Vikings' Peterson moving along in recovery
Football Betting Lines
02/20/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Some athletes never recover from devastating knee injuries, but then there are others who have unworldly healing capabilities.
Prayer, hyperbaric chambers and old-fashioned extensive rehabilitation come to mind when reflecting on ways to regain top form. Visiting a holistic healer wouldn't be an ideal way to mend an injury, however.
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson isn't one to take the easy road in strengthening his anatomy (see NFL.com Fantasy ad) and alternative medicine just doesn't fit with the man better known as A.D. (All Day) or Purple Jesus. Peterson, of course, is undergoing extensive rehab on a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee suffered during a 33-26 win over Washington on December 24. Already getting over a high ankle sprain, Peterson said he knew something was bad after taking a blow from Redskins safety DeJon Gomes.
"Any time you take a blow to the knee like that, you're concerned about the ACL, MCL," Peterson said after he received a harsh gift on Christmas Eve. "I'm trying to stay as positive as I can."
Still a young player and in the prime of his career, Peterson said last week the rehabilitation process is "coming around" and he is continuing workouts in Houston -- his offseason home. With a nickname Purple Jesus and coming from Palestine, Texas, one would think Peterson has everything in his corner to make a full recovery with all the biblical references.
However, an ACL injury is one of the worst an athlete -- especially a running back who relies on cutting and shifting -- can suffer and it usually takes about eight to nine months for a full recovery. And even then experts believe it could still be more than a full year to get back at full strength if the body allows it. Defying the normal standards of recovery is something Peterson and the Vikings are hoping for and so far everything is going accordingly.
"I'm happy with the progress that I'm making so far," Peterson said on KFAN-FM 100.3 last week. "I'm extremely happy."
Peterson, who owns the most rushing yards in a single game with 296 back in his rookie year of 2007, added that he's getting muscle tone and strength back in his legs. Flexibility and bending used to be an uphill battle and now sitting in a tight airplane seat has no effect on the precious limb. Peterson was recently in New Orleans for the funeral of a friend's wife and mentioned no issues with traveling. Swelling in the knee has subsided, save a minor patch in the joints.
When asked if he's possibly overworking the knee, Peterson confided that he sometimes bumps heads with his trainer and understands that he's being held back in order to avoid overexerting himself. That's comparable to asking NFL defenders to simmer down on opposing quarterbacks the second he lets go of the football.
The former University of Oklahoma star comes from an extensive background of athletes, including his mother, Bonita Jackson, who ran track and field. So that explains where Peterson gets his speed and durability. Unfortunately, his sturdiness was put to the test against the Redskins and now Peterson faces an obstacle larger than Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.
Peterson, eyeing a return to the Twin Cities at the end of February or early March, failed to reach 1,000 yards (970) in his fifth year in the league. Already at 6,752 career rushing yards, Peterson still has a long road ahead and it wouldn't be a surprise if he misses all of training camp and the start of the regular season. If that's the case, perhaps the Vikings will use the third-overall pick in April's NFL Draft on a running back. QB Christian Ponder still has to go through some learning curves and a reliable running back behind him can only aid in his production.
Peterson said during his interview that Minnesota's secondary could use some bolstering and wouldn't be opposed to adding the likes of cornerback Cortland Finnegan or wide receiver Vincent Jackson -- two free agents on the market. Vikings general manager Rick Spielman weighed in on the possibility of building more around Peterson and Ponder.
"Whether we make a big splash or not, if there's someone out there we think can help us then we're willing to spend a lot of money," Spielman was quoted on the Vikings' website. "We'll definitely look at those options."
Minnesota has plenty of time to wheel and deal on turning things around, but for now the majority of the attention will be monitored on Peterson and his battle back to prominence.
Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Veteran slugger Manny Ramirez is reportedly set to join the Oakland Athletics. Various reports, including MLB.com, have indicated that Ramirez has agreed to a minor league contract worth $500,000. Ramirez
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Marseille, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former top-five star Ivan Ljubicic of
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New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Orleans Hornets signed rookie guard
Donald Sloan to a second 10-day contract on Monday.
The Texas A&M product was originally signed by New Orleans on February 8th
after being released by Atl
<< Kentucky, Syracuse remain 1-2 in men's hoops poll
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kentucky and Syracuse remained the top two
teams in the latest Associated Press men's college basketball poll.
The Wildcats are the top team in the nation for a fifth straight week and for
the seventh we
<< Jankovic wins Dubai opener
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former world No. 1 Jelena
Jankovic highlighted Monday's opening-round winners at the $2 million
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The eighth-seeded Jankovic, the 2005 Dubai runner
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Golden State guard Stephen Curry will look to join the Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash and the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade as the only two-time winners of the Taco Bell Skills Challenge when he returns to defend
BracketBusters benefits; NC State misses a big chance >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Teams are running out of time, and more to
the point, chances. And as we well know, tournament resumes are built on
impressive performances, and more importantly W's, when those chances arise.
ESPN has acc
Karlsson picks up 4 points as Sens blank Isles >>
Uniondale, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Erik Karlsson totaled four points on two
goals and two assists as Ottawa chased Kevin Poulin before the game was two
minutes old and cruised to a 6-0 victory over the New York Islanders at Nassau
Coliseu
Dodig ousts Tomic in Memphis >>
Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Croat Ivan Dodig upset eighth-seeded Aussie
Bernard Tomic in Monday's opening-round action at the $1.155 million Regions
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Daytona Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The LPGA Tour announced Monday that Ko
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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.
Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.
El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.
MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds.
Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.
New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.
Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''
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Barry Bonds Watch: Giants Slugger Says He'll Be Back
With only 21 home runs standing between him and Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds is indeed planning on coming back for more in 2007. At least, that's what his agent told the Los Angeles Times.
"Barry's going to play in 2007," Jeff Borris of Beverly Hills Sports Council told the Times on Tuesday. "I've had many discussions with Barry and he's going to play. My intentions are to see to it he's in a big-league uniform next season. Those are my marching orders."
Contract negotiations could get started as early as next week. Let's see which team has the deeper pockets. Will MLB baseball betting lines despite allegations of steroid use? Bet On It at www.MySportsbook.com .
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