ARIZONA CARDINALS

Adrian Peterson wants to break Jim Brown’s rushing mark in Arizona

Sep 6, 2018, 5:38 PM | Updated: Sep 7, 2018, 8:00 am

(AP Photo/Nick Wass)...

(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson hopes his first rush against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday will go for 37 yards.

Doing so would volt his career rushing yards ahead of Marshall Faulk (12,279) and Jim Brown (12,312) to put Peterson in the top-10 of all-time running back yardage.

“God willing, on my first run, I can go ahead and break it,” he said on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Thursday.

Going from an unsigned running back to the announced Week One starter over a span of about two weeks, Peterson said he has more to play for.

“Thirty-seven yards away from passing Jim Brown, the guy that I looked up to, the guy that has inspired me and always gave me good words and positive words and different views to look at things.”

The opportunity to break it at State Farm Stadium adds to the moment. Peterson played six games for the Cardinals last season and regards it as a “first-class organization.”

“It was a great time,” he said. “The Bidwills, they showed me so much love, and gave me an opportunity and just treated me — a first-class organization.”

There’s a regret of Peterson’s during his time in Arizona, though: His golf game wasn’t up to par.

“I miss kicking it with my boy Larry (Fitzgerald) down there,” he said. “I’m mad that he never, he kept leaving me, and avoiding me, he and Patrick Pete, when they would go get their golf games in, they told me I wasn’t on that level.”

Washington provides Peterson the chance to be the starting running back behind a strong offensive line led by six-time Pro Bowler Trent Williams.

Pro Football Focus ranked it as the No. 12 line in the NFL entering the season.

The Cardinals line, ranked No. 27 by PFF, was ravaged by injuries last season, running out 14 different combinations, according to Pro Football Focus. Peterson was up-and-down behind it; he twice rushed for more than 130 yards with Arizona, but failed to eclipse 30 yards three times.

Peterson thinks the Redskins line is best he’s had since he was behind the Vikings offensive front that helped him break the 2,000-yard mark.

“I’ve learned that I can be a little more patient because they have guys that are going to do their job up front,” he said. “So that’s something that I’ve been adjusting to, just being more patient on particular runs.”

The NFL will gets its first look at Peterson’s new chapter on Sunday at State Farm Field.

Though his time in Arizona was limited, Peterson thinks he was able to make an impact on his former teammates.

“I’m excited to get back there and to go up against those guys that I practiced against last year and I helped make better, I feel like,” he said.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Monti Ossenfort speaks at the NFL Combine...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will the Cardinals do with the No. 4 pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

14 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort talks to reporters...

Tyler Drake

Monti Ossenfort keeping trade options open as Cardinals’ draft board nears completion

The Arizona Cardinals have about 95% of their draft board completed about a week out from the NFL Draft and continue to look at all avenues.

2 days ago

Monti Ossenfort looks on during the 2023 NFL Draft Combine...

Tyler Drake

Daniel Jeremiah: NFL Draft is Cardinals’ moment to set up franchise for years to come

The 2024 NFL Draft marks a big set-your-franchise-up situation for the Arizona Cardinals, says NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah.

2 days ago

Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill speaks at a press conference...

Tyler Drake

Michael Bidwill: Cardinals ‘aligned on getting this thing right’ in 2024

Michael Bidwill believes the Cardinals aren't that far off from really turning things around under Jonathan Gannon and Monti Ossenfort.

3 days ago

Marvin Harrison Jr....

Nick Borgia

Marvin Harrison Jr. remains Cardinals top pick in latest ESPN mock

With the 2024 NFL draft just around the corner, ESPN's latest mock draft details what could be in store for the Cardinals' first six picks.

4 days ago

Rome Odunze...

Kevin Zimmerman

Peter Schrager’s NFL mock draft has a surprising Cardinals trade-down with Giants

Peter Schrager believes the New York Giants could trade with the Arizona Cardinals, who move down to the No. 6 pick to select Rome Odunze.

4 days ago

Adrian Peterson wants to break Jim Brown’s rushing mark in Arizona