Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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Patterson on preparing for Adrian Peterson:
The Vikings are preparing for a reunion on Sunday with not only Griffen but also running back Adrian Peterson, who played for Minnesota from 2007-16.
Sunday will mark the third time that Peterson leaves the visitors' locker room at U.S. Bank Stadium after appearing there with New Orleans in 2017 and Washington last season. At 35, Peterson may be "old" in running back years, but Patterson isn't counting out the former Viking.
"He's big, he's strong, he's physical. He's got all the qualities that a great running back has," Patterson said. "It's a little bit different – when Adrian was here, we couldn't touch him. When he took the ball, he was going to run for a touchdown every time. We couldn't even tag on off him. A couple years back when he was with [Washington], we got a chance to tackle him in a game, and we're going to have our hands full. We're going to need everybody to rally to the ball and wrap him up because he has the ability to run through tackles, and he has great vision, and he's still a great player. We're going to have to play well to be able to contain him."
Zimmer on Kendricks' campaign thus far
Is it possible that Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks has taken yet another step forward after last year's All-Pro campaign?
It certainly seems that way.
"He's been tremendous. I think he's playing even better than he did last year. He might not have the same PBU statistics as last year – he just got a few more opportunities [last season]," Zimmer said. "They don't throw his way very often because he's great in coverage."
He pointed out Kendricks following Packers receiver stride-for-stride down the seam on a play in Green Bay.
"That would just a small sample size of what he does in coverage," Zimmer said. "He is really instinctive, he anticipates routes, he's seen a lot of football now, so he can anticipate things before they happen. He studies extremely hard. I think he's playing as good as he ever has, better than he ever has – he's up there leading the league in tackles.
"It seemed like he made every tackle in the first half last game, just because he anticipated so many plays, and he was able to flow. The defensive line did a great job keeping guys off of him," Zimmer continued. "I think he's playing like the best 'Mike' linebacker in the NFL right now, to be honest."