Two thoughts (and the OP thanks you for kicking this thread, Zero2Cool!):
1. Well, no one ever said Childress was a rocket scientest level coach.
2. After watching him yesterday, I'm convinced AP has a bigger problem than his fumbles. He's juking and jiving and running sideways way too much. In the chat I said he resembled the later John Brockington.
And even though Brockington was one of my favorite Packers during the long Dark Ages between Super Bowls II and XXXI, it was not meant as a compliment.
In his first couple years, Brockington destroyed defenses. I still remember the way he just destroyed people running up the middle. But then, whether it was the pounding he'd been taking, or something else, he was making all these extra little moves in the backfield and at the line of scrimmage. And, IIRC, lasted a total of like 5-6 years, with the last three or so largely unremarkable.
Sure, Peterson had a couple nice runs yesterday. But he didn't look anything like what he did last year when he deserved the "best RB currently in the NFL" moniker. He looked average.
If truth be told, he didn't look any better than Ryan Grant. Worse in fact.
I'm not saying AP is done, or that Grant has passed him by. But I do think Vikings fans should be careful in putting too many eggs in the AP basket....
even assuming he solves the fumble problem. Because there's some disturbing tendencies suggesting themselves right now.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)