Getty ImagesThe meaningful portion of Vikings running back Adrian Peterson’s season came to an end in Saturday night’s loss to the Packers, but Peterson’s still got one more game to play.
Peterson will be heading to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii and he said Monday that he plans to treat the game just like any other. Peterson said that he’s going to go full speed whenever he’s on the field.
“I’m going to play hard,” Peterson said, via Brian Murphy of the Pioneer Press. “It is hard for me to play down because when you play down you put yourself in jeopardy of getting hurt going through the motions. So I won’t be playing down.”
Whatever he does to limit the chance of getting hurt likely suits the Vikings just fine. Peterson did just fine in his return from a serious knee injury this year, but the Vikings can’t have much interest in seeing him as a comeback player of the year candidate in consecutive seasons.
Given the level of effort we’ve seen in the Pro Bowl in recent years, Peterson’s going to be a pretty strong favorite for the game’s MVP award if he follows through on his promise.
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He’ll probably break his own Pro Bowl rushing record. Not that anyone will notice.
Secondary players will be diving out of his way in order to avoid getting hit. Lineman only play patty cake in the Pro Bowl, so the only chance of stopping him will come down to a couple ambitious or prideful AFC Linebackers.
If he does, he will be the only playing at full speed. He should be used to that by now, playing for the Vikings.
Does this guy sleep with a 5-Hour-Energy IV?
They all say that until they get there and sit on the beach…except Sean Taylor.
If I was a Vikings fan I wouldn’t want him playing in the game at all. Make something up like everyone else. I like AD but saying this before the game might make someone want to come harder just for you. Its a meaningless game, why say anything to stir it up?
I would caution against this… great attitude however knowing others take this game not ALL OUT… some halfhearted attempt at a play may deem costly. not a vikings fan but I am a ALL DAY fan
I wish those Saints Offensive Line played 100% last year, maybe Cam would not have been running for his life.
He will rush for 1000 yards in the game then because no one on defense will get in his way at the Pro bowl.
Too bad Cam Newton won’t be there.. he could see how classy players work hard for the fans who pay big bucks to go this event
I respect his attitude, but it’s a meaningless game one year after major knee surgery. He needs to skip the game altogether, let those young bucks, Morris and Martin play. He earned a rest.
Why not? It’s probably the most meaningful game he will play for the next 5 years.
He probably still won’t equal the average per game rushing yards he gained in the three Packer games.
Well I guess he’s gonna be the only one
before he gets too fired up, he might want to talk to former Pats RB Robert Edwards about pro bowl injuries.
Too bad the Vikings didn’t play hard in their only playoff game in the last 3 years. Who knows how long it will be till the next one.