A bump in his workload lets Peterson sharpen his game

[RedMcCombs]

A bump in his workload lets Peterson sharpen his game

Jerry Holt, Star Tribune

Brett Favre handed the ball off to Adrian Peterson in the first quarter against Kansas City on Friday.
By CHIP SCOGGINS and JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune

Last update: August 24, 2009 - 12:05 AM
Featured comment



Adrian Peterson lobbied the Vikings coaching staff to allow him more than just a brief appearance in the team’s preseason opener at Indianapolis, but that wasn’t going to happen.

The Pro Bowl running back got his wish Friday with more extended work in the team’s 17-13 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs. Peterson carried the ball 10 times for 44 yards before being removed at the end of the second quarter.

Peterson, who had four carries against the Colts, said he likes to get work in preseason games. He had seven carries on a 15-play scoring drive in the second quarter.

“Aw, man, if you would have asked Coach [Brad] Childress I would have played the third and fourth quarters,” Peterson said. “I’m trying to get as many steps as I can and just do my job. Just go out there and contribute to our win.”

Peterson also made his first public comments after the game about the arrival of quarterback Brett Favre.

“It’s special,” Peterson said. “I’ve been watching the guy since I was in elementary school. To be able to be on the same team with him and for him to bring that passion that he plays with, he’s just a good guy, a funny guy. He’s a good teammate.”

Time to regroup

The players got two days off after a whirlwind week and will return to Winter Park today. The schedule allowed for extra rest since the team doesn’t play again until next Monday against the Houston Texans.

The starters are expected to get their most extensive playing time of the preseason in that game.

Bring the heat

The Vikings recorded three sacks in the opening series against Colts quarterback Peyton Manning in the first game and got good consistent penetration Friday, forcing Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel to move. But he was able to escape trouble several times and find open receivers.

“We gave a lot of plays with him getting out of the pocket,” middle linebacker E.J. Henderson said. “Make some plays and continue to try to tackle. Just the basic stuff.”

Etc.

• The Vikings were penalized 14 times for 104 yards, which included an illegal block by Antoine Winfield on the opening kickoff. Childress wasn’t sure about that one. “Antoine I thought made a great tackle on that first kick, and it was called a block below the waist,” he said. “I will need to see that [on film]. I thought it was a great play.”

• Who said there’s no excitement at the end of a preseason game? Reserve cornerback Derrick Roberson executed a perfect backflip in the end zone after the Vikings ended the game with a goal-line stand.

• Ryan Cook got some work with the second-team offense at center. Unfortunately for Cook, he also received his third false-start penalty of the preseason at right tackle.