Apparently coming nine yards short of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record isn’t enough for Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.
The PFT most-valuable player award winner now wants to play special teams as well.
According to Dave Campbell of the Associated Press, Peterson has been constantly nagging special teams coordinator Mike Priefer to be involved on various special teams units.
“For the past two years I’ve been trying to get in on field goal block. Come in off the edge, you know? It’s just going to take one block for them to really be like, ‘OK, you know what? Let’s take the chance and let you go out there and get it done,’” Peterson said. “Kickoff return, I wouldn’t mind getting back there. I’m in it to win.”
Peterson actually did see time as a kick returner during his rookie season. Peterson had 16 kickoff returns and averaged over 25 yards a return in 2007. Priefer isn’t going to say no when a player comes to him and says he’s available to contribute, but head coach Leslie Frazier seems to have other ideas.
“He always asks,” Priefer said. “He’s a football player. Gunner, field goal block, returner. The guy is awesome. I always say yes, and then I ask the head coach and he says no. I know what the answer is going to be. I don’t even have to ask.”
Priefer wouldn’t rule out the possibility of using Peterson as a returner in a critical situation in the postseason. For now, just add Peterson’s desire to play special teams to his long list of goals.