Could 2008 have been "so much better" for AP?
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has started his professional football career as well as anyone could have imagined.
In his rookie season, Peterson won the NFL Rookie of the Year award and quickly made six franchises regret passing on him in the NFL draft.
However, Vikings running backs coach Eric Bieniemy says that last year's season, in which AP led the NFL in rushing yards (1760), could have been "so much better," according to Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
"I thought he made a tremendous jump from [his rookie season], but also I think he will improve again this year," Bieniemy said. "My main concern with him is just basically getting back to understanding run-game reads. Because, obviously, he had a great year last year, but it could have been so much better. I know for a second-year player to go out and rush for 1,760 yards is a tremendous, tremendous success. The sky can be the limit."
The one thing that Peterson did not do well was protect the football. He had nine fumbles, four of which he lost, in 2009.
Marion Barber III of Dallas was second in fumbles (seven) for a running back. Seven running backs were tied for second in lost fumbles (three).
Bieniemy will focus on two things to help reduce fumbles - drills to reinforce the little things and trying to convince AP that "it's OK to go down." Good luck on the second of those.
"...The way you address that, I think, in the offseason is you just work on different techniques and different drills on ball security and making sure the little things become a habit. Most of his issues have been [fumbling] in fighting for extra yardage, and at times you've just got to learn that, 'Hey, it's OK to go down.' I know that's not his nature, but it's OK."
"Last year, I think he did the commercial tour circuit," Bieniemy said. "I think this year, he's limited his priorities more so of not doing that as much and basically more concentrating on himself and getting himself prepared mentally and physically for the season."
With the exception of only one off game (week five against the Saints), Peterson rushed for 76 yards or more and had a carry of 10+ yards in all other 15 games. He had a carry of 20 yards or more in 12 of his 16 games. He rushed for 100+ yards in 10 games.
With the addition of Percy Harvin as a playmaker, AP will find less eight-man fronts in 2009. With more focus on his game this off-season and extra weapons to keep eight men out of the box next season, Peterson just may have a 2009 that will be "so much better" than he had in 2008.
In his rookie season, Peterson won the NFL Rookie of the Year award and quickly made six franchises regret passing on him in the NFL draft.
However, Vikings running backs coach Eric Bieniemy says that last year's season, in which AP led the NFL in rushing yards (1760), could have been "so much better," according to Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
"I thought he made a tremendous jump from [his rookie season], but also I think he will improve again this year," Bieniemy said. "My main concern with him is just basically getting back to understanding run-game reads. Because, obviously, he had a great year last year, but it could have been so much better. I know for a second-year player to go out and rush for 1,760 yards is a tremendous, tremendous success. The sky can be the limit."
The one thing that Peterson did not do well was protect the football. He had nine fumbles, four of which he lost, in 2009.
Marion Barber III of Dallas was second in fumbles (seven) for a running back. Seven running backs were tied for second in lost fumbles (three).
Bieniemy will focus on two things to help reduce fumbles - drills to reinforce the little things and trying to convince AP that "it's OK to go down." Good luck on the second of those.
"...The way you address that, I think, in the offseason is you just work on different techniques and different drills on ball security and making sure the little things become a habit. Most of his issues have been [fumbling] in fighting for extra yardage, and at times you've just got to learn that, 'Hey, it's OK to go down.' I know that's not his nature, but it's OK."
"Last year, I think he did the commercial tour circuit," Bieniemy said. "I think this year, he's limited his priorities more so of not doing that as much and basically more concentrating on himself and getting himself prepared mentally and physically for the season."
With the exception of only one off game (week five against the Saints), Peterson rushed for 76 yards or more and had a carry of 10+ yards in all other 15 games. He had a carry of 20 yards or more in 12 of his 16 games. He rushed for 100+ yards in 10 games.
With the addition of Percy Harvin as a playmaker, AP will find less eight-man fronts in 2009. With more focus on his game this off-season and extra weapons to keep eight men out of the box next season, Peterson just may have a 2009 that will be "so much better" than he had in 2008.
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