Kelly predicted Peterson's greatness
Published: 10/19/2007 10:53 PM
Last Modified: 10/19/2007 10:53 PM
Malcolm Kelly told me he never really doubted that Adrian Peterson could have the kind of success he's having as a Minnesota Vikings rookie.
Really? Kelly figured Peterson might be leading the NFL in rushing?
Apparently so.
"The way always used to look at it, I looked at him as a freshman and had that All-American offensive line in front of him, and I said if he can do that behind a whole line that can probably go to the NFL and play, if he gets people who are NFL players blocking for him, as good as he is, he'll be able to do anything, man," Kelly said. "Now he's got guys who are getting paid to block in front of him and he's just making it happen. There was never any doubt in my mind."
Kelly was speaking about Peterson's 2004 season, when he set an NCAA and OU single-season record with 1,925 yards and finished second to USC's Matt Leinart in the Heisman voting. That offensive line included a pair of first-round picks in Davin Joseph and Jamaal Brown, a late-round pick in Wes Sims and two other guys who got free agent tryouts in Vince Carter and Kelvin Chaisson.
It's hard to say Kelly knew something everyone else didn't. A lot of folks suspected Peterson would make an immediate impact. But, looking back, it's easy to say Kelly knew something.
"I used to always joke with him, when he came back from being drafted, I'd joke, `Rookie of the year, Rookie of the Year.' I wasn't playing. I guess he wasn't either."
– John E. Hoover
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
