Notebook 11/20: Thursday News and Notes
11/20/2008, updated 2:30 p.m.
Phil Mackey, KFAN.com
Audio: Adrian Peterson
Audio: Darren Sharper
Pat and Kevin Williams missed practice on Thursday because they are in New York attempting to talk their way out of potential suspensions for violating the NFL’s steroid policy.
Depending on the outcome, and depending on the NFL’s stance regarding StarCaps -- the supplement that failed to disclose bumetanide as an active ingredient -- the Vikings could be without Pat and Kevin for four crucial games down the stretch.
“I try not to think about that,” said Darren Sharper. “That’s a nightmare. We don’t like to have nightmares. I’ll let that thought not cross my mind.
“I hope it’s not a possibility. I don’t want to think that it is because I know how vital those players -- Kevin and Pat -- are to our defense and to our team.”
If the NFL does hand out a punishment for Pat and Kevin, as well as the other handful of players who are in a similar boat, the suspensions likely wouldn’t kick in until at least next week. It’s unusual for the NFL to suspend players this deep into the practice week.
Peterson Talks About 4th Quarter At Tampa
Adrian Peterson was a non-factor for almost the entire second half against Tampa Bay, and more specifically, a non-factor in the fourth quarter.
On Thursday, Peterson was asked if he was surprised that he was not in the game during the Vikings’ final drive of the fourth quarter. Peterson responded, “Does it surprise you?”
Absolutely.
“All I know is just the play-calling, [if] different plays are designed for [Chester Taylor], whatever it was, I’m just out there, I’m just playing my game. That’s all I can do. That’s all I can control.”
If it’s a matter of Peterson not feeling comfortable in must-pass situations, well, you can throw that notion out the door.
“I definitely feel comfortable, going in and out. I just do my job. When I’m called upon to go out there and try to make a play, whatever situation it might be, I’m definitely going to be ready for that.”
When Peterson remained sidelined during must-pass situations in 2007, it was easy to chalk it up to inexperience. But sidelining him this year? When Peterson is clearly among the NFL’s most dangerous playmakers?
Peterson isn’t even sure what else he needs to do in order to see the field consistently in these late-game scenarios.
“That’s probably a question you’ll have to take up with the coach, because I come in and definitely do what I got to do in practice, or what-not. So I don’t know if they just don’t want to wear me down, or whatever it is, but me and Chester make a good combo out there. I really can’t complain about anything.”
And that’s typical Adrian. He’s not one to complain and/or air out dirty laundry in front of the media. Now, he has been spotted exchanging words with head coach Brad Childress and running backs coach Eric Bieniemy on the sidelines, but Peterson won’t throw those men under the bus in front of the cameras.
Not that they deserve to be thrown under the bus… But it would be nice to see Adrian Peterson -- the best running back in football -- touch the ball 30 times per game, and at least once in a crucial two-minute drill.
Can’t Buy A Road Win
The same storyline from last week has leaked over into week 12. The Vikings are a completely different team at home this season than they are on the road. Point and yardage differences aside, the Vikings simply haven’t won football games on the road this season -- just 1-4, which is the worst record of any team with at least 5 wins.
Quite frankly, in order to make the playoffs, the Vikings will have to win a difficult road game, either at Jacksonville this weekend, or at Arizona in week 15. Or both.
“Well we had a big win against New Orleans on the road. That showed that we can win in a hostile environment,” said Darren Sharper. “I think the last couple times we just haven’t made the plays at the end of the game. We can make those plays, it’s just kind of the swing of the bat. Sometimes you’re going to make them and sometimes you’re not going to make them. I think that the last couple games we just haven’t finished the game, but we have the ability to do that. We have confidence in knowing that we can do that on the road.”
Well, if the Vikings do have the confidence to make big plays at the end of road games, they sure haven’t translated that to actually making big plays at the end of road games. Might want to work on that…
If the Vikings did lose to Jacksonville and Arizona on the road, they’d have to win the other four games -- vs. Chicago, @ Detroit, vs. Atlanta and vs. NYG -- to finish 9-7.
You can contact Phil by emailing PMac@kfan.com, or you can visit his website, PhilMackey.com.
