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Once a Cowboys fan, Vikes' Adrian Peterson wants Dallas downfall
By Skip Wood, USA TODAY
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been exposed to the skinny on the Dallas Cowboys virtually ad nauseam this week.
Peterson may as well have been back in Texas, where he grew up idolizing the Cowboys, who visit his Vikings on Sunday in an NFL divisional playoffs.
He fondly recalls the exploits of his heroes, among them running back Emmitt Smith, cornerback Deion Sanders and wide receiver Michael Irvin. The posters hung on the wall in his bedroom.
"That was before," he said Thursday with a grin at Vikings headquarters. "I was a Cowboy fan, and yeah, I root for those guys (but) when they come up here it's strictly business.
"Can't be a Cowboy fan on Sunday."
One win away from the NFC championship game, he and the Vikings take on one of league's marquee teams, but for a change Peterson views his idols as just another bump along the road.
He knows full well what he really wants. "A Super Bowl ring," he said. "That would be lovely."
It also would bring pleasant closure to a season that, for the Vikings, has been squarely centered on one facet: quarterback Brett Favre.
His arrival late in training camp became a subplot all to its own, and Peterson has experienced the trickle-down fallout.
He still is among the league's better rushers, but his numbers have been diminished.
When Favre is in the backfield, looking to make a play any way possible, that's to be expected.
Peterson led the league in rushing last season with 1,760 yards, and that was coming off a rookie season in which he was second with 1,341.
Last season he had 363 carries. This season he has had 314.
His 1,383 yards are fifth-best in the league, well behind leader Chris Johnson of the Tennessee ans (2,006).
"I don't worry about those things," Peterson said. "I mean, why?"
Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson doesn't worry, either.
"Brett's done a lot for us, but that doesn't take away from what (Peterson) means to us," he said. "I really think that goes without saying."
What Favre has been saying this week is of particular interest to Minnesotans, if not the Cowboys.
Namely, will the 40-year-old legend return next season?
"I haven't thought about what next year will be like — or what I will be doing next week," Favre said. "… I don't know what will happen from the end of this season on, and the good thing is our success this year has been very helpful in not having to talk about that. We've been more focused on how the team is doing.
"I hope that continues because, once again, that's the only reason I came back, and I know this opportunity doesn't come around very often."
Such sentiments make Cowboys coach Wade Phillips wary.
"He's had so many big games and won so many big games, put the team on his back so many times," Phillips said of the player who was a Green Bay icon before one season with the New York Jets and now the Vikings. "He just has great experience, and everybody has seen what a great player he is. And he's come back and played probably just as well as he ever played this year. So he's in top form."
Peterson believes the Vikings, as a whole, are in top form, as well.
"This," he said, "is what we've been getting ready for."
Vikings coach Brad Childress thinks his team is ready, following a bye week. "I can see a spunkiness," he said. "(That) is what you want this time of year. Guys that are bright-eyed, mentally and physically."
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footb...peterson_N.htm
