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Running game is the least of Vikings' worries

Tom Dahlin, Getty Images

Adrian Peterson rushed against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Adrian Peterson said Vikings fans shouldn't think there's a problem just because the Steelers were tough against the run.

By MARK CRAIG, Star Tribune

Last update: August 29, 2008 - 1:17 PM

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VIKINGS AT DALLAS

7:05 tonight • TV: Ch. 45 (1130-AM, 100.3-FM)

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The Vikings' first-team offense averaged 1.6 yards per carry against a Steelers defense that had been tagged for 6.1 yards per attempt in the first half against Buffalo the week before.

Yet no one at Winter Park is concerned about the NFL's defending team rushing champion. In fact, the Vikings are so confident following Saturday's 12-10 loss at the Metrodome that nary an offensive or defensive starter will play in tonight's preseason finale at Dallas.

"There's no concern at all about the running game," said running back Adrian Peterson, whose 1,341 yards rushing led the NFC last year. "I think we did pretty good. We were able to move the chains. We came out in the second half and were able to keep the drive alive and get a field goal for a [10-3] lead before we came out."

Pittsburgh had the league's No. 1- ranked defense a year ago. But the Steelers' inability to stop the run helped them lose four of their last five games. Jacksonville ran for 224 yards on 42 carries (5.3) in Pittsburgh in Week 15. A month later, the Jaguars returned for a wild-card playoff game, ran for 135 yards on 29 carries (4.7) and bounced the Steelers from the postseason.

On Saturday, the Vikings' first-team unit rushed for only 27 yards on 17 carries before being pulled after one series in the third quarter. Peterson had just 21 yards on 12 carries (1.8). And Pittsburgh was without safety Troy Polamalu, one of its best players.

"You always are supposed to do better running the ball," Peterson said. "But you can't sit here and say, 'Well, Buffalo ran the ball on Pittsburgh's defense, so no matter what, you guys are going to have to run the ball on Pittsburgh.' It doesn't work like that. There are different mindsets. I'm sure when guys come in to play us, their main focus is, 'We got to stop those guys in the backfield.'"

The word from Pittsburgh is Peterson is absolutely correct. Frustrated by his team's lapses against the run, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin made run defense his No. 1 priority against a Vikings team that averaged 164.6 yards per game last season.

"They even were using some blitzes to stop the run, so we had to get ourselves back to being more balanced," Vikings offensive line coach Pat Morris said. "That's when you saw that [fourth] series where we decided to throw it three times in a row, and we got the touchdown."

Starting at the Pittsburgh 47, the Vikings had Gus Frerotte throw the ball on four of five snaps. He completed all four for 47 yards to three different receivers.

Peterson carried twice on the drive. He was thrown for a 3-yard loss on first-and-goal from the 3, but then scored on third-and-goal from the 1.

"That's the play I look at," Peterson said. "That play definitely was encouraging."

The Steelers knew Peterson was coming. They lined up in a 6-2 front, while the Vikings countered with a split backfield. Peterson was behind the quarterback, but not as deep as he would be in the I-formation. Fullback Thomas Tapeh was next to him.

Right guard Anthony Herrera blocked his man straight ahead. Tapeh delivered the lead block on the play-side linebacker. The backside linebacker was double-teamed. And the powerful Peterson did the rest.

"They know you're going to run it, but goal-line play is all about attitude," Morris said. "And the good thing is that touchdown came over the right side. It lets people know that we don't always have to run to the left side.

"That was an important play. As for the [overall] preseason stats, they don't mean anything because running the ball is about getting a feel in the first half and finishing teams off in the third and fourth quarters. As long as I've been coaching, preseason rushing stats have never meant anything."

The next time the Vikings' starters take the field will be Sept. 8 in Green Bay. They should be joined by quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, whose success or failure this season could hinge on a strong running game.

So, T-Jack, were you concerned about that 1.6-yard average the other night?

"Nah," he said.

Why not?

"Because I'm not," he said in what basically sums up the general lack of concern at Winter Park.

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