@riffer-x said:

I never noticed that before.

But the big difference when watching his highlights is that he covered the ball with his right arm almost 95% of the time when he comes in close contact with a tackler.

@theclevelandsound said:

At least according to this, he had 7 fumbles.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PeteAd01.htm

Doing a little research, I compared Peterson to two guys who had a rep for holding on the the ball....Walter Peyton and Jim Brown.

Not knowing when the fumbles occured, I combined career rushing attempts and total receptions for total attempts.

Fumbles Total Attempts Attempts per fumble ratio

Brown 57 2621 45.98

Peyton 86 4330 50.35

Peterson 20 998 49.90

Maybe this fumble deal with Peterson is more myth than fact??

Tony Banks – Rams – 1996 – 21 Fumbles

David Carr – Texans – 2002 – 21 Fumbles

Warren Moon – Oilers – 1984 – 17 Fumbles

Joe Cribbs – Bills – 1980 – 16 Fumbles

Sam Etcheverry – Cardinals – 1961 – 15 Fumbles

Tim Couch – Browns – 1999 – 14 Fumbles

Bernie Kosar – Browns – 1985 – 14 Fumbles

Kerry Collins – Panthers – 1995 – 13 Fumbles

Eric Dickerson – Rams – 1983 – 13 Fumbles

Randy Johnson – Falcons – 1966 – 13 Fumbles

Rick Mirer – Seahawks – 1993 – 13 Fumbles

George Rogers – Saints – 1981 – 13 Fumbles

Jack Trudeau – Colts – 1986 – 13 Fumbles

Andrew Walter – Raiders – 2006 – 13 Fumbles

Paul Christman – Cardinals – 1945 – 12 Fumbles

Chad Hutchinson – Cowboys – 2002 – 12 Fumbles

Amos Marsh – Cowboys – 1961 – 12 Fumbles

Kyle Orton

– Bears – 2005 – 12 Fumbles

Billy Sims – Lions – 1980 – 12 Fumbles

Vince Young – Titans – 2006 – 12 Fumbles

For most runners, fumbles are the kiss of death with the coach.

For very few, it is just something you have to plan on because all the other positives just don't allow you to bench them.

@riffer-x said:

He also just gets sloppy with it and guys that fight for extra yardage often fumble. Leroy Hoard was a great example of that.

That team was so CARELESS with the ball they deserved what they got. Atrocious coaching from the Minnesota offensive side whether we're talking play calling or ball security. ONE of AP's fumbles was just as much Favre's fault. You can't turn the ball over 6 times and expect to beat a team good enough to be in the final 4. And when you think about it - they still made it to overtime with that many turnovers. They have nobody to blame but themselves. Not only that but AP recovered a couple more of his fumbles and at what point would a SMART Coach yanked his ass? It's not like Chester Taylor sucks when the guy was putting up 1200 yard seasons before AP.

- Tom F.

@theclevelandsound said:

No, he does it cuz guys do it from a young age and can't change. Emmitt Smith carried it in his left arm his whole career.

He also just gets sloppy with it and guys that fight for extra yardage often fumble. Leroy Hoard was a great example of that.

@riffer-x said:

Well there has to be some pro's to that or else he wouldn't do that.

and didn't close his grasp on the ball.