TVA previews the 10 storylines that will be consuming our lives starting on July 26 when the Vikings report to Mankato (full camp schedule available from Vikings.com).
6. Adrian Peterson
AD is dead-set on being ready to participate, at least in limited fashion, once training camp begins. The Vikings on the other hand seem determined to take a conservative approach with their star player as he returns from major knee surgery. This I believe is what they call a disagreement. How will it be resolved? A conversation will take place between Peterson and GM Rick Spielman. This conversation will go something like this:
Adrian: “So Rick. I’m feeling pretty good and I think I’m ready to go 200% at the start of camp. Possibly even 300%.”
Rick: “Well Adrian that’s great but I don’t need to remind you, you are coming off major knee surgery. And we are paying you a whole bunch of money. So maybe we should cool it with the 200% thing?”
Adrian: “I know I know. But I’m just itching to get out there. I wanna show everyone that I’m still the same old Adrian.”
Rick: “I understand that big man but look at things from our point-of-view. How stupid would we look as an organization if we let you go out there for meaningless training camp drills – by the way, don’t tell Percy Harvin I said practice was meaningless – and you got hurt? We’d get crushed…”
Adrian: “Like if you let me and Christian Ponder play in a pointless late-season game against Washington and we both ended up getting hurt?”
Rick: “Ha, good one AD. Yeah exactly.”
Adrian: “Okay I understand. You don’t want me to get hurt. So what am I supposed to do all day while my teammates are out there grinding?”
Rick: “Good question. Maybe you could just hang out on the sidelines shouting encouragement.”
Adrian: “Maybe I could stage some hill races with the rookies. Give those guys a taste of the AD speed.”
Rick: “Or here’s another idea. A checkers tournament.”
Adrian: “Checkers?”
Rick: “Or backgammon if you prefer. Or maybe get some jigsaw puzzles.”
Adrian: “I don’t know. Maybe I should just go back to Texas until the season starts. There are a couple new clubs I wanna hit down there.”
Rick: “Um, Adrian…”
Adrian: “Just kidding boss. You should see the look on your face right now. Hold on while I take a picture.”
Rick: “That’s funny Adrian. Actually you know what? I’m thinking maybe you should skip camp. Everyone will just bug you with questions about the arrest anyway. You don’t want to be a distraction do you?”
Adrian: “Don’t worry about me being a distraction boss. If you ask me, you should be more worried about Percy.”
Rick: “Percy’s fine. Everything’s fine.”
Adrian: “You sure about that? When was the last time you talked to him? This morning?”
Rick: “Good point. I better call him.”
9 days till camp. It can’t get here fast enough.
Other Top Training Camp Storylines:
10. Breaking In Blair Walsh
9. Percy Harvin Watch
8. Defensive line
7. Matt Kalil
Like The Viking Age on Facebook.
Follow Dan Zinski on Twitter.