Peterson poses multiple problems for Titans

Peterson poses multiple problems for Titans
September 25
Tennessean

"Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will make his debut against the Titans on Sunday at LP Field, and if they are not careful, he will ruin their undefeated record and defensive pride.

The second-year pro is already one of the NFL's most exciting players. Once he darts past the line of scrimmage, he transforms into one of the most feared.

"Seeing the things he does on tape - if he gets a full head of steam, he'll run a lot of people over," Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch said.

Peterson has been bothered this season by a sore hamstring, yet he ranks second in the league in rushing with 340 yards. And herein lies the conundrum facing Tennessee's third-ranked defense: He's a running back that's impossible to typecast.

We already know the 6-foot-1, 217-pounder can deliver a hit.

He is also fast. He can match speeds normally reserved for backs 40 pounds lighter. Think of Jacksonville's Fred Taylor, only younger and faster. Or Titans rookie Chris Johnson, just more experienced.

He is elusive. So elusive, in fact, that when a linebacker or defensive back braces for a collision, Peterson might opt to run by them. He is a straight-ahead runner but can angle his approach to the end zone, zigzagging his route. He runs high and swift like his childhood idol Eric Dickerson, another Texas-bred back.

He is a visionary. He sees things, then reacts in ways few can. He plays angry, he once said, his way of using a sometimes-rough childhood as motivation.

He does everything. Not quite as well as San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson, of course, but he is, after all, just in his second season.

He is methodical. He is relentless. He doesn't stop coming, so defenses better not.

Last season during the first half of a Nov. 4 game against San Diego, Peterson rushed for 43 yards on 13 carries. In the second half he carried 17 times for 253 yards to set the NFL single-game rushing record of 296.

"You can't relax. You can't think somebody's going to make the play," Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. "You've got to have everybody to the ball for every single play."

Dickerson's rookie rushing record of 1,808 yards was in danger of falling last season until Peterson partially tore the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee, sidelining him for two games in November. He rushed for 100 yards in just one of his remaining five games.

He finished 2007 with an NFC-best 1,341 yards, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl, where he earned MVP.

Peterson's impact this season: He is averaging 5.2 yards per rush. Minnesota's offense is averaging 5.9 yards per pass.

As for facing the Titans, he said: "I see a tough challenge. They have one of the most physical fronts, as far as their down linemen up front, that we would face. … I'm really looking forward to it because these are the types of games I love.""



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