Last offseason, Adrian Peterson discussed often his goal of a 2,500-yard season and smashing the NFL rushing record.
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Following a disappointing (for him) season, in which injuries sidelined him for two games and most of a third, All Day has been a little quieter about what future records he might break.
However, Jim Brown, a man often cited as the greatest ball carrier of all time, isn't afraid to say Peterson can break the rushing record.
"If he wants that and he dedicates himself and he has good fortune, that's a great possibility," Brown told the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Friday. "I think if he sets his goals and he understands his circumstances and he knows what it takes, that he can be successful. I'm not saying that he will break the record, I'm just saying it's a possibility."
Emmitt Smith holds the record at 18,355 yards, which he gained during his 15-year career before retiring at 35.
Peterson has 10,115 yards in seven seasons. At 29 years old, the 8,241 yards AD needs to break the record could be hard to come by. Father Time tends to drag down running backs in a swift vortex.
According to the Pioneer Press, Smith rushed for 7,121 yards after turning 29, and the previous record-holder, Walter Payton, gained 7,118 after putting that many candles on his cake.
Peterson's average yards per season took a hit last year, falling to 1,445. At that pace, he would pass Smith's mark in just over five and a half seasons (5.7), which would come in 2019, when he's 34.
The 2014 season will give us a better look at whether or not Peterson's nagging injuries and heavy workload will keep him from the record.
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