Vikings Expect 'Extra Juice' From Lions Adrian Peterson & Everson Griffen

[Viktor]

Peterson provided many memorable moments in Minnesota, whether it was his single-game record of 296 rushing yards back in 2007, or his incredible 2,097-yard season (second all-time) in 2012 when he was coming off an ACL injury the previous year.


Vikings safety Harrison Smith said he was in awe of Peterson as a rookie during that 2012 season, and continues to be amazed at how the 35-year-old Peterson keep himself in tip-top shape.


"There's really no surprise there for me," Smith said. "The way that he takes care of himself and is just relentless in his workouts and just his mindset. So, I'm not shocked he's still going strong.


"I spent a lot of my years playing with him, during my first few years, mostly just in awe of him and how he played," Smith added. "He brought a lot of energy to us, so I know he's still doing that, he's bringing energy to them with how he runs. So a ton of respect for it and definitely know what we're up against."


When Peterson and the organization went their separate ways in the spring of 2017, the Vikings promptly used a second-round pick on Dalvin Cook.


Even though they are now division rivals, Peterson said he's impressed by Cook's game, including last week's four-touchdown performance in Green Bay in which Cook totaled 226 scrimmage yards.


"Just a combination of speed, vision. He's very elusive, strong guy as well with great vision and very explosive," Peterson said. "When you've got that within a player at the running back position, you've got a lethal weapon.


"That's what he is … he's a lethal weapon. He had four touchdowns didn't he? He had four? So that's impressive to be able to put up four scores, 200 all-purpose yards. That's a job well done," Peterson added. "So I've been watching him since he was at Florida State. He always, in my eyes, looked like a guy that could be really successful once he entered into the NFL.''


While Peterson will likely know how to handle his emotions against his former team, Sunday will not only be Griffen's first game against the Vikings, but his Lions debut after coming over to Detroit in a recent trade with Dallas.


And based on Griffen's videoconference Thursday afternoon, the passionate player will be extra fired up Sunday afternoon.