Peterson scuffled again in 2009, hiding a turf toe problem after the fan abuse heaped upon him for his 2008 injuries. He only reached 842 yards and finally shut down his season in Week 14 when the Vikings were eliminated from playoff contention.
Running backs, more than any other position, have only so many miles they can handle. After so many carries and blows to their bodies, they simply can't offer any more. Reduced effectiveness and injuries follow. The will to play at the highest level is knocked from their bones, as happened with Barry Sanders and Robert Smith, another former Vikings running back.
For Peterson, he seemed to hit his limit earlier than other running backs, but he couldn't be pushed any further. His 2010 campaign ended before it started with an ACL tear during the last preseason game, his first after arthroscopic knee surgery in the 2009 offseason.
Only recently has Minnesota discovered the law broken on draft day: Title 15, United States Code, Section 1984 (odometer fraud). Peterson and the Oklahoma Sooners ran up untold miles and carries on his fragile body, hiding the abuse and spinning back the odometer just in time to raise the hype on Peterson in the 2007 NFL Draft. The Vikings didn't make the steal; they were fooled into giving this young lemon a slotted contract with a seven-figure bonus.
Unfortunately for the Vikings and their fans, the statue of limitations ran out long ago on this crime. Instead of trying one more time to get this young man's body running again, the Vikings released Peterson today. Billionaire visitors to the used running backs lot this spring should beware and bring their own body mechanics while shopping this time.
Now read Matt Sussman's "Adrian Peterson The Star."
Article comments
1 - david c.
I think its funny that you have a sentence in the comments section that says personal attacks are not allowed yet that is what this whole story is about. You attack the character of the kid and predict a DUI and even going so far to pick the town that it will happen in? Your glass is beyond half empty. You are crying over a half empty glass of milk before it is even spilt. I feel sorry for the kid if he is drafted by Minnesota and has to hear about this crap before he even shows up.
2 - Christopher Rose
david - the no personal attacks sentence refers to other commenters not legitimate criticism of public figures...
3 - david c.
Predicting a DUI is legitimate criticism? Give me a break. Predicting he will get injured again? Ok I can buy that.
4 - Tuffy
It's a fair cop, David C. This series is intended to explore how things can go very, very well and very, very badly. When a man begins to feel his fragility and his childhood dream breaking down with his body, how does he handle that incredible stress? In other words, why not him? In my other bust piece, a grown man screams expletives at a four-year-old's father in her presence. Again, how does the stress release?
Also, you'll see we do create pieces that are more fan-friendly to go with these 'bust' pieces that describe wild success that is just as likely but more believable because it matches the optimism the draft represents.
5 - Pamela Mensa
That was an insanely stupid article based on NOTHING. DUH!
6 - david c.
I hope he disaapoints you and has a great career you ingrate.
7 - david c.
spend you time writing fiction novels not tearing down individuals for your own pleasure. You could focus you imagination in a lot better ways than predicting things like this for a kid.
8 - her
are you talking about A.Peterson from Palestine, TX? AND---look at the yrs. listed here,2008 & 2009...2007 isn't even over yet. Get a life.
9 - alessandro
Hey Suss got off easy on the comments section of his article.
I think the comments here missed the point of the exercise.
10 - pst78
This was great piece of future journalism, obviously the comments are from people with zero imagination and easily forget all the sad stories sports has to offer. I see the point of your article as RB are not given as much support as say QBs and the world is on their shoulders, when the "tires" come off teams just dump these guys. Or the AZ Cardinals sign them! In any case, I think he is similar to Larry Johnson, RB for KC. He will be as great as his offensive line will allow, but as they crumble he won't have a chance and injury is sure to follow.