Photo - Aj Mansour (KFAN)
By: Aj Mansour | KFAN.com
@AjKFAN
Minneapolis, MN - With everything expedited on the short week over at Winter Park, there was quite a bit of little newsy tidbits coming from the Vikings today. Diving right into it, here is your "Midweek Notebook" for Wildcard playoff weekend versus the Green Bay Packers.
ADRIAN PETERSON WANTS IN ON THE SPECIAL TEAMS ACTION:
If you can remember Vikings details back to 2007, you probably recall a time when then coach Brad Childress would mix in the team's dynamic rookie running back into the kick return game. You probably also remember in week five when that dynamic rookie back (Adrian Peterson), returned a Robbie Gould Kickoff 53-yards with just over a minute to play setting up a 55-yard field goal for Ryan Longwell to win the game. Well so does Adrian Peterson, and he want more!
Fresh off of his career high water mark of 34 rushing attempts, Adrian Peterson isn't sore. He's not tired or looking for an excuse to rest, he's looking for more opportunities to carry the ball.
"[I'm] not sore at all," Peterson told reporters on Wednesday afternoon. "My body, my knee, my shoulders, everything feels good."
Earlier in the afternoon, special teams coordinator Mike Priefer joked at the podium saying that Peterson often rags on him trying to get in on the special teams action.
"AP always asks to be on special teams," Priefer said. "He always asks. He's a football player. Gunner, field goal block, returner. The guy is awesome. I always say yes and then I ask the head coach and he says no. I know what the answer is going to be, I don't even have to ask [anymore]."
Taking the podium after Priefer, Peterson confirmed the story saying, "For the past two years I have been trying to get in on field goal block come in off the edge...Kickoff return, I wouldn't mind getting back there. I'm in it to win...I believe in having your best players on the field, especially in critical times. You never know what can happen. That’s what I would do."
ANTOINE WINFIELD LIKELY A GAME TIME DECISION:
Defensive coordinator Alan Williams said Wednesday that he doesn't have any doubt that Antoine Winfield will try to play this coming Saturday, however the actuality of that scenario playing out is still up in the air. Winfield pulled himself out of last Sunday's game after the pain in his fractured hand become too much to bear and reports after the game were that it was visibly swollen. With Winfield on the sidelines, the Vikings defense is much more vulnerable especially against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers passing game.
Winfield is a tough dude and will give it his all, but his playing status for Saturday will likely be a game time decision. CLICK HERE for more on Antoine Winfield.
MUSGRAVE/VIKINGS STICKING WITH 'BREAD AND BUTTER' PLAYS:
Facing a 2nd and 27 against the Green Bay Packers this last weekend, the Vikings did what any team would do right? They handed the ball off to their running back who busted tackles and carried defenders for a 28-yard gain and a first down. "That’s one of our bread-and-butter plays," Musgrave said. He also shared that that same play went for 82-yards and a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams in week 15 and 61-yards and a touchdown against the Lions in week 10.
If I were allowed to call plays for the Vikings offense this weekend, I would call that play a few times just to see what happens!
IMPACT FROM TYRONE MCKENZIE INJURY FELT ON SPECIAL TEAMS:
Haven't heard of Tyrone McKenzie before right now? Join the club. McKenzie is a backup linebacker by trade but has made a big name for himself on the Vikings' cover teams this year. With 12 tackles and one forced fumble on special teams, McKenzie's impact was felt as soon as he left Sunday's game with a shoulder injury.
With McKenzie on the sidelines, the Vikings kickoff team allowed a return of 44 yards, their first return past the 25-yard line since October 7th against the Tennessee Titans.
McKenzie was seen with his arm in a sling on the sidelines of practice Tuesday and Wednesday and his status is likely doubtful for Saturday's game against Green Bay.
