Top Dog
Anyone & everyone in
the NFL can say that they want or they expect to win this years Super
Bowl. Of course, to be "Top Dog" you clearly understand that
there is a difference between talking the Talk & walking the Walk. In
other words, saying stuff doesn't get you a thing. To get to that pinnacle
you have to do more than rely upon hard work, or a hard work ethic, because no
matter who you speak with, from the Janitor of a building to an incoming NFL
rookie, they all will tell you that they work hard because in their mind ...
they all believe they are the hardest workers in the league. In short, you
need to be married to an idea ... or better said, you need to see that
vision. Once imagined in your minds eye ... nothing can prevent you from
achieving it. The difference between do-ers & the people that slam
everything except of course what they might be
doing.
Which brings us to the cross over between the NFL and the real world. As
we characters sit in an office, and we speak with our boss (everyone has one),
he or she might ask the question, "where do you see yourself in 5
years?" Of course our answer may not be so direct and forthright, as
we all might be willing to tell someone where they can stick this job, but in
our
What is your #1 up coming goal for the 2016 season?
AP: To complete the season healthy, strong and fully
functional. By doing this my expectation is to once again become the 2016
NFL's rushing leader but with one caveat ... to do so with less than 75% or less
of 2015's carries from scrimmage. My expectation is that this will be
achieved by Norv Turner's scheme of expanding numerical threats which by its
very nature will result in expanding opportunities for yours truly. My
objective is to assault Emmitt Smith's NFL rushing record and to re-instill
throughout the league the importance and the role of the running back within NFL
lore.
In any particular Championship Season there might be one particular play that
presents that pivotal moment that changes everything. Can you describe
that upcoming 2016 seasonal event for us?
AP: As you are all well aware, too often an achievement occurs due
to some specific breakdown within an offensive or defensive scheme. For
example, a defensive lineman ends up with a sack due in part to an offensive
lineman being mesmerized for just a split second opening an opportunity for exploitation.
Another example might be a corner back that might slip, or that he bit on a hip
fake, causing an ever so slight separation that caused enough of an opening for
some sort of devastating catch. Of course that doesn't diminish the
accomplishment however it is clear that this isn't what Adrian Peterson is
about. The key or seminal event, that will occur, is when I impart my will
upon a particular unmentioned game, in such a way, that it will be impossible
for every other team to recover from. You'd like to believe that it will
be some sort of break-away run through a defense. Sure, I fully expect
that this will occur however the key event that I'm speaking of does not spin
off one of my runs, or one of my catches, it will occur upon this
notice. I won't tell you if is occurs to a safety, or a corner, or to a
line backer, or a tackle, or a defensive end because knowing that piece of the
puzzle might cause someone to think they have some sort of free pass ... which
they don't. The key or seminal event will occur on what I call the
unforeseen "Annihilation Block" from which their is absolutely no
recovery. Just like last year, this event will occur under the radar,
almost completely unnoticed by the media, and it will send a shock wave as if
the NFL was a small calm pond trying to handle a dropping rock of 2 tons.
Believe me ... it will ripple.
So, are you saying that you're the "Top Dog"?
AP: No. This thing has been assembled for each of us to carry the
load where we all can become the "Top Dog". So in fact there are
many dogs but from your perspective there is only one "Top
Dog".
Can you tell us more about your vision?
AP: Sure. This is more than an expectation as these Vikings will
be in the 2016 playoffs ... and not a thing will be handed to us. We now
have everything in place where it is now incumbent upon us to execute what we
have been born to do. The infinite one has made us the athletes that we
have become. He has given us the extra sets of eyes that we need & we
have the knowledge and wisdom on our side to make it happen. There isn't a
man standing here that expects to sleep walk through this season and fooling
this Viking crew is now just a distant memory.
Is there any other personal goals that you expect to achieve that might fall
under the radar?
AP: One of my personal goals is to make my mark in the playoffs error
free. Everyone knows that perfection is impossible to achieve but I'd like
to make-up for some historical mishaps of my past. Of course there was
last years fumble versus the Sea Hawks that led to those critical go ahead
points. Then there was that fumble in the 2009 championship game near the
goal line that might have sealed the victory right there and then over the
Saints putting us in the Super Bowl. Of course, these are hard memories to
get over however if I had a wish it would be to get through the 2016 playoffs
without laying that ball on the carpet ... where absolutely no one would
recognize that fact. In other words, almost error free ball ... that no
one notices.
It sounds like that you're acquiring a collection?
AP: This is true. Too often, great teams clash in the playoffs,
where great runners do not eclipse the century mark, or they do not score in the
Super Bowl (Sweetness) but it does not diminish them in any way from their
greatness. Sure, I'd like to break Timmy Smith's record for rushing in a
Super Bowl but I'd rather be known as that guy with that remarkable lunch
pail. Cris Carter once said how disappointed he was in life having to rely
upon others ... as this is ultimately a team sport of wins and losses ... but in
my mind that misses the point. We are trying to win it all for the first
time ever for this franchise where my only hope is that I can get others to pick
up that lunch pail with me to make it happen. Greatness alone, which Cris
most certainly had, does not bring that ultimate prize. My blessings
alone are not in question ... what is in question is the weakest link ... and I
never ever want to be in that position ever again. Life is too short and
my opportunity is right before my outstretched hand ... waning ... waning ...
waning. I'd like to be the first one to say that I didn't let it get away
from me as it's importance to each and every one of us is truly incalculable.
The Viking Ghost Writer
http://MyVikingBlood.org
Date: May 26, 2016