You cannot stop him, you can only hope to contain him...

Can Anybody Stop This Man?

Looking back at the beginning of the pre-season, who had picked the Minnesota Viking’s Adrian Peterson as the top running back in the league this year? A rookie should not be setting the NFL record for yards rushing in his eighth game as a professional. Peterson edged out Jamal Lewis for the record by a single yard. Yet that is just what Peterson did as he ran 30 times for 296 yards and three touchdowns. Two touchdowns were rushes for 64 and 46 yards. Even a fumble in the fourth quarter did not tarnish the simply ridiculous day he had on Sunday. The rookie out of Oklahoma now has 1036 yards on 158 carries for a 6.6 average and eight touchdowns.

On a team that has little else, Peterson just keeps running, befitting a man with “All Day” as a nickname. Even more incredible is the fact they beat an expectedly strong San Diego Charger squad with what should have been a better rusher. One wonders what goes through the mind of LaDainian Tomlinson as he watches Peterson run wild while Tomlinson rushed for only 40 yards on 16 carries (2.6 average) and an additional 37 yards on six receptions. Tomlinson rushed for 1815 yards last year and has never had a year of less than 1236 in his seven year career.

On a separate note, previous record holder, Jamal Lewis, has learned that quality tops quantity. With only 37 yards on 20 carries, Lewis scored four touchdowns. He did catch four passes for 67 yards but none of his touchdowns came via air.

Treasures

Marshawn Lynch, Running Back, Buffalo Bills
29 Carries, 153 Yards Rushing, One Touchdown

There is more than one good rookie running back this year. Marshawn Lynch may not have the 200-yard games, but he has rushed for 670 yards on his way to a probable 1,000-yard season. Granted, the 153 yards this week was against the run challenged Cincinnati Bengals, but Lynch is looking better each week.

J.P. Losman, Quarterback, Buffalo Bills
24-34, 295 Yards Passing, One Touchdown

Watch closely to see what Bills Coach Dick Jauron will do. This was Losman’s best game and with the wrist injury to Trent Edwards. I believe Jauron will go to the hot hand and Losman deserves another game. Remember Losman was a Bills’ darling when the season began.

Earnest Graham, Running Back, Tampa Bay Bucs
34 Carries, 124 Yards Rushing, One Touchdown

Graham has avoided fallen running backs Cadillac Williams and Michael Pittman on his way to becoming the Bucs starting rusher. Next week is a bye which should help him solidify his role. While this is his first 100 yard game but he has looked strong for several weeks.

Justin Fargas, Running Back, Oakland Raiders
23 Carries, 104 Yards Rushing, One Touchdown

Fargas is a conditional “treasure” because so much is dependant on the whim of the Raiders’ coaching staff. Fargas has replaced LaMont Jordan as the Raiders primary back with Jordan only gaining ten yards on four carries this past weekend. He has shown spurts of promise and could be a good player IF he stays as the primary back.

Warrick Dunn, Running Back, Atlanta Falcons
27 Carries, 100 Yards Rushing, One Touchdown

The reports of Warrick Dunn’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. With running mate Jerious Norwood downed with an ankle injury, Dunn took over the running back duties and put up his first 100 game of the year. Dunn was stalled in training camp and the pre-season after back surgery. He looks healthy now.

Patrick Ramsey, Quarterback, Denver Broncos
29-46, 262 Yards Passing, One Touchdown, One Interception

Fortunately, starting quarterback Jay Cutler does not have a hairline fracture in his left leg but I expect Coach Mike Shanahan to give him the next week off. Remember, Cutler has not been that consistent. Ramsey deserves another chance and if Shanahan gives him the opportunity, he is worth watching.

Marques Colston, Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints
Ten receptions, 159 yards

Perhaps the Jaguars should consider it a moral victory because Colston was kept out of the end zone, unlike the prior week when he scored three touchdowns but Brees to Colston is becoming a familiar refrain by football announcers.

Kellen Winslow, Tight End, Cleveland Browns
11 receptions, 125 yards

Already, Winslow has 42 catches for 657 yards and three touchdowns this year. He clearly is one of the top five choices at tight end. Cleveland is looking up and Winslow is a big part with his ability to stretch the field from the tight end position.

Vernon Davis, Tight End, San Francisco 49ers
Seven receptions, 77 yards

The second year pro, Vernon Davis, now has back-to-back 70+ yard games and has reestablished himself as a good tight end option. The only knock is the team on which he plays. The 49ers may be this year’s biggest disappointment after the promise of last season.

Jason Witten, Tight End, Dallas Cowboys
Three receptions, 77 yards, One touchdown

You know a man is tough when you keep on running after your helmet is ripped off, as Witten did on a play this week. Witten has had a quiet but consistent year, with 45 catches for 617 yards and five touchdowns.

Shaun Rogers, Detroit Lions
Fumble return for 69 yards and one touchdown

This Jerome Bettis look-a-like, at 340 pounds plus, picked off a gift pass and then gave a new meaning to rumbling for a touchdown. Rogers reported he looked at the Jumbo-Tron scoreboard picture, saw Denver Bronco Selvin Young gaining on him and stiff armed him to then jump into the end zone. Will the Lions dare to put him in the backfield? No, but I made you think.

Fool’s Gold

Rudi Johnson, Running Back, Cincinnati Bengals
Nine Carries, 11 Yards Rushing

After missing three of the Bengals’ last four games, Johnson ran as if he still was on the sidelines. Head coach Marvin Lewis may say he thinks Johnson “ran just fine” I have to disagree. Perhaps the offensive line was not opening any holes but the 225 pound back usually can open a few holes on his own.

Edgerin James, Running Back, Arizona Cardinals
Nine Carries, 15 Yards Rushing, One Touchdown

Here is another veteran running back who has failed to deliver. The Cardinals consistently pick up players on the downside of their career and James is no exception. He may have a good game in him now and then but he will never be a force again.

Quinn Gray, Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars
20-33, 354 Yards Passing, Two Touchdowns

Okay, I was wrong. After a 100-yard passing day, Gray bounced back with 354 yards. However, most of the yards came after the New Orleans Saints had a substantive lead and before Gray had to leave with a sprained ankle. My money says he does not do this again.

Steve McNair, Quarterback, Baltimore Ravens
13-22, 63 Yards Passing, One Interception

Can the Ravens ever find a quarterback? McNair has been injury ridden throughout his career so that made him someone the Ravens thought would turn the moribund offense around? Put a fork in him. Even against the powerful Steelers and in the pouring rain, McNair should have been more successful. McNair has averaged under 200 yards of passing offense per week and has only two touchdowns passing and three interceptions.

Now, a Moment of Real Life

What is the longest possible play in the NFL? Antonio Cromartie grabbed the ball just before it went out of bounds and then returned the attempted field goal 109 yards for a score. Prior to Cromartie’s return, the longest play in the history of the NFL was 108 yards held by the Bears’ Nathan Vasher and Devin Hester both on returned field goal attempts as well as a kickoff return this year by the Patriots’ Ellis Hobbs. Unlike the prior records, Cromartie will always be in the record book. Since 110 yards would put you out of bounds, 109 is the longest possible play. Interesting sidelight: This was the third touchdown by Antonio Cromartie in the past two weeks. One was by interception, one a fumble recovery in the end zone and this one on a kick return. Now, if he could only play offense...

One other note: Jeers to Hall of Fame Coach Don Shula, who was the head coach of the undefeated Miami Dolphins. He claims the New England Patriots should have an asterisk by their listing in the Record Book because of the “Spygate” controversy. Shula is obviously concerned that his claim to fame will be tarnished by the Patriots’ Bill Belichick. My belief is that, should the New England Patriots run the table, then it is the Dolphins who should have an asterisk because they played two fewer games in achieving their undefeated season.