Adrian Peterson -- The elephant in the room

[Demi]

Isn't perfect?
He isn't even an average human being...
Hell he isn't even an average "athlete person" when it comes to off the field.

He's a great player though. So woohoo!

[fiestavike]

Another off season, another round of the 'Adrian Peterson - total scumbag?' game.

If you are opposed to pre-marital sex, I'm with you, but you certainly have to realize that your views are 'old fashioned' and have no currency. If you think marriage is important, I share that idea, but you certainly have to realize that your idea about this is also 'out of date' and has no currency. It seems a bit silly to criticize people formed in a world where these ideas have no important role, for living their lives as though these ideas have no important role. Society is a mess, the world is a mess, in some ways Peterson is emblematic of that, but he's certainly not the cause of it so much as he is a product of it. What does bashing him actually solve, unless you are aiming for some constructive criticism?

[dead_poet]

Mike Zimmer: Adrian Peterson 'working on things that he felt like held us back'

http://es.pn/1VPUvl6

[fiestavike]

Mike Zimmer: Adrian Peterson 'working on things that he felt like held us back'

http://es.pn/1VPUvl6

good stuff

"I do think that he had some really good runs out of the gun, but he feels a lot more comfortable when he's not in the gun," the coach said. "So we have to come up with a plan -- which we've been working on pretty good. Sometimes, Adrian likes to take the ball and go; he doesn't like to float. So that's kind of a little bit of the issue. But we've talked about some other ways to be a little bit innovative with how we can help marry that together."

[Mothman]

Mike Zimmer: Adrian Peterson 'working on things that he felt like held us back'

http://es.pn/1VPUvl6

Thanks for the link!

[losperros]

Mike Zimmer: Adrian Peterson 'working on things that he felt like held us back'

http://es.pn/1VPUvl6

Great article. Thanks, DP.

I trust AD. If Peterson is working on things like running from the shotgun and his fumbling, then I believe he'll improve on them.

[Mothman]

Great article. Thanks, DP.

I trust AD. If Peterson is working on things like running from the shotgun and his fumbling, then I believe he'll improve on them.

The last time he worked on fumbling, he improved it in a hurry. I suspect the year away from the game may have caused him to fall back into bad habits when it comes to handling the ball. I have no doubt he can improve on that.

As for running from the shotgun... I think that's an area where everyone will need to practice but where improvements on the OL could make a big difference. It's also an area where I wouldn't expect to see much improvement if the blocking doesn't get better and if the offense doesn't begin to threaten defenses much more effectively with players other than Peterson.

[dead_poet]

The last time he worked on fumbling, he improved it in a hurry. I suspect the year away from the game may have caused him to fall back into bad habits when it comes to handling the ball. I have no doubt he can improve on that.

As for running from the shotgun... I think that's an area where everyone will need to practice but where improvements on the OL could make a big difference. It's also an area where I wouldn't expect to see much improvement if the blocking doesn't get better and if the offense doesn't begin to threaten defenses much more effectively with players other than Peterson.

Shotgun running requires patience to allow holes to open. Peterson has never been what one would consider a "patient" runner. I don't envision much improvement unless the scheme really can help or his blockers can sustain a block long enough to where he can see some daylight.

[Mothman]

Shotgun running requires patience to allow holes to open. Peterson has never been what one would consider a "patient" runner. I don't envision much improvement unless the scheme really can help or his blockers can sustain a block long enough to where he can see some daylight.

Exactly. All the adjustment in the world on his part wont make the slightest difference if his blockers don't get the job done and it was pretty clear on film last year (particularly against the 49ers and Chiefs) that on shotgun runs, the holes just weren't there for Peterson most of the time. Scheme tweaks seem unlikely to solve that problem either.

It will be interesting to see what happens. I think a big part of the equation is becoming a more effective passing team. That will help take pressure off Peterson and make it more difficult for defenses to key on him so intently. Helping Peterson understand the best ways to position himself as an outlet receiver from the shotgun could lead to overall improvement too.

[fiestavike]

Shotgun running requires patience to allow holes to open. Peterson has never been what one would consider a "patient" runner. I don't envision much improvement unless the scheme really can help or his blockers can sustain a block long enough to where he can see some daylight.

I agree, it not his strong suit. I don't think he'll ever be very good at it, and if the line can block more effectively I expect to see them largely move away from it, except in obvious passing situations.

[losperros]

Exactly. All the adjustment in the world on his part wont make the slightest difference if his blockers don't get the job done and it was pretty clear on film last year (particularly against the 49ers and Chiefs) that on shotgun runs, the holes just weren't there for Peterson most of the time. Scheme tweaks seem unlikely to solve that problem either.

It will be interesting to see what happens. I think a big part of the equation is becoming a more effective passing team. That will help take pressure off Peterson and make it more difficult for defenses to key on him so intently. Helping Peterson understand the best ways to position himself as an outlet receiver from the shotgun could lead to overall improvement too.

Well, I'll just say what I've been saying, which is the offensive line's blocking absolutely has to improve across the board for the sake of all the skill players. No matter what course the Vikings take offensively, the OL needs to do its freakin' job. If the OL cleans up its act, then I think Peterson can be effective running from the shotgun, especially if he's working on getting better at it.

As I said, I trust AD. He'll improve. But the offensive line becoming effective? I'm not betting anything on that yet.

[fiestavike]

Well, I'll just say what I've been saying, which is the offensive line's blocking absolutely has to improve across the board for the sake of all the skill players. No matter what course the Vikings take offensively, the OL needs to do its freakin' job. If the OL cleans up its act, then I think Peterson can be effective running from the shotgun, especially if he's working on getting better at it.

As I said, I trust AD. He'll improve. But the offensive line becoming effective? I'm not betting anything on that yet.

I wonder if they used the shotgun formation more for Teddy Bridgewater, or in an effort to cover the weaknesses of the OL. I suspect more the latter, and I just think if they can run for 3 yards instead of 1 from under center, and protect for an extra second in pass pro from under center, there will be less to gain and more to lose from using Shotgun formation outside of obvious passing downs.

[mondry]

Exactly. All the adjustment in the world on his part wont make the slightest difference if his blockers don't get the job done and it was pretty clear on film last year (particularly against the 49ers and Chiefs) that on shotgun runs, the holes just weren't there for Peterson most of the time. Scheme tweaks seem unlikely to solve that problem either.

It will be interesting to see what happens. I think a big part of the equation is becoming a more effective passing team. That will help take pressure off Peterson and make it more difficult for defenses to key on him so intently. Helping Peterson understand the best ways to position himself as an outlet receiver from the shotgun could lead to overall improvement too.

Yeah the two big issues are blocking and then being less predictable and more willing to attack in the passing game, even on running downs. If they want to run on 70% of first downs it's pointless to be in the shotgun, Peterson draws too much attention and honestly it's probably harder to run block for these guys who never had to worry about it before since we just played under center the whole 2nd half of the year and all of Peterson's career except maybe when we had Chestor Taylor.

I think he'll take care of the fumbles, he probably just needed a reminder and no one stepped up. You could see the last couple runs before the fumble in the playoffs he was really wild / loose with the ball, if that ever happens again hopefully Zimmer knows now to go over there and say something, sounds like from the article he realized it was on him.

We'll see if they can solve the "catch 22" of having an amazing back so you want to use him as much as possible but then the other team knows you have an amazing back and will sell out to stop him.

The main thing's im interested in seeing next are are probably If the lines better, will we run more play action on 1st / 2nd down? Will we let Teddy attack through the air if that's the other teams weakness, or if they're fully selling out on peterson? Do we need to keep Rudolph in to block? Can we just impose our will on the other team to have an effective running game regardless? Can teddy improve his deep ball and increase his aggression without increasing mistakes? Will the coaches actually put him in a spot to be more aggressive? It's great that they want him to take control and make it his team but when they only throw it 13 times a game that's a bit unrealistic.

Probably more I'm not thinking of but those are the ones I find important.

I wonder if they used the shotgun formation more for Teddy Bridgewater, or in an effort to cover the weaknesses of the OL. I suspect more the latter, and I just think if they can run for 3 yards instead of 1 from under center, and protect for an extra second in pass pro from under center, there will be less to gain and more to lose from using Shotgun formation outside of obvious passing downs.

Most QB's would rather play from the shotgun and it's easier to pass block in the shotgun so I would guess that it was both. Under center or shotgun, either can work and obviously both have their advantages. If the O-line is vastly improved, especially in run blocking, they're probably better off hoping that Teddy continues to improve from undercenter rather than AD improving his shotgun game so it would seem we kind of agree there.

The flipside of it though is what happens when AD's retired? Mckinnon and Asiata for that matter both did pretty well in the shotgun and if most QB's prefer it then why not run a full shotgun offense? (which they seemed to try to do until it failed)

[fiestavike]

Most QB's would rather play from the shotgun and it's easier to pass block in the shotgun so I would guess that it was both. Under center or shotgun, either can work and obviously both have their advantages. If the O-line is vastly improved, especially in run blocking, they're probably better off hoping that Teddy continues to improve from undercenter rather than AD improving his shotgun game so it would seem we kind of agree there.

The flipside of it though is what happens when AD's retired? Mckinnon and Asiata for that matter both did pretty well in the shotgun and if most QB's prefer it then why not run a full shotgun offense? (which they seemed to try to do until it failed)

Yeah, I think we pretty much agree.

My take is that, we know they want a physical, nasty offensive line, and that personality would be mostly wasted if we are going to run a primarily shotgun offense. I believe the use of the shotgun was mostly an adaptation fueled by the lines inability to run block effectively, and play physical football. The draw out of the shotgun can be effective, but its much more a finesse play for the line. Peterson's corresponding inability to play well from the shotgun just created a real catch-22. I still think plan A is for this to be a power running football team that can play action very effectively off of that threat. They are going to have to hope a lot of things go right with the OL group they have assembled or they'll find themselves in the same conundrum next season.

I also still think its interesting to consider using a power blocking scheme out of the shotgun and direct snapping it to Peterson, to get the most out of a run option from that formation. Its a little nutty and unlikely what they are considering, but Sparano has a history of innovating with the run game, so I wouldn't put it past him.

[Mothman]

Yeah the two big issues are blocking and then being less predictable and more willing to attack in the passing game, even on running downs. If they want to run on 70% of first downs it's pointless to be in the shotgun, Peterson draws too much attention and honestly it's probably harder to run block for these guys who never had to worry about it before since we just played under center the whole 2nd half of the year and all of Peterson's career except maybe when we had Chestor Taylor.

I think he'll take care of the fumbles, he probably just needed a reminder and no one stepped up. You could see the last couple runs before the fumble in the playoffs he was really wild / loose with the ball, if that ever happens again hopefully Zimmer knows now to go over there and say something, sounds like from the article he realized it was on him.

We'll see if they can solve the "catch 22" of having an amazing back so you want to use him as much as possible but then the other team knows you have an amazing back and will sell out to stop him.

I think the solution to that is to improve up front and improve the effectiveness of the passing game, which is basically what you seem to be saying below.

The main thing's im interested in seeing next are are probably If the lines better, will we run more play action on 1st / 2nd down? Will we let Teddy attack through the air if that's the other teams weakness, or if they're fully selling out on peterson? Do we need to keep Rudolph in to block? Can we just impose our will on the other team to have an effective running game regardless? Can teddy improve his deep ball and increase his aggression without increasing mistakes? Will the coaches actually put him in a spot to be more aggressive? It's great that they want him to take control and make it his team but when they only throw it 13 times a game that's a bit unrealistic.

Probably more I'm not thinking of but those are the ones I find important.

Good post, Mondry.

You mentioned play action on first down and I'll have an eye on that too but play action or not, I suspect we can agree that what they do on first down will matter a great deal. Unless they can truly impose their will with the running game on a pretty consistent basis, mixing up the play calling more on first down is going to be crucial to improving their overall effectiveness on offense. They were just too predictable last year.