Following a 2012 season in which Adrian Peterson rushed for over 2,000 yards and led the Minnesota Vikings to the playoffs despite having suffered a torn ACL a mere nine months prior, Peterson has grown bold in his predictions.
The man they call "All-Day" has said he thinks he will be the NFL's all-time leading rusher before the 2017 season is over. When asked about Smith's record in an interview with The Star Tribune Peterson said:
Man. Oh boy. I have to do some calculations. I've been in the league seven years. I'm already right around [9,000]. Calculate it out ... Let's think. Maybe get a couple 2,000 yard seasons ... I've got ... Hmmm ... 2017."
When pressed for a specific week in 2017, Peterson had an answer.
"Man. I better go late. I'm already getting too far in front of myself. I'll say Week 16. There it is. Week 16 in 2017. Whoo. That's pushing it, huh? But hey, pushing it is the only way to do it. You know it."
Peterson predicted he would have "a couple" of 2,000-yard seasons on his way to the all-time mark, despite the fact that no rusher has ever eclipsed 2,000 yards more than once. Peterson's best yardage total prior to 2012 was 1,760, which he achieved in 2008, his sophomore campaign.
After just six seasons in the league, Peterson already ranks 33rd on the NFL's all-time rushing list with 8,849 yards. He is tied for 21st all-time in rushing touchdowns with 76, and 50th in league history in carries with 1,754.
Still, reaching Smith's mark by 2017 would require historic feats of prolonged production as well as uninterrupted health, according to Deadspin.com. The website says All-Day would have to average 120 yards per game until 2017 without getting injured, which runs completely contrary to the history of the running back position.
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