Running by the numbers

“I’m not the type of guy that wants to go down on the first contact. I want to get those extra yards.” -Antonio Gibson

- Chris Russell

We should have seen it coming, but nobody did. The writing was on the wall for an Adrian Peterson release, no matter how many good things coach Ron Rivera said about his work ethic, dedication, and example for the younger players.

They say NFL stands for Not For Long and in Peterson’s case, that has been true for the last four coaching staff that he’s played for.

The modern NFL offense does not fit what a 35-year old future Pro Football Hall of Famer does well. If you don’t have Derrick Henry, you have this.

Running back by committee.

It’s what works in reality despite the nightmare it causes for the fantasy football side of the industry. It will work here in Washington too if brutal injuries are avoided.

There were a numbers game and a log jam at running back all offseason and everyone wondered how it would fit. Many thought Peyton Barber was just a camp body. Then he showed a little pop in practice with young legs and the ability to catch the ball. He won a job and in week one he scored two physical touchdowns and converted on a fourth-and-one that was stretched out wide and required a burst.

I’m not sure if Peterson would have ever been able to make it. Barber did and finished off the drive with a go-ahead score.