Rookie Peterson Gets Plenty Of Preseason Work For Vikings

Yo, Adrian!


Adrian Peterson delivered arguably the most electrifying performance of any player during the second week of preseason action. Granted, the games don't count and the statistics don't matter, but fantasy owners have every right to be excited about the ability that Adrian Peterson flashed during Friday's win over the Jets. Unfortunately, there's still no indication as to how head coach Brad Childress intends to split the carries between the rookie and starter Chester Taylor. As usual, Childress downplayed the rookie's performance (see the quote below) and shed no new light on his backfield plans following Friday's game.

The Stat: Adrian Peterson gained 70 yards on eight carries during Friday's preseason win over the Jets.

The Quote: "Adrian Peterson is an explosive player, and I was satisfied with his performance," Childress told the Monday's St. Paul Pioneer Press. "He's a very good student of the game, and, as a rookie, he's taken everything in well through training camp, which filtered on the field."

Fantasy Outlook: The biggest question hovering over Adrian Peterson heading into training camp was whether his left collarbone had fully healed. There had been speculation heading into the draft that the bone was not healing properly and would require surgery that would sideline him for the entire 2007 season. The Vikings training staff gave Adrian Peterson a clean bill of health shortly after the team selected him with the No. 7 overall pick, and AD did his part to quell the concern when he lowered his left shoulder and intentionally collided with a Jets' defensive back at the end of a highlight reel 43-yard run on Friday night. The former Sooner delivered a message with that hit and turned heads with the electrifying run.

With the questions regarding Adrian Peterson's shoulder apparently answered, fantasy owners will now shift their focus toward trying to determine how much of the workload he will get. As good as Adrian Peterson looked on Friday night against the Jets, Taylor is still on top of the running back depth chart. The Vikings intend to feature both backs this season, but it remains to be seen whether one will be featured in goal line situations or if they will continue to split those carries. That Adrian Peterson scored a three-yard touchdown in the second quarter can only help his chances of getting future money carries, but it's too soon to say whether he or Taylor will be the definitive goal line back. Nevertheless, Adrian Peterson provided fantasy owners with a glimpse of the flashy rushing ability that made him such a highly coveted player coming out of college. Unlike Taylor, he possesses elite speed and is a threat to score whenever the Vikings put the ball in his hands. His stock is on the rise due to his breakout performance, but fantasy owners shouldn't make the mistake of thinking they've seen the last of Taylor.

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