AP's injury

[Monster]

http://www.twincities.com/2016/09/21/report-vikings-adrian-peterson-could-be-out-for-season-knee-surgery-thursday/

Well that wasn't good news. AP is a different sort and he could easily come back in time for the playoffs or whatnot but I'm not going to be too optimistic on that.

So what will the Vikings do to add to their RBs? Add CJ Ham or go get a vet RB like Spiller or Ronnie Hillman or something like that. Their are guys that have had success in the past that are out there if they want to do that. I know people liked CJ Ham but I didn't really see him play in the preseason so I don't have much of an opinion.

I still think Asiata and McKinnon are pretty solid and McKinnon could be really effective. Asiata last year slimmed down a bit and has a bit more burst and a little more wiggle than he did the last time he helped fill in for AP. It doesn't make him great but I think he may be a bit more effective than he was then which wouldn't hurt.

Diggs looks like the real deal. I heard he is leading the league in recieving years with the magical duo of Bradford and Hill throwing to him. Rudolph if healthy and not having to block is a pretty nice target. There COULD be pieces for this team to chuck the ball around a bit and Asata and McKinnon are much more suited to help facilitate that type of offense because of their versatility than AP. It's a bit like having a terrific post player in basketball you have to use them but it can bog down your offense to some extent. I'm sort of intrigued strangely to see how they are able to play without AP.

[Monster]

We got him!!! Ronnie Hillman!!! YES!!! Actually in all seriousness I think its a pretty good signing. the guy has some physical talent and has big play ability. He turned 25 a few days ago. I'm sure he was pretty cheap if it doesn't work out they can just cut him and sign another guy.

[bleedspeed]

And we lost Matt Kalil. He was playing bad and this is why. It will be interesting.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Yesterday at breakfast an orthopedic surgeon in my group explained AP's options to us. He could have just had the meniscus removed arthroscopically, and been ready to play perhaps as early as this week (although game 4 or 5 would have been more likely), but this option would have almost certainly resulted in painful arthritis later in life. The other option...to have surgery to have the meniscus tear repaired and being out 3-4 months...was the one AP selected. I thought there was a chance AP was crazy enough to choose option 1, but I think any sane individual would have gone the way he eventually did.

Losing a future HOFer like AP is difficult to put a positive spin on, but somehow it doesn't bother me too much. He has been terribly ineffective in the first two games, and Norv seems too stubborn at times to move away from the running game. Both Bradford and Hill looked reasonably effective when facing normal defensive schemes (i.e. when AP was on the bench), and I think our running game can be at least marginally effective when the opponent doesn't have 8 guys stacked up in the line to stop the run.

Frankly I'm more unhappy about the Kalil news than the AP news.

[Monster]

Yesterday at breakfast an orthopedic surgeon in my group explained AP's options to us. He could have just had the meniscus removed arthroscopically, and been ready to play perhaps as early as this week (although game 4 or 5 would have been more likely), but this option would have almost certainly resulted in painful arthritis later in life. The other option...to have surgery to have the meniscus tear repaired and being out 3-4 months...was the one AP selected. I thought there was a chance AP was crazy enough to choose option 1, but I think any sane individual would have gone the way he eventually did.

Losing a future HOFer like AP is difficult to put a positive spin on, but somehow it doesn't bother me too much. He has been terribly ineffective in the first two games, and Norv seems too stubborn at times to move away from the running game. Both Bradford and Hill looked reasonably effective when facing normal defensive schemes (i.e. when AP was on the bench), and I think our running game can be at least marginally effective when the opponent doesn't have 8 guys stacked up in the line to stop the run.

Frankly I'm more unhappy about the Kalil news than the AP news.

Good info LST. My good friend who's wife is finishing up her PHD in PT said he would put money on AP being back for the playoffs but then said he would have to check with his wife first to be 100%. Lol I wouldn't bet against AP but I am staying pessimistic on him returning this year even for the playoffs.

LST I feel a similar way about losing AP to this injury. As I have said on this forum before I've never connected with him as a favorite player. I think the guy is one of the best RBs I have ever seen but he has never been a guy I just really loved and that admittedly affects how I feel about losing him to injury.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I agree with the sentiments in both your paragraphs, monster. There's no disputing AP is a freak of nature, and if anyone is going to beat the rehab schedule for meniscus surgery, he would be the guy. I wouldn't be shocked to see him back in the lineup late December, although most reports are he's out for the season.

That said, I've never connected with him as a player either...even preceding the kid whippings. I could very well be wrong in my impression, but he's always seemed a little detached from the team. I'm very curious to see how the offense performs with a more balanced pass/run mix.

[Monster]

I agree with the sentiments in both your paragraphs, monster. There's no disputing AP is a freak of nature, and if anyone is going to beat the rehab schedule for meniscus surgery, he would be the guy. I wouldn't be shocked to see him back in the lineup late December, although most reports are he's out for the season.

That said, I've never connected with him as a player either...even preceding the kid whippings. I could very well be wrong in my impression, but he's always seemed a little detached from the team. I'm very curious to see how the offense performs with a more balanced pass/run mix.

Good thoughts on AP LST. I'm not sure if this is a factor in not connecting with him hit I just don't see him as a personality or significant vocal leader. It's just not exactly who he is and yet he is a superstar so that probably makes him a little distant all things considered. Ultimately I don't have a problem with him not being that type Because he is a RB and there are so many other players that can lead on an NFL roster. I'm sure he leads plenty by example and that's worth plenty. QBs have to be leaders. Top NBA players tend to have to be pretty significant leaders unless they have just the right guys around them. I don't think every star has to have the whole package depending on the sport and position.

[bleedspeed]

My hindsight on AP is I wanted to trade him before he blew out his knee when we sucked. It would have been a great jump start to rebuild the team at the time. It is pretty amazing that he has or will miss the most of 3 seasons since.

[Monster]

Pretty good breakdown of Hillman and a link to a breakdown of Denver's running game last year.

http://www.milehighreport.com/2016/8/4/12373534/broncos-roster-2016-running-back-ronnie-hillman

[60WinTim]

Thanks for posting, monster!

Seems like Ronnie is a good pick up for depth, but we shouldn't get our hopes up that we have someone who is going to crack the running back rotation.

I am excited to see more of McKinnon. Plus we ought to see the ball in Bradford's hands even more, since we are not trying to feature AP, and both McKinnon and Asiata are superior pass catchers than AP.

Of course, we need our offensive line to pick it up...