Peterson could be Texans' dream pick

Peterson could be Texans' dream pick

It is never too early to discuss the draft or make predictions, so
let's find out what you want the Texans to do with the eighth pick in the first round.

E-mail and tell me your pick. Explain your reasoning. There's no
trading up or down. And please be realistic.

For instance, no matter how badly you might want LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell so he could play against You Know Who two times every season, it isn't going to happen. There's no way he'll be available at eight.

Remember, we're early in the evaluation process, so all of us have the right to change our mind.

Now, here's my dream pick: Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson.

A big-time back can help the offense control the clock and keep his defense on the bench and fresh. He can wear down the opposing defense. He can help the play-action game because the opposing defense has to respect the run every time the quarterback looks as if he's going to hand the ball to the back.

Before, during and after the college season, three scouts I've known and trusted for up to three decades have raved about Adrian Peterson. They're not too concerned about his injuries. They point out that he missed only one game as a freshman and sophomore because of an injury and seven last season with a broken collarbone.

Up there with Campbell

Each scout has told me that if Adrian Peterson continues to impress them through the evaluation process the way he has so far, he'll be graded high enough to rank with outstanding prospects like Earl Campbell, Eric Dickerson, Billy Sims, Ricky Williams and LaDainian Tomlinson — each of whom grew up in Texas or played at a Texas school.

Oklahoma listed Adrian Peterson, a Palestine native, at 6-2, 218, which means he'll probably be measured shorter at the Indianapolis combine.

The scouts say Adrian Peterson is a hard worker and a physical runner who is both gifted and sculpted. Most important, though, is that the scouts love how hard Adrian Peterson plays. They say he has everything a team could want in a franchise back: size, speed, toughness and what they call "want-to."

Adrian Peterson's broken collarbone might have been a blessing. He didn't absorb a beating running against eight-man fronts every Saturday.

When he worked hard to recover so he could play in a bowl, a lot of people thought Adrian Peterson was crazy because he would risk another injury that would jeopardize his draft status if he came out after his junior year, as just about everyone predicted.

But Adrian Peterson was determined to join his teammates and coaches in the Fiesta Bowl. The scouts were impressed even more with his determination and unselfishness. Adrian Peterson scored two touchdowns, the second one on a 25-yard run that gave the Sooners a 42-35 lead in overtime, in what turned out to be perhaps the most exciting bowl in history — Boise State's 43-42 victory.

Risking an injury to play with his teammates told a lot about Adrian Peterson's attitude and character.

There's a chance

In other years, Adrian Peterson wouldn't be available at the eighth spot, but the Texans might have a shot at him because of the seven teams that pick ahead of them.

Oakland is expected to take a quarterback, Russell or Brady Quinn. If Detroit passes up the other quarterback and takes say, Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas, Cleveland would love to have Quinn. If Quinn goes to Detroit, the Browns would face a decision of taking Thomas or Peterson. Our spies in Cleveland say the Browns love Peterson, too.

Tampa Bay (Cadillac Williams), Arizona (Edgerrin James), Washington (Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts) and Minnesota (Chester Taylor) have 1,000-yard backs who make a lot of money.

Adrian Peterson is probably too good to be available at eight, but it doesn't hurt to hope, does it?

Unless, of course, you were hoping for You Know Who at this time last year.

[More at www.chron.com ]