Adrian Peterson looks the part, according to Drew Brees
Adrian Peterson is already impressing his new teammates, for whatever it’s worth at this point in time.
No matter where his career goes from here, Adrian Peterson will go down as an all-time great running back. But he got too old and expensive for the Minnesota Vikings, and he’ll be the latest in a long line of Hall of Famers to end his career with a different team than he will be identified with.
Peterson has been taking part in early offseason work with the New Orleans Saints, which he rarely did during his time with the Vikings.
The first sight of him in a new uniform was surely odd, but Peterson is drawing positive reviews from his new teammates.
"“He’s a stud, man. He looks the part,” Saints quarterback Drew Brees said, via ESPN’s Mike Triplett. “There’s something about handing the ball off to that guy and watching him run through the hole and take on anybody who tries to tackle him.”"
Safety Kenny Vaccaro and left tackle Terron Armstead also joined the Peterson praise train.
"“It’s ridiculous. He has not lost any steps,” safety Kenny Vaccaro added. “Wait, just watch. He’s so explosive … just in flat shoes out there,” said Vaccaro, who admitted that he probably sounded like a “manager” for the 32-year-old running back, who is coming back from a torn meniscus that limited him to three games last season with the Minnesota Vikings."
"“I’m amazed, honestly,” Saints left tackle Terron Armstead. “Seeing him just take off his first few steps are as explosive as I’ve ever seen by a human being. It’s unbelievable. I’m very excited to see him when the pads come on.”"
Excessive positivity during OTAs is expected, and it’s worth noting Brees also said he “could not be more impressed” by new Saints’ wide receiver Ted Ginn. Peterson will have to adjust to a new role, with Mark Ingram and rookie Alvin Kamara in the mix for touches, and show versatility he has not shown. But Brees is not too concerned right now.
"“We do a lot with our backs. So I think he’s gonna be able to do some stuff in this offense that maybe he hasn’t done … over the course of his career, just because we require some versatility from that position,” Brees said. “Any time you can get him in space against a smaller DB, kind of ‘look out.’ Good luck tackling that guy in the open field.”"
Peterson simply could not function well in passing situations while with the Vikings, as a blocker and receiver, so his usage was often a tell to opposing defenses. He also showed little interest in working to improve those elements of his game, and unless he’s somehow reinvigorated in a new environment it’s hard to see that changing. Any images from OTAs showing Peterson running routes or catching passes have to be kept in perspective. When pads come on, he’ll still be a one-trick pony running back in a league where versatility is highly valued.
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The Saints may want to run the ball more this year, but the Brees-led passing game is still the signature of their offense. Peterson could add significant value as an early down and goal line thumper, but barring a surprise change in his skill set he will be ceding significant snaps to Ingram and Kamara.