AP says: 2,500 yds

[brian6715]

According to a Sports Illustrated interview, AP says his goal for this year is 2,500 yards. Obviously, this is a high goal... but goals are meant to be set high.

Assuming he stays healthy for all 16 games (big assumption), I see him being close to the all time record once again. I don't think he will get close to 2,500; but it's fair to assume he will finish somewhere around 2,000 yards if healthy. I think he will be a better/stronger player than last year, as he is a year further removed from his knee injury.

Thoughts?

[paceman]

He could do it. I agree with the possibility of breaking the record but 2500 is unrealistic in my opinion. He would have to average 156 yards per game. I don't see that happening. I remember the play off game in green bay last year. They figured out it was better to take away his cut back lanes. They kept him in check. I see other teams doing that as well.

[Scott K]

It would all depend on our passing game, and the play calling. If our passing game improves, it will open lanes for Peterson, and he should break out for larger gaines more often. But, if our passing game improves that much, are we going to stay run heavy, or depend on Peterson less, and the passing more? Kinda a double edge sword. My guess is we start backing off on carries for Peterson, so we dont wear him out early in his career.

[Alagnak]

The team is going to need him to do more than that when you're only throwing for an average of 100 yards a game with quarter Ponder.

[toughguy]

I hope we don't need 2500 out of him. I'd be happy with 1400-1500 and an improved passing game.

[brian6715]

If the passing game improves, they will have to stop stacking the box as heavy as they have been doing against us. This could actually hurt him, as many of his 30-50 yard runs wouldn't happen with the safeties set back 15-20 yards.

Whatever happens, I have never been this pumped to watch a RB. He already was the most driven/determined player in the league last year, and he seems twice as motivated this season. I would hate to be a d-back or linebacker on any defense facing 20-25 carries from this guy. BEAST MODE!

[zepman]

It would all depend on our passing game, and the play calling. If our passing game improves, it will open lanes for Peterson, and he should break out for larger gaines more often. But, if our passing game improves that much, are we going to stay run having, or depend on Peterson less, and the passing more? Kinda a double edge sword. My guess is we start backing off on carries for Peterson, so we dont wear him out early in his career.

Spot on!

[FISHINGURU]

Love his attitude but I doubt he'll ever get close to that record ever again.

[ole]

Love his attitude but I doubt he'll ever get close to that record ever again.

I think he has a great shot at it if he stays healthy. It's a pass happy league full of pass rushers not run stoppers.

ole

[thatoneguy]

Love his attitude but I doubt he'll ever get close to that record ever again.

I sure wouldn't bet against him. The passing game should be at least marginally better this year - how much better depends on whether or not Ponder plays like he did late in the year and if Corduroy Whatshisname pans out. AD versus anything less than 9 in the box is a matchup that favors him.

[FISHINGURU]

It will take a lot more "ifs" then that. There's a reason the record has stood for as long as it has. All the stars aligned just right last season and the record still stands.

AP had a very special season last yr, especially coming off that injury. I just don't see him putting together the best season by a running back ever this yr.

[thatoneguy]

Why not? He came within a whisker of it last year, and he wasn't even full strength until halfway through the season. I'm not saying it's a lead pipe cinch that he gets it, but there's no logical reason to discount his chances, either. There are more factors working in his favor than working against him.

Once he had his legs under him, he averaged nearly 160 yards/game over his last 10. O-line play should be great again this year, passing game should be at least somewhat improved, though not enough to steal a bunch of yards from him, and AD will be at full strength all year instead of just over half the year.

Sure it's a long shot - any record is. But he's certainly got a legitimate shot.

[countyline]

Seems all running backs that hit the 2000 mark set the goal for 2500 the next season. Then they all suck or get hurt.

[schmitty3]

Wouldn't say all the star aligned for him last year, he was not even 100% most of the year. Think back to the first half of the season. He had so many runs that he was just a tackle or two away from breaking, and we kept saying he used to break. If he was healthy all year last year he would have destroyed that record.

With that said I don't see him getting close to 2500, but do see him making another run at Dickerson's record.

[PurpleFloyd]

If we could rig the schedule to play GB 16 times a season he could rush for 3200.

[PurpleFloyd]

I hope we don't need 2500 out of him. I'd be happy with 1400-1500 and an improved passing game.

+1

[Fish Head]

I think he has a great shot at it if he stays healthy. It's a pass happy league full of pass rushers not run stoppers.

I don't think 2500 is possible, but I agree with you. The fact that it's a pass happy league really helps him. Defenses are not put together to stop the run like they used to be.

I would love to see him shatter the record, but I think we'll have more of a balanced attack this year.

[zepman]

I think he runs for 350 in a game before he's done...or at least breaks his single game record from a few years ago.

Don't think 2500 is possible with the beating he'd take trying to do it.

Enjoy AP for the next 2-3 years because that's about all I think he's got left...he just runs too hard...takes/delivers too many hits. Like Earl Campbell, I believe his career will be cut short due to all the collisions he welcomes every Sunday.

[FISHINGURU]

[rundrave]

he should talk to Chris Johnson and ask him how well that worked out for him? Just shut up and play AP.

[ozzie]

Don't ever compare Chris Johnson to Adrian Peterson...they aren't even on the same level...AP has been a great back and has backed up his talk....CJ is a primadona that had one good season and his yapper has been flapping ever since!!

[rundrave]

I am not comparing them at all, I am just saying Chris Johnson had a good year and then started to predict things that he never lived up to.

Its stupid for AP to bring it up, if its a goal of his great just go out on the field and do it. If he does do it good for him but if he doesn't then what?

[RawHog]

I think it's very possible, even likely. i'm not gonna sit here and have hypothetical arguments. I really think he can do it.

[thatoneguy]

he should talk to Chris Johnson and ask him how well that worked out for him? Just shut up and play AP.

Yeah, it's terrible to set ambitious goals and then have the gall to mention them. What a tool!

[corncob]

All the talk about 2500 yards for AP is crazy....The passing games success will dictate much of the signal calling, and , obviously the more balance between rushing and passing is the ticket to success......Doesn't bode well for AP if the sky is filled with bombs........