In another system, Darren Mcfadden is Adrian Peterson

[CM Hooe]

I don't understand any argument that tries to separates a player's lack of durability or some other physical ailment from the evaluation of that player. McFadden's lack of durability relative to his peers in the NFL is part of what defines him and his career as an NFL player. We can wonder "what if" all we want but we're not going to get anywhere with that.

This goes for the NBA forum too with the Tracy McGrady stuff, but that's another topic entirely.

But yeah, McFadden isn't Peterson.

[pw_1016]

Quote: Originally Posted by kehlis

So is your argument that he would be better in a different system or if he didn't get injured frequently? You're making it hard to tell.

Better in a different system, but you have to say that AP is on the field more than Mcfadden so obviously his stats will be better and he will see the end zone more. right?

[CM Hooe]

Quote: Originally Posted by pw_1016

Better in a different system, but you have to say that AP is on the field more than Mcfadden so obviously his stats will be better and he will see the end zone more. right?

Not necessarily. Particularly at running back, Peterson is better by virtue of simply being on the field in the first place. He's not being subbed out often for a spell back, he's not having to be yanked for a situational substitution on third down, he's not leaving the field with regularity due to injuries because for whatever reason his body is better built to play football than 99.9% of the human race. His football and athletic skill set allows him to do pretty much anything and everything that the Vikings ask him to do, and the Vikings' offense loses a threat in every facet of their offense when he is not on the field.

The only similar guy I can think of to that end is Maurice Jones-Drew (though maybe also Ray Rice, though Ravens fans love to complain that offensive coordinator Cam Cameron forgets he exists at times).

AP and MJD are probably the two closest things to old-school workhorse backs in the league right now, to that end. McFadden simply isn't in that class right now.

[iAM-IncReDiBLe-]

McFadden will never be as good as Peterson. Peterson is a physical beast. He has a rare combination of size an speed an actually plays up to his talent.

[ImTellinTim]

Let's also not forget that AP shredded two ligaments in his knee in week 16 last season, but there he was week 1 this year. While the Vikings have eased him back in with more limited touches, his running style and cutting ability haven't suffered. Part of that is his natural ability to heal, a bigger part of it is working hard in the rehab room to get back into playing shape. Then you have McFadden who always seems to have some kind of nagging injury. AP seeks contact and violently fights for extra yards on almost every carry, yet he is able to be on the field more than McFadden.

[bkrich83]

McFadden is a fine player. That can't be disputed. But under no circumstances can he be compared to AP. He just simply isn't the same player no matter what excuses you make for him.

[55]

Just look at what AD did on the first drive against Arizona (a good defense) today alone.

Even on his best day, McFadden is no Peterson.

[wwharton]

Another case of making a great player look bad by trying to compare him to a better player. I see where the NBA forum comparison came in.

I love McFadden. He doesn't belong in this conversation.