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Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson eludes Chicago’s Adam Archuleta during the first quarter of an Oct. 14, 2007 game at Soldier Field in Chicago. Peterson said he hopes to rush for 2,000 yards as a second-year pro in 2008. M. SPENCER GREEN/Associated Press file

By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Published: 7/5/2008 2:10 AM
Last Modified: 7/5/2008 2:41 AM

Entering his second season, Peterson is even hungrier

NORMAN — On fall Sundays, as Adrian Peterson runs through NFL defenses, his 3-year-old daughter, Adeja, runs to the television screen shouting, "Daddy! Daddy!" If Daddy has his way this upcoming season, his little girl will wear herself out.

"I expect a lot from myself, and I really feel like I'll be cheating myself if I didn't set my bar at 2,000 yards," Peterson said during his recent youth camp on his old Oklahoma campus. "Not only this year but next year. God willing until I retire, that's going to be my mark."

Only five who have come before him have hit it: Eric Dickerson, Jamal Lewis, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis and O.J. Simpson. What gives the Minnesota Vikings' second-year pro the right to join such elite company so soon? For starters, there's what Peterson did his first year, when he was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Despite missing two games to a torn knee ligament, sharing carries with backfield mate Chester Taylor, and bearing the brunt of defenses' attention in the Vikings' pass-challenged offense, Peterson rampaged for 1,341 yards.

He set an NFL single-game record with 296 yards against San Diego.

Then he capped his year with a 129-yard, two-touchdown, MVP performance at the Pro Bowl.

Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden claimed Peterson was really "Jim Brown wearing No. 28."

CNBC.com went even further, labeling Peterson "Purple Jesus" in a Fantasy Football headline.

That is an absurd standard to live up to in Year 2. And yet, Minnesota coach Brad Childress thinks Peterson may be up to the task.

"He's been one lap around the track now. He's been a rookie," Childress told the World. "He's gone through the OTAs (organized team activities in the offseason). He's prepared himself. He's gone through training camp. He's had muscle pulls, injuries. He's played an NFL season, and as importantly as anything he's had success."

Just as crucial is that Peterson has felt the tractor beam of superstardom, and it hasn't fazed him.

"He's been through an NFL offseason, and that has a life of its own," Childress said, " with all your endorsements, speaking engagements. I think he'll be wiser for the wear."

A scene from his youth camp provided a glimpse of Peterson's current life. Two adults plopped down on lawn chairs just to watch Peterson take team photos with campers. Then, when it was time to meet the media, Peterson dutifully strolled over to an Old Spice banner wearing a Nike ballcap and carrying a plastic bottle of Vitamin Water.

A bother? Hardly. He even teased that he was coming after endorsement king Tiger Woods when the cameras started rolling.

"It's what I dreamed about," Peterson said of his celebrity. "I remember being young and envisioning myself like (Michael) Jordan growing up. Being represented, having my Vitamin Water, Nike, it feels good. It's fun doing that process."

In a sense, Peterson has his three years as a Sooner to thank for his ease with all the demands.

"Coming to OU and having a lot of attention, I kind of crawled before I walked," he said. "It comes with the territory. I have to take advantage of it now, reach out to people and youth and just enjoy it. Enjoy the cake while it's on my plate. That's what I'm doing."

That's the plan for the 2008 season as well.

Peterson obviously has the physical tools to improve on his rookie output.

His knee is fine. He has Taylor to keep him fresh, maturing quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and newly acquired wide receiver Bernard Berrian to keep defenses from bearing down and one of the best offensive lines in football.

Better still, Peterson's mentality is even finer-tuned.

"He's really wired the right way," Childress said. "He's remained humble, and I think he always will remain humble. He's always been a team guy, so I don't think this has been very tough for him."

Guerin Emig 581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com

2008 VIKINGS KEY DATES

July 25: First preseason practice at Minnesota State University in Mankato

Aug. 8: First preseason game vs. Seattle in Minneapolis

Sept. 8: 2008 season opener at Green Bay on Monday night

By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

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