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Every time the Lions play the Vikings now, the question comes up: Should the Lions have taken running back Adrian Peterson second overall in the 2007 NFL draft?

But no matter how great Peterson becomes or how much I would love to have him if I ran an NFL team, I cannot jump all over the Lions for passing on him.

There was certainly a strong argument at the time that Peterson should have been the guy. Running backs can dominate games in ways that players at other positions can’t – say, wide receiver. Everyone knew Peterson was a special talent.

The Lions took the guy who was widely considered the best player in the draft that year, though, and he hasn’t been a bust at all. He was Calvin Johnson, who is one of the most talented wide receivers in the game and a workhorse.

Remember that Peterson was coming off a broken collarbone, and considering his violent running style, there were serious questions about his durability. The Lions had just seen wide receiver Charles Rogers, whom they drafted second overall in 2003, suffer two broken collarbones. The Raiders, Browns, Buccaneers, Cardinals and Redskins all passed on Peterson, too.

That doesn’t make it easier for the Lions and their fans to stomach facing Peterson twice a season, of course.

By NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
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