Every week, we compile the best comments left on Startribune.com stories and blogs. Here are this week's efforts: jamlyn39: Here's a few stats to keep everyone entertained: Eric Dickerson fumbled 37 times in his first 3 seasons, Walter Payton -- 30 times in his first 3 seasons. With only 19 fumbles in 2+ seasons, Adrian Peterson is better with ball security than two of the greatest RBs to play the game!
Uncadot: The best natural runner the Vikes have ever had, and they have coached him into what he now is. The "be patient, wait for the hole to develop" ... "Slow down and let it come to you" now has him running tentatively instead of like his first year of not thinking and just running! Peterson used to run with rage and now he's dancing with the stars. This leaves him standing straight up and exposed in the hole. I just hope the coaching hasn't ruined him.
bumswrap: I agree, hold onto the ball with both hands and arms when in traffic, and switch to the sideline arm when running down the sideline. Most of all, smarten up! It's either stop fumbling or sit on the bench. Either way is fine with me.
garagewine: It's premature to be counting the Gophers men's basketball team out of the NCAA tournament. Needing a signature win? Didn't the Gophers just beat 10th-ranked Butler a few days ago? How do you manage to just gloss over that? A couple of close losses against decent competition in an early season tournament and a road loss against a middle-of-the-road (though currently undefeated) ACC team. I'm not throwing in the towel just yet. These nonconference games will be good for this team in the long run, especially when they are back to full strength.
Boneyard: Sheets, Harden, Bedard, and Duchscherer are all high risk/high reward guys who won't command long term deals. Pavano is a high risk/not terribly high reward guy. Last year was his first healthy year in a while although, to be fair, some of those health issues were related to off-field activities. Still, he's only had two (nearly made it three last year) 200+ IP years in his career. He just hasn't been durable or particularly dominant. He was very good in '04 and for the Twins in Game 3, but outside of that, he's had very little success. He worries me, particularly at the salary he will likely get in arbitration.
