Vikings' Peterson moving along in recovery
Football Betting Lines
02/20/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Some athletes never recover from devastating knee injuries, but then there are others who have unworldly healing capabilities.
Prayer, hyperbaric chambers and old-fashioned extensive rehabilitation come to mind when reflecting on ways to regain top form. Visiting a holistic healer wouldn't be an ideal way to mend an injury, however.
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson isn't one to take the easy road in strengthening his anatomy (see NFL.com Fantasy ad) and alternative medicine just doesn't fit with the man better known as A.D. (All Day) or Purple Jesus. Peterson, of course, is undergoing extensive rehab on a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee suffered during a 33-26 win over Washington on December 24. Already getting over a high ankle sprain, Peterson said he knew something was bad after taking a blow from Redskins safety DeJon Gomes.
"Any time you take a blow to the knee like that, you're concerned about the ACL, MCL," Peterson said after he received a harsh gift on Christmas Eve. "I'm trying to stay as positive as I can."
Still a young player and in the prime of his career, Peterson said last week the rehabilitation process is "coming around" and he is continuing workouts in Houston -- his offseason home. With a nickname Purple Jesus and coming from Palestine, Texas, one would think Peterson has everything in his corner to make a full recovery with all the biblical references.
However, an ACL injury is one of the worst an athlete -- especially a running back who relies on cutting and shifting -- can suffer and it usually takes about eight to nine months for a full recovery. And even then experts believe it could still be more than a full year to get back at full strength if the body allows it. Defying the normal standards of recovery is something Peterson and the Vikings are hoping for and so far everything is going accordingly.
"I'm happy with the progress that I'm making so far," Peterson said on KFAN-FM 100.3 last week. "I'm extremely happy."
Peterson, who owns the most rushing yards in a single game with 296 back in his rookie year of 2007, added that he's getting muscle tone and strength back in his legs. Flexibility and bending used to be an uphill battle and now sitting in a tight airplane seat has no effect on the precious limb. Peterson was recently in New Orleans for the funeral of a friend's wife and mentioned no issues with traveling. Swelling in the knee has subsided, save a minor patch in the joints.
When asked if he's possibly overworking the knee, Peterson confided that he sometimes bumps heads with his trainer and understands that he's being held back in order to avoid overexerting himself. That's comparable to asking NFL defenders to simmer down on opposing quarterbacks the second he lets go of the football.
The former University of Oklahoma star comes from an extensive background of athletes, including his mother, Bonita Jackson, who ran track and field. So that explains where Peterson gets his speed and durability. Unfortunately, his sturdiness was put to the test against the Redskins and now Peterson faces an obstacle larger than Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.
Peterson, eyeing a return to the Twin Cities at the end of February or early March, failed to reach 1,000 yards (970) in his fifth year in the league. Already at 6,752 career rushing yards, Peterson still has a long road ahead and it wouldn't be a surprise if he misses all of training camp and the start of the regular season. If that's the case, perhaps the Vikings will use the third-overall pick in April's NFL Draft on a running back. QB Christian Ponder still has to go through some learning curves and a reliable running back behind him can only aid in his production.
Peterson said during his interview that Minnesota's secondary could use some bolstering and wouldn't be opposed to adding the likes of cornerback Cortland Finnegan or wide receiver Vincent Jackson -- two free agents on the market. Vikings general manager Rick Spielman weighed in on the possibility of building more around Peterson and Ponder.
"Whether we make a big splash or not, if there's someone out there we think can help us then we're willing to spend a lot of money," Spielman was quoted on the Vikings' website. "We'll definitely look at those options."
Minnesota has plenty of time to wheel and deal on turning things around, but for now the majority of the attention will be monitored on Peterson and his battle back to prominence.
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Pro Football Odds : NFC SOUTH BETTING ODDS
NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.
Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.
There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.
Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.
Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.
The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.
To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.