Adrian Peterson ran away (pun intended) with Rookie of the Year honors, garnering 46.5 of the panel’s 50 votes. Joe Thomas was the only other rookie to get a vote. (He actually got 3.5.)
Where is Ryan Grant?
All right, hear me out.
Much is made of the numbers Peterson put up even though he didn’t crack the starting lineup until the sixth game. In the first five games, he averaged 19.2 carries, which are hardly backup numbers. Grant got all of six carries in the five games he appeared in before taking over as the Packers’ starter in week 8. Here are a few per game stats for each player, which compare Peterson’s 14-game performance to Grant’s 10-game stint as Green Bay’s starter:
Peterson: 115 total yards, 5.6 ypc, 0.9 TD
Grant: 105 total yards, 5.1 ypc, 0.8 TD
Here are their numbers over the last four games:
Peterson: 46 total yards, 2.7 ypc, 0.5 TD
Grant: 97 total yards, 5.5 ypc, 1.0 TD
By most accounts, Peterson played behind a much better offensive line and the 8-8 Vikings didn’t even make the playoffs. So much is made of the team’s record when the balloting is done for the MVP award, but it doesn’t seem to play a role in the voting for ROY. The Packers finished the season 13-3 and Grant was a major reason why defenses weren’t able to key on Brett Favre and Co. in the passing game.
I’m not saying that the wrong guy won the award – Peterson had a wonderful year and deserved the honor – but I think there’s enough of an argument for Grant that at least one panel member would have voted for him or at least split a vote between the two players.
I think the Vi-Queens lucked out when Peterson fell to them. He’s clearly an explosive player – one of those guys who can alter a game all by himself. Those guys don’t come around very often.
I look forward to watching us compete against him for years to come – having to prep for him and deal with him in games WILL make us better in the front 7. Grant has an Edgar Bennet look about him, and there’s no shame in that at all – he just seems to be one class behind AP right now. Of course, Peterson could flame out, and Grant could be productive for years. That would make Grant the steal of 2007 unless you count Moss (extenuating circumstances there preclude comparions I think).
That said, there’s just no doubt that the Packers got a major steal with Grant. If the Packers can square away their line play some, our offense could be amazing next year. We might be at odds on this point, but I just don’t think our talent level is very high at guard and our tackles are aging though still solid. Seems like time to go out and sign a couple good ones in FA and fill in behind them with the draft.
I think we’re a solid enough team now that 3 or 4 good acquisitions could put us over the top into just plain dominant. I know TT wants to build through the draft, and that was the way to go when he came on board. Now I think it’s time to change gears and take a very good team to the next level with a couple good signings.
I’d love to see us steal a ball-hawkin’ dback from somewhere. Pick up a veteran guard who fits and understands the techniques. Have to decide whether Poppinga can actually cover a TE or not and either get him there or find a better strong side linebacker. It would be great if we could get a hold of someone special on defense, but a solid team that plays hard and smart and works together well can get the job done without a Reggie White caliber guy – much as I would love to see something like that happen again..
Peterson has a better line, too, which adds to your argument that Grant should have got some consideration. I like Grant’s big play ability and I agree with you JP, that he made Brett Favre and the Packers’ offense more explosive.
With that said – AP was an absolute monster in some games this year. I think the dip in production was due to the injury and him hitting the rookie wall. Grant was able to skip the heavy workload early and then come on fresh in the second half.
No matter how you slice it, both players are outstanding prospects.
I think you also have to look at the passing attack on both teams. Injury and rookie wall aside, I think things got a lot tougher on Peterson towards the end of the year as teams got some film on him and the Vikes just couldn’t do much through the air.
Much as I enjoyed watching Tavaris Jackson (I think that kid could get REALLY good!), the Vikes receiving corps just doesn’t afford much firepower while Favre had one of his best seasons ever and would have been a solid candidate for a fourth MVP but for Brady’s crazy season.
Hard to key on Grant when you have to contend with that.
What about Joe Thomas? While it is hard to put statistics up in defense, the Browns were a much improved offense with a strong running game under Jamal Lewis. Not to mention, the Browns won 10 games and were really robbed of a playoff spot while the Vikings choked their way out of the playoffs. As a Lions fans, I wanted Thomas, and it is clear that he may be the best rookie in last year’s class.
Thomas did receive 3.5 votes. It’s tougher to quantify how well a single offensive lineman is playing than it is a stat-producing player like Peterson and Grant.
Thomas had a great year and certainly deserves consideration, but my post was meant to be a comparison between Peterson and Grant, since Grant didn’t receive a single vote.
Also, all due respect to Edgar Bennett, Grant has another gear that Edgar never had.
Agreed that he’s faster than Edgar ever was. My suggestion was that he’s more that kind of back. Sturdy. Runs hard between the tackles. Takes care of the ball. Pretty good receiver out of the backfield. Can be trusted on blocking assignments. Not flashy or shifty – won’t beat you all by himself, probably won’t top the league in rushing at the end of the season. Will never get you 300 yards in a game. He’s also three years older than Peterson.
None of this is to say he’s not a damn fine back or that the lopsided vote was justified, but let’s face it, Peterson is a prodigy. If he can be durable and the Vikes can build a passing threat, he’s a threat to break any record there is.
Agreed. I just have visions of Edgar running up the backs of his lineman every time I hear his name. He was a good pass catcher, and Grant hasn’t shown good hands. The thing about Grant that I love is that he seems to be a threat to take it to the house if he gets a seam. I guess that’s called sneaky speed because he doesn’t seem all that fast.
I should also mention that Brandon Jackson has showed really good strength in limited touches the last few games. It’s nice to see him shedding tacklers. I think with Grant, Jackson, Wynn and Morency, GB has some pretty good depth at RB.
Bring on the Seahawks.
“We want the ball. And we’re gonna score.” – Matt Hasselbeck
I was shocked to see that Grant caught 30 passes this year in his limited action – considerably better than Peterson (19) who had more yards based mostly on 2 long RACs. I think he’ll get there. He seems to be a pretty serious working man.
Grant has the straight line speed – I think he did like 4.43 at one point. He just doesn’t have that quick step thing. He needs a couple steps to get crankin’, so if he’s in the I and gets a seam, he looks like he’s shot out of a gun. Safety has to worry about the pass with Favre and company rolling up more than 4000 yards in just a little more than 14 games, so if the linebackers screw up and get caught inside – bu-bye Ryan Grant.
So don’t take me wrong – I really like Grant. With Jackson coming on, I have hopes that we’re seeing the run blocking coming around. I still think it would be a good idea to lay hands on a reliable guard if one comes up, but if people can continue to improve, next year could be a lot of fun whether Favre decides to come back or Aaron Rogers gets the nod. I like our “skill” positions a lot.
But I get ahead of myself – Time for the Seahawks. What do you figure goes best? I’m thinking a nice white sauce with some portabellas on the side. Wash it down with someting in the ale catagory. Spotted Cow from the nice folks in New Glarus maybe?
I’ve never had the Spotted Cow, but I drained a few bottles of Totally Naked when I was back in WI for Christmas and I was quite impressed.
Seattle scares me a little. They have a good pass rush and that has always been the way to beat Green Bay. If you can’t pressure Favre, you don’t have much of a chance.