Andrew

I didn't bring up Peterson's name or his stats to compare Gerhart to Peterson as a running back. I brought them up to explain why I think Gerhart's numbers, his stat line from last season, are all but meaningless.

The Vikings rode Peterson and Peterson alone through the entire season. For all intents and purposes, Gerhart didn't get to play last year. 50 carries in 16 games is too small a sample size.

Saying Gerhart can't play because last year's stat line doesn't look good is the same as saying Larry Fitzgerald is no darned good because he only caught 71 passes for 798 yards and 4 TDs last season. Wildly pedestrian numbers for the highest paid WR in the league.

Or Percy Harvin's stat line from last season. 62 catches for 677 yards and 3 TDs. And this guy wants either a huge new contract or he's gonna hold out for a trade? No way!

Thing is, (as with Gerhart) there are legitimate reasons why Fitzgerald's and Harvin's numbers from last season are so low.

Fitzgerald's because the Cards don't have a competent QB, and their O-Line isn't good enough to keep their less than competent QBs upright.

Harvin's numbers were down because he missed 8 games last season.

Gerhart's numbers were down last season because he didn't get to play.