The New Orleans Saints have gone through about two weeks of OTAs and they have been installing the offense that will be in place in 2017 and one of the centerpieces for this offense will be Adrian Peterson.
While this timeframe doesn’t tell you a whole lot since they’re not anywhere near ready to put the pads on, some of the players have taken notice of the former Minnesota Viking and his ability, including quarterback Drew Brees.
“He’s a guy that you can do a lot of things with and we’re just finding out all the things we’re going to do with him.” Brees said on Thursday while talking with the media, “As we get through OTAs, minicamp and once we put the pads on I think we will really start to begin to see how a guy as versatile a guy like him can be.”
The amount of time that Peterson has put into learning the new system that he’s getting into is great, but what makes it more impressive is that he’s doing this about nine months after having surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee. According to Sean Payton, that knee is just fine.
“He’s picked things up well. He’s been here through the whole offseason program and he’s in good shape. It’s good to be able to go out and do some football movements and get that timing down.”
This has to be a step in the right direction and a refreshing viewpoint for Saints fans after several years of getting a big-name player in free agency and not getting much, if anything out of him (see: Byrd, Jairus). Larry Warford, former Detroit Lions offensive lineman has spent a lot of time playing against him the last four years. He will now be opening up the holes for Peterson and is extremely excited for him. “Look at him, he’s a specimen. He was cut out of granite. He lives up to the hype, very good runner, very fluid in his reads. It’s great to watch.”
For a veteran player like Brees, it should take a lot to impress a player that has played with and against some of the best players in the sport. He’s had some experiences with Peterson during Pro Bowl games, but he’s starting to figure out a few more things about the veteran running back now that he’s wearing the black and gold.
“There’s something about handing the ball off to that guy and watching him run through the hole and take on anybody who tries to tackle him. Obviously, we’re not in pads right now but you’re imagining what that’ll be like. I’m excited for that time to come.”
-Clint Domingue