Grant and Peterson Compared

[HarveyWallbangers]

From reports I've read, Grant ran a 4.45 40. Peterson might have clocked 4.40. I don't know, but watch him. He plays faster than that. He also runs more violently than Grant. The thing that really separates him from all other RBs is that he's big AND he's unbelievable shifty. He and Steven Jackson have the best combination of size, speed, and agility. The only knock on Peterson is that his running style could make him injury prone. However, it seems like he runs less upright already in the NFL than he did in college, so I'm not sure if that will be a major problem even.

[Rastak]

From reports I've read, Grant ran a 4.45 40. Peterson might have clocked 4.40. I don't know, but watch him. He plays faster than that. He also runs more violently than Grant. The thing that really separates him from all other RBs is that he's big AND he's unbelievable shifty. He and Steven Jackson have the best combination of size, speed, and agility. The only knock on Peterson is that his running style could make him injury prone. However, it seems like he runs less upright already in the NFL than he did in college, so I'm not sure if that will be a major problem even.

That having been said Grant sure looked great to me. I agree he's a better value perhaps, but unless money is the ultimate goal that's just a secondary thing. I'm guessing both teams are pretty happy.

[Partial]

Peterson is much better than Grant

Based on what?

Talent.


I like Grant. I like him alot.

Peterson? Gains 2000 yards in the Big 12 straight out of high school.

In his rookie season he sets the all-time single game rushing record.

How long has the league been around? Some 80 years or so?


Grant is a real find. I ain't bad mouthing him.

Agreed. I liked Vince's post but the stats are viewed because Peterson is the offense for the vikes and the run is what is primarily defended with 8 or 9 defenders in the box. Against the Packers, you can't put more than 7 if you don't want to get burned deep. Having Favre and many good receivers has definitely helped Grant big time. Either way, production is production and he has done well with the opportunities given to him.

[Lurker64]

I think part of the issue is that virtually every team playing the Vikings plays run first and foremost, and on downs that Peterson is in they're usually facing eight and even nine men "in the box", as it were. We have a much more dangerous passing offense than Minnesota, so Grant usually sees more balanced looks from the defense.

This phenomenon has actually showed up in Vikings games actually, in a lot of the most recent games Chester Taylor has had decent stats in games where Peterson has had poor stats. This is largely because teams don't sell out to stop the run when Taylor is in, so he sees some holes that Peterson doesn't.

But most teams, when Peterson is in the game, just dare the Vikings to beat them by passing, and Minnesota has only had mixed success with this.

[4and12to12and4]

I can't believe that anyone who has even a little bit of knowledge of the game of football would dare to suggest that Grant is even close to the talent of AP. The numbers are quite even, but, my god, watch the games!! AP is unreal. He is like a runaway train, and PUNISHES anything in his path, yet, he also has GREAT cutting ability. His RAW talent is uncomparable to anyone other than LT right now. I think he has slightly more RAW talent than LT even. However, his vision is average at best and his running decisions reflect that.

He needs to listen to Steve Young who told him to chill out a little bit and not go full force every time he touches the ball, he will have a very short career if he continues running the way he does unless he gets REALLY lucky, because when you drop your head and try to punish the defender every carry, you will pay and pay dearly with these huge, fast tackles and linebackers out there.

After Young told him that, Emmitt Smith told him disagreed with Steve and told him to just keep doing what he's doing. I think Emmitt wants to hold on to his rushing record.

Grant is a very speedy back with good quickness and excellent vision, but he is also aided by having Brett back there, and M3's spread offense. That doesn't take anything away from him, others have tried and failed (Morency). I still think Brandon is just as good as Grant with better upside, because he has better cutting ability and is harder to take down. Grant is so fast he avoids tackles because defenders don't get a good hit on him, whereas Brandon can run through a good tackle, but doesn't hit 5th gear as quickly and needs to improve his decision making. I think we should use them like Dallas does, and spell Grant with Jackson, it makes it harder on the defense when two different type runners go in and out, they have to change the way they play both runners.

But, please don't compare Grant with AP when talking about potential and talent. Give me a break.

[RashanGary]

Great topic, Vince. Ryan Grant looked better than ever last week. I thought it was his best game as a Packer. He really WOW'd me with the way he ran. The way he exploded into the secondary, made guys miss once he got there and then ran away from guys was impressive.


Of course, Petersons greatest runs were even more spectacular, but then you have to consider Petersons injury prone upright style. Right now I'd have a hard time betting on either of them to have a better season next year. I honestly think Peterson is going to get injured. His legs are just wide open. I can't believe Eric Dickerson lasted as long as he did, but I guess it was only one player to run like that who ever lasted.

[Lurker64]

But, please don't compare Grant with AP when talking about potential and talent. Give me a break.

I can see the following scenario happen, howver:
1) The Vikings continue to have a poor passing offense for years to come, so teams continue to key on stopping Peterson.

2) The Packers continue to have a good passing offense for years to come, so Grant has many opportunities to run against wider open defenses.

3) Peterson reliably misses some time due to injury.

4) Grant stays relatively healthy.

I would think that if 1-4 come to pass, it's not hard to imagine Ryan Grant having a better career than Adrian Peterson, or at least several better seasons; and after all in this league we're more interested in production than potential when it comes to looking back.

[pack4to84]

What some of you forgot to mention is Grant had 2 of his longest runs this season with 8 men in the box. The Dallas and Bear games. Both where 3rd and 1 eight men in the box he ran by the secondary in a blink of and I . Grant forces teams to not put eight men in the box because of his running style. If a hole opens up with eight men in a box he is gone every time. I have watched a lot of football since 1978 the only running back that had Grant style of running is Bo Jackson. Yes I am comparing him to Bo. I think Grant hit the hole with so much explosion only Bo Jackson had during his career. I just hope he plays longer then what Bo Jackson was able to play.

Even 4and12to12and4 has to acknowledge my football knowledge since I was his football buff since child hood.

The comparison with AP different style of runners who will achieve the same goal. AP is physically gifted. Grant just has a style of running that would achieve his goal. He hits the hole so fast he is by the secondary if they play up. If teams play eight in the box verse Grant he would break off long runs. AP doesn't hit top gear as fast as Grant. Thats why eight men in the box can stop him. Teams are forced to put eight in the box verse AP so sooner or later their QB will hurt you off play action.

[Jimx29]

Gut feeling tells me next year AP will pull a Frank Gore. Teams already figured out how to make him completely ineffective, and that'll be the beginning of the end of the "star" power he has and he'll be just like any other RB in the league by next years end.

[Tarlam!]

Right now, I think I am more scared of facing AP twice a year, than Ras is facing Grant twice a year.

Absolutely no disrespect to Grant. I have been on his band wagon since I got off of Wynn's ...

[Guiness]

Wow - some heady statements about Grant. Bo Jackson, eh? I'll take that!

What I like the most about him is his top gear - seem like he had a lot of long runs, over 20yds - can anyone find the actual number? That's the kind of back this O needs...a home run hitter who can punish a D for cheating to much towards the pass. The way our offense is set up, we don't care about grinding out 3-4 yards on every down. What we need is the guy who can break a 15yd run on 3 and 10 when the D is in dime.

BTW stunned that Levens only had 9 100yd games in his career!

[vince]

I can't believe that anyone who has even a little bit of knowledge of the game of football would dare to suggest that Grant is even close to the talent of AP. The numbers are quite even, but, my god, watch the games!!

What demonstrates a lack of "knowledge of the game of football" is when fans fawn over "talent" that is obvious to even the most casual fan, and seemingly don't understand what actually wins football games - production.

I never said that Grant is as talented overall as Peterson. I agree with everyone who says that Peterson is much more talented, particularly when it comes to foot quickness, which contribute to his shiftiness and explosiveness. He's also a bit faster. However, the facts thus far show without a doubt that doesn't necessarily translate to "much better."

Most fans and media pundits (and many GMs) overrate "talent." That allows guys like Bill Polian and Ted Thompson to mop up with unheralded productive footbal players that win games. Then after the fact, everyone fawns about how "talented" those players are.

When that happens right before our eyes, who would we say understands the game of football and who doesn't?

[Iron Mike]

Most fans and media pundits (and many GMs) overrate "talent." That allows guys like Bill Polian and Ted Thompson to mop up with unheralded productive football players that win games. Then after the fact, everyone fawns about how "talented" those players are.

Yep. What would you rather be.....7-9 with a superstar, or 13-3 without one?

[Tarlam!]

Yep. What would you rather be.....7-9 with a superstar, or 13-3 without one?

Our superstar is a QB. Ya gotta be thinking Minnie has a different record if defenses respected their passing game...

[Patler]

Most fans and media pundits (and many GMs) overrate "talent." That allows guys like Bill Polian and Ted Thompson to mop up with unheralded productive footbal players that win games. Then after the fact, everyone fawns about how "talented" those players are.

Case in point - Aaron Kampman. How long did we hear that he would always be "just a good player" but not Pro-Bowl material because of his lack of talent and physical gifts?

Sometimes players just fit the system they are asked to play in and become extremely productive even without the best natural talent. Grant so far seems to fit what the Packers want from a runner. He finds the cutback lanes, bursts through them quickly and has enough elusiveness, speed and power to get extra yards on his own. If he improves as a receiver and as a blocker he will be a very nice fit for the present Packer scheme.

What I like best about Grant is his consistency. Rarely does he miss what is available. He gets what's there to be had. In the last 10 games he has had a 10+ run in every game, and a 20+ run in every game except KC, and that is without huge numbers of running plays. Since the Packer O-line is less than elite as a run-blocking unit, it is apparent that when it is there, Grant gets it. Missing a hole or not seeing a cutback lane is like dropping a pass. It's a wasted play. Grant doesn't seem to have many of those as a runner. Also, he gets in the endzone. At least one rushing TD in each of the last 6 games and 8 in the last 8 games. He has enough speed to get to the endzone from any point on the field. That makes defenses respect the running game, even when the Packers remain primarily a passing team.