Adrian Peterson, above, is “in great shape, explosive, and that’s what sold us,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Tuesday.
.@AdrianPeterson in his new threads. pic.twitter.com/5C5EaH4u7h
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 21, 2018
The big question will be the same as last season for Peterson: What does he have left? Over the past two seasons, he’s averaged 3.1 yards per carry, third lowest among backs with at least 150 rushes.
“It shows me people don’t really know about football,” Peterson said. “People that know the game of football know different situations a player might be in. So when people go back and say, ‘Oh, 2.4 yards per carry,’ there’s a lot that contributes to that as well. I just brush it off.”
Peterson has ignored his recent stats and focused on his workouts as proof of what he still has left.
“Every summer, we have young guys that come and work out in our gym, and [no one] has outworked me,” Peterson said. “I’m talking about 21-, 22-year-old guys. No matter [if it’s] speed work, agility work, running the hill. So that right there is a good measuring stick as well. When you watch the film, I feel like [there’s] evidence there to show that, hey, he’s still got the burst, acceleration, the power. But I guess everyone doesn’t view it that way, and that’s fine.”
His workout convinced the Redskins they should sign him. Gruden said Peterson barely broke a sweat during a 40-minute workout Monday, in which running backs coach Randy Jordan had him running and going through drills.
He's BACK!@AdrianPeterson at @Redskins practice! ??? #HTTR pic.twitter.com/oJmanwXtnm
— NFL (@NFL) August 21, 2018
When Adrian Peterson started in the NFL it was still a running back league. Not anymore, total QB league. He’ll definitely add the element of a home run hitter, but unfortunately, no matter how freakish he looks, his best days are behind him. Father time always wins.