Timeout for some NFL thoughts
Who else is waiting for a football coach to call one of those en vogue timeouts only to have the opposing kicker miss the field goal that doesn't count and make the one after the timeout?
Really, aren't you just giving the kicker a practice attempt? Not only a practice attempt, but one under pressure that's impossible to simulate.
The only way this strategy works is if the kicker lets himself feel the overwhelming relief of making the kick before he realizes the timeout has been called - or if you're Sabastian Janikowski. The more of these timeouts that are called, the less likely the kicker is going to celebrate prematurely.
Does it amaze anybody else that Adrian Peterson - now officially THE Adrian Peterson - has establshed himself as the best player on his team five games into his NFL career? The Minnesota Vikings rookie running back just hung 224 yards and 3 TDs on not just any defense, but the one that carried the Bears to the Super Bowl eight months ago. It was the most rushing yards the Bears have allowed in their 88 years of existence. And nobody can blame this one on "Train" Rex Grossman.
Peterson was the best player on the University of Oklahoma roster when he arrived from Palestine, Texas in 2004. I should know, I watched the manchild run for 225 yards against my Texas Longhorns as a freshman.
With the score tied at 31 on Sunday, Peterson was even inserted to return the game's final kickoff. All he did was nearly break it for a score, slicing through the coverage for a 53-yard return that set up the game-winning field goal (he may even be good enough to make the Vikings relevant this season).
The 22-year-old's performance launched him into the league lead for rushing yards, 80 yards ahead of Texas brethren LaDanian Tomlinson. Peterson has only failed to eclipse the 100-yard mark once in five games.
My buddy Lingo insists Peterson better get his runnin' in sooner than later because his maniacal style coupled with a workload that hasn't been light since kindergarten is going to shorten his career considerably. He did miss seven games last season with a broken collar bone he re-injured in the FIesta Bowl against Boise State. As a sophomore he missed time in four games with a high-ankle sprain. He broke the NCAA record for carries with 339 as a freshman in 2004. He also led the nation with 1,925 rushing yards that helped him to a second-place finish to Matt Leinart for the Heisman Trophy.
So far, I think it's safe to say he's making the most of his time in the NFL.