Style points aside, what is the basis for anyone concluding that AP is the best running back in the NFL and that Toby Gerhart is a bad draft choice, failure or flop (which I hear all too often on the blog). Based on AP's performance so far this year and Toby's performance last year and this year combined (periods when they both ran behind the same offensive line more or less), there is very little separation in production.

Player                           Carries                      Total Yards                  Yards Per Carry

Peterson                          81                                  376                                   4.6

Gerhart                            89                                  380                                   4.3

None of this is to denigrate Peterson, who has already had a great career and has recently earned a big payday. But maybe the Viking coaching staff and fans need to make some assessments of game plans and players based on how they are actually performing today (granted - Gerhart is being provided very little opportunity this year to show anything) and not just on reputation and style.

I, for one, do not see why Gerhart is not being given more of an opportunity to make a contribution to the team............and to AP (both within games and in extending his career). He should see more action in complete drives in the first half, allowing AP to save some of his magic for the second half. Gerhart could/would be a starting running back on many teams in the NFL. It is a shame that the Vikings are letting him wither behind AP while AP and the Vikings continue to struggle putting points on the board and converting first downs. Toby is a beast!