Adrian Peterson. Jamaal Charles. Darrelle Revis. All available to any team when free agency opens up on March 9th. A lot of buzz flooded the NFL and social Media when the news broke of each one’s release, and rightfully so. (A.P. wasn’t cut but his option wasn’t picked up) These are some of the biggest names out there. Despite some off-field issues that have surrounded Peterson and now Revis, both are future Hall of Famers, and you could make the argument for Jamaal Charles to be with them as well. But that’s an argument for another day. As soon as a player like this is free to sign anywhere, everyone starts predicting and examining where they’ll sign, or what the best fit for them would be etc etc. After all, it is only March and we need something to talk about right? This would’ve been great if we were in 2012 when A.P. ran for 2097 yards and 12 touchdowns. Or 2013 when Jamaal Charles collected 1980 total yards, to go along with 19 Td’s and 70 receptions. It just so happens that was around the time when Darrelle Revis was in his stretch of being arguably the best cornerback in all of football at that time. However, this is 2017 and a lot has changed with all three of these guys.

Living in New York, there were Giants fans all giddy about Adrian Peterson’s availability right away. After all, he has openly spoken about joining Big Blue if released by the Vikings. Then there was his tweet that got Giants fans pre-ordering their #28 Peterson jersey.

 

 

My response to those Giants fans or anyone else that envisions Adrian Peterson wearing the jersey of their team….Do you really want this guy? Of course the simple answer is ” If the price is right”. But what is that price? You won’t be getting the 2,000 yard rusher Adrian Peterson that’s for sure. But it wasn’t long ago (2015) that Peterson ran for almost 1500 yards and 11 touchdowns. That’s something any fan would surely sign up for right? But that isn’t what you’d be getting either…You would be getting a 32 year old running back with multiple knee injuries, coming off a very brief season in which he couldn’t even average 2 yards a carry. Now, I don’t expect him to be that bad in 2017, but at that age, and that position, at some point these guys hit that wall. Peterson is also limited in the passing game as far as protecting the quarterback. I admit, when it was known that he would be on the open market, the first place I thought of was the New England Patriots. Seems logical and a typical Patriots move. But does Belichick really want someone back there that not only can’t protect Tom Brady, but also has struggled protecting the ball as well? Excluding last season and 2014, when he played only 1 game, Peterson has put the ball on the ground 16 times over his last 3 “full” seasons. Peterson is best to end up in a place that he won’t have to be relied upon in passing situations and isn’t asked to be a full-time guy.

Prediction: Peterson ends up back with the Vikings.

 

We’ll stay in the backfield with Jamaal Charles. I think the case for Charles to find a home is actually a little bit easier than that of Adrian Peterson. Having played in only 8 games over the past couple of seasons, Charles won’t be seeking the kind of money that A.P. will be, despite being a couple of years younger. Charles will probably sign an incentive laden 1 year “prove it” deal, until he can show he can still be explosive. Better in the passing game than Peterson, Charles provides his new team some flexibility when on the field. Whoever signs Charles has to believe that they hope to catch lightning in a bottle. Like most running backs, he is still at that dreaded 30 year old mark and hasn’t really been on the field since 2014. While I think he’ll have his share of suitors, there is only one place that makes the most sense for me. 

Prediction: Charles reunites with Doug Pederson in Philadelphia.

 

I’ve had the pleasure of watching Darrelle Revis in a Jets uniform for most of his career. However, this past season was a complete disaster (for both the team and Revis). Revis ranked among the league worst for starting cornerbacks in 2016, and his release from the Jets (though still not official at this moment) was inevitable even before his 4 felony-charged incident.  Darrell Revis gave up big play after big play throughout the entire season, and he looked lost most of the time. Perhaps the performance of the team impacted his motivation, but if that’s the case then he isn’t a player you want on your team anyway. Based on his past interviews late in the season, he didn’t exactly sound like a man who’s who still has the drive to play football. If he was to play for another team it would most likely be as a safety and not a cornerback. The problem with that is, he hasn’t been one that has looked for contact in the tackling department. In fact, he seems to shy away from it. Take this quote he gave Newsday in late October as part of a 10 minute interview:

 

“My body’s breaking down,” When asked if he was breaking down…. “Yeah, I am. I mean, not in a bad way. I can still play,” Revis said, smiling. “It’s just, I’m breaking down. I’m 31. How many corners are 31 right now in the league? The league’s getting younger. I know [Vikings cornerback Terence] Newman’s still playing [at 38], which is impressive. But I don’t know how he’s doing it.”

A body breaking down isn’t going to want to tackle anybody. Let’s face it, the man is a very smart business guy and has maximized his career earnings as a strong negotiator. He’s all about the money. Always has been…And there is nothing wrong with that. I just don’t see a team giving a 32 year old that was horrible the previous year, having to switch positions, and not only facing criminal chargers but also a league suspension, the kind of contract that Darrelle Revis would be looking for. 

Predictions: Revis will not be on an NFL team for week 1 of 2017

 

I’m not discounting the players these guys are or once was. As mentioned earlier, all three of them could be entering Canton in the near future. We also all know how it turned out the last time A.P. came back after a missed season. He’s not like anyone else. Perhaps one or all of them will find a home in 2017 and give the fans one more season like their best. I’m just not banking on it. None of these guys deserve a big pay day. However we know the NFL. It only takes one team to go against the grain. One team looking at the “name” on the back of jersey and envisioning a hike in merchandise and ticket sales. I just wouldn’t be excited if that team was mine.