sports

Yes, you might have read too much already about running back Adrian Peterson, the Vikings' first-round draft choice from Oklahoma.

But I thought you might like to hear from a close personal friend, Kevin Sumlin, who was on Jim Wacker's Gophers coaching staff from 1993 to '97 and is now the co-offensive coordinator at Oklahoma.

"Here's what I know: I know what you're getting is a complete player, he can run, he can catch, physically he's a machine, he works hard at it, he's strong, he's fast, and he's extremely tough and physical, and that's the way he plays," Sumlin said.

"His shoulder, I think a lot has been made of it, but it's like anything else. I think bones heal, I mean in a lot of cases bones heal better than muscle or ligament damage, you know what I'm saying? I wouldn't worry about that, there's been plenty of time and there will be plenty of time before next season."

Peterson broke his collarbone against Iowa State on Oct. 14, when he dived into the end zone at the end of a 53-yard touchdown.

"He came back and he played in the [Fiesta Bowl], as a matter of fact, his last play at Oklahoma was the first play of that overtime where he went 25 yards for a touchdown," Sumlin said.

That gave the Sooners a seven-point lead over Boise State in Glendale, Ariz., but Boise State came back to win in one of the more memorable college football games in recent memory.

Apparently, Peterson reinjured his shoulder in that game. "He came back and it was purely his decision, he wanted to play, and he wanted to play in the game and that's the kind of guy that he is," Sumlin said. "He didn't have to play in that game, and he came and talked to us coaches and said that's something that he wanted to do, and he enjoys playing the game."

Sumlin predicts Peterson will be a great pro.

"He's a physical guy, so he's going to have to learn there's guys as big as him, and his running style is one that, you know, he's tough and he's fast, but he can make great moves," Sumlin said. "I think the thing that really impressed people at the combine was the way he caught the ball coming out of the backfield. We didn't throw it to him very much, he was more of an I-back guy."

Speaking about some of Peterson's other qualities, Sumlin said: "He's a good blocker, I mean he's a physical guy, he doesn't shy away from contact; he's a guy that's not just a running back. We've had situations here where we've thrown some interceptions and he's gone and obliterated the guy that intercepted the ball. He likes contact, and a lot of blocking is knowledge, but when it comes down to it, it's more 'want to' than anything else ... and he's got plenty of that."

After the draft, it is always fun to call a couple friends and ask about the Vikings choices. Well, it's pretty unanimous that Peterson has everything it takes to become a star in the NFL.

Honoring Whitney

Nobody in this area has been more of a civic leader that Wheelock Whitney, who played a big part in getting the Twins and North Stars here and was one of the owners of the Vikings in addition to being a big financial contributor to many causes in this area.

So it was good news to hear there was some appreciation for all Whitney has done when the University of Minnesota on Tuesday announced Whitney as the winner of a Regents Award. This award is conferred upon individuals who have contributed to the building and development of the university through significant benefaction or who have given exceptional valuable and noteworthy service to the university.

"Whitney taught for 13 years at the Carlson School of Business without being paid a penny," said Regent Dave Metzen. "He also has contributed a lot of money to school and other educational causes."

Having worked with the late John Cowles and others to help bring major league sports here, I personally know how important the contributions of Whitney were to the cause. And if all the geniuses in this area would have listened to him in the mid-1990s, the Winnipeg Jets would have been playing at Target Center long before the Xcel Energy Center was even a thought.

Jottings