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 It's not often that your running back runs for 122 yards on 25 attempts including 3 TD's and you complain about the way he played, but there is an elephant on the Vikings roster wearing # 28 and the Vikings are pretending it's not there.
It's been said quite a few NFL people that Adrian Peterson is the best talent to play running back in the NFL since Jim Brown. I don't know about that, but it's pretty hard to argue that he is not one of the most talented to come along in quite a while.
Peterson has an unusual running style, he doesn't run over you like Earl Campbell, he doesn't run around you like Barry Sanders, he comes up to you, beats the crap out of you and then runs away from you while you try to chase him down the field. He runs with a passion and anger on every single play that you see from other running backs only once or twice per game.
"Houston we have a problem"
Well it's Minnesota, not Houston, but you get the point.
While Adrian Peterson has tools and moves to be a 2,000 yard running back, something has to be done about Adrian Peterson's fumbling problem. You can't put an NFL running back on the field (I don't care how many yards and TD's he runs for) if when you hand him the ball 25 times, three of them end up on the ground. For all you Adrian Peterson apologists; I understand that this time he recover two of them and I understand that you are going to tell me that he never got the handoff on the other one.
Well he should have gotten the handoff on the other one and he doesn't always get them back.
When I look back at the Vikings headlines for the year I see:
- "Fumbles become a problem for Peterson"
- "Does that fumble in the red zone officially label Adrian Peterson as having a fumbling problem?"
- "Adrian Peterson's fumble proves costly"
- "Adrian Peterson fumbles are an issue"
- "Adrian Peterson's Fumble Woes"
- "Adrian Peterson's Fumbles Sending Favre Into Retirement Two Weeks Early"
HELLO! He's a fumbler! Will someone please work with him on this?
It has nothing do to with strength, even around other NFL players Peterson is known to have the strongest hands. He gets kidded all the time when he shakes someone's had that his grip is too tight.
Some say, "Talk to Tiki"
 Tiki Barber had a fumbling problem earlier in his career. Starting from his breakout season in 2000, Barber was known for his exceptional cutback running, quick feet, and running vision. He also was an adept receiver out of the backfield with over 450 receiving yards and over 50 receptions every season from 2000 to 2006.
Still, after the 2003 year, in spite of his rushing numbers, Tiki had one weakness to overcome: fumbling the football. Barber had six lost fumbles in both the 2002 and 2003 seasons, including three lost fumbles in a single game against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 28, 2002. When Coach Tom Coughlin arrived he taught Tiki to hold the ball vertically instead of horizontally. After changing this, his fumbles went down dramatically: in 2004, he only had 2 lost fumbles. Many people say, why not have Peterson talk to Tiki Barber about some of the things he did to cure the problem? It can't hurt right?
Here's the thing though, I'm not sure it has to do with the way he holds the ball. I think it's his mindset and style of running. As I mentioned above, when Peterson approaches a defender, his reaction is to beat the crap out of him and then continue on his path down the field. He stiff arms you, jabs you with his elbow, gives you a forearm to the throat, lowers his shoulder and steps on you (sometimes all in one play!)
If Peterson where less interested in dealing out punishment and more interested in protecting the ball, the fumbles wouldn't happen so often. Would this change in running style mean a few less broken tackles and perhaps a touchdown or two less? It probably would, but the net advantage of not turning the ball over resulting in a missed coring opportunity, a resulting score by the opponent. Or just a change in field position change would be worth it.
If Adrian Peterson wants to be considered in the class of other great NFL running backs, he's got to hold onto the rock. As it is now, he's too risky to count on, and definitely NOT an elite back. - Michael Gross
Michael, in conjunction with a prominent sports agency runs a strength, conditioning and agility program that many agents send their "to-be-drafted" athletes, prior to being drafted. Many pro athletes have also used the facilities for rehabilitation after injury. Over 120 professional athletes including current MLB and NFL ball players have attended his institution during the past 4 years.
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