Updated: Adrian Peterson suspension overturned, but is NOT reinstated

[Doomsday101]

Being out of football is a good thing when we are talking about the punishment a body takes over the course of a season.

Also there isn't a single person in football who thinks Murray is better than Peterson.

Also did you know the season Adrian broke 2k yards he had 3 games with under 4 ypc? Including two where he averaged 3.4?

Also do you know you're making yourself look foolish?

It is not great when you are turning 30 and on the downhill side.

and I'm not foolish wanting to bring father time as a RB. Dallas has a RB in his prime. Funny when it comes to Murray we are not suppose to look at what he has done since contract are about the future not what you have done yet would pay a 30 year old RB? It is these moves that have done more to hurt Dallas than has ever helped them.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

It is not great when you are turning 30 and on the downhill side.

and I'm not foolish wanting to bring father time as a RB. Dallas has a RB in his prime. Funny when it comes to Murray we are not suppose to look at what he has done since contract are about the future not what you have done yet would pay a 30 year old RB? It is these moves that have done more to hurt Dallas than has ever helped them.

Yes. If I am going to pay a rb big money give me the guy who is bigger stronger faster fresher (today) and has an elite track record (longevity and peak).

Verses the guy who is smaller weaker slower coming off a historic workload (today) and has a track record that says last year's durability was the outlier not the norm.

I'm weird that way.

 

[Doomsday101]

Yes. If I am going to pay a rb big money give me the guy who is bigger stronger faster fresher (today) and has an elite track record (longevity and peak).

Verses the guy who is smaller weaker slower coming off a historic workload (today) and has a track record that says last year's durability was the outlier not the norm.

I'm weird that way.

who says he is now? He has not played and his past game vs a piss poor Rams run defense that Murray has chewed more than once he could get a 100 yards. I know AP has been great he also went from a 2,000 plus season to a 1,200 season the year after. I don't want to pay for what AP has done in the past over a guy who is still in his prime. I'm funny that way, I would go with a guy who is in his prime vs a guy on the downhill side

 

[BoysFan4ever]

The Cowboys have a great RB in Murray. Keep him.

 

[Doomsday101]

In the words of Marsellus Wallace :You see, this profession is filled to the brim with unrealistic *********. *********** who thought their behinds would age like wine. If you mean it turns to vinegar, it does. If you mean it gets better with age, it don't. LOL

 

[Toruk_Makto]

who says he is now? He has not played and his past game vs a piss poor Rams run defense that Murray has chewed more than once he could get a 100 yards. I know AP has been great he also went from a 2,000 plus season to a 1,200 season the year after. I don't want to pay for what AP has done in the past over a guy who is still in his prime. I'm funny that way, I would go with a guy who is in his prime vs a guy on the downhill side

The Rams had the 6th best defensive weighted DVOA last year.

19th against the pass and 4th against the run.

You're entitled to your own opinion but you're not entitled to your own facts.

 

[Broges74]

It won't happen but I'd love to have both. That historic amount of touches Murray had can be split in two.

 

[burmafrd]

who says he is now? He has not played and his past game vs a piss poor Rams run defense that Murray has chewed more than once he could get a 100 yards. I know AP has been great he also went from a 2,000 plus season to a 1,200 season the year after. I don't want to pay for what AP has done in the past over a guy who is still in his prime. I'm funny that way, I would go with a guy who is in his prime vs a guy on the downhill side

you would not know prime if USDA Choice slapped you in the face.

 

[Nightman]

The only non-cost argument for not wanting Peterson over Murray is if you really believe that AD has lost his abilities starting at the end of 2013 and going through last season. As far as I'm concerned, that's a matter for the proscouts, but I certainly haven't seen anything of the sort. I think he's hands-down the best back in football. Obviously, if he's not, it's a mistake to sign him, regardless what you do with DeMarco Murray. If he's the same player he's always been, though, he's a better back, and it isn't really a close decision in my book.

The ball's entirely in MIN's court right now. If they want to cough up the $13M for him, they'll do it. I suspect they don't want that--no matter what they're saying publicly right now. Minny fans hilariously think we'll cough up a first round pick for him, fwiw. They seem to be of the opinion that maybe there's a discussion going on about whether or not it makes sense to keep him disgruntled and on the roster with a high number. I think pretty much any fanbase would feel the same about a legitimate superstar getting a premium salary on the downside of a career after a major suspension and PR incident the year prior. It doesn't take much to imagine how we'd feel about Dez if he were, say, 32 years old (adjusting that age for the position he plays), had a $13M number, and was coming off a season-long suspension for, say, a Walmart video. There'd be a lot of good arguments for trading, reducing salary, or cutting the guy outright. No matter what our relative cap position was. It's no different for AD. Throw in that he's reportedly pretty unhappy with the team management and it's easy to see why people think there's a good chance he hits the streets in April.

I still think it's most likely MIN does something to keep him around for at least another season. If he's cut, I think there's a good chance somebody else will offer a lot more money than Dallas would. But if he hits the streets and we've got a hole at RB and can find a number that works for both parties, we'd be absolutely nuts not to bring him in.

We pretty much had that scenario with Ware last year, without the suspension and bad PR. He had the high salary, the injuries and the questions to go with being considered one of the best in game at one point. Most smart fans wanted to move on, even though Ware was always a fan favorite.

 

[joseephuss]

Yes. If I am going to pay a rb big money give me the guy who is bigger stronger faster fresher (today) and has an elite track record (longevity and peak).

Verses the guy who is smaller weaker slower coming off a historic workload (today) and has a track record that says last year's durability was the outlier not the norm.

I'm weird that way.

Murray has played in 32 of 34 games over the last two seasons.

Thirty year old running backs aren't fresh. Taking a year off doesn't make a guy with nearly 2000 rushing attempts fresh. Peterson has a lot of years and mileage on his body.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Murray has played in 32 of 34 games over the last two seasons.

Thirty year old running backs aren't fresh. Taking a year off doesn't make a guy with nearly 2000 rushing attempts fresh. Peterson has a lot of years and mileage on his body.

He is also a freak and a generation player.

Murry has played a full season exactly once.

And only because he played 5 days after having surgery.

 

[MichaelValentino]

It is not great when you are turning 30 and on the downhill side.

and I'm not foolish wanting to bring father time as a RB. Dallas has a RB in his prime. Funny when it comes to Murray we are not suppose to look at what he has done since contract are about the future not what you have done yet would pay a 30 year old RB? It is these moves that have done more to hurt Dallas than has ever helped them.

Before the AP vs Murray chatter started on this forum and elsewhere I read many comments about how backs have historically never played to the level they did when they had an historic number of carries in a season. There was enough concern over Murray playing at a high level in 2015 and following after his 400 or so touches in 2014.

I also don't necessarily buy into the "once a back hits 30, he's done" theory either. Especially when that back is a rare physical talent.

Consider Walter Payton. Between the ages of 30-32 he carried 1026 times for 4568 yd, a 4.45 ypc avg, rushed for 28 TD and caught 131 passes for another 5 TD.

Not bad for a back on the downhill.

Is AP the equivalent of Walter Payton? No, but Walter also took on many more direct shots. He took a lot and gave a lot of punishment. And AP, although not Payton, is no slouch. He is a great back with power, speed, acceleration and wiggle. He is in great physical condition (or, at least, has been throughout his career) and is the premier back of the last 15-20 years.

If anyone can have a monster year at 30 or 31, it is Adrian Peterson.

Yes, Walter Payton played with arguably the greatest defensive team in history. And he had an O-line that featured four Pro Bowlers, from LT to RG. But he also played more games with Mike Tomczak, Doug Flutie and Steve Fuller than he did with Jim McMahon after age 30. And even McMahon was far from Tony Romo. And this Dallas OL is very much on par with the mid-80s Bears lines.

The window is opened just a crack. Romo is getting up in age and had battled through serious injuries. Dallas has to win now. When no. 9 retires it could be a long dry spell.

I lived through Roger Staubach's retirement and the dark period known as the 1980s. I experienced the sheer heartbreak of SB XIII and The Catch. And, like many of you, I've been waiting since 1995 for something to celebrate.

If JJ can sign AP, I'm all in. I like Murray. I would love to get Gurley in the draft. But for me, the best chance to win SB 50 is with no. 28 in the backfield.

 

[MichaelValentino]

Murray has played in 32 of 34 games over the last two seasons.

Thirty year old running backs aren't fresh. Taking a year off doesn't make a guy with nearly 2000 rushing attempts fresh. Peterson has a lot of years and mileage on his body.

Since Emmitt and Barry were in their peak, Adrian Peterson has been, bar none, the greatest running back to wear an NFL uniform. AP will have a bust in Canton, Ohio one day. If he can add to his illustrious career a SB title in Dallas next February - and I think he can - then why not go all out in FA to get him?

 

[big dog cowboy]

I also don't necessarily buy into the "once a back hits 30, he's done" theory either. Especially when that back is a rare physical talent.

Consider Walter Payton. Between the ages of 30-32 he carried 1026 times for 4568 yd, a 4.45 ypc avg, rushed for 28 TD and caught 131 passes for another 5 TD.

Consider that is just one example when there are so far many more who declined. Also, you are talking about Walter Payton for crying out loud. He is the exception to the rule.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I'm just glad @Doomsday101 stopped making up facts.

 

[MichaelValentino]

Consider that is just one example when there are so far many more who declined. Also, you are talking about Walter Payton for crying out loud. He is the exception to the rule.

I watched Payton throughout his entire career. He was a punishing runner and he had more violent collisions than most backs, including Peterson. Payton was known for his conditioning. He was a rare athlete. I realize all this and I admit as great as AP is he is not the equal to Payton.

But, AP is also a rare athlete. He is probably more chiseled than Payton was and pound-for-pound nearly as strong. Payton would get the edge in lower body strength as he would over most backs not named Earl Campbell.

As I also said, Payton played with QBs far below Romo's talent level. Payton had WRs like Willie Gault (basically only ran the 9 route) and Dennis McKinnon (physical WR who was nowhere near the player Dez is), and Payton never had a TE like Witten. AP on the Cowboys with an OL that is the equal of Covert-Thayer-Hilgenberg-Bortz-Van Horne (did you watch that OL during their entire careers?) would give Dallas the best offense in the NFL.

AP >> Murray. If it were just a case of AP > Murray, then I would not care how things turn out. But AP is not only better (>) than Murray, he is much, much better (>>).

I did not research other backs north of 30. I did not feel I needed to. Adrian Peterson is easily the greatest RB of this era. People can argue between Manning and Brady and Rodgers for greatest QB. There is no such argument when it comes to RB.

Peterson will probably end his career north of 15,000 yards. That will put him in rarified air.

And although no back can compare to Walter when it comes to heart and sheer will, AP is faster, more elusive and more explosive.

If I wanted to make a comparison between great DTs, and make a case of Randy White being among the most physically gifted I don't need to compare him to Leo Nomellini, Curly Culp, Bob Lilly, Joe Greene, Merlin Olsen, Warren Sapp and 20 other guys. I can compare him to Mean Joe Greene and if my argument is valid, it can end there.

AP is a rare player who is Canton-bound.

He got 2000 yards coming off ACL surgery with an OL that is not nearly as good as the Cowboys line and with a QB that could not carry Romo's cleats.

AP is going to wear that yellow blazer in Canton and give a speech one day. Do you think Demarco Murray will?

 

[joseephuss]

I watched Payton throughout his entire career. He was a punishing runner and he had more violent collisions than most backs, including Peterson. Payton was known for his conditioning. He was a rare athlete. I realize all this and I admit as great as AP is he is not the equal to Payton.

But, AP is also a rare athlete. He is probably more chiseled than Payton was and pound-for-pound nearly as strong. Payton would get the edge in lower body strength as he would over most backs not named Earl Campbell.

As I also said, Payton played with QBs far below Romo's talent level. Payton had WRs like Willie Gault (basically only ran the 9 route) and Dennis McKinnon (physical WR who was nowhere near the player Dez is), and Payton never had a TE like Witten. AP on the Cowboys with an OL that is the equal of Covert-Thayer-Hilgenberg-Bortz-Van Horne (did you watch that OL during their entire careers?) would give Dallas the best offense in the NFL.

AP >> Murray. If it were just a case of AP > Murray, then I would not care how things turn out. But AP is not only better (>) than Murray, he is much, much better (>>).

I did not research other backs north of 30. I did not feel I needed to. Adrian Peterson is easily the greatest RB of this era. People can argue between Manning and Brady and Rodgers for greatest QB. There is no such argument when it comes to RB.

Peterson will probably end his career north of 15,000 yards. That will put him in rarified air.

And although no back can compare to Walter when it comes to heart and sheer will, AP is faster, more elusive and more explosive.

If I wanted to make a comparison between great DTs, and make a case of Randy White being among the most physically gifted I don't need to compare him to Leo Nomellini, Curly Culp, Bob Lilly, Joe Greene, Merlin Olsen, Warren Sapp and 20 other guys. I can compare him to Mean Joe Greene and if my argument is valid, it can end there.

AP is a rare player who is Canton-bound.

He got 2000 yards coming off ACL surgery with an OL that is not nearly as good as the Cowboys line and with a QB that could not carry Romo's cleats.

AP is going to wear that yellow blazer in Canton and give a speech one day. Do you think Demarco Murray will?

Peterson in his prime is better than Murray in his prime. No one has said otherwise, so I don't see how it applies in this situation. Dallas wouldn't be getting Peterson in his prime. They are going to get a lesser version. I don't care how much of a freak he is. Time and age catch up with every running back. That has been proven over and over in the NFL.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Peterson in his prime is better than Murray in his prime. No one has said otherwise, so I don't see how it applies in this situation. Dallas wouldn't be getting Peterson in his prime. They are going to get a lesser version. I don't care how much of a freak he is. Time and age catch up with every running back. That has been proven over and over in the NFL.

The chance of us getting Peterson are slim to none. I'm afraid we're going to lose Murray, not get AP and then we're going to have to scramble to find a new RB. It's a big gamble IMO and I agree with you. Even if we do get Peterson, who knows how long before he declines.

 

[joseephuss]

I also don't think Adrian Peterson will finish his career with more than 15,000 yards. There is nothing wrong with finishing short of that mark and he is a Hall of Famer, but that is a lot of rushing yards. Only three players have surpassed that total in NFL history. All three of those running backs had more rushing yards before age 30 than the 10,190 yards Peterson has accumulated.

Rushing yards before age 30(after age 30)
Barry Sanders 13,778 yards(1491 yards)
Emmitt Smith 12,566 yards(5789 yards)
Walter Payton 11,625 yards(5101 yards)

Those are the guys with over 15,000 yards. Here are a few other notable running backs.
Eric Dickerson 11,226 yards(2033 yards)
Earl Campbell 8764 yards(643 yards)
LaDainian Tomlinson 11,760 yards(1924 yards)
Curtis Martin 10,361 yards(3740 yards)

 

[Broges74]

There are instances of guys just falling off a cliff around this age that AP is in. There are also very recent instances of guys crossing a number of carries threshold and having a fall of the cliff next season. AP, with a year off, back home and motivated beyond belief to have some positive press + Dallas O-Line = AP record season stats for his career. Then, possibly a steep falloff the next season. I think you look at Gurley and go with AP (if available) but no way you pay DM more than 5mil per. You just can't.. Odds are he will return to Earth next season.