Adrian Peterson to attend start of OTAs
By Josh Zinger
Adrian Peterson plans to attend Minnesota Vikings OTAs beginning on Tuesday, according to media reports.
According to a recent report by Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, Adrian Peterson plans to attend Minnesota’s voluntary Offseason Team Activities starting Tuesday. After a tense offseason in which Adrian Peterson held out of the start of OTAs last year, this news certainly comes as a relief to Vikings fans.
While the move is likely financially motivated, as Peterson gets a $250,000 bonus for attending the majority of the offseason workouts, it bodes well for the Vikings.
With potentially changing dynamics on offense after the coaching staff was shuffled, it will be very beneficial to get the entire offense working together on the field and in the meeting rooms. Among the changes on the coaching staff was Tony Sparano replacing Jeff Davidson as the offensive line coach, which will have repercussions throughout the offense as Sparano installs his man blocking scheme.
Other changes included running backs coach Kirby Wilson leaving for a job with the Browns, tight ends coach Kevin Stefanski switching to running backs coach, and former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur joining the team as the tight ends coach.
While the basics of offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s scheme will be largely the same, the shuffling of the coaching staff figures to bring some minor changes to the offense. Having Adrian Peterson, a major leader on the offense, present for the entire offseason program will definitely help everyone get on the same page sooner rather than later.
It certainly seems like Peterson has approached this offseason with a new intensity, as in addition to his participation in OTAs he’s already clamoring for preseason playing time. Peterson recently told the Pioneer Press that he was “itching” to carry the ball in the preseason, something he hasn’t done since 2011.
Adrian Peterson’s intensified approach to the offseason can only mean good things for the Vikings. By getting the offense together early in the offseason the Vikings will have plenty of time to grow and develop alongside each other before the start of the season.