Peterson flying above crowd
But where he'll land is up in air
It would be rare for the NFL to hold its draft without an annual version of the He's-the-next game. You know the routine, right? The college player has a style similar to that of a past or current NFL player, and thus he's the next . . .
For Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, the link is with Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson.
"A lot of guys say I run in that upright position and have a little breakaway speed," Peterson said at the NFL combine in February. "Watching some of his film, I see the upright position and the power he runs with. It's an honor to be compared to him."
Nothing like placing the burden of high expectations on a player who has yet to play an NFL snap, but the 6-foot-1 1/2-inch, 217-pound Peterson, who is the clear-cut top running back available in next weekend's draft, has embraced it. He is a projected top-five pick, although he could go later, as teams picking Nos. 1-6 don't have a significant need at the position or have more pressing needs elsewhere.
If there is a concern regarding Peterson, it is injuries resulting from his hard-charging style. He has had a dislocated left shoulder (2004), a sprained right ankle (2005), and a broken right clavicle (2006).
While Peterson's destination will add some intrigue to the draft, so too will Louisville's Michael Bush (6-1 1/4, 243). Projected as a first-round talent entering his junior season in 2006, Bush broke two bones in the lower part of his right leg in the season opener. A titanium rod was inserted into the leg, then a second procedure was required this spring with a new rod.
On the theme of comparisons, Bush's situation is similar to Curtis Martin's in 1995, as the University of Pittsburgh back slipped in the draft because of an ankle injury before the Patriots plucked him in the third round. Bush spent the last two weeks traveling across the country, meeting with at least 10 teams, according to his agent, Todd France.
"He's happy to take visits to all teams, to tell them who he is and alleviate teams' health concerns," France said. "He sees it as a plus for him and wishes he could go for all 32. The only thing he hasn't loved is the delayed flights here and there."
If Peterson represents the surest pick among the running back corps, and Bush perhaps the greatest gamble, there is plenty of talent to assess in between.
Like Peterson, California's Marshawn Lynch (5-11, 215) enters the draft after his junior season, as does Arizona's Chris Henry (5-11, 230), whose stock has risen since he tested well at the combine. Lynch is a projected first-round pick, although some needy teams -- such as Buffalo and Green Bay -- could shy away because of off-field concerns. Ohio State's Antonio Pittman (5-10 3/4, 207) and Nebraska's Brandon Jackson (5-9 3/4, 210) are other juniors projected to be drafted.
Penn State's Tony Hunt (6-1 1/2, 233) and Auburn's Kenny Irons (5-10 1/2, 203) are two of the higher-rated seniors, while Rutgers's Brian Leonard (6-1, 228) and Alabama's Le'Ron McClain (6-0, 256) project to play fullback in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Florida State's Lorenzo Booker (5-10 1/4, 191) stands out as a pure change-of-pace option in the Kevin Faulk mold. Faulk's terrific understanding of the passing game will be difficult to duplicate, but Booker has shown some of Faulk's dynamic skills in various areas, and thrives on being an all-around threat.
"I want to play for a team that needs a guy that can fulfill more than one need," Booker said. "If I'm just playing tailback, I'm hurting the team, because I also can line up in the slot, I can also do kick returns. I want a team that wants an all-purpose guy, and that just doesn't mean offense, that means special teams, too."
As for New England players, Deon Anderson (Connecticut), Steve Baylark (Massachusetts), Terry Caulley (UConn), Clifton Dawson (Harvard), and Justise Hairston (Central Connecticut) could draw consideration later in the draft or in free agency.
Running back odds & ends
In 2004, Peterson finished second to Matt Leinart in the Heisman Trophy balloting, the highest finish by a freshman.
Lynch sports a tattoo, from shoulder blade to shoulder blade, that reads "Mama's Boy."
Bush on whose style he emulates: "Jamal Lewis. I bring a combination of power, speed, a little finesse."
Henry was a three-time 100-meter sprint champion at Edison High in Stockton, Calif.
Irons's uncle, Gerald Irons, played defensive tackle/linebacker for the Raiders from 1970-79, while his cousin, Grant Irons, currently plays linebacker for the Raiders.
Playing three seasons for St. Bonaventure High in California, Booker helped his team post a 42-0 record.
Hunt played at T.C. Williams High, the Alexandria, Va., school featured in the movie "Remember the Titans."
Leonard said he always wanted to play for Syracuse, but when Rutgers honored a scholarship for his older brother after a knee injury that led all other schools to drop their offers, his loyalty shifted to Rutgers.
