Vikings strike gold by drafting Peterson

Vikings strike gold by drafting Peterson


With the seventh overall selection in the draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson.

Adrian Peterson is an explosive running back that gives the Vikings their only home run hitter on offense with a chance to score every time he gets his hands on the ball.

As a true freshman, Adrian Peterson ran for 1,925 yards followed by 1,108 in eight games his sophomore season.

In his last season at Oklahoma he ran for 1,012 yards in only seven games before breaking his collar bone.

The injury may have scared teams off, but it is believed to not be threatening, and he will not need any further surgery.

The Vikings satisfied their need for a playmaker in Adrian Peterson and his presence alone will improve the offense, but there are still many offensive needs that must be addressed.

Receiver Sidney Rice from South Carolina was drafted in the second round and could be a key contributor, but only time will tell with him.

Also, it appears the Vikings have faith in second-year quarterback Tavaris Jackson, who threw for only 50 yards in one of his two starts, despite having the line of scrimmage stacked to stop the run. Jackson looked a little green but has a ton of potential. The play of Jackson will likely determine how far the Vikings will go this season.

It would have been much more beneficial for the Vikings to have gotten Calvin Johnson, but the difference between Johnson and Adrian Peterson may not have been worth all that would have been lost to get the second pick.

Some also may argue that Brady Quinn would have been the better pick so the Vikings could solidify the quarterback position, but it appears that the Vikings have faith in Jackson. I just hope the front office and the quarterbacks’ coach made that decision and not Brad Childress, who may have done his first thing right in his tenure here in drafting Adrian Peterson.

Either way the Vikings are going to be fine. Both Johnson and Brady Quinn are great football players and would have helped out the Vikings a lot. Either way, they couldn’t go wrong with their pick.

Adrian Peterson did his best “I’m excited” smile, but really it’s a great fit for him. The Vikings have a good offensive line, and he will complement Chester Taylor in the trendy two-back system.

As for the rest of the NFL, the Cleveland Browns had the best draft with 300 pounder Joe Thomas and Brady Quinn taken in the first round. The 49ers also had a great draft and will be much tougher on defense this year.

The Browns may have had the best draft, but the New England Patriots had the best off season I have ever seen.

The Patriots added four receivers, two of which, Randy Moss and Donte’ Stallworth, are among the fastest receivers in the league. Wes Welker is a playmaker, too. Adalius Thomas is an amazing defensive end/linebacker acquired from the Ravens as well.

Unfortunately, it looks like New England is going to have the best football team again this year, but it will take an awful lot to knock off the defending champion Indianapolis Colts.

[More at www.users.csbsju.edu]