The Minnesota Vikings Need a Back-Up Plan for Adrian Peterson

Photo: AP Images - Andy King - Troy Ballard Adrian Peterson may be a human cyborg that seems to never stop working -- despite a torn ACL -- but even with his robotic mastery, he may not be fully recovered at the beginning of the 2012 season. Without Peterson in the fold of the Minnesota Vikings' backfield on opening day, things could get potentially sticky. We all witnessed what happened after AP went down and Christian Ponder was left to his own devices -- Minnesota finished with the third worst record in the NFL. However, the good news is that, as mentioned before, Peterson is making unheard of strides to recovery given the extent of his injury. His plan all along has been to be ready to rock and roll on opening day, but that may be either denial or his own ego talking -- whichever you prefer. In the case that Peterson doesn't return to the starting lineup on day one, are the Vikings prepared to move forward without him for at least part of the season, and is there anyone on the roster that can step up and fill his role? The blunt answer is no. Unless Minnesota has some sort of hidden superstar that has been cloaked in the ranks of the depth chart that we don't know about -- there isn't much. But then again, we are talking about replacing one of, if not the, best running back in the entire NFL. There aren't many players in the entire league that could do a satisfactory job replacing Peterson. That being said, the Vikings do have several options which could fill in admirably given the right opportunity while AP is still recovering. And.. the first choice is someone that (for a reason unbeknownst to me) is loved with pure adoration in Minnesota -- Toby Gerhart. When the Vikes' drafted Gerhart is was to simply be the anti-Peterson. While AP is a human highlight reel that uses break-away speed, slick cut-backs and elusiveness to get yards on the ground, Gerhart is a power back that uses a no fear, bust you up sort of running style. The kid was the Great White Hope before Peyton Hillis busted onto the scene, and is really a perfect compliment behind a speedster like AP. But when the rubber meets the road and he is pushed into the starting role -- things don't look so hopeful. Gerhart would be serviceable, but the Vikings offense would take a huge hit as he not exactly a four quarter sort of back. It's the best of a worst case scenario for Minnesota. Another option would be (hold in the laughs) -- Lex Hilliard. The chances of Lex-Hill getting a run at the starting job is incredibly unlikely as he has never been anything more than a garbage minute guy late in games. Although, if he just blows the socks off the coaching staff (again, resist the urge to chuckle) during training camp, anything is possible. The third option is the duo of young backs that Minnesota has collected, presumably to add depth, with Jordan Todman of UConn, Derrick Coleman of UCLA. Where Todman was released by the Chargers after being drafted last season, Coleman was an undrafted free agent pick-up out of this last draft class. Realistically, Todman and Coleman will be fighting for a spot on the team, and likely only one of them will remain at the end of training camp. While the two were both successful in their own respective college careers, this position battle could lean either way -- with there really being no edge between the two. Chances are whichever one of these guys does make the roster will have nothing more than a special team and big-lead role, barring another injury. The other will be sent to the practice squad, and in the situation of said injury, could be called up -- but with no chance of really earning the starting job. With the way things look right now, Gerhart is essentially a lock for being a starter if AP isn't fully recovered. Some may consider him a solid back-up and a decent alternative, but the truth is -- he isn't Peterson and the Vikings' offense is going to have to lean heavily on the passing attack until he gets back regardless. Here's to hoping Ponder and Gerhart can keep the Vikings afloat! Be sure to follow Beard and Stache on Twitter @BeardAndStache, and also Troy @TroyBallards, Like our Facebook page HERE!