Adrian Peterson had an incredible comeback season in 2012 after tearing his ACL and MCL at the end of the 2011 season. Despite predictions he would miss half the season, Peterson rushed for over 2,000 yards and came just short of Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record. The Vikings made the playoffs thanks to a last-second field goal set up by a late Peterson run.

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2. Adrian Peterson’s
Comeback
After a fairly quiet 2010 season, Adrian Peterson endured a
nightmare finish in 2011 when he tore the anterior cruciate and
medical collateral ligaments in his left knee. Peterson underwent
surgery on December 30, 2011, and was relentless in his rehab.
Despite earlier predictions that he would miss at least half of the
2012 NFL season, he not only made it back for opening day, but
also wound up challenging Eric Dickerson’s 28-year-old single-
season record of 2,105 rushing yards. He ended up needing 208
more yards in the final game of the Regular season against the
Green Bay Packers. Peterson finished the day with 199, leaving him
just short of the record, but his 26-yard run late in the fourth quarter
set up a game-winning field goal that propelled Minnesota into the
playoffs. Adrian Peterson was voted MPV at the end of the season.

3. Pictures of Adrian
Peterson
Adrian Peterson Pics

4. Matt Cassel
In the past five years, as Matt Cassel’s gone from relative
unknown to The Man Who Replaced Tom Brady to franchise
quarterback to veteran backup, Matt Cassel’s career trajectory
has had more volatility that the stock market. But even by the
new Vikings quarterback’s standards, the past six weeks have
been chaotic. Cassel signed with the Vikings a day after the
Kansas City Chiefs cut him six weeks ago, giving the team a
proven backup for Christian Ponder. That meant he would
have to learn yet another new offense, after playing for five
offensive coordinators in four years with the Chiefs. Cassel,
this season likely will begin as all but four seasons since high
school have: with him as backup quarterback. There seems to
be no quarterback controversy heading into training camp.

5. Pictures of Matt
Cassel
Pictures of Matt Cassel as a Chief

6. Greg Jennings
For the first time since he was a rookie with the Green Bay Packers
in 2006, Greg Jennings is trying to master a new offensive system.
He’s in the early days of working with Christian Ponder after
spending his entire career with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. But
the transition, Jennings said Wednesday, May1, hasn’t been difficult
at all. “It’s not (strange to wear Vikings colors),” he said. “Actually, it
looks really good. It fits really nicely.” Jennings, who signed a five-
year, $45 million deal with the Vikings in March, will be expected to
lead the team’s group of receivers and replace Percy Harvin as
Ponder’s top receiver. He’s been working with Ponder in the team’s
offseason workouts to get familiar with his new quarterback. Before
he signed with the Vikings, Jennings sought advice of Favre, his
first quarterback in Green Bay and his predecessor in switching
sides in the Vikings-Packers rivalry. Favre had nothing but good
thing to say about the team, Jennings said.

7. Pictures of Greg
Jennings
Pictures of Greg Jennings As A
Packer

8. 1st round draft
picks
Sharrif Floyd
With their first round pick of the draft, the Minnesota Vikings
selected Sharrif Floyd, a defensive tackle from Florida. Floyd is
very quick and plays with a relentless motor. He will provide the
Vikings with some much-needed youth and explosiveness
along the defensive front.

9. 1st round draft
picks
Xavier Rhodes
With their second pick in the first round the Minnesota Vikings
chose Xavier Rhodes, a cornerback from
Florida State. Rhodes is a huge cover corner with
quick feet and fluid hips, Rhodes is still learning how
to play the position after making the switch from wide receiver at
Florida State. If Rhodes ends up being anything close to what
Sherman became at the next
level, the Vikings will have hit a home run.

10. 1st round draft
picks
Cordarrelle Patterson
After the Vikings traded back into the first round, many
people assumed they were going to pick Notre Dame
linebacker Manti Te’o. However, they chose an explosive
offensive player Cordarrelle Patterson from Tennessee. He
has an exceptional mix of size, speed and playmaking ability,
and he can return punts and kicks. It might take hime a little
while to get a handle on the handbook, but he can do a lot of
damage in a few simple
packages of plays.