Peterson's Absence Peeves Childress

The Minnesota Vikings are currently conducting their veteran minicamp. There were a few big no-shows on Friday.

One was quarterback Brett Favre. We all know why #4 isn't there. He's still contemplating his return, right? No, he just doesn't feel like going through the motions, and for once, I don't blame him. He recently had surgery on his ankle (which looked horrible after the NFC Championship game) and he really does need to rehab the thing. Favre had also made a promise to the Southern Miss baseball team that if they qualify for the College World Series, he would come back and play for the Vikes. Southern Miss didn't, so I guess we're all in limbo (again) regarding Favre's return.

Another was defensive end Ray Edwards. Edwards is a restricted free agent, but he wants a new deal. The Vikings tendered Edwards, but Edwards has yet to ink that tender. The Vikings cannot fine Edwards for his absence either because Edwards isn't signed. Vikes head coach Brad Childress wasn't overly concerned about Edwards stating "it's just the nature of the business".

The most prominent absence was that of running back Adrian Peterson. Apparently, there is an Adrian Peterson Day in his hometown of Palestine, Texas. This is the 4th annual. This "celebration" would take Peterson away from minicamp and Childress is not pleased. Childress was asked if Peterson's absence was annoying.

"I just know that there's a bunch of guys here. This has a term "mandatory" for a reason. The work is here. Period. You can say whatever you want. This is the fourth annual Adrian Peterson day. I don't know if it's going to be every year. But we're going to have this, too. ... "

What further annoyed Childress was that Peterson did not inform the team of the event until this past week. Childress reminded the attending media that this minicamp was scheduled well in advance. Childress was a bit fumed over the fact that Peterson was not in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, but in Palestine, Texas. Childress also mentioned that if he remembers correctly, a staff member showed him a website promoting the affair.

Peterson fumbling during NFC Championship
game. The Vikes lost in OT (31-28)and New
Orleans went on to win the Super Bowl.

And I'm siding with the Vikings head coach here. Peterson should be at these minicamps working on his one true weakness, fumbling. It's no secret that AD will put the ball on the floor every now and then. With opponents knowing this, Peterson will be a target for turnovers, and Childress, after careful offseason study, has implemented a program that will hopefully cure fumblitis. He has a drill that requires carrying a 14 pound ball, his very own 14 pound ball.

No one in their right mind would ever question Peterson's ability as a runner. He is the best in the NFL (and I offer no apologies to Tennessee's Chris Johnson). Developing a technique to curtail Peterson's ball control issues is paramount for Minnesota and their hopes of getting to the Super Bowl. If he's not putting the work, the idea won't work.

Look what happened to Tiki Barber (I know. I'm making a Tiki Barber reference). He had fumbling issues and New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin and his staff developed a different way for Barber to carry the ball. That one subtle move propelled Barber to NFL stardom...for a while anyway. The same could easily happen to Peterson. He's already a star and highly marketable. Take away his fumbling, deliver a Super Bowl to the Twin Cities, and you'll see even greater things, on and off the field, from AD.