Naufahu Tahi was asked for the greatest mangling of his name that he has encountered in his years as a high school, college and pro football player.

The young man of Tongan ancestry smiled and said: "It would be hard to pick out one ... it's happened so often."

Guess what, Naufahu. We have a fresh contender for all-time mangle.

On Sunday, Adrian Peterson was answering questions about his big day against the Arizona Cardinals. The Vikings running back and now leading contender as the NFL's MVP said the work done by his offensive line was so impressive that "Fahu" could've made big yards.

That's the shortened version of Naufahu used by everyone at Winter Park in referring to the starting fullback. A worker on assignment from the Cardinals' public relations staff was in the Vikings locker room taping interviews.

The tapes were turned into transcripts that were distributed in the press box. Somehow, "Fahu" became "Fievel" in Peterson's quote.

Star Tribune, Star Tribune
Vikings fullback Naufahu Tahi last year.

"Fievel?" Tahi said.

Yes, Fievel -- a cartoon mouse from the 1986 animated film "An American Tail."

Tahi shook his head and said: "That's it. That's the worst my name has been mangled."

This conversation came a few days after Tahi did considerable mangling of the Cardinals' defense as a lead blocker for Peterson and Chester Taylor.

"Basically, he's a lead blocker or somebody that's taking care of a linebacker," coach Brad Childress said. "He's done a good job with the physical aspect and with the protection in the passing game."

Childress said the Vikings used a fullback on roughly 33 percent of their plays in 2007. Most of those went to Tony Richardson, the now-departed veteran.

"I don't remember how many snaps [Tahi] had last year -- 13, maybe 15," the coach said. "Obviously, there was a ramping-up process for him in training camp. He was able to pick it up. He's done a good job."

The Vikings signed Thomas Tapeh to serve as Richardson's replacement. He got the money, but Tahi wound up with the fullback job.

Asked to evaluate the Tahi-Tapeh competition, Childress said: "Fahu's here, and Tapeh's not."

Tahi's parents come from Tonga. Naufahu was born in California, raised in Utah and never has visited the home island in the South Pacific.

"I plan to get to Tonga some time," Tahi said. "It's not going to be while I'm playing football, so hopefully that trip won't be for a few years."

Tahi's family was drawn to Utah by the Mormon faith. He went to Brigham Young, played as a freshman, then went on a Mormon mission that kept him out of football from 2000 through 2002.

And at what exotic location did he serve his mission?

"Jacksonville, Florida," he said. "I was hoping for something a little more dramatic -- Africa, South America -- but there was also work to be done in Jacksonville."

Tahi shared running back duties in BYU's one-back, pass-heavy offense. His quarterback was John Beck, now the QB-in-waiting for the Miami Dolphins.

Tahi signed with Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He was cut from the Bengals' practice squad in late November and landed with the Vikings.

He made it to the field for his first 10 NFL games in 2007. He did well enough on special teams to be back in 2008 -- for the offseason conditioning, for the minicamps, for the optional workouts and for training camp.

Every day is a battle for survival for a practice squad graduate bracketed behind a Tapeh -- behind a veteran with guaranteed money.

His reaction to Tapeh's signing? "None at all," Tahi said. "I still was going to show up here [Winter Park] every day and work as hard as I could. That's all you can do."

It was enough to send Tapeh packing -- and to now earn the 6-foot, 255-pound fullback recognition as another blocking beast in front of Peterson.

What's the theory when blocking for the NFL's most explosive runner?

"Get to the hole and find somebody to block, because AD's going to be there quick," Tahi said.

Haven't we read about a new patience with All Day as his second season progresses?

Tahi smiled and said: "I've heard that, too, but it's still a good idea to block fast, because AD's not waiting."

Patrick Reusse can be heard weekdays on AM-1500 KSTP at 6:45 and 7:45 a.m. and 4:40 p.m. • preusse@startribune.com