FLOWERY BRANCH — Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson, who leads the league in rushing with 1,006 yards, is looking forward to facing the Falcons and the league's No. 1 run defense at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
Here’s what Peterson had to say on the conference call with the Atlanta media on Wednesday:
Q: Are you having a good time this season being back and all?
A: Yes. Yes. Having a good time. What I'm enjoy most is being around my teammates. Being around my teammates and winning.
Q: How bright are things looking for the Vikings at 7-3?
A: Things are looking pretty good. Everyone is just buying to Mike Zimmer's philosophy. Guys are fighting for one another. We lost a tough on this past week, but we are looking to rebound this week in Atlanta.
Q: How you assess Teddy Bridgewater this year?
A: He's a tough and resilient. He has a strong mind. He's a great leader. I just see him improving as we continue to go on in the season.
Q: What kept you going through those tough times last season?
A: Just the desire and will, in my mind, to be the best to ever play. Just realizing the talent that God blessed me with. The same thing that has got me to where I'm at now on through high school, college and now. There were times where I wavered and I wanted to get into track and things like that, but that didn't keep me from working on my body and making sure that my body was prepared for whatever I was going to take on.
Q: What is the future of the running back position in what’s clearly a passing league now?
A: I think I try to inspire backs to be better than me. You know, to be great. I hope there is a five of six-year-old kid watching now that's saying, I want to be just like Peterson. I want to better than Peterson. In the future we'll see another back like me.
Q: What do you think of the Falcons’ young backs, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman?
A: I do like them. I really haven't an opportunity to watch them, but they are definitely on SportsCenter a lot. With that said, those guys are doing incredible jobs. They are young guys as well. I'm always rooting for guys especially at the running back position, especially when they are doing big things.
Q: What do you see from the Falcons defense?
A: One thing that I've notice is that they are a fast flowing defense. Those guys run to the ball. They like to bring pressure. The play fast and physical. They like to rip at the ball a lot. They are good. They are real good. I just get excited to play against a defense like the one that will be present this Sunday.
Q: What’s the spirit of the team after the tough loss to the Packers?
A: We just have to realize that we have those guys again. Swallow that pill which is always tough. But we just have to focus on Atlanta right now. Monday and Tuesday there were big conversations on things that we can do better. Things we didn't do good. Things we should have done more of. We were able to set back and evaluate how we let that game get away from us. It was a lot of happy campers, just let me say that.
Q: What’s it like playing for head coach Mike Zimmer?
A: It feels good playing for coach. He's a players' coach. He's laid back, but he's about his business. He always keeps it straight forward and 100 with you. If it's something that he's pointed out on you, he'll do the same to himself. He'll call it when he's wrong. With that you just have the ultimate respect for anybody like that. To have a head coach that takes that route is awesome.
Q: How good can the Vikings be this season?
A: I think we can be good. Once we really just find out true identity and stick with it. We just have to look at each week to improve. The sky is the limit. I really feel like we can accomplish anything.
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