MANKATO -- Adrian Peterson's ultimate goal isn't making it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But he does believe that ultimate goal will produce a first-ballot ticket to the shrine in Canton, Ohio.
" I feel like with my mindset being set on being the best player to ever play, the Hall of Fame has to come with that," the Vikings running back said after this morning's walk-through. "It's not something I think about, like `Oh I got to make it to the Hall of Fame.' I think it will happen because of my mindset and what I'm trying to accomplish."
This year's Hall of Fame class, which includes former Vikings receiver Cris Carter, will be enshrined at 6 p.m. tonight. Peterson and the rest of the Vikings will be practicing at Blakeslee Stadium from 7 to 9 p.m. Peterson says he sometimes watches the highlights of the Hall of Fame speeches, but probably won't be able to catch any of them while in Mankato.
"This camp, I don't have a TV in my room," Peterson said. "And I don't go downstairs a lot."
To pass the time in his room this year, Peterson has been reading the book "The Five Love Languages," brushing up on his playbook and playing the online game "Chess With Friends."
He plays with, "My girl, Ashley. I dominate her." He also plays with former teammate and current Seattle Seahawk Antoine Winfield.
"'Toine? We go back and forth," Peterson said. "And now I have a new competitor, [Vikings quarterback] Matt Cassel. He wants to play, so I'm going to have to teach him a few lessons."
Peterson said he doesn't talk long-distance smack with Winfield.
