Posts tagged: adrian peterson

Adrian Peterson On Track, Will Start Running

March 30, 2012, by 6 comments

In an update given by head coach Leslie Frazier yesterday, it was announced that Adrian Peterson’s recovery is slightly ahead of schedule and he will begin running on land this week. As we all know unfortunately, Peterson tore both his ACL and MCL on Christmas Eve last season in a game against the Washington Redskins. While the injury was quite serious and “career-ending” for some, Peterson set an incredibly optimistic goal for himself to play the first game of the 2012 season. Well, it looks like that just may happen.

When prompted about the possibility of Peterson returning for game #1, Frazier said, “That’s what we’re aiming for. That’s what he wants to see happen. That’s what we’d all love to see happen. At the same time, we’ll have to be smart and see where he is. This is the beginning stages of his running. So we’ll have a better gauge in another one or two weeks as to what kind of progress he’s going to make.”

It’s great to see that Peterson may be able to return and immediately contribute at the start of the 2012 season. It is even better to see that Frazier seems determined not to rush the franchise running back into action to quickly. Forcing the issue would be very dangerous for Peterson and the overall future of the team.

I said it shortly after Peterson sustained the injury: “If anyone can come back from this injury stronger than before, Adrian can.” And not only do I still stand by that statement, but it seems that proving he can be better than before the injury is one of Peterson’s bigger motivations. In an interview Thursday, GM Rick Spielman said, “He’s not like most running backs that I’ve been around through my career… He is just a freak athletically and you can see that in his rehab and how quickly he’s coming back from this ACL and I know he wants to go out there and prove to everybody he’s a better Adrian Peterson than he was before the injury.”

While the odds are definitely stacked against #28, it will be a storyline we watch closely here at Vikings Territory throughout the offseason and up to kickoff of the first game of the 2012 season.

What do you all think? Will Adrian Peterson be back for the 2012 opener?

Vikings Continue To Bolster Backfield Depth

March 18, 2012, by No comments yet

In the post below this one, I opined that a bowling ball back like Mike Tolbert would be a solid addition to this roster, particularly given Adrian Peterson’s current rehab situation.

The Vikings didn’t sign Tolbert, but they did make a similar signing on Sunday by getting former Dolphin Lex Hilliard to agree to a one year deal.

Hilliard was a restricted free agent that Miami decided not to tender.  Hilliard has played in every game for the Dolphins over the last three seasons, but seldom produced big numbers.  At age 27, Hilliard only has 39 carries for 130 yards under his belt, which includes two touchdowns.  In 2009, he showed some solid hands with 20 catches and 158 yards, but the Dolphins went away from using him as a pass catcher the last two seasons.

Listed at 5’ 11” and 240 pounds, Hilliard possesses the versatility that would allow him to play both half back and full back in Bill Musgrave’s offense.

He joins a backfield that already has Adrian Peterson, Toby Gerhart, Jordan Todman, Caleb King, Matt Asiata, and Ryan D’Imperio.  He can also be a special teams contributor, but probably not as a return man.

The competition for who makes the roster behind Peterson and Gerhart this year should be a fun one to watch.

Links Of The Week: Bounty Hunter Edition

March 2, 2012, by No comments yet

Normally I try to do this feature on Wednesdays.  On Wednesday there wasn’t enough news floating around to make it worth.

Something changed.

I can’t remember what exactly that was.

But if you give me $10,000 I might suddenly be able to recall.

Return Of The Links Of The Week

February 21, 2012, by No comments yet

There are some periods in the NFL calendar that are so slow that a “Links of the Week” feature just doesn’t work so well.  With the NFL Scouting Combine starting Wednesday, free agency less than a month away, and the NFL Draft now two months away… that time is over.  I’m glad to announce the Links of the Week are making a comeback!  Enjoy.

  • I’ve been cheating on you with another blog.  Read what I recently wrote about Joe Webb.
  • The Vikings have reportedly struck a deal to play at TCF Bank Stadium while their new stadium is under construction.
  • We know at least one Minneapolis Council Member won’t be voting for a new Vikings stadium paid for with public funds.
  • Minnesota hasn’t hosted a Super Bowl in over 20 years.  A new stadium could change that.
  • Adrian Peterson can help you land an NBA All Star weekend… fully loaded.
  • Interesting article about the NFC North singles out Greenway as a negative, but Erin Henderson and John Sullivan as positives.
  • Even the most cynic amongst us has to admit this looks like a tough Draft for the Vikings to screw up.
  • Adrian Peterson reveals the reason he considered changing his jersey number, and the dollar amount that made him drop the idea.
  • Some rumors of a nose tackle the Vikes are interested in, and a schedule for the Combine.
  • Some excellent nitty-gritty details on the Vikings salary situations, including interesting details on Joe Bergers contract.
  • A scouting report that pegs Brandon Carr as a solid fit for the Vikings.
  • Alan Page reflects on his life in honor of Black History Month.
  • Charlie Johnson was on the wrong end of a lot of criticism last season.  You can’t criticize his durability, though.
  • And now, here it is, your moment of Zen:

Peterson Done With #28?

January 21, 2012, by 3 comments

On a silly little side note (hey, Vikings news is pretty slow right now), yesterday via Twitter, Adrian Peterson announced, “So I’m thinking about changing my number! #28 has been good to me, but I think its time [to] switch it up!” Peterson then went further to think aloud, “I was thinking 21 or 23!”

No one is quite sure what sparked Peterson to come out and say such a silly thing. Maybe rehab has him going stir crazy… Regardless, Peterson immediately received tons of responses from fans exclaiming that he should definitely not change his number (not that the Vikings or the NFL would allow such a thing considering #28 is definitely the Vikings best selling jersey).

Personally, if Peterson, for some ridiculous reason, did happen to change his number, I think it would definitely have to be #24. What better number for someone who is known as “All-Day?”

OFFSEASON PREVIEW: The Runners

January 19, 2012, by No comments yet
Toby Gerhart

[Note From Adam:  This is part two of my position-by-position breakdown of this Vikings roster.  Part one, The Passers, can be found by clicking here.]

The Vikings running game was not unsuccessful in 2011, as they ranked fourth in the league, despite numerous challenges such as struggles along the offensive line and injuries to their running backs.  The position of running back, however, suddenly has a number of question marks that need to be discussed this offseason.

Let’s take a closer look.

Continue Reading →

Word Of The Day Is “Rehab”

January 16, 2012, by No comments yet

The Vikings entered the offseason with their fanbase in a panic.

Adrian Peterson had a potentially career altering knee injury that left a lot of uncertainty, and backup running back Toby Gerhart had an MCL injury that had many wondering how effective the Vikings running game would be in 2012.

Peterson put some minds at ease this week by putting forward a positive message regarding his rehab, and it sounds like he is already ahead of schedule.

Meanwhile, Tom Peslissero reports that Gerhart has returned from his Hawaiian vacation and the evaluation of his MCL is such that surgery will not be required.  It has been determined that rehabilitation and rest will be the appropriate remedy for his injury.

Peterson has also entered the rehabilitation phase, following his surgery, and it sounds like he is determined to commit to the process 100%.  One potential problem, however, is that the Vikings are assumed to want their $100 million running back rehabbing in Minnesota at Winter Park where they can keep an eye on him, but it appears Peterson may have different plans.  Judd Zulgad has more details on this pseudo-story.