Peterson focuses on demands of the job

Adrian Peterson has enjoyed the attention from companies wanting him to endorse their products during his two NFL seasons, and it certainly was flattering that various organizations requested his presence. The checks that showed up for this type of work likely didn't hurt either.

But all of it came with a price, and both Peterson and Vikings coach Brad Childress knew it.

That's why Childress said at the NFL scouting combine in February that the Pro Bowl running back already had made changes in how he would spend his time this offseason. Rest and a focus on improving himself as a football player would become more of a priority. On Wednesday, Peterson made it clear he has stuck to that plan.

"Through the past two or three years, I've had the experience of doing too much and not really being able to dedicate the time I would like to working out and preparing myself," Peterson said after he and some teammates conducted a Punt, Pass & Kick clinic for athletes from Special Olympics Minnesota. "I've really cut back a lot this year. I have more time to study film and really just focus on the most important things that make those things possible off the field. Get my body prepared."

That could be bad news for the rest of the NFL. Peterson became the first Vikings running back to lead the NFL in rushing by accumulating 1,760 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008. But that didn't make him a complete player. Peterson still was frequently replaced in third-down situations because of concerns about his ability to provide pass protection. Peterson also had an NFL-high nine fumbles and lost four of them.

Although Peterson admits there is work to be done, he did not express concern about the fumbles.

"When I watched the film, it really wasn't the guys, the blows they were hitting [me with]," he said. "It was me being careless with the ball, trying to go the extra yard. Get to the end zone, because that's my mind-set. There's so many things I can work on. Fumbling the ball, that's not my main concern at all. I do a good job holding onto the ball. I guess you could argue from last year, but that's definitely not my main concern."

One of Peterson's primary focuses remains on increasing his weight. He expressed a desire last winter to gain 7 to 12 pounds this offseason but said Wednesday after the Vikings' second day of Organized Team Activities that he weighs about 216 or 217 pounds. He finished last season at 217 and still wants to get to 225 to help him withstand the wear and tear of the season.

Peterson has been consulting with Vikings strength and conditioning coach Tom Kanavy on a plan to get bigger in his thighs and upper body without adding fat. One thing that doesn't worry Peterson is the possibility he could slow himself down.

"[That is] not a concern at all. I hear it a lot, but my mind-set and how I view things is totally different from a lot of people," he said. "I've come to understand that and recognize that. I feel I can do anything I put my mind to."

The media wasn't the first group to get to Peterson with questions. One of the popular queries from the participants in Wednesday's clinic had to do with a certain quarterback who lives in Mississippi.

"A couple questions I got from them [were], 'Do you know anything about Brett Favre? What's going on?'" Peterson said. "I said, 'I don't know, you might want to ask Coach Childress about that.' Kind of brushed it off."

Peterson acknowledges he has heard plenty of speculation that Favre will come out of retirement to play for the Vikings but isn't focused on it. "I look at the situation and it is what it is," Peterson said. "... Brett Favre [is] a Hall of Fame quarterback. I have [great] respect for him, but the guys that I'm surrounded [by] ... those are the guys that we're leaning on right now."

The Vikings won the NFC North title in 2008 but lost in the first round of the playoffs to Philadelphia. Peterson, though, said he senses a "different focus" as the Vikings prepare for 2009. "Being able to get the taste of the playoffs last year, I think that it's opened eyes from guys and it's OK, 'We really can make a run,'" he said. "Just the focus. I see guys in here working out hard and there's really just like a different vibe in the locker room."

• Peterson said he believes Michael Vick deserves a second chance after the quarterback was released from federal prison Tuesday. Vick would like to get back in the NFL. "I think he has paid his debt to society so hopefully someone will reach out and give him another opportunity," Peterson said.

• Wide receiver Sidney Rice, whose 2008 season was derailed in part because of a sprained right posterior cruciate ligament, was wearing a sleeve on the knee Wednesday. Rice said the knee is fine.