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Peterson's chase at history has roots in old coach
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:51 am
by Mothman
Our favorite RB is the subject of a front page story on Yahoo today:
Adrian Peterson's chase at history has roots in a decision made by an old coach
That person is Jeff Harrell, Peterson's high school coach. A lot of those who have followed Peterson's career already know about Harrell, but put yourself in his shoes for a moment. You coach at Palestine High, two hours outside Houston, and you have a good program but not a powerhouse. Then Adrian Peterson comes along. What could that mean for you?
"Adrian could have played any position," Harrell said last week by phone. "He could have played linebacker."
Imagine the temptation. This young man is unstoppable at the NFL level. He was unstoppable at Oklahoma. So imagine him in high school. Peterson could have blitzed, returned kicks, anything. A lot of high school stars play both ways, but not a lot of high-schoolers can run a 10.33 100 meters, as Peterson could.
He was a would-be weapon wherever he was put on the field and, as we've learned, he had the attitude to make himself useful.
More at the link. It's a great read!
Re: Peterson's chase at history has roots in old coach
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 12:48 pm
by dead_poet
I liked this bit:
There were games, as you can imagine, when nobody could tackle him. That included his last one as a high-schooler when he ran for 350 yards and six touchdowns … in the first half. Nobody wanted that game to end, so Harrell's decision to sit A.D. for the second half didn't go over too well. Peterson could have hit 3,000 yards for the season with one more long run. Harrell stuck with his gut.
I suppose that shouldn't surprise me. Though it does bring up an interesting question. If the Vikings somehow happen to have the game in hand midway through the 4th (granted this is a long-shot), if Peterson has 150 yards rushing (or so), does Frazier sit him? Would YOU, knowing that your progress in the playoffs hinges almost entirely on Peterson? But could you, in good conscience, sit a player that's done everything any coach could ever ask a player to do en route to a historic season that would cement himself in the game?
If you think about it, it'd be one tough call if you're Frazier.
Re: Peterson's chase at history has roots in old coach
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 2:06 pm
by Mothman
dead_poet wrote:I liked this bit:
I suppose that shouldn't surprise me. Though it does bring up an interesting question. If the Vikings somehow happen to have the game in hand midway through the 4th (granted this is a long-shot), if Peterson has 150 yards rushing (or so), does Frazier sit him? Would YOU, knowing that your progress in the playoffs hinges almost entirely on Peterson? But could you, in good conscience, sit a player that's done everything any coach could ever ask a player to do en route to a historic season that would cement himself in the game?
If you think about it, it'd be one tough call if you're Frazier.
It would be a very tough call. I'd ask Peterson what he wanted to do. He knows the stakes too.
In the end, if it were up to me, I'd probably let him go for the record.
Re: Peterson's chase at history has roots in old coach
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 2:12 pm
by Cliff
Mothman wrote:
It would be a very tough call. I'd ask Peterson what he wanted to do. He knows the stakes too.
In the end, if it were up to me, I'd probably let him go for the record.
If you're going to ask Peterson you might as well not even ask, you already know that answer, don't you?
It's too big of a milestone ... I think you have to let him try.
Re: Peterson's chase at history has roots in old coach
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 4:21 pm
by S197
Mothman wrote:
It would be a very tough call. I'd ask Peterson what he wanted to do. He knows the stakes too.
In the end, if it were up to me, I'd probably let him go for the record.
I'm actually going to disagree with you and Cliff, I would sit him. If you flipped the question and asked Peterson if he would rather have a ring or Dickerson's record, I'm betting he wants a ring. It's no secret this team goes nowhere without Peterson so for those reasons I would sit him for the postseason. Granted a wild card team winning the Super Bowl is a long shot but the Giants did it five years ago, any given Sunday, etc.
It's certainly a tough call but I think winning is the ultimate goal, records come second.
Re: Peterson's chase at history has roots in old coach
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 5:24 pm
by CalVike
S197 wrote:Granted a wild card team winning the Super Bowl is a long shot but the Giants did it five years ago, any given Sunday, etc.
Sit him if game is in hand, without question. I heard recently 5 of last 6 Super Bowls were won by teams playing wild card weekend, the last 2 were #6 seeds.
Re: Peterson's chase at history has roots in old coach
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 5:32 pm
by Mothman
S197 wrote:I'm actually going to disagree with you and Cliff, I would sit him. If you flipped the question and asked Peterson if he would rather have a ring or Dickerson's record, I'm betting he wants a ring. It's no secret this team goes nowhere without Peterson so for those reasons I would sit him for the postseason. Granted a wild card team winning the Super Bowl is a long shot but the Giants did it five years ago, any given Sunday, etc.
It's certainly a tough call but I think winning is the ultimate goal, records come second.
I agree. I'm not saying playing him and letting him go for the record would be the right call. I just know myself and if he really wanted to go in the game and get that record, I'd probably let him.
Re: Peterson's chase at history has roots in old coach
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:48 pm
by Purple bruise
CalVike wrote:
Sit him if game is in hand, without question. I heard recently 5 of last 6 Super Bowls were won by teams playing wild card weekend, the last 2 were #6 seeds.
Didn't the Packers also win a SB as a wildcard team?
Re: Peterson's chase at history has roots in old coach
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:39 pm
by CalVike
Purple bruise wrote:
Didn't the Packers also win a SB as a wildcard team?
Yes they were wild card #6 seed in 2010 season.
Re: Peterson's chase at history has roots in old coach
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 2:14 am
by Reignman
Purple bruise wrote:
Didn't the Packers also win a SB as a wildcard team?
The '05 Steelers, '07 Giants, and '10 Packers all won the bowl from the 6th seed. In fact, since 2000 just as many 6th seeds (3) have won the bowl as 1st seeds. They weren't the 6th seed, but the Giants won the bowl at 9-7 last year too, so it's more common than we think.
Back on topic: I hope we'd let AD go for 2k or the record if he gets close and we have a big lead late. I think I'd have a sour taste in my mouth if I see Gerhart out there grinding out the clock with AD sitting close to history. I'm reminded of the '09 Colts. At 14-0, their fans were a bit distraught when they pulled the starters and passed up a shot at history.
Re: Peterson's chase at history has roots in old coach
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 3:45 am
by Purple bruise
Re: Peterson's chase at history has roots in old coach
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 12:38 pm
by beardedterror
I think it really depends on what having the 'game in hand' means. If we're up by 2 touchdowns with a decent amount of time left, I would still go full bore and let Adrian try for the record. Green Bay's offense is too explosive, and Aaron Rodgers is too good to not take our foot off the gas. If we're up by 3 or 4 touchdowns with little time left on the clock, I'd let Adrian decide what he wants to do. At that point, GB is probably resting their starters anyway, which would make it easier on him to get yards.
Re: Peterson's chase at history has roots in old coach
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 5:44 pm
by PurpleJarl
I wasnt sure until just now. I just read Dickerson's record has stood for 28 years
28 years
28
Slainte