With the addition of Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner comes an implementation of a new offense. Turner, who has been coaching for over 30 years, will be bringing refreshing concepts to help get a certain running back loose more often.
ESPN's Ben Goessling spoke with Vikings running backs coach Kirby Wilson about what the 'new and improved' Adrian Peterson will bring to the offense once he gets the green light Week One:
When the Vikings finally pull Peterson out of the garage on Sept. 7 in St. Louis, they'll be inserting him in an offense that will ask the 2012 NFL MVP to handle some different tasks from the ones he's typically performed. The Vikings' desire to use Peterson in the passing game has been well-documented, and will probably be the most profound change for him this season, but there also will be a subtle change in the ways they use him when he's carrying the ball.
"There's some lateral parts to the run game," running backs coach Kirby Wilson said. "It's a little bit different read for him -- his eyes are probably at a different spot and location than they have been in the past. Any time you're running lateral, there's a degree of patience that comes with it. I think that will help grow his game; he's already got a tremendous package of things he does really well. I think this will just add to it."
Said Wilson: "He's had good days, but there are some days where he's been spectacular in those areas. I'm excited to see what the new and improved Adrian Peterson is going to look like when the opener starts. I think this whole team is excited about what he could bring as a dual-threat player."
Anticipation towards kickoff weekend is spilling over at this point and it seems Vikings fans have a lot to get excited about regarding No. 28's new role in the offense.
Quick Hitters
- 1500 ESPN's Judd Zulgad's 3-and-out: Bridgewater sitting is latest example of sanity in NFL.
- Associated Press's Dave Campbell writes about a grateful after his first chat with the media since suffering injury.
- August 27 is a notable day for the Vikings organization with Scott Studwell (1954) and Jamarca Sanford (1985) celebrating their birthdays today.
