Lions say Peterson changes dynamic of Vikings offense

Calvin Johnson wasn’t the only superstar who surprisingly found himself playing a supporting role on his team’s offense in Week 1.

Adrian Peterson got the decoy treatment, too, and it had nothing to do with rust from his yearlong layoff.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said in a teleconference with Detroit reporters today that Peterson’s unexpectedly small role in last week’s season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers was a function primarily of game flow.

Peterson did not touch the ball on Minnesota’s first offensive series, and finished the night with just 10 carries for 31 yards as the 49ers ran away with a 20-3 victory.

“You’re always trying to get the ball to your best player,” Zimmer said. “But sometimes game situations dictate other things that happen, so it’s just the way that games go sometimes, I think.”

Peterson, like Johnson, has been one of the NFL’s most dominant players since he entered the league as a top-10 pick in the 2007 draft.

He’s twice lead the league in rushing in that time, and in 2012 he became the seventh running back in NFL history to top 2,000 yards in a season.

For the last year, though, Peterson has been engulfed in controversy.

Last September, the star running back was indicted on child abuse chargers in his native Texas for disciplining his 4-year-old son with a switch.

He played one game, running for 75 yards against the St. Louis Rams, then spent the rest of the season on the commissioner’s exempt list, the final six games while appealing a suspension that was eventually overturned.

Peterson, who sued the league for reinstatement, will play his first home game for the Vikings this Sunday against the Detroit Lions at the University of Minnesota.

He missed both games against the Lions last year, both Lions’ victories.

“He changes the dynamic,” Lions safety Glover Quin said. “Obviously, he’s a big part of the offense and he’s the type of guy that can he’s going to make you tackle him every play and he’ll go 100 yards every time if you don’t tackle him. He’s running to score every single time. He’s definitely a big focus. ... If we can’t stop the run it’s going to be a long day so we’ve got to make sure we don’t let AP get going.”

Zimmer, who’s entering his second season as Vikings coach, said he’s not sure what impact Peterson will have on a Minnesota offense that ranked 20th in the NFL in scoring last year.

The Vikings scored the fewest points in the NFL last week and managed just 248 total yards.

“After last week, we didn’t do very well offensively,” Zimmer said. “But we’re hoping that it brings another dimension to us as far as explosive in the running game.”

Quin and his fellow Lions don’t doubt that will be the case.

Lions cornerback Darius Slay called Peterson the best running back “ever (to) play the game” and coach Jim Caldwell said he’s one of a select few backs who combine size, speed and power into one elite package.

“They’re rare,” Caldwell said. “Obviously, real rare. The size, power, speed, all of the things he possesses, that’s why he’s been able to do what he’s done through the years. He’s certainly a great back.”

And despite his slow start, most expect Peterson will return to his usual self in short order.

Zimmer told reporters after Monday’s game that Peterson wasn’t tentative in his first game back, and that his limited production he averaged 3.1 yards per carry with a long gain of 9 yards was a function of trying to be too aggressive hitting the hole.

Quin said Peterson still looks the type of back that seeks out contact and tries to make defenders pay for getting in his way.

And Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said there’s no question in his mind Peterson is still the dominant running back of old.

“Of course,” Bridgewater said in a teleconference with Detroit reporters. “You can’t judge him off of one game. He’s a guy who’s going to continue to just play a huge role in our success as a team. He’s going to be a huge part of this offense and we can’t wait to get him going.”

Carlos Monarrez contributed to this report.

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