Adrian believes he'll break Emmitt's record in 2017..

[dead_poet]

Betting against Adrian Peterson is folly.

This would be a good poll question.

[PacificNorseWest]

At this rate, he probably thinks he will break Calvin Johnson's receiving yards record too.

I love it AP...Now just show us.

[Mothman]

I think Peterson is just having some fun.

Here's the quote from the original source (emphasis mine):

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 01331.html

But here is the part of the exchange where Peterson, playing along in good spirits, finally delivered a projection on reaching Emmitt Smith.

Q Forget about Eric Dickerson’s record for a minute. Last December, we talked about Emmitt Smith’s record and I told you you were on pace to get there in Week 4 of 2019. You said sooner and promised to come back with a timetable. Emmitt had 18,355 yards. You’re now 9,506 away. We need a week and a year. When do you get there?
A Man. Oh boy. I have to do some calculations. I’ve been in the league seven years. I’m already right around [9,000]. Calculate it out … Let’s think. Maybe get a couple 2,000 yard seasons … I’ve got … Hmmm … 2017.

Q What week in 2017?
A Man. I better go late. I’m already getting too far in front of myself. I’ll say Week 16. There it is. Week 16 in 2017. Whoo. That’s pushing it, huh? But hey, pushing it is the only way to do it. You know it.

Maybe it's also his way of motivating himself but I don't think it puts a bigger target on his back than averaging 6 yards per carry, almost breaking the single season rushing record and leading the league in rushing for the 3rd time in 6 years already did.

I think he could eventually break the all-time rushing record but that's going to be a question of longevity as well as productivity. Smith played 15 years. The previous record-holder, Walter Payton, played 13 years. Barry Sanders, the player who would probably have the record if he hadn't chosen to retire, played 10 years (and he's just 1629 short of being the all-time leader!).

AD has averaged 1474 rushing yards over the first 6 years of his career. If he maintains that over the next 4, he'll pass Curtis Martin and be #4 all-time after 10 years.

The all-time rushing record may be an attainable goal for AD but it's a long way off. Hopefully, he'll get there and do it all as a Viking. I hope he gets a few Super Bowl rings along the way.

[Mothman]

Ah, I didn't know he was asked. Haha it makes sense now. Leave it to ESPN to leave that part out.... I thought it was just something he came up with on his own out of nowhere....

They probably just saw the chance to sensationalize something and went for it.

[Eli]

Let's bust out the spreadsheet and project the remainder of Peterson's career. Assuming he stays relatively healthy for a few more seasons, he should shatter Smith's career record of 18,355 yards. I really want to see him get 30,000 yards. He just needs to step it up a little.

Code: Select all

                                     Career    Career  
Season# Year Age Att Yards Yds/Att Yds/Season Total Yds
------- ---- --- --- ----- ------- ---------- ---------
   1    2007  22 238  1341    5.63      1,341     1,341
   2    2008  23 363  1760    4.85      1,551     3,101
   3    2009  24 314  1383    4.40      1,495     4,484
   4    2010  25 283  1298    4.59      1,446     5,782
   5    2011  26 208   970    4.66      1,350     6,752
   6    2012  27 348  2097    6.03      1,475     8,849
   7    2013  28 292  1475    5.05      1,475    10,324
   8    2014  29 292  1475    5.05      1,475    11,799
   9    2015  30 292  1475    5.05      1,475    13,274
  10    2016  31 292  1475    5.05      1,475    14,749
  11    2017  32 292  1475    5.05      1,475    16,224
  12    2018  33 292  1475    5.05      1,475    17,699
  13    2019  34 292  1475    5.05      1,475    19,174
  14    2020  35 292  1475    5.05      1,475    20,649
  15    2021  36 292  1475    5.05      1,475    22,124
  16    2022  37 292  1475    5.05      1,475    23,599
  17    2023  38 292  1475    5.05      1,475    25,074
  18    2024  39 292  1475    5.05      1,475    26,549
  19    2025  40 292  1475    5.05      1,475    28,024
  20    2026  41 292  1475    5.05      1,475    29,499

(1475 is Peterson's average number of yards per season through this point in his career. An average of 5.05 yards per carry.)

[vikeinmontana]

ya watching the interview gives you a better impression. while he doesn't doubt himself and i'm sure he believes he COULD do it his response was pretty tongue in cheek. even made comments about how it was a pretty bold prediction. love it none the less. love that dude!

and for a guy that has averaged a shade under 100 yards a game in his career i'm certainly not doubting him.