to Arizona. (The audio link is here.) Triplett explained that it would be hard to find anyone in New Orleans that thinks Peterson is washed up, based on the way he performed through the spring and summer, and based on how his Saints teammates felt about him.

Per Triplett, Peterson was simply trapped in an offense that didn’t suit him and was stuck behind a rookie running back, Alvin Kamara, who is on pace for 80 catches this season and is a perfect fit for Saints head coach Sean Payton.

For those who missed it, Payton likened Kamara to Marshall Faulk earlier this fall.

Again, Joe recommends the interview above. Triplett says how Peterson performs with a full workload will be “fascinating” since he was so explosive in training camp but didn’t get the touches in the regular season.

Arizona has been an interesting place for old running backs over the years. It was widely said that Emmitt Smith was washed up when he went there to end his career. In 2004, Smith, at 35 years old, managed to grind out 937 yards on the ground and nine touchdowns with Josh McCown starting 13 games at quarterback.

While Peterson likely will be broken down by Thanksgiving, the Bucs seem to be catching him at the wrong time, healthy and feeling like an angry dog let out of a cage.

14 Responses to ““A Complete Unknown””

  1. Capt.Tim Says:

    It would be weird for the Aints to give away a beast so cheap.

    Our Run defense has been stout, unlike last year.
    Think Joe’s friend Chris Bsker has been a huge factor there.

    Its Carson Palmer, Fitzgerald and the boys that make me nervous.

    RISE UP, Vernon Hargreaves! They have seen your tape- and are coming at you like a freight train.

    Pretty sure your opportunities are getting short

  2. teacherman777 Says:

    Make some trades!

    Raid the Giants, Browns, or Chargers!

    Get us a legit #2 CB and push VH3 into a nickle role.

    Get us a legit DE who can rush the passer.

    Go make 2 trades!!!

    Please!!!

  3. RayJameisStadium Says:

    “The Baker Effect” is helping the running game be solid. Meanwhile, Calais Campbell and the Jags hold the 31st rushing defense in the NFL.

    Boy, good ole Licht did it again!!!

    Give that guy an extension. Pronto!!!

    Go Bucs!!!

  4. Roy T. Buford Says:

    I agree with Capt. Tim.

    I also have a slightly different perspective regarding the statement that the Bucs are catching Peterson at the wrong time. First, Emmit Smith joined the Cards in March 2003 before training camp, and missed a huge chunk of the year due to injuries. His second year he gained the 937 yards as Dennis Green declared Smith the starting RB going into the season. That is very much different than a guy showing up on Tuesday to play Sunday, having but three practicies to be integrated into the offense. So it just seems to me AP needs to get situated over a few games. Yeah, I don’t expect Jeremy McNichols to come out of the Cards locker room today, but I don’t expect Emmit Smith either.

    And I also have to say AP went for $2M. Only. Not so sure he’s totally healthy either. I do agree there is some unknown there.

  5. BoJim Says:

    Peterson will probably have a breakout game today. 😉

  6. THETRUTH Says:

    BUCS will make Arizona look like superbowl contenders, the seem to bring every bad team out of slump.

    carson 3 step drops will kill us and fitzgerald slants with VH3 15 yards off him

  7. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    Hopefully Peterson will play like emitt smith when he went to the Cardinals. …..that’s right, emitt played like -ish and didn’t do nothing. ……kinda sad to watch, but hey, that’s the life of a RB past his prime

  8. Pete Mitchell Says:

    I’m starting to wonder if the Saints signed Peterson to keep him off of our roster.

  9. Eric Says:

    But who is doing the blocking for the poultry gang? Their offensive line is terrible by all accounts? Palmer has been hit over 50 times. That’s 10 hits a game. Run blocking’s not any better.

  10. Ga. Buc fan 41years Says:

    Pete, I think you hit the nail on the head. It’s also suspicious how they trade him to an opponent that they don’t have to face at such a moment. I think Sean Payton is sneakier than we thought.

  11. Mike Johnson Says:

    I don’t think Petersen has a brakeout game. He will flash here and there because of the great player he was..or is trying to get back to. I am worried about our Defense putting pressure on ole man Carson Palmer. fluster this guy and we win the game.

  12. The Buc Realist Says:

    @Pete

    If that was true, (and I do not think that it is)!!!!! They the Saints did the Bucs a favor!!!!!!!!

    Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!

  13. unbelievable Says:

    Yea he might break off 1 or 2 nice runs but I think we’ll Keep him In check.

  14. The Buc Realist Says:

    Mike Johnson Says:
    October 15th, 2017 at 11:58 am
    “I don’t think Petersen has a brakeout game. He will flash here and there”

    I don’t care how many times he drops his towel in the locker room!!!!! I want to see TFL today!!!!!! And I want to see them bring the blitz because the cardinals can’t pick it up because of their new RB!!!!!! Give the Card’s all the defensive looks as they will be running a simplified offense and bearly able to audible!!!!!!!!!!!

    Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!