Vikings Corner Path to the Draft: A.J. Klein

Vikings Corner is beginning a series where we interview NFL Draft prospects as they begin their quest to the NFL Draft.

 

Vikings Corner's Daniel House interviews Iowa State Linebacker and NFL prospect A.J. Klein and gets his thoughts on his path to the NFL Draft.

Vikings Should Pass on Manti Te'o



Daniel House analyzes how Manti Te'o lowered his draft stock today and why

the Vikings should avoid the disgruntled linebacker.

Vikings Corner Mock Draft 1.0

Which players will our favorite teams target? Daniel House

has it broken down in his full 32-team NFL Mock Draft.

The day you have all been waiting for is here and Vikings Corner analyst Daniel House is set to unveil his 1st NFL Mock Draft for the 2013 season. Here it is:

Defensive Players to Watch: NFL Scouting Combine

Which defensive players will the Vikings pursue during the NFL Scouting Combine?

Offseason Prescription



Could Tyler Thigpen be an option for the
Vikings as a backup?

How can the Vikings further develop and improve before the 2013 season? It all starts in the unrestricted free agent market on March 12th.

A Potentially Historic Day Ahead

Today two Minnesota Vikings legends (one past, one present), will look to be etched into National Football League history. Running back Adrian Peterson is looking to win the AP NFL MVP award and former Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter is looking to punch his ticket to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

These players are the definition of superstars in Minnesota Vikings history. Adrian Peterson recorded an MVP caliber season with 2,097 yards, just nine yards short of Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record. Peterson recorded all of his accolades despite a torn ACL, MCL, and PCL he suffered in December of 2011. He only missed the season finale and took the field on September 9th for the Vikings home opener vs. Jacksonville. Peterson set an entirely new standard for athletes recovering from serious knee injuries. He is an active member in the Vikings community and is a key veteran in the locker room. He not only had a great season in 2012, but is arguably the best player in NFL history and is the best player in Minnesota Vikings history.

We have compiled statistics to prove that we are truly watching history in front of our eyes. Below are the records and statistics Adrian Peterson had already accomplished in 6 seasons in the NFL.

NFL awards and honors

2007 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
2012 AP All-Pro first team unanimous selection

NFL records

Most yards rushing in a single game (296)

2nd all-time rushing yards in a single season (2,097)

Most rushing yards in any eight-game period (1,322), breaking the record[75] he set 2 games earlier

Most 60+ yard TD runs in a career (10)[76]

Most 200-yard rushing games for a rookie (2)

Most yards rushing in the first eight games (1,036)

Second rookie ever to win Pro Bowl MVP (Marshall Faulk in 1994)

Most 50+ yard runs in a single season (7)[77]

Most games, 150 or more yards
rushing, season (7) (tied with Earl Campbell, 1980)

Most rushing yards in a calendar month (861) in December 2012

Vikings franchise records

Most career rushing touchdowns (76)[78]

Most rushing yards in a single season: 2,097 (2012)[78]

Most rushing touchdowns in a single season: 18 (2009)[78]

Most career rushing yards (8,849)[78]
Most career carries (1,754)[78]

Most 100-yard rushing games (34)
Most 150-yard rushing games (14)
Most 200-yard rushing games (4)

Most consecutive games with 100 or more yards rushing (8)
Most 1,000 yard rushing seasons (5)
Most 50+ yard runs in a single season (7)
Most yards from scrimmage in a season: 2,314 (2012)

Pro Bowl records

Most career rushing touchdowns (4)[79]
Career statistics

Source: NFL.com

These records are unprecedented and have rarely been seen in NFL history. Peterson has proven that he is not only the 2012-13 AP NFL MVP, but arguably is becoming the greatest of all time. As Vikings fans, we know he is the greatest Viking of all time on the field, off the field, and in our minds, no matter the outcome of awards and records.

Meanwhile, former Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter is working to stamp his ticket to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Carter is one of the Vikings all-time greatest receivers and started his career for the Eagles (1987-89). He then joined the Vikings and recorded 11 seasons, while piling up major statistics (1990-2001). To close out his career, he joined the Dolphins for one final season (2002). His career statistics are some of the best in NFL history. He recorded more than 1,000 receiving yards in eight consecutive seasons. Set the then-NFL record with 122 catches in 1994. Was ranked second in receptions (1,101) and receiving TDs (130) when he retired in 2002. He also was named to the Pro Bowl eight times in his 16 year NFL career.

Carter was first placed on the ballot in 2008, but hasn't been selected to the Hall of Fame. He certainly has proven himself on the field, but hasn't handled his emotions in the greatest way. In 2001, he displayed his lowest production in his career and decided to execute the opt out clause in his contract. This was interpreted to the media in a poor way. People always remember the way Carter left the organization rather than the impact he made in 11 seasons with the Vikings. In addition, he went to the media after he wasn't selected to express his distaste for not being voted in. Many voters felt he was being selfish, but ultimately you have to believe that career statistics and records will overshadow these types of issues.

In the space below, we have provided a summary of the records and achievements Carter accomplished in his 16 year career.

Career Notables (via NFL.com)

One of two players to record 120+ receptions in a season twice, 1994 and 1995. (Wes Welker)

Most touchdown receptions on Thursday games (9)

Most 12+ reception games in a single season (4) in 1995

One of 3 players (Clarke Gaines and Jerry Rice) to record 12+ receptions in back to back games

Most 1-yard touchdown receptions in NFL history (9)

Most touchdown receptions 2 yards or less in NFL history (16) – tied with Jerry Rice

Most touchdown receptions 4 yards or less in NFL history (28)

Most touchdown receptions 5 yards or less in NFL history (36) – tied with Jerry Rice

Most touchdown receptions 6 yards or less in NFL history (44)

Most touchdown receptions 7 yards or less in NFL history (48)

Most consecutive games with 2 touchdown receptions (4) – tied with Calvin Johnson

Most consecutive seasons with 5+ touchdown receptions (11) – Terrell Owens, Jerry Rice, Marvin Harrison, Don Hutson, Tim Brown

First player to record a 150 yard receiving game in 3 different decades (Jerry Rice is the only other player to do so)

If these statistics aren't enough for Cris Carter to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, then the voters aren't reading the details of his NFL career. I understand the somewhat odd way he ended his career in Minnesota, but the accolades he has accomplished are deserving enough to be placed with some of the greatest to ever play.

To check out the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Show, tune into NFL Network at 4:30 p.m.cst. For the AP NFL MVP award, tune into CBS at 8:00 p.m.cst for the NFL Honors show.

Vikings Season Review

I let thoughts of the Vikings season marinate in my mind before I put the proverbial exclamation point on a great 2012 season. A season that many experts believed we would be 3-13, we surprised the nation and proved we are moving in the right direction. I could feel the turn around as I watched our team practice for the first time on July 27th in Mankato, MN. The determination of Adrian Peterson's ACL recovery, Leslie Frazier's mission to turn the team around, and the dazzling 2012 draft class injected energy into our football team. The thing that I loved the most about this football team is the chemistry they developed and they way they handled themselves. This group interacted with fans, played the game with pride and proved that Minnesota Vikings football is on the rise. Being one of the youngest teams in the NFL, this talent will last for many seasons and will only improve as we add more pieces to the puzzle.

Adrian Peterson is the MVP of this league, but more importantly he is the MVP of the state of Minnesota community and on the football field. He is one of the classiest and most respected players in the NFL. He put the entire football team on his back and didn't boast about his accomplishments. He praised his teammates and the people that made his success possible. Despite the outcome of the AP NFL MVP Award, we know who Adrian Peterson, has been and always will be; an idol to all Minnesota Vikings fans. I want the 2013 season to begin so I can witness Adrian shatter Eric Dickerson's rushing record. I hope he does so easily after the way Dickerson handled himself over the whole situation. He showed little class and didn't even understand the feat the Peterson nearly accomplished. This is something that will cause Adrian Peterson to come back stronger and attempt to eclipse 2,500 yards, something that has never been done before.

You could feel the energy at every Minnesota Vikings football game this season and it truly was a sight to see. Despite the outcome of the past 2 seasons, Vikings fans have remained strong and have stuck with our football team. Many people ask me how I can stick with a team like the Vikings and support as much as I do. The answer is easy, our players, history, fans and the traditions of our football team will never cause me to lose passion for this organization. It starts with the people I meet at Vikings training camp and at the games. We all have one common love and that is our football team. No matter how many times I hear the phrase, "How can you support this team? They haven't won a championship," it will not change me. We will win a championship in a matter of time and we will be able to celebrate in style. As a collective group of Minnesota Vikings fans, we deserve our chance and it will come soon, as our team is being formulated.

Despite the loss in the playoffs, I felt odds were stacked against us at kickoff. Christian Ponder missed the game, which threw Joe Webb in a very tough position. It took away our passing threat and allowed Green Bay to key on the run and Adrian Peterson. I feel the outcome would have been different with Ponder, but the past is in the record books. The bright side is our young team was exposed to a playoff atmosphere early in their careers, which will pay dividends in the coming seasons. With a 10-6 finish, we must improve and receive one or two more wins and we have a chance to reach the playoffs with a high seed and win the NFC North with ease. It is very early to even predict the record of our team in 2013, but I feel we are in a great position. Our schedule will be very difficult, but will display tough matchups, including road matchups in Dallas, New York Giants, Cincinnati, Baltimore and Seattle. Home games will include, Philadelphia, Washington, Cleveland and Carolina. The Vikings' game against Pittsburgh in London is considered a "home" game. I'm looking forward to seeing several electriying players at home and believe that it will be an exciting 2013.

We will have an exciting offseason in the coming weeks, as free agency will begin, the NFL Scouting Combine will take place in Indianapolis and the 2013 NFL Draft will take place in April. This will be a pivotal time for our team and could take this team to the next level. If we draft well, pick up a top vertical wide receiver and make additional strides on the defensive side of the ball, we can make a run in the postseason next year. We know the pieces are somewhat in place, but we just need to add several small pieces to the puzzle to reach football immortality in 2013.

The season is over, but......

We will keep updating you with our thoughts on the season and will take a look ahead to the 2013 season during the offseason. We will have mock drafts, potential free agency signings, combine thoughts, NFL Draft analysis, and 2013 Training Camp coverage. Stay tuned to the website for our expert analysis and thoughts about the Minnesota Vikings as we begin our track towards Mission Concrete Jungle next season.

Thank you for reading our posts, being a great Minnesota Vikings fanbase, and continuing to display the pride for our favorite football team. It keeps the website alive and inspires Vikings Corner to write and analyze the Minnesota Vikings!

Skol Vikings!