Toby Gerhart: Adrian Peterson will be ready for Vikings

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson aims to be ready for the start of the 2012 regular season, and his top backup has no reason to doubt that will be the case.

During a Sunday appearance with Jim Souhan and Tom Pelissero on "Sunday Morning Sports Talk" on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities, Toby Gerhart said he wouldn't be surprised if Peterson is ready for the Vikings' Sept. 9 opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"I think he will be," Gerhart said. "You can never be surprised with Adrian. The way he comes to work every day, the way he pushes himself. I mean, he was flying around, straight-line speed, moving out there. Racing Percy (Harvin) up the hill, doing conditioning stuff. I haven't seen him in a couple of weeks now, but I'm sure he's continued to make leaps and bounds in progress.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he's ready. You can never count Adrian out."

Peterson will be nine months out from major knee surgery at the start of the season and likely will be limited. Peterson's status should cause the Vikings to lean more heavily on Gerhart, a 2010 second-round draft pick out of Stanford, like they did at the end of last season when Peterson battled an ankle injury before he blew out his knee.

In addition to starting five games, Gerhart had 413 of his 509 rushing yards in the final six weeks of the season. Gerhart is preparing to be the starter until Peterson is ready to go.

"I'm looking, going into the season, to have a big role," Gerhart said. "I don't know how big it will be, but I'm looking like I'm going to be the starter from Day 1 and have to be the starter all the way on through until Adrian is back and ready and (at) full speed. So I'm excited about that, and ready to embrace that and go out and help this team win and really show people what I can do."
Toby Gerhart: Adrian Peterson will be ready for Vikings - NFL.com

PUP list please

Not to wish injury or pain on anyone, but I hope Peterson never plays another day in his life. [pic]

[pic] Damn... Some of you Packers fans really are hunks of !!.

[pic] I never said I hope he gets a career ending injury or dies. He could become crazy and move to Morocco for all I care, I just hope he never plays again [pic]

I already knew Ego would say some !! head !!.

It doesn't matter... Week 1 yall get to play Duval and we stop the run. Bring it on AP we don't give a !!.

Can't wait for football season.

[pic] we won't even need AD for yall. That's why I said that. I'm sure if Ponder put up 10 we'd still leave with a W.

Always did like Gerhart's attitude. Dude's willing to committ to any role on the team that helps. Whether it be back-up or holding the fort till AD gets back.[pic]

dude comes in to eat all the time where i work. good dude.


thought he was a freshman college kid first time i saw him

That's because he's garbage. Can't be an arrogant player when you're a backup.

He's not garbage. He proved that when AD went down.

He's average at best. He still ain't no legit #1

You don't know if he's a legit starter or not and I said he's not "garbage". there's a big difference between "garbage" and "average at best". keep throwing !! at the wall to see if something sticks though.

Why you hating on him? [pic]

Like the packers have any running backs

gerhat is caucasian imo