By Jordan Long
The New Orleans Saints decided to trade running back Adrian Peterson to the Arizona Cardinals. Peterson signed a 2 year, $7 million contract in the offseason with the Saints. The Cardinals will now take on his salary.
The Saints were eager for Peterson to improve the running game and take pressure off of quarterback Drew Brees. Peterson’s running game was going to open up the passing game.
That didn’t happen. Mark Ingram emerged as the starting running back which took carries away from Peterson. Peterson was in the game when Ingram needed a rest. Ingram ran for 170 yards on 42 carries with an average yards per rush of 4. Peterson on the other hand wasn’t used in the running game much with 81 rushing yards and an average yards per rush of 3. He is not a blocking running back. The Saints had that in Ingram. It was not working out after 4 games and it was time to move on.
The Arizona Cardinals needed a boost in the running game. They are last in the NFL averaging 51.8 yards per game. Chris Johnson was their starter with 114 yards rushing this season but was cut after Arizona acquired Peterson. The Cardinals hope that Adrian Peterson will improve the running game.
The only way this transaction works is if Peterson is the number one running back. He must be able to carry the football for the Cardinals. The offensive line needs to do a better job blocking. They can’t let the defensive line control the line of scrimmage. If they do, there won’t be holes for Peterson to run through.
The downside of this deal is Peterson is not a blocking running back and his injury history. If defenses bring pressure he won’t be able to block for quarterback Carson Palmer. Those could mean sacks and fumbles, which might change field position. Peterson has to be able to stay on the field. If Peterson is injured, it was a wasted trade.
On paper this was a decent move. Peterson is a veteran running back. He must learn the offense. The Cardinals feel he is a better fit than the Saints. Hopefully Peterson will be the answer in the backfield for Arizona.
What do you think of the Arizona Cardinals trading for Adrian Peterson?
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