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Norv Turner May Be Wrong Coordinator For Adrian Peterson

By Erik Lambert

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September 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) prays in the end zone before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi

A lot of people were anticipating a dynamic return for star running back Adrian Peterson when the Minnesota Vikings took the field Monday night against San Francisco.  Instead they saw a rather ordinary night where he was largely ineffective.  Sure, the 49ers defense played well but it was also clear early on that Peterson was not playing in an offensive attack that was tuned to what he does best.

Thank Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner for that.

In the euphoria of the news that Peterson was returning from his suspension, people didn’t bother to study up on what kind of coach Turner is.  Like any coordinator he favors balance, but Turner has said in the past that his offenses are geared around the success of the quarterback, not the running back.  He proved that in San Diego back in 2007 when he turned MVP LaDainian Tomlinson into an afterthought in favor of developing Philip Rivers.

In fact, since the year 2000, Turner has posted a top 10 rushing offense just three times.  The last one came in 2007, the final standout year in that category for the Chargers before Rivers took over.  Since then the highest he has placed was 14th.  What does all of that mean?

It means that Peterson, at age 30 is no longer the focal point of the Minnesota Vikings offense.  So these ideas of another 2,000-yard season and constantly feeding him like the old days need to stop.  This unit belongs to Teddy Bridgewater and Turner is going to gear it around making the second-year quarterback successful.  Peterson will get touches but it’s reasonable to think his years as a fantasy dynamo may be over.

Next: NFL Power Rankings: Top Starting Quarterbacks 1-32

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