Any time an NFL player is playing with an ailment that has been made public, they can expect their opponent to target the problem area. Such was the case with Adrian Peterson on Sunday against the Saints. Peterson suited up after having missed the previous three games with a high ankle — mostly because he wanted to help his fantasy owners. While he expected the Saints to make his ankle a focal point of their tackles, Peterson said they took it too far.
“I came into the game kind of expecting that coming back from a high ankle sprain,” Peterson said according to the Times-Picayune when asked about an exchange with cornerback Jabari Greer. “Guys are going to try to take their shots when we’re on the pile and try to twist it up and things like that. I felt like it kind of got overboard. I got up and kind of got in his face. Thank God I was able to keep my composure.”
Make that two times in two weeks that New Orleans has been accused of playing dirty on defense. If you remember, Titans receiver Nate Washington complained that Roman Harper was throwing knees after the whistle during the Saints win over Tennessee last weekend.
Whatever the Saints have been doing, it seems to be working. I would never advocate dirty play, but I doubt you’ll see New Orleans changing its ways any time soon with the way they have been playing.
H/T to Pro Football Talk for passing the story along.
