The Vikings don’t want to see Adrian Peterson repeat his opening game results of last season when he ran for only 31 yards against the 49ers. With starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater out for the year, the Vikings will be relying more than they planned on Peterson when they begin their season next Sunday in Tennessee against the Titans.
It’s a legitimate question, though, as to how Peterson, who led the NFL in rushing last season, will perform in Tennessee. Peterson, 31, didn’t play in any preseason games this summer—just like last year. When he ran against the 49ers defense last September his longest run was nine yards and he had his second lowest rushing total of the year. Two NFL authorities told Sports Headliners that no physical contact in preseason games makes NFL running backs, including Peterson, less ready for the regular season opener.
To preserve his health Peterson hasn’t played in a preseason game since 2013. In opening regular season games in 2013 and 2014 he was more productive than against the 49ers, but in neither one reached his common standard of 100 yards or more (seven games in 2015).
One NFL source referenced above said there is another factor relating to Peterson’s production in opening games. He said opening games typically feature defenses that are more polished than offenses which are more complicated and take more time to develop. “Defenses are flying around ahead of offenses, with low scoring games (typical),” he added.
It takes some faith to think the Vikings can beat the Titans without a 100-yard plus day from their future Hall of Fame running back. Fill-in Vikings quarterback Shaun Hill, 36, is a considerable drop-off from Bridgewater but at least he will be facing a Titans’ secondary that is probably the biggest weakness of that unit. Still, the Vikings will most likely try to pound the ball most of the time with Peterson. That seems true, too, even if newly acquired and talented quarterback Sam Bradford, the 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, is familiar enough to compete using a limited playbook and minimal familiarity with receivers.
“We have maybe the best running back in the NFL,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said last week after losing Bridgewater with a severe knee injury. Zimmer also said “we have a real good team” and referenced his receivers, improved offensive line and impressive defense.
The Vikings’ best prescription for an opening win appears to be a big day by Peterson on Sunday, and turnover production from Minnesota’s defense. The Titans were 3-13 last season and there is no guarantee the club will be better in 2016. The team’s offense is likely to feature the run with offseason trade acquisition DeMarco Murray and draft choice Derrick Henry being highly anticipated rushers. The Titan’s gave up 423 points last season, the second most in the AFC.
Titans head coach Mike Mularkey is occupying a “warm seat” in Nashville. The former Vikings tight end was 2-7 as head coach last season after taking over about midway through the year. The Titans hired a new general manager in the offseason who may have interest in other coaches. Mularkey had losing records in previous head coaching opportunities in Buffalo and Jacksonville.
Effort, though, shouldn’t be a problem for the Titans Sunday. Regardless of records from last season (the Vikings were 11-5 and NFC North Division champions), almost all teams play with a lot of adrenaline in opening games. The Vikings have opened on the road five of the last six seasons and are 1-4 away from home.
Worth Noting
In its August 29 pro football issue, Sports Illustrated predicts the Titans will lose their first five games and finish the season with a 3-13 record.
The Vikings have added Eden Prairie native and offensive tackle Carter Bykowski to their practice squad and released cornerback Tre Roberson.
The Gophers have verbal commitments from many high school players for next year’s freshman class but none may turn out to be a better college player than Blaise Andries, the offensive tackle from Marshall, Minnesota. High school recruiting authority Ryan Burns told Sports Headliners Andries has all-Big Ten and NFL potential.
Burns, publisher of Scout’s GopherDigest.com, said Andries is impressive in multiple ways including his physical skills and “mindset.” Already about 6-5 and 300 pounds, Andries will likely be bigger and stronger as a Gopher.
Intelligent and influential with peers, Burns said Andries scored a 31 on his ACT test, and has a 3.99 GPA with ambitions to become an actuary. Andries has an impressive demeanor on and off the field. “He is a great leader,” Burns said.
Among others players who have made verbal commitments to the Gophers is Woodbury High School tight end Nathan Burch. If Burch becomes a Gopher, Burns said he will be the “best blocking tight end” Minnesota has signed to a letter of intent in a while.
Golden Valley resident Eddie Cohen is in his 60th season as a member of the Gophers football game day statistics crew. Cohen, for years a Minneapolis-based attorney, represented local athletes over the years including former U athletes Lou Hudson and Noel Jenke, and ex-Twin Jim “Mudcat” Grant.
The Gophers, who defeated Oregon State last Thursday night and are now 3-1 all-time against the Beavers, will play a first-ever game in Corvallis September 9, 2017. Some media outlets have ranked Corvallis as the best college town in the country.
While there is still no formal announcement on a contract extension for Gophers men’s hockey coach Don Lucia, the program has hired U alums Ben Gordon and Corey Millen. Gordon’s title is assistant director of hockey operations and Millen is an undergraduate assistant.
The Twins have recalled right-handed pitcher Tyler Duffey and first baseman Kennys Vargas from Triple-A Rochester. The Twins have also selected the contract of infielder James Beresford from Rochester and transferred outfielder Danny Santana to the 60-day disabled list. Rochester hitting coach Chad Allen is joining the Twins staff.
Slugging second baseman Brian Dozier hit three home runs yesterday and his total of 38 for the season is the most by a Twins player since Harmon Killebrew homered 41 times in 1970. He and Killebrew are the only players in franchise history to hit at least 36 home runs in a single season.
Despite having the worst record in major league baseball the Twins rank 21st out of 30 teams in home attendance, according to ESPN.com. The Twins are averaging 24,668 fans per game, their lowest figure since 23,598 in 2004. This is the seventh consecutive season of declining home attendance dating back to 2010 when Target Field opened and the Twins drew over 3 million fans averaging 39,798 per game.
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference fans can follow league news on the new MIAC website. With the 2016-2017 school year starting, more than 6,000 students are expected to participate in MIAC programs. Over 70 percent of the students are Minnesota natives.