Quote:This is all fair, FBT, and this isn't what I was arguing against. I'm arguing against the ideaolgy that elite players should be expected to hit the same wall and production level as middling talent players. Like I said, if an average RB loses a step or 2 at age 30, he becomes below average. If one of the most gifted RBs of all time loses a step or 2 at age 30, he is still going to be an above average player.

And I'm saying elite or not, every player hits a wall.  Many elite players have hit the wall sooner than Peterson, and some have managed to go for a few years beyond 30.  But, the general trend is that there is a wall, and 30 is a line beyond which most teams are reluctant to pay a running back the kind of contract Peterson is working under because they know/expect his production to falter.  If Peterson loses a step or 2 at age 30, he's no longer the back he was prior to that.  He's thus not worth $15 million.  Sorry, there's no way you're going to try to spin this where you'll convince me this team would be better off trading away a draft pick and paying that contract over drafting one of the top tier backs this year. 

 

In addition, I don't think Minnesota sees trading Peterson as a priority.  There's no motivation for them unless some team comes to them with a deal they simply can't turn down.  Your suggestion that you'd be fine with giving up a 4th rounder for him wouldn't draw their interest one bit.

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