Adrian Peterson News: Pro Sports Daily

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March 10

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Adrian Peterson's production through his first three NFL seasons gives him a chance to one day be considered Hall of Fame material. By the end of the week, there is a good possibility Peterson will be playing in front of a guy who appears to have a place in Canton, Ohio, already locked up. Longtime San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson is expected to visit with the Vikings on Thursday, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, and if an agreement on playing time and money can be reached, he could be a Viking shortly thereafter. Tomlinson, who will turn 31 on June 23, has been identified as the Vikings' top choice to take over the third-down role that Chester ..."

Peterson's wish: Two more years for Favre

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March 3

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"First off, a tip of the hat to Tim Yotter and our friends at Viking Update (www.vikingupdate.com) for finding this item. It seems that running back Adrian Peterson isn't simply hoping Brett Favre plays one more season for the Vikings. Peterson told OKBlitz.com that he wants Favre to play two more seasons and win consecutive Super Bowls. (No small task for a franchise that has yet to win one.) "I hope he comes back for another year or two, gives us another two years," Peterson said. "I think we could win back-to-back Super Bowls. I'd take one. But the talent we have on both sides of the football with Favre -- just the talent we have on offense, defense all phases -- I feel like we can go as ..."

Barber's warning: Peterson becoming a liability

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February 3

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Tiki Barber knows Adrian Peterson's pain. The former New York Giant evolved from a fumble-prone running back early in his career by making adjustments to hold onto the football. Barber's change to a high-and-tight style serves as the model for players who want to correct carrying the ball loosely. After Peterson fumbled twice in the Vikings' loss in the NFC title game and played a role in a botched handoff, there's plenty of angst regarding his fumbling. "He's becoming a liability for his team," Barber told WFAN in New York on Monday, according to sportsradiointerviews.com. "It's all mechanics. It's the same thing I had to learn. You do something one way for so long, you get away with it ..."

Barber: Peterson becoming a liability

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February 3

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Tiki Barber knows all about being labeled a fumbler. The former New York Giants running back had issues holding onto the football during the course of his 10-year career and had 35 fumbles (17 lost) in a four-year span from 2000-2003. Tom Coughlin took over as the Giants coach in 2004 and one of the first things he did was go to work on Barber's fumbling.In fact, Barber was taught an entirely new way to hold the football. Over the last three seasons of his NFL career, Barber had a total of nine fumbles with four lost. That was a major improvement for a guy who had fumbled the ball nine times each season in 2000, 2002 and 2003. So Barber certainly knows what he's talking about when it comes ..."

Vikings Adrian Peterson calls Pro Bowl an honor despite his pain

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January 29

Miami Herald

columnist David J. Neal

"Free shoes heightened the post-Pro Bowl practice giddiness as the NFC team filed from buses to locker room to late morning activities. One player, arguably the best player who will play for either team Sunday, could manage only politeness and a tired smile as if he had just left four quarters packed with emotion and collisions. In a way, maybe he had. Adrian Peterson, though outside the NFC locker room in Fort Lauderdale in body, seemed mentally to still be in New Orleans. Last Sunday's overtime loss in the NFC Championship Game looked fresh on his face. ``I don't think I'll get over it,'' the Minnesota running back said. ``It's something that'll be in the back of my head while I'm working ..."

Peterson's fumbling will be examined in offseason

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January 27

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Adrian Peterson has rushed for more yards than any NFL running back the past three seasons. He has also fumbled more times, and that has become a major problem for the Vikings running back. Peterson fumbled twice and also took responsibility for a botched handoff in Sunday's 31-28 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game. Afterward, Peterson acknowledged that he needs to make changes this offseason to solve the problem. "I know that he is sick about those fumbles," coach Brad Childress said Tuesday. "They reared their ugly head. I don't have my head in the sand saying there's not an issue. He needs to hold on to it, but I'm sure he and [running backs coach Eric ..."

Adrian Peterson's fumbling woes spread to others, and the Vikings' season slips away

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January 25

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The pain of losing out on a trip to the Super Bowl was visible in Adrian Peterson's face Sunday night, but he wanted to take a mental snapshot before confronting another offseason of playoff disappointment and questions about his penchant for fumbling. So Peterson exited a solemn Vikings locker room, still in uniform, to watch the Saints' postgame celebration after New Orleans' 31-28 overtime victory at the Superdome. "It was painful, especially the way the game ended," Peterson said. "I honestly feel like we gave the game away." Peterson rushed for three touchdowns and 122 yards after being held to less than 100 yards for eight straight games. But another playmaking performance by one of ..."

Peterson returns to form in more ways than one

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January 25

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Adrian Peterson came out of the locker room -- still dressed in full uniform -- to watch the New Orleans Saints celebrate their first trip to the Super Bowl. As fans cheered, confetti fell and the Saints gathered on a stage at midfield, Peterson stood silent and watched the scene from the tunnel. "It was painful," he said. "Especially the way the game ended. Our guys fought hard, and I honestly feel like we just gave the game away. Too many turnovers. It came back at the end to bite us." Peterson had a hand in that. Though he finally rushed for more than 100 yards and scored three touchdowns, Peterson also fumbled twice -- and was probably responsible for another when he botched a handoff ..."

Peterson runs for daylight

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January 24

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Maybe it was simply a throwaway line, but Vikings coach Brad Childress raised eyebrows when asked last Sunday if he had watched any of the Saints' playoff victory against the Cardinals. "I watched portions of it early," he said. "I did see the first play." Arizona's Tim Hightower torched the Saints on a 70-yard touchdown on the game's first offensive play. The Vikings hope Adrian Peterson will make his own splash in the NFC Championship Game at the Superdome. The Saints own the NFL's top-ranked and highest-scoring offense. The best way to stop them is to establish the running game and control the ball, thus keeping Drew Brees and Co. on the sideline as much as possible. "That won't hurt at ..."

Peterson studies Saints film for clues to improve

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January 21

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Adrian Peterson can be forgiven for wanting to put his last appearance against New Orleans as far in the rear-view mirror as possible. Perhaps that's why the Vikings running back said Wednesday that his 32-yard, 21-carry rushing performance against the Saints on Oct. 6, 2008, was two years ago. "Those guys did a great job," Peterson said of the way the Saints defense played in a Monday night game that the Vikings won 30-27 on a last-second field goal. "I don't take anything away from those guys but studying the film, there is really a lot that I did. I really wasn't patient in that game. I missed a couple of big runs. ... It's going to be very critical for me to make sure that I take ..."

Mano a mano: Adrian Peterson vs. Jonathan Vilma

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January 19

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Peterson gained only 63 yards on 26 rushing attempts (2.4 average) in Sunday's victory over Dallas, marking the eighth consecutive game in which the Pro Bowl running back has failed to run for 100 yards. But that performance came against a Dallas defense that was ranked fourth against the run during the regular season. The Saints haven't had nearly that much success against the run. New Orleans, which will need a big game from the veteran Vilma in the middle if they are to slow Peterson, was 21st vs. the run and gave up a 70-yard touchdown run to Arizona's Tim Hightower on the first play from scrimmage Saturday in the Saints' 45-14 rout of the Cardinals in the NFC divisional playoffs."

Once a Cowboys fan, Vikes' Adrian Peterson wants Dallas downfall

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January 15

USA Today

"Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been exposed to the skinny on the Dallas Cowboys virtually ad nauseam this week.Videos. Scouting reports. Positional breakdowns. Peterson may as well have been back in Texas, where he grew up idolizing the Cowboys, who visit his Vikings on Sunday in an NFL divisional playoff. He fondly recalls the exploits of his heroes, among them running back Emmitt Smith, cornerback Deion Sanders and wide receiver Michael Irvin. The posters hung on the wall in his bedroom. "That was before," he said Thursday with a grin at Vikings headquarters. "I was a Cowboy fan, and yeah, I root for those guys (but) when they come up here it's strictly business. ..."

Peterson relishes chance to face Cowboys

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January 15

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"As a kid growing up in Texas, Adrian Peterson was a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan. He owned trading cards of Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith and had a poster of flashy cornerback Deion Sanders on his bedroom wall. "Prime Time," Peterson said, referring to Sanders' nickname. "Oh yeah." Why Sanders? "Just the type of player he was," Peterson said. "He was just one of a kind. Offense, defense, special teams, he did it all. His blazing speed, he was just a one-of-a-kind type player." Peterson has been called the same thing as an NFL running back, but he admits being star-struck when he met some of his former idols. "I tried to keep my composure and stay calm when I first met those guys -- Prime ..."

Cowboys' run defense will be tested by Vikings' Peterson

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January 14

Dallas Morning News

"Igor Olshansky can bring out his pads again on Sunday. He looks forward to that. Given Philadelphia's reluctance to challenge the Cowboys' run defense in last week's first-round playoff game, Olshansky could have played in a T-shirt and shorts. The Eagles gave up on the ground game early and ran only 13 times. For a run-smothering tackle like Olshansky, that amounted to a waste of time. He looked at his equipment after the game and said, "Why did I even wear that?" It will be different in the divisional playoff at Minnesota. A significant subplot to this game will be how the Cowboys' stout run defense fares against an offense that features an elite running back in Adrian Peterson. The ..."

Cowboys focused on Peterson

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January 12

San Antonio Express-News

"Linebacker Bobby Carpenter isn't putting much stock into all the talk about the Dallas Cowboys having momentum on their side in Sunday's playoff matchup with Minnesota. While the second-seeded Vikings (12-4) had the weekend off, Carpenter and the third-seeded Cowboys (12-5) crushed Philadelphia 34-14 in the wild-card round for their fourth straight win. But Carpenter knows Minnesota possesses a weapon that can shift the moment to its side in a matter of seconds. "If Adrian Peterson goes 80 yards on the first play, I don't know how hot you are at that point. They got out the fire hose," Carpenter said Monday. The Vikings are loaded with offensive talent. Quarterback Brett Favre, receivers ..."

It's a light workload for Peterson

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January 4

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Adrian Peterson did not touch the ball on the Vikings' first two series Sunday, but the Pro Bowl running back said he doesn't believe he was being punished for his critical fumble last week. "There have been times where I fumbled and the next series come out and they feed it to me four or five consecutive times, so I don't think there was a punishment," he said. Vikings coach Brad Childress described it as a product of the game plan, but Peterson had a relatively light workload in a 44-7 victory over the New York Giants at the Metrodome. Peterson rushed for only 54 yards and one touchdown on nine carries, which tied for the fewest carries in his career. Peterson had vowed to bounce back ..."

Vikings say fumbling issue had nothing to do with Adrian Peterson's light workload

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January 4

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Adrian Peterson didn't touch the ball until there was 3:50 left in the first quarter, and both Chester Taylor and Percy Harvin had carries before he did. Still, the Vikings' tailback insisted he didn't start Sunday's regular-season finale against the New York Giants in the doghouse. Peterson's fumble in overtime last Monday in Chicago wasn't the only reason the Vikings lost to the Bears, but it was the most conspicuous, setting up the game-winning touchdown. So one had to wonder, was he being punished? "No, no," he said. "There's been a time when I fumbled and the next series came up and they fed it to me four, five consecutive times. So I don't think it was punishment." Peterson entered ..."

Call missed on fumble

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December 30

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"After watching the film, Vikings coach Brad Childress knows that running back Adrian Peterson was grabbed by his face mask before he committed a critical fumble in overtime at Chicago. Peterson's fumble put the Bears in position to score on the next play and win the game. Replays showed that Chicago's Zackary Bowman held on to Peterson's face mask with his left hand, turning his head, before Hunter Hillenmeyer poked the ball out of Peterson's arm. The play drew no penalty. If officials had thrown a flag for the face mask, it would have nullified the fumble. "I thought his face mask got grabbed as he put the football on the ground ... but still, in all, he's got to keep that thing in our ..."

Peterson doesn't hide his regrets

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December 29

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Adrian Peterson sat at his locker stall for 10 minutes in full uniform as his teammates scurried around him. The Vikings running back did nothing to hide his anger and disappointment. "I'm sick right now," he said. "I'm very disappointed. I really feel like I lost this game. We were in position to win the game, and I gave it away." Peterson said he's never felt more disappointed as an NFL player than he was late Monday night after his fumble in overtime set up Chicago's winning touchdown in a 36-30 Bears victory at Soldier Field. Peterson caught a short pass and turned it upfield for 16 yards. But Chicago's Hunter Hillenmeyer punched the ball out and the Bears recovered at the Vikings ..."

Are Bears slump buster for Peterson?

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December 24

Chicago Tribune

columnist Brad Biggs

"As bad as the Bears' defense has been this season it's difficult to imagine they are part of the toughest stretch of Adrian Peterson's career. Yep, it's true. The Minnesota Vikings' running back has been held under 100 yards rushing in five straight games, the longest stretch in his three seasons. The second game of that slump was the Vikings' 36-10 demolition of the Bears on Nov. 29 at the Metrodome. The Bears loaded up to stop the run and did so with some proficiency--Peterson had 85 yards on 25 carries (3.4 yards per attempt). Of course, the Vikings put up 537 yards of offense, so it was far from a successful gameplan. Peterson has rushed for only 318 yards over the last five games on ..."

Run game again paves the way

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December 17

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The Vikings are ranked 11th in the NFL in both rushing and passing, and the balance they displayed Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals was more to their liking. Determined to establish the run after two pass-heavy performances, the Vikings had an ideal mix of both in the 30-10 victory. They rushed for 142 yards on 37 carries as a team, while Brett Favre attempted 30 passes and threw for 192 yards. "I think we just came out with the mentality that we know we have to get the running game started," running back Chester Taylor said. "That's what we did. We focused more on the run game last week and we try and do that each week now. The passing game has come along. When we have them both as a ..."

Adrian Peterson wouldn't trade Vikings' wins for more rushing yards

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December 17

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings running back Adrian Peterson sets goals every year. Winning the NFL's rushing title is one of them. He accomplished that in 2008, but it probably won't happen this year. With three games remaining, Tennessee's Chris Johnson has 1,626 yards — or 426 more than Peterson. "When I think about that, I think about our teams and the position we're in," Peterson said. "We're sitting here at 11-2 with an offense that's pretty potent. We've got a lot of guys contributing to the offense. So it's definitely not all about the run game. We've got so many guys touching the ball." Peterson noted he's been in Johnson's position before. Tennessee is 6-7 this season. "Last year, leading the league in ..."

Peterson gets tough yards against a top defense

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December 14

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Adrian Peterson responded to a sluggish outing last week with a strong performance against one of the NFL's top run defenses. Peterson rushed for 97 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries and set a team record in a 30-10 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. Peterson's two touchdown runs give him 14 for the season, a team record. Terry Allen (1992) and Chuck Foreman (1975 and '76) shared the record with 13. More important, Peterson bounced back after being held to 19 yards rushing by the Cardinals last week -- the second-lowest total of his career. "We knew it was going to be a physical game, so we wanted to establish a run game and then hit them with some play-action," Peterson said. ..."

Vikings' Adrian Peterson up and running with record-setting performance

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December 14

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Smashmouth football is just what the Vikings needed to get Adrian Peterson going again. Peterson and the Vikings' offensive linemen were scrutinized the past three weeks, when the NFL's best running back averaged only 3 yards per carry during that span. Sunday's game provided the opportunity to get back on track, and they did with a 30-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The running game was the focus of the offense. Peterson had 97 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries, his season high, along with three catches for 40 yards, including a 28-yard catch on which he showed excellent acceleration. "I thought we got into a decent groove and were able to run the football and exert our ..."

Negatives nag at Peterson's positives

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December 11

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Adrian Peterson has a favorite phrase to describe his philosophy as a runner. "Famine, famine, feast," he often says. Translation: Keep pounding the ball and short runs eventually will turn into big ones. Peterson and the Vikings running game have collected their share of both this season. The Vikings have the highest "stuffed rate" on runs in the NFL this season, according to the website Footballoutsiders.com. The website tracks rushes for no gain or negative yards, and the Vikings lead the league at 25 percent. However, the Vikings also rank No. 3 in the league in runs of 10-plus yards at 27 percent. The "famine/feast" tag seems to apply perfectly. "I don't know how you explain that," ..."

Peterson rounds out a bad week with a flat game

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December 7

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Adrian Peterson had a difficult week, and that was before he even set foot on the field at University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday night. Things didn't get any better at that point either. Peterson got off to a slow start and then essentially became a bystander, as the Vikings fell behind by double digits and were forced to pass throughout the second half of a 30-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Peterson finished with a season-low 19 yards rushing on 13 carries, and recorded more yards receiving (46) than rushing for the first time in his career. He was running behind a beat-up offensive line, but he made no excuses. "Really, to be honest, they wanted it more than us," Peterson said. ..."

Adrian Peterson fined $5,000 for facemask penalty

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December 5

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was fined $5,000 for unnecessary roughness for an offensive facemask penalty he received against Chicago. Peterson was fined by the NFL after he "unnecessarily grabbed his opponent by the facemask" in the third quarter. Peterson was penalized 15 yards on the play when he tried to stiff-arm Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer. It has been a tough week for Peterson, who on Saturday evening was ticketed by police after he was clocked doing 109 mph at Minnesota State Highway 62 and Gleason Road in Edina."

Drops could land Peterson on bench

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December 4

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson understands the consequences if he keeps coughing up the ball. He'll get a front-row view from the bench. "I just got to be more aware, hold on to the ball and take care of it, or else I'll be sitting on the sideline," Peterson said. Peterson fumbled twice against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, losing one. His five fumbles this season are tied for second in the NFL. Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard has lost eight. Vikings coach Brad Childress said it's "good that those kind of thoughts hover around every now and then," he said of Peterson acknowledging the possibility of being benched. Yet Childress didn't seem overly concerned about ..."

Vikings' Peterson could lose license after being ticketed for driving 109 mph

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December 4

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson was cited for speeding after being clocked driving 109 mph on his way to check in late at the team's downtown Minneapolis hotel Saturday night. Players are expected to report to the hotel between 6 and 8 the night before a game day. Peterson was stopped at Minnesota 62 and Gleason Road in Edina just before 8:30 p.m. for violating the 55-mph speed limit, Edina police spokeswoman Molly Anderson said. Asked if Peterson is in danger of losing his license, Anderson downplayed that possibility. "From what I can see, it's a straight speeding ticket," she said. In 2005, Minnesota lawmakers approved a provision requiring revocation of a license for at ..."

Vikings' Adrian Peterson: If I don't stop fumbling, I'll be sitting

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December 3

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson understands what could happen if he continues to fumble. "I just got to be more aware, hold onto the ball and take care of it, or else I'll be sitting on the sideline," Peterson said today. Peterson fumbled twice against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, losing one. His five fumbles on the season are tied for second-most in the NFL. Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard has lost eight. Peterson said defenders try to stand him up and punch and swing at the ball, trying to force fumbles. "I can sometimes on the field be my biggest enemy," he said. "When I look at the fumbles, it comes every time I'm in crowds, trying to fight for ..."

Defenses' fixation on Adrian Peterson making things easier on Vikings QB Brett Favre

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December 1

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings quarterback Brett Favre keeps torching teams through the air, and opposing defenses keep focusing on stopping Adrian Peterson. Peterson is getting stopped more often than not. The Bears held him to an average of 3.4 yards a carry, with a long of 15 yards. And what do the Bears get to show for it? A 36-10 beating on Sunday at the Metrodome. Favre completed 32 of 48 passes for 392 yards and three touchdowns. With the Bears clamping down on Peterson, it made sense to crank up the passing attack. "Like I've said before, there's no defensive coordinator in the National Football League that's ever going to come in here and say, 'Well, what we're going to do with these guys is, they're ..."

Peterson endures a tough day against the Bears' run defense

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November 30

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Adrian Peterson managed to laugh when someone asked whether opponents should gear their defenses to stop the Vikings passing game now instead of their running game. "I don't know," he said. "We haven't seen it yet. But still we've been able to put up a lot of points. That's what it's all about. We're winning. I'm enjoying that." Peterson had enjoyed huge performances against the Chicago Bears in his first two seasons, but he had a far more difficult time Sunday in a 36-10 victory at the Metrodome. The Pro Bowl running back fumbled twice, received a personal-foul facemask penalty, and went against another defense stacked to stop him. Playing on a tender ankle, Peterson managed 85 yards ..."

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson still fighting fumbleitis

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November 30

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"During a quiet moment on the sideline against the Detroit Lions on Nov. 15, a game in which he averaged 7.4 yards per carry, Vikings running Adrian Peterson was flattered and inspired by a comment from future hall of fame quarterback Brett Favre. "They can't stop you," said Favre, who was miked by NFL Films. "The only one who can stop you is you. I've been around a long time, and I ain't been around nobody like you." Peterson scored two touchdowns and pounded out 133 rushing yards on 18 carries against the Lions that day, but his performance was tempered by two lost fumbles. He had two more fumbles Sunday, losing one and pushing his season totals to six fumbles, with five of them lost. ..."

Lovie Smith sums up loss: We feel like crap

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November 30

Chicago Tribune

columnist Rick Morrissey

"The Bears were awful Sunday. This is unmistakably, unequivocally true because the headmaster of happy talk said they were. "We feel like crap," coach Lovie Smith said after the Vikings pounded his team 36-10. Smith admitting the Bears played poorly is like China admitting a fundamental weakness. And hearing him use the word "crap" is like hearing Donny Osmond ask what a guy has to do to get a cigarette and a beer around here. So here was final proof that the season is not just gone, but that it's a disastrous, washed-out affair that should come with an ark and animals two by two. Let's be clear. Sunday wasn't a surprise. Minnesota is one of the better teams in the NFL, and the Bears are ..."

Bears fall 36-10 to Minnesota Vikings

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November 30

Chicago Tribune

"The Bears solved a few problems Sunday in their 36-10 loss to the Vikings. Instead of playing poorly in the first quarter, they played poorly in the second quarter -- giving up 24 points. Instead of overthrowing receivers on sure touchdown passes, Jay Cutler underthrew one. Instead of being done in by Adrian Peterson, they were done in by Percy Harvin. There are some who would call this progress. The rest of us would call it another smackdown, and proof positive the Bears cannot compete with the elite of the NFL. The Bears were badly outplayed in just about every way imaginable in a loss that ended their hopes of winning the NFC North -- if they still had such hopes. They still have a ..."

Vikings RB Peterson active; Winfield is out

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November 29

NFL.com

"Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (ankle) is active for Sunday's game vs. the Bears, but CB Antoine Winfield (foot) is out. Both players were questionable coming into the game. This is the fifth consecutive game that Winfield will miss."

For all of Peterson's positives, Vikings RB has too many negative runs

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November 28

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings coach Brad Childress said he noticed a "ton of good things" after reviewing Sunday's 35-9 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. In one of the most complete performances since he took over the club in 2006, Childress reveled in a dominant effort by his run and pass offense, his run and pass defense and his special teams. But Childress didn't hesitate to point out an area in need of improvement. "I think probably the zero-or-loss runs," he said. The Vikings' offense is one of the most balanced in the NFL, and the overall rank of eighth is the unit's highest this deep into a season under Childress. But the Vikings clearly are trying to address Adrian Peterson's penchant for ..."

Illness has Peterson in doubt

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November 28

Chicago Sun-Times

"Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is questionable for the game Sunday with the Bears after missing practice Friday with an illness. Peterson was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, listed with an ankle injury, and apparently got sick following Thanksgiving. The Bears still expect to face the league's third-leading rusher, who has 999 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground through 10 games. Peterson has gained 554 yards and scored eight touchdowns in four games against the Bears. He missed two games as a rookie in 2007 with a knee sprain."

Bears expect AP to play Sunday

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November 28

Chicago Tribune

"Telling Bears defensive linemen that Adrian Peterson won't play Sunday because of an ankle injury and illness is like saying Charlie Weis will coach Notre Dame the next five years. "Trust me, I know A.P. and he will play," defensive tackle Tommie Harris said Friday of his fellow Oklahoma Sooner. Added nose tackle Anthony Adams, "I'm not setting myself up. He is going to play." The Bears would be much better off if he didn't. Peterson, arguably the league's most dynamic running back, was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday and was out sick Friday. But Vikings coach Brad Childress sounded confident Peterson would play Sunday. Remember, Peterson ran for 224 yards and three scores the ..."

Peterson sits out practice due to illness, questionable for Sunday

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November 28

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Already suffering from an ankle injury, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Chicago after he missed Friday because of an illness. Asked if Peterson's illness was cause for concern, coach Brad Childress said: "It's a concern today. He's sick, but that's it." Peterson has rushed for 554 yards on 90 carries and has eight touchdowns in four games against the Bears. Chester Taylor, who had 73 yards rushing on 11 carries last Sunday against Seattle, stands to carry the rushing load if Peterson is limited or out. The Vikings' injury concerns extend beyond the running back position. Anthony Herrera, who has not missed a start since taking over ..."

AP must be stopped

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November 27

Chicago Sun-Times

"Ask the Bears for a realistic goal with six games left, and they'll tell you all their objectives remain in play. The division, the playoffs, every bit of it is still in front of them. Ask defensive end Alex Brown about Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome, and he dishes up some cold, hard reality in a hurry. ''They're good; they're really good,'' Brown said. ''We have to play well. It could get real ugly up there.'' The Bears have lost six of their last seven at Minnesota and were trampled there 34-14 last season. MVP candidate Brett Favre is getting most of the accolades, but running back Adrian Peterson is the player the Bears have been unable to stop. Entering ..."

Peterson is striving to be receiver, too

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November 16

Minneapolis Star Tribune

columnist Sid Hartman

"Adrian Peterson reached 4,000 yards rushing fourth-fastest among running backs in the history of the NFL, but now he is also complementing his running with some great pass catching. A year ago after nine games, Peterson had 15 catches for 98 yards. Well, after Sunday, when he had two receptions for 10 yards, he now, in the same number of games, has 21 catches for 199 yards, quite an improvement. "Yeah, I just didn't get a lot of opportunities last year to catch the ball," Peterson said. "This year we're spreading the ball out a little more so opportunities are there. "I feel like pass receiving, it comes natural to me, but you can always work to improve." Peterson said he learns a lot from ..."

Red-zone fumble is humbling gaffe for Peterson

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November 16

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Adrian Peterson reached 4,000 yards rushing faster than any player in Vikings history on Sunday, and he also got caught from behind on a breakaway run. Yep, truly a historic day. Peterson said he felt "sick" after getting caught and stripped of the ball, but his performance still ended on a high note with a 27-10 victory over the Lions at the Metrodome. Peterson rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. But he also was credited with two fumbles, including one that prevented what would have been a highlight-reel touchdown run. "In the NFL when you are playing good teams you definitely know there are going to be ups and downs so you can't be caught up and still be looking behind ..."

Adrian Peterson making progress in learning to wait for plays to develop

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November 13

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Adrian Peterson constantly hears a voice — usually raspy from overuse — repeat the same lines over and over. Be patient. Slow to (the line of scrimmage), fast through. Let the scheme work for you. "I'm always in his ear, and he's tired of me saying the same things," Vikings running backs coach Eric Bieniemy said of Peterson. "But throughout the course of a game, you have to calm him down. "I'm a coach-slash-psychologist." Repetition has yielded execution in one of Peterson's primary preseason goals: letting his blocks develop, then launching himself upfield. Bieniemy and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell do not have tangible statistics to track Peterson's patience. But they insist their ..."

Potent Peterson a test for Steelers defense

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October 25

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Brett Favre has - so far - been the equivalent of the final piece of the puzzle for the Vikings. But with all due respect to the NFL's all-time passing leader, Minnesota's offense revolves around running back Adrian Peterson. And something will have to give today when the Vikings visit the Steelers for a showdown between one of the NFL's four unbeaten teams and its reigning Super Bowl champion. The Steelers are second in the NFL in rushing defense (74.5 yards per game), and they haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher since Fred Taylor gashed them for 147 in December 2007. The Steelers' streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher - it stands at 28 games - will be tested by Peterson, who leads the ..."

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson vs. Steelers OLB LaMarr Woodley

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October 25

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Mike Tomlin was the defensive coordinator for only one season with the Minnesota Vikings, but he started a trend that has continued even after he left to become coach of the Steelers. The Vikings went from 19th in the National Football League in rush defense to No. 1 in Tomlin's first season in Minnesota, and they haven't abdicated that position since he left after the 2006 season to replace Bill Cowher. They have led the league in rush defense each of the past three seasons. What's more, the Vikings haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 29 consecutive games, the only active streak longer than the Steelers, who haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in the past 24 regular-season games. But they ..."

Steelers not fantasizing about Vikings' Peterson

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October 21

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Take a minute and go to youtube.com. Type in "Adrian Peterson Fantasy Commercial" in the search engine. Click on the first entry that comes up. No, wait. Get the kids away from the computer first. Get 'em out of the room, actually. What you will see is more frightening than anything that will knock on your front door on Halloween. Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings' terrific third-year running back, is shirtless and in shorts, running a sprint at the team's practice facility. Pity the poor defensive backs who have to get in his way after he puts on his pads on game day and looks even more monstrous. "Don't show my guys," Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said yesterday, laughing a ..."

Peterson injures ankle but breaks 100-yard drought

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October 19

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The Vikings got a scare when Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson came up limping after he twisted his left ankle awkwardly on a spinning tackle by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Dannell Ellerbe in the fourth quarter Sunday. "I was in some pain," Peterson said. "It wasn't broken or anything. Right now, it's feeling real good." Peterson was able to return and finish off his 143-yard rushing performance in a 33-31 victory against the Ravens. Peterson eclipsed 100 yards rushing for the first time in five games and now has 18 100-yard performances in his career, second most in team history behind Robert Smith (29). Peterson had 22 carries but did most of his damage on two runs (26 and 58 yards). ..."