Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
Somewhat obscured by Brett Favre's across his body interception and Brad Childress' gutless playcalling at the end of regulation in the NFC Championship Game was the recurrent fumbling of superstar running back Adrian Peterson. Though Peterson was only credited with two fumbles (neither of which were lost) he has assumed responsibility for a botched handoff in the red zone that cost the Vikings a critical score at the end of the first half.
Peterson's struggles with holding onto the football have become heralded enough that it's starting to mar the reputation of one of the NFL's elite backs. Not that there isn't plenty of precedent to justify that. During the regular season, Peterson led all running backs in the NFL with six lost fumbles. In 2008, he was the NFL leader in fumbles with nine (four were lost).
Predictably, coaches plan to analyze his running style in hopes of coming up with a fix. Even though Peterson's aggressive rushing technique, which often involves swinging his arms erratically and jostling with defenders for extra yards, is ripe for an occasional strip, alterations to his placement of the ball can help to make the fumbles more infrequent. After all, coaches were able to mostly cure Tiki Barber of his ball security problems in the waning years of his career.
That's the problem with the tragic flaws of great players. Just as Brett Favre shucked off an entire season of disciplined passes for one final mindless chuck across the middle of the field, so too did Peterson's proclivities bite him at the worst possible time. Unless a change is made, it will likely find another inopportune time to dog him.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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Favre’s foreceful into to "try" to get Longwell a better kick than 56 yards gets all the negative press, BUT…the handles lost by Peterson and others really screwed the pooch. That end of Q2 Bush fumble recovery, then AP fumble was GIVEN 3, LIKELY 7 points. AP is back there for the occassional 20 yard scamper – butLORDALMIGHTY, HOLD ON TO THE FOOTBALL. If C. Taylor plays that whole game, the Vikes win. He was laying the ball on the turf all year long!
by Sayitaintsosa23 on Jan 27, 2010 12:51 PM EST reply actions
Most of the fumbles were strips by the Saints, the one at the end of the half being the exception.
by SaintsAlive78 on Jan 27, 2010 2:19 PM EST reply actions
Most of the fumbles were strips by the Saints, the one at the end of the half being the exception.
by SaintsAlive78 on Jan 27, 2010 2:20 PM EST reply actions
Yes, but Peterson has proven to be a very accommodating ‘stripee’. Taylor can run and doesn’t hold the ball like it’s bolted to his hand. The Saints’ D wasn’t doing anything that other teams haven’t done to AP.
by Radatz on Jan 27, 2010 2:33 PM EST reply actions
Stop carrying the ball like it’s a radioactive warhead. That might help.
by ChiAdam on Jan 27, 2010 2:45 PM EST reply actions
he flaps his arms like wings when he cuts AND when he gets into traffic rather than squeezing it to his ribcage with both points covered. a good running back knows that the priority 1 is to hold on to the ball, even if it means going down for a loss.
by scurds on Jan 27, 2010 3:18 PM EST reply actions
You can’t be a great runner choking every big game just ask LT mr i have done nothing in my career. If you wanna be like runners like payton or smith (not SANDERS) another choker of a runner. You have to work on hanging on to the ball. Goodthing A.P is young and will learn.
by anotherkevin29 on Jan 27, 2010 4:26 PM EST reply actions
He should pull a Marilyn Manson and have portions of three ribs removed, so he can tuck the ball in there.
by L'etat, c'est moi on Jan 27, 2010 6:05 PM EST reply actions
Interesting – in his first 3 years, AP has fumbled 20 times. Other notables and their totals after their first 3 seasons:Eric Dickerson – 37Walter Payton – 30Tony Dorsett – 28Franco Harris – 34Earl Campbell – 21
by mathesond on Jan 28, 2010 11:31 AM EST reply actions
Maybe he can ask Tiki Barber how he better protected the ball the last couple of seasons…
Bottom line…….Just get it fixed!
by TexasHuskers on Jan 28, 2010 12:18 PM EST reply actions
@ mathesond
Great post. You can add Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith to that list with 19 fumbles apiece. For all the bashing of Tomlinson, he’s only coughed it up 27 times in nine years.
Best all-time ball carrier would have to be Curtis Martin, who put the ball on the carpet just 29 times over 11 seasons.
by Paul Brown's Ghost on Jan 28, 2010 1:37 PM EST reply actions
you guys are all forgetting john riggins, who never fumbled at all in his nfl career.
by scurds on Jan 28, 2010 7:24 PM EST reply actions
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