The Minnesota Vikings are setting some loft expectations for the 2013 season. After a 2012 that saw the team reach the first-round of the playoffs, the team is ready for better things in the upcoming season. After letting go of key players like Percy Harvin and bringing in better draft prospects, the goals are getting bigger. Adrian Peterson is setting the tone, aiming for 2,500 rushing yards.
Peterson came within nine yards of breaking the all-time rushing record held by Eric Dickerson. He ended with 2,097 yards earning him the No. 2 spot on the list. Now, Peterson is looking to break the record and add a few more yards on after that.
"I've got my bar set for 2,500. If I could go up to that, the record is shattered," Peterson said.
If Peterson truly wants to rush for that many yards, he would need to average 156.52 yards over 16 games in the season. Last season, he averaged 131 yards last season. Peterson feels like the goal is attainable and could be pretty easy.
As Peterson sets personal goals for 2013, defensive end Jared Allen is challenging quarterback Christian Ponder to set some goals of his own. Allen is aware that the team will go nowhere if Ponder cannot step up and be a better player. Allen has told Ponder that it is time to step up and be a leader for the team.
"I tell him all the time, you have to be the guy. Adrian can carry this team so far; out defense can carry this team so far...You know, you look at teams that historically win championships, and they have consistent play from the quarterback position," Allen said while on the "Jim Rome Show."
Allen's comments were not meant to be negative, but more of a push for Ponder. The starting quarterback has not exactly had a stellar NFL career to date. Many believe this could be his final season in Minnesota if he does not perform to expectations. Last season, Ponder threw from 2,935 yards and 18 touchdowns. It was an improvement from his rookie season, but still not where the team would like him to be.
Allen hopes his quarterback can flourish into the franchise guy. The team brought in Matt Cassel as a backup but he is nowhere near capable of challenging Ponder for the starting spot. Nothing is certain in the league and Ponder's seat is certainly hot.
