Top pick Peterson signs deal

MANKATO - Flush with cash from his new six-year contract, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will be on the campus of Minnesota State Mankato this morning. Whether he will practice without physical limitations, however, was still a matter of some debate Sunday evening.

At issue is Peterson's much- discussed left collarbone, which he fractured in October and re-injured Jan. 1 playing for Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. The Vikings ruled out surgery in May, but coach Brad Childress said earlier this month that medical officials would meet one final time to discuss Peterson's training camp regimen.

That conversation has occurred, and Childress said earlier this week that he wanted to discuss the issue with Peterson personally before commenting publicly. Sunday, Childress declined several opportunities to state unequivocally that Peterson would practice without limitations.

Asked if he would practice in full pads today, Childress said: "We haven't gotten our hands on him yet, so we will go through that process. All of that stuff is here [Sunday night], so I'm assuming, yeah."

Pressed on whether it would take a surprising development for Peterson to be limited, Childress laughed and said: "Yeah, he could have a surprise. He could be like a cow with a twisted intestine or something like that, I suppose. I don't know how that will manifest itself. ... I don't think we can reach in there like a veterinarian and then twist it."

Whether he gets on the field today, tomorrow or next week, Peterson is officially a rich man. He was traveling to the Twin Cities from Norman, Okla., Sunday evening to sign a deal that would pay him a maximum of $40 million if he reaches all of its incentives.

The Vikings guaranteed Peterson $17 million over the course of the deal, a critical figure for running backs, who typically have shorter-than-average careers in the NFL. Although the contract technically spans six years, the final year is voidable and exists mostly for salary cap purposes. If he reaches none of the incentives but plays five years, Peterson will earn about $25 million.

Those figures reflect the Vikings' need for a dynamic playmaker who is equally comfortable running and receiving. Peterson averaged 130 rushing yards per game in three seasons with Oklahoma, and he displayed soft hands during the Vikings' spring workouts, a crucial skill in the West Coast offense.

With the inexperienced Tarvaris Jackson set to start at quarterback, the Vikings will rely on Peterson and veteran starter Chester Taylor to carry much of the offense. "I know they want us to be a 1-2 punch," Taylor said, "so I'm glad he's getting in here."

Peterson has missed five practices over three days. The number is significant, fullback Tony Richardson said, but more from a physical standpoint than mental.

"We've been out here for five practices," Richardson said, "and as a running back group we're kind of sore. But we're going to get to a point in a few days where we'll hit our second wind and get on the other side. He'll have to catch up from that standpoint.

"But he's a very intelligent young man. You just pretty much tell him what to do and how to go do it, and he goes out there and does it full speed. He has all the tools, is a very smart kid, and he'll fit into our group just fine."

Kevin Seifert • kseifert@startribune.com