Article 2,000 yards? MVP award? Peterson sets sights on the highest levels - The Postgame Pub

**Phistar** · 05-17-2008, 02:07 AM

BRAINERD, MINN. - The Vikings don't report to training camp for another two months, but it's clear Adrian Peterson has put plenty of thought into what he can do for an encore in his second NFL season.

That 1,341-yard rushing performance (second in the league) and 12 touchdowns by the running back in 2007? The Offensive Rookie of the Year honors? That is so passé.

Peterson's goals for 2008 include a 2,000-yard campaign, an improvement on the 19 catches he had last season and, perhaps, an MVP trophy. "I definitely feel like I can do it," Peterson said Thursday when asked about being voted the league's top player. "Anything is possible. Especially with how my mindset is. I set my bar high. I expect a lot from myself. I'm surrounded by a great group of guys offensively and defensively on both sides, special teams, so it's possible for anything to happen."

Peterson was on pace for a 2,000-yard rushing season eight games into his rookie year, but a lateral collateral ligament tear in his right knee suffered Nov. 11 at Green Bay forced him to miss two games. Peterson said Thursday the knee feels "perfectly fine."

It felt good enough in February that Peterson rushed for 129 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns for the NFC en route to earning MVP honors at the Pro Bowl. Peterson said that week his goal was to rush for 2,000 yards -- an elite club that includes Eric Dickerson, Jamal Lewis, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis and O.J. Simpson.

"It's something I stay consistent with," Peterson said. "I'd be cheating myself if I kind of set it lower. But 2,000 yards, that's my goal. I'm just going to work hard to give myself an opportunity to reach that goal."

Peterson, standing beside Vikings owner Zygi Wilf, spoke Thursday in the swimming pool area of a Brainerd-area hotel before heading into a luncheon that was filled with people there to see the Vikings' marquee player. Asked if he feels like the face of the franchise, Peterson said: "I do. I do. It's big shoes to fill, but I definitely feel like I'm capable of doing that. I definitely look forward to it."

This does not mean Peterson sees himself as a finished product. He admits, "I definitely have a lot to improve," and said he has spent plenty of time this offseason working with running backs coach Eric Bieniemy on improving various facets of his game. This includes pass-blocking, an area that was considered one of Peterson's few weaknesses last season.

Peterson said one of his goals is to be on the field in more passing situations in 2008 but quickly points out that veteran running back Chester Taylor "does a great job."

Of course, there is the possibility of Peterson and Taylor being on the field at the same time -- something that did not happen frequently last season. Peterson said he is "looking forward" to that possibility and feels that might present opportunities for the Vikings to devise ways to get him the ball via the air more frequently.

"That's something I feel like is being worked on," Peterson said. "I have faith in the coaches that they are going to do a great job game planning and coming up with different plays and different schemes. Formations to kind of spread me out a little bit; spread me and Chester out outside the backfield and kind of bring a different twist to the game."

By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune

Darius Ali · 05-17-2008, 08:35 PM

It all depends on his health. Even in college he couldnt stay healthy. Not a great track record. Obviously healthy he is amazing though. Sucks how injuries ruin some peoples careers and what they could accomplish.

Penny Hardaway
Grant Hill

ChicagoBearsFan · 05-17-2008, 08:43 PM

I agree with Darius. If he could stay healthy for the whole season he could very easily get the MVP Award, and 2,000 yards. Even when he was still wearing the knee brace in the middle of the season and wasn't 100% he was still very good.

HolySchnikes · 05-27-2008, 05:02 PM

AD is amazing, that's true, but i don't think he can get 2,000 yards rushing. as you guys were saying before he can't stay healthy for a full season. and to make things worse he plays in Brad Childress's offense which is more about the pass. AD could get 1,500, but when you have a past of injuries, an offense which is suppose to rely on passing the ball, and you have a good HB backing you up, it really doesn't seem like he will get 2,000 yards.

05-17-2008, 02:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
Phistar Scream My Name! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 5,540 vCash: 102514 Donate PSN Gamertag: phister Rep Power: 129 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 2	2,000 yards? MVP award? Peterson sets sights on the highest levels BRAINERD, MINN. - The Vikings don't report to training camp for another two months, but it's clear Adrian Peterson has put plenty of thought into what he can do for an encore in his second NFL season. That 1,341-yard rushing performance (second in the league) and 12 touchdowns by the running back in 2007? The Offensive Rookie of the Year honors? That is so passé. Peterson's goals for 2008 include a 2,000-yard campaign, an improvement on the 19 catches he had last season and, perhaps, an MVP trophy. "I definitely feel like I can do it," Peterson said Thursday when asked about being voted the league's top player. "Anything is possible. Especially with how my mindset is. I set my bar high. I expect a lot from myself. I'm surrounded by a great group of guys offensively and defensively on both sides, special teams, so it's possible for anything to happen." Peterson was on pace for a 2,000-yard rushing season eight games into his rookie year, but a lateral collateral ligament tear in his right knee suffered Nov. 11 at Green Bay forced him to miss two games. Peterson said Thursday the knee feels "perfectly fine." It felt good enough in February that Peterson rushed for 129 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns for the NFC en route to earning MVP honors at the Pro Bowl. Peterson said that week his goal was to rush for 2,000 yards -- an elite club that includes Eric Dickerson, Jamal Lewis, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis and O.J. Simpson. "It's something I stay consistent with," Peterson said. "I'd be cheating myself if I kind of set it lower. But 2,000 yards, that's my goal. I'm just going to work hard to give myself an opportunity to reach that goal." Peterson, standing beside Vikings owner Zygi Wilf, spoke Thursday in the swimming pool area of a Brainerd-area hotel before heading into a luncheon that was filled with people there to see the Vikings' marquee player. Asked if he feels like the face of the franchise, Peterson said: "I do. I do. It's big shoes to fill, but I definitely feel like I'm capable of doing that. I definitely look forward to it." This does not mean Peterson sees himself as a finished product. He admits, "I definitely have a lot to improve," and said he has spent plenty of time this offseason working with running backs coach Eric Bieniemy on improving various facets of his game. This includes pass-blocking, an area that was considered one of Peterson's few weaknesses last season. Peterson said one of his goals is to be on the field in more passing situations in 2008 but quickly points out that veteran running back Chester Taylor "does a great job." Of course, there is the possibility of Peterson and Taylor being on the field at the same time -- something that did not happen frequently last season. Peterson said he is "looking forward" to that possibility and feels that might present opportunities for the Vikings to devise ways to get him the ball via the air more frequently. "That's something I feel like is being worked on," Peterson said. "I have faith in the coaches that they are going to do a great job game planning and coming up with different plays and different schemes. Formations to kind of spread me out a little bit; spread me and Chester out outside the backfield and kind of bring a different twist to the game." By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune __________________

05-17-2008, 08:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Darius Ali PGP HoFer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming Posts: 2,616 vCash: 29888 Donate My Blog: BallAboveAll-Basketball news and analysis PSN Gamertag: DariusJustinAli Blog Entries: 5 Rep Power: 57 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 2	Re: 2,000 yards? MVP award? Peterson sets sights on the highest levels It all depends on his health. Even in college he couldnt stay healthy. Not a great track record. Obviously healthy he is amazing though. Sucks how injuries ruin some peoples careers and what they could accomplish. Penny Hardaway Grant Hill __________________ "Just Win Baby"

05-17-2008, 08:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
ChicagoBearsFan PGP Batboy Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 13 vCash: 1063 Donate Rep Power: 1	Re: 2,000 yards? MVP award? Peterson sets sights on the highest levels I agree with Darius. If he could stay healthy for the whole season he could very easily get the MVP Award, and 2,000 yards. Even when he was still wearing the knee brace in the middle of the season and wasn't 100% he was still very good.

05-27-2008, 05:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
HolySchnikes PGP Batboy Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 11 vCash: 1055 Donate Rep Power: 1	Re: 2,000 yards? MVP award? Peterson sets sights on the highest levels AD is amazing, that's true, but i don't think he can get 2,000 yards rushing. as you guys were saying before he can't stay healthy for a full season. and to make things worse he plays in Brad Childress's offense which is more about the pass. AD could get 1,500, but when you have a past of injuries, an offense which is suppose to rely on passing the ball, and you have a good HB backing you up, it really doesn't seem like he will get 2,000 yards.