It just doesn't make fiscal sense when we already have Edge making a lion's share of dough. Amazing how excited everyone was last year when we made the big splash of signing him to a 4 year contract and now it's time to phase in his replacement. Sorry that is just not the case.
First I don't see anyway how we will run 55-60% of the time as said in interviews by Wisenhunt. That is just not possible in the current NFL. Especially when our only two Pro Bowlers on offense are involved in the passing game. Sorry I don't buy it, therefore there isn;t enough carries to support two 7 million dollar backs.
Edge will always be limited in his YPC due to his style and lack of breakaway ability. For our team though, it will work for the next two years (we overpayed him for the fourth unless he pulls a Curtis Martin). Fitz and Boldin are our big play guys, Edge does the subtle things. He is expected to get 3-4 yards on first down or half the yards to a first for second. He is expected to pick up the blitz in passing downs or release for a smart route.
Edge will improve his YPC next year and likely his yards per game given second year improvement in Leinart and any improvement in run blocking (which will require the draft of Thomas or Brown). Put Edge at 4 yards per carry and our offense takes an entirely new dimension.
I like Peterson as a back. He can do a lot for many teams but he just doesn't fit into our plans. Even given the long runs he would gain over Edge, he would have to be seen as only a little better in the run game and
inferior in the passing game (both as a blocker or receiver). Overall he would be marginally better in a best case scenario. This isn't factoring in his durability concerns.
Given these reasons, we shouldn't even consider drafting this guy. There are other backs this year that could be picked in the third to fifth rounds that would fit in nicely as a change of pace back to limit Edge being over-worked. Not to mention that the backs coming out next year will be very strong. It would make much more sense to draft a replacement for Edge in the third year of his contract than his second.
In order to become better next year we need more than marginal improvement at positions through the draft. This would come with the following players (Calvin Johnson will be gone):
Joe Thomas
Levi Brown
Patrick Willis
Laron Landry
That's it. Although we need depth at almost every position, there is not one other player that would be plugged in other that would be considered significantly better than what we have now in the next two years.
First I don't see anyway how we will run 55-60% of the time as said in interviews by Wisenhunt. That is just not possible in the current NFL. Especially when our only two Pro Bowlers on offense are involved in the passing game. Sorry I don't buy it, therefore there isn;t enough carries to support two 7 million dollar backs.
Edge will always be limited in his YPC due to his style and lack of breakaway ability. For our team though, it will work for the next two years (we overpayed him for the fourth unless he pulls a Curtis Martin). Fitz and Boldin are our big play guys, Edge does the subtle things. He is expected to get 3-4 yards on first down or half the yards to a first for second. He is expected to pick up the blitz in passing downs or release for a smart route.
Edge will improve his YPC next year and likely his yards per game given second year improvement in Leinart and any improvement in run blocking (which will require the draft of Thomas or Brown). Put Edge at 4 yards per carry and our offense takes an entirely new dimension.
I like Peterson as a back. He can do a lot for many teams but he just doesn't fit into our plans. Even given the long runs he would gain over Edge, he would have to be seen as only a little better in the run game and
inferior in the passing game (both as a blocker or receiver). Overall he would be marginally better in a best case scenario. This isn't factoring in his durability concerns.
Given these reasons, we shouldn't even consider drafting this guy. There are other backs this year that could be picked in the third to fifth rounds that would fit in nicely as a change of pace back to limit Edge being over-worked. Not to mention that the backs coming out next year will be very strong. It would make much more sense to draft a replacement for Edge in the third year of his contract than his second.
In order to become better next year we need more than marginal improvement at positions through the draft. This would come with the following players (Calvin Johnson will be gone):
Joe Thomas
Levi Brown
Patrick Willis
Laron Landry
That's it. Although we need depth at almost every position, there is not one other player that would be plugged in other that would be considered significantly better than what we have now in the next two years.