Peterson hoping to be more complete back

There's no question Adrian Peterson took the world by storm as a rookie, rushing for 1,341 yards (5.6 avg.) in just nine starts and 14 games.

But what drove most fans crazy last year was when Peterson would come out on third downs in favor of the more experienced and reliable Chester Taylor.

The key to that changing in 2008 will be Peterson's ability to pick up the blitz as a blocker and better understand the passing game as a receiver.

Both are areas of his game he's been working on during the offseason.  If Peterson can prove himself consistent and reliable in both aspects during training camp, he and Taylor could rotate to keep both players fresh, instead of situationally.

Audibles:

Some argue for the Jaguars duo of Fred Taylor and Maurice Drew-Jones, but TSN says the Vikings have the best 1-2 punch in the league with Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.  They also rank Peterson No 1 overall.

Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway was born in 1983, the same year that retired running back Roger Craig was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers.  Together they took part in the Legends/Sanford Football Clinic held Friday afternoon at Augustana College.

Selling Metrodome tickets in the nose bleed section has gotten more and more difficult with the advent of HD televisions.

It's only fantasy football, but Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson is ranked 31st overall in this report.

Vikings TE Garrett Mills is among those who will participate in a charity softball game benefiting the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless.

This tidbit likely would appear elsewhere if it could be confirmed, but the high school coach of former Lions' No. 1 pick Charles Rogers is quoted the Saginaw News saying the Rogers "has a workout with the Minnesota Vikings."

Here's a nice story on former Vikings great RB Dave Osborn from the Grand Forks Herald.

After being released by the Vikings following last season, QB Kelly Holcomb could be done.  "I haven't had any calls and I'm not sure I want any," said Holcomb in this AL.com story.  "It just feels like it's time for me to look for something else to do.  I've played 13 years, and maybe that's enough."

Not everyone is on the Vikings bandwagon in their predictions for 2008.  Josh Skaar of BleacherReport.com sees a ho-hum 9-7 finish for the Vikes this season, good for a second-place finish behind the Packers.  Skaar is not convinced the Jared Allen acquisition puts their defense over the top, thinks they overpaid for Bernard Berrian and has little love for Tarvaris Jackson.

According to one Matt Miller , Vikings OLT Bryant McKinnie is the ninth-best offensive tackle in the NFL.  For what it's worth, he ranks Marcus Johnson (79th) ahead of Ryan Cook (86th), whom he is behind on the team's depth chart.

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