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So I know it’s not Vikings specific, but as Americans and NFL fans I wanted you folks to be aware of another really cool thing the NFL and it’s players are doing to let the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting victims know that they have overwhelming love and support from their fans, and the nation as a whole. If you go to NFL.com/auction you are able to bid on the cleats that Tennessee RB Chris Johnson wore on Sunday that have the names of all 26 victims inscribed on them along with ALOT of other really cool items. There are no Vikings items up as of yet, but I’m sure there will be. The bidding is open until January 7th, and all funds raised will go to help the Newtown, CT Support Fund. So if you would like the chance to snag up some amazing NFL collectibles and help out a great cause go check it out! You may also text “NEWTOWN” to 80888 to make a quick $10 donation.

Think about what this ranking really means. Not only are the 400 players polled saying Peterson is the best running back in the league – won’t get much argument from anyone not named Chris Johnson – but that, outside of Manning and Brady, he’s the best offensive performer period. Better than Drew Brees. Better than Philip Rivers. Better than Aaron Rodgers.

Given what some of those listed above have accomplished statistically and in terms of championships, to rank Peterson above them is a striking statement…or is it? Maybe not. The thing to keep in mind, I believe, is that the players are not going to come at this kind of thing the same way fans or sportswriters might. We may give great weight to stats and records, in which case Peterson’s #3 is going to be a tad controversial, but the players…not so much.

Clearly, the players have a unique perspective, and I think this shows up in their rankings, especially the top 10. Above all, I believe Peterson’s high mark is a sign of the other players’ respect for his otherworldly physical gifts. Quite simply, Adrian Peterson does things on a football field no one’s ever seen before. His athletic freakishness is naturally going to be appreciated more by those who play with and against him than by laymen or even non-playing experts.
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Now, however, the Vikings are coming off by far their worst performance of the year.  In losing to Arizona, the Vikes seemed to fall flat in all aspects of the game.  And, with such a failure naturally comes a bit of griping and finger-pointing.

Perhaps surprisingly, the first real shot has come from the normally soft-spoken Adrian Peterson.

All right, I’ll admit:  calling AD’s comment a “shot” is a bit of a stretch.  It’s more a frank observation…that could be interpreted as a shot.

The remark comes via Sean Jensen‘s twitter page.  After AD’s press availability on Thursday, Jensen tweeted the following:

Adrian Peterson said it felt like “everyone wasn’t there” against the Cardinals. “It can have a trickle down effect.”

That can be taken any number of ways, I suppose (I’m sure we’ll get more context at a later time), but I take it to mean that, in Adrian’s mind, there was a lack of focus and emotional involvement among certain members of the team and coaching staff, and as the game wore on, this listlessness permeated through the rest of the squad, leading to disaster.

I also infer from Adrian’s statement that he doesn’t count himself among those who weren’t “there.”  In other words, he gave his maximum effort, and still ended up with just 19 yards on 13 carries.

I’ll give AD this:  If there’s anyone on the Vikings who has reason to be frustrated, it’s him.  He’s getting smoked by Chris Johnson in the rushing title chase, and most agree it’s at least as much the offensive line and coaches’ faults as his. That being said, I still have to question whether a guy who’s coming off not only one of the worst games of his career but an idiotic legal transgression too is in any position to be pointing fingers at anyone.

Then again, maybe this sort of thing is what the team needs.  Maybe this is Adrian stepping up and taking a leadership role.  Maybe the Vikings did get fat-and-happy after their 10-1 start, and AD is only being honest.

It is, at any rate, interesting to get such a seemingly blunt take from the normally prudent Peterson.

And I’d really like to know which guys he thinks didn’t bring it.