Vikings vs. Oakland: Don't forget about two-nine

The competition for roster spots and playing time in the NFL means those making decisions can't afford to concern themselves with the emotional state of each player.

But this was one occasion when Vikings running backs coach Eric Bieniemy felt a bit more invested than usual.

As the Vikings prepared to play Philadelphia last month, Bieniemy and coach Brad Childress sat down with running back Chester Taylor. The coaches delivered a tough message: Rookie sensation Adrian Peterson would replace Taylor as the starter.

"It probably hurt me more than anything sitting there having that conversation," Bieniemy said. "When you build a relationship with people, obviously it's professional. But you can't help, when you're spending the amount of time we do with these guys, it becomes personal. Knowing how many strides Chester has made and knowing all the blood, sweat and tears that he's put into this. Knowing that, hey, it's going to affect him."

Taylor didn't pout. Instead, he offered solace to his position coach. "He said, 'Hey, Coach, I'm OK. I'm still going to continue to be who I am,' " Bieniemy recalled.

With Peterson sidelined by a partially torn ligament in his right knee, what Taylor will be today, and probably for the next few weeks, is back as the Vikings' starter.

Been there, done that

Taylor's demotion had nothing to do with his performance. Remember, he finished ninth in the NFL last season with 1,216 yards on 303 carries in 15 games.

However, Peterson was only 135 yards short of Taylor's 2006 rushing total in eight-plus games before injuring his lateral collateral ligament last Sunday at Green Bay. Peterson had single-game efforts of 224 yards at Chicago (breaking the team record) and 296 yards against San Diego (breaking the league record).

"It upset me; I just didn't show it a lot more," Taylor said of his reaction to the news. "But I understand the situation. He's a first-round draft pick, he was doing great, he's the leading rusher. Why wouldn't you have him start? I missed a few games at the beginning [because of injury]; he was doing a great job. It isn't like he was messing up or something and just not doing what he was supposed to be doing. He's a great running back, and I'm just happy for him to help us win some games and happy for him to be on the team."

Both Childress and Bieniemy talked last week of how well Taylor has handled this situation. Bieniemy especially has discussed the "tremendous growth" Taylor has made as a professional since he came to the Vikings last season.

Left tackle Bryant McKinnie, one of Taylor's closest friends on the Vikings, noticed how his teammate has gone about his business. "He's been real professional," McKinnie said. "He still comes here and prepares like he's a starter and goes in there and does his job when he goes in."

Bieniemy is very aware that Taylor easily could have rebelled when the Vikings took Peterson with the seventh overall pick in the NFL draft last April. Taylor, who spent his first four seasons serving as Jamal Lewis' backup with the Baltimore Ravens, signed a four-year, $14.1 million contract ($5.6 million guaranteed) with the Vikings in March 2006 because this would give him the chance to be "the guy."

Taylor had no idea his designation as the franchise's primary ball carrier would last for only one season. It didn't help matters that he injured his groin in the Vikings' 24-3 victory over Atlanta in the season opener and missed two games. Taylor started three times after his return, including once when Peterson also was on the field, before the change. Since that time, Peterson has 61 rushes for 411 yards in three games and Taylor has 18 carries for 116 yards.

Taylor had been mum of late because he wanted to avoid any attempt by the media to create the appearance of a conflict between him and Peterson. "I'm not trying to have controversy here," he said. "I know a lot of people wanted us to get into it with all that back and forth. Who's starting? Who's playing? All that."

Asked what his mindset has been, Taylor doesn't hesitate.

"I've been in the league long enough to know that I'm a professional and this is my job," he said. "I know things happen differently and stuff. I'm still going to come to work and work hard and when I get an opportunity to get in the game just do what I do. I just go out there and take it as I'm a professional, and I'm going to take it like it's my job."

But Taylor is quick to add there is a difference between doing your job and accepting what has happened.

"I don't think nobody can accept it," he said. "I just learned to deal with it. That's not going to stop me from going out there and playing. I'm just going to keep working hard and just do what I do."

Getting the chance

Taylor and Peterson aren't just different when it come to running styles. The 6-1, 217-pound Peterson strides down the field like a deer with his upright style; the 5-11, 213-pound Taylor stays low to the ground, often bouncing off defenders.

While Peterson handles the media with the aplomb of an old pro, flashing his million-dollar grin at just the right moment, Taylor rarely smiles and usually keeps to himself.

He comes off as surly -- a locker room altercation with defensive end Erasmus James earlier this season didn't help matters -- but Bieniemy paints a different picture.

"Not only is he a heck of a football player, but he's also a great person," Bieniemy said. "That gets lost because he does have this stone face. Chester is never going to show his cards. He would be a great poker player. Whether he's happy or whether he's down. He always has that same look.

"You just pull him to the side, check in on him and I always say, 'Getting a pulse for where he is.' But his attitude and mindset has not changed. The unique aspect is he has been one of the biggest supporters of [Peterson's] success."

Peterson said that Taylor is "always congratulating me" and that he offers pointers on the small details it takes to be successful.

Today, though, Peterson will be watching as Taylor carries the rushing load. Taylor has not had more than 10 rushing attempts in a game since Week 6 at Chicago, when he was handed the ball 22 times.

Bieniemy fully expects Taylor to embrace this latest challenge.

"Chester still carries that chip on his shoulder," Bieniemy said. "He still wants to prove to everybody that he can be an elite starter at this level.

"And it shows when he plays. Chester comes in, he runs very hard, he's hitting the hole just as hard, he's making plays in the passing game and he's picking up blitzes. Every time he gets an opportunity to display his talents he wants to show everybody, 'Hey, don't forget about [No.] 29.' "

Judd Zulgad • jzulgad@startribune.com