Sid Hartman: Ex-Gophers assistant familiar with Peterson's skill, potential

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

Doug Risebrough, president and general manager of the Wild, said he has talked to free-agent goaltender Niklas Backstrom and told him that he wants him back and will get Backstrom an offer within a week. Risebrough believes that Backstrom, whose goals-against average of 1.97 led the NHL, wants to stay. On other free agents, Risebrough said Wild coaches will convene May 8-10 and discuss other personnel matters.

While Risebrough said he didn't have any plans to trade veteran goalie Marty Fernandez, he said Fernandez's big contract -- $4.5 million next season and $4.75 in 2008-09 -- won't be a deterrent to a trade. "Clubs are always looking for good goaltenders," Risebrough said.

Will Peoples, the assistant weight coach for Gophers football, was a teammate with Peterson at Oklahoma for one year and with Vikings sixth-round choice Rufus Alexander for two. Naturally, Peoples, a three-year starter at wide receiver for the Sooners, is high on Peterson like everybody else, but Peoples said Vikings coaches are going to be delighted with the great athletic ability of Alexander, a linebacker who Peoples is convinced will be a great NFL contributor.

Gophers outfielder Mike Mee is one of three Big Ten baseball players on the 112-player watch list for the 2007 Brooks Wallace Player of the Year. Mee, a senior, entered the week hitting .445, the fifth-best average in NCAA Division I, and was second in the Big Ten with 22 RBI. The Gophers' 30-8 record was good for a .789 winning percentage, sixth-best in the country, in this week's NCAA Division I baseball report. The Gophers beat North Dakota State 10-4 Wednesday to improve to 31-8 and were scheduled to begin a four-game series with Northwestern today at Siebert Field.

Former Twins third baseman Corey Koskie, who has spent all season on the Milwaukee Brewers disabled list, said he is making progress with his postconcussion syndrome problems and has hopes of playing before the season is over. In the meantime, Koskie is living in his Plymouth home and getting treated here.

Sid Hartman can be heard weekdays on WCCO AM-830 at 6:40, 7:40 and 8:40 a.m. and on Podcast twice a week at www.startribune.com/sidcast. shartman@startribune.com