Monday, November 26, 2012

Adrian Peterson — Superhero Running Back

Adrian Peterson 6' 1" 217 lbs | #28 | RB | Minnesota Vikings

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's — Adrian Peterson — Minnesota Vikings running back w/ a superhero's body is a candidate for both the NFL's Most Valuable Player and Comeback Player of the Year in 2012-13. Peterson has a rebuilt left knee after he tore his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments. 

Keep-in-mind that a normal human being can get surgery – rehabilitate their injured body part – make an incredible comeback but it's not normal for a human being to comeback – use that rehabilitated body part and delegate it to abuse & punishment — tackled by a 320 lb Refrigerator Line-Men and supersede his goal, dreams & aspirations?


Talk around the NFL during pre-season was that the Vikings star half-back might not be ready at the start of the season, and that they were aiming for 2013, but his coaches, opponents, staff & teammates are all "shocked" at how quickly he has regained form. He recently stated, "I'm 100 percent, but I'm trying to reach past that 100 percent. I've been better than I was last year the last couple weeks. I still feel I'm going to get stronger. That's what I'm excited about the most."





ESPN Video: Adrian Peterson sits down with Cris Carter to talk about his determination and return from injury.


It's difficult to fathom but the knee injury may have been the best thing that could have happened to Peterson. "It's hard for me to believe he's better than he was before the surgery, but some of the things he has done make me believe it," Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said. 

Peterson said he is a better player because of the challenge of over-coming the series of unfortunate injuries have presented. "It really made me look at things differently," he said. "It really made me scratch harder, dig even deeper when I was working out and training to get back. This injury is like a blessing in disguise. It helped me push through (to) another level."

The Perfect Body – Built & Lean

Upon his less than miraculous speedy return, Peterson has altered his running style. He may not be so intent on carrying three or four defenders ala Mark Bavaro and may head out-of-bounds instead of absorbing punishing hits & tackles. 

Coach Frazier said the mighty #28 Half-Man/Half-Amazing back has been less set on hitting a home run on every carry — let's mix-it-up a bit , switch-up styles, "He still is running with power and authority," Frazier said. "He understands when to accelerate and when not to. He has cut down on negative runs. He's so patient now. He's setting up blocks so well for the offensive line." 

It is rare for any athlete to comeback close to full-strength after not only a torn ACL but a torn MCL as well... ...but perhaps Adrian Peterson isn't just any athlete. A.D. "All Day" is the first NFL running back to eclipse the 1,000 mark this year and has his sights on besting his career highs of 1,760 yards & 18 touchdowns. 

Defenders be afraid... ...be very afraid.

[UPDATE: Adrian Peterson ran for 2,097 yards in 2012 — 9-yards from breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of NFL's single-season rushing record with 2,105 yards, set in 1984.]

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