Adrian Peterson’s remarkable 2012 — in which he came back from a severe ACL/MCL injury to come within a few yards of setting the single-season rushing record — certainly has raised the expectations (fairly or not) surrounding Robert Griffin III and his return from a similar injury. Griffin has struggled in his first few games of the 2013 season, and the fact he doesn’t look like the same duel-threat quarterback that tore NFL defenses apart last year has Washington fans and pundits panicking.
Peterson, however, has a reminder for everyone reading too deeply into Griffin’s lackluster performance: Peterson himself wasn’t at full strength
at the start of last season, yet was able to get stronger as the year progressed. Said Peterson:
"I got stronger. With (Griffin), it’s going to be week by week. The quarterback position is different. He’s not just running the ball — he’s back there going through progressions and trying to find guys and really being on alert. He’ll be OK (USA Today Sports)."
Peterson went on to dispense more advice:
"Mentally, just have that confidence that the ligament is strong and trust your body. Just mentally is the biggest thing — not even with football-related injuries, just life in general. You can kind of mess yourself up in the head and start thinking too much."
Though replicating Peterson’s ridiculous 2012 is unlikely, let’s hope Griffin is able to put together at least a similar comeback campaign. Washington, 0-2 on the year, will take on the Detroit Lions this upcoming Sunday.
[Source: USA Today Sports]