NFL Notes: Adrian Peterson, Jets, Patriots

Adrian Peterson

New Saints RB Adrian Peterson admitted that doubt, including from himself, motivates him

“Yes, the doubt motivates me,” Peterson told Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report. “I’d be lying to say it doesn’t. You want to do things people say you can’t do. You might go through a stage when you doubt yourself. It’s an everyday battle mentally. But if you let anything manifest, it can hurt you. So I always try to keep those thoughts down.”

In regards to the pitch from Saints HC Sean Payton, Peterson said he really appreciated Payton’s honesty.

“I loved his honesty,” Peterson said. “He was straightforward. I could sense he really wanted me to be a part of the organization. All coaches want to win, but you can see it more with him. He’s very passionate about what he does. About 98 percent of the time, he was doing the talking.”

Beyond that, the opportunity to play with QB Drew Brees was another selling point.

“I was attracted to playing with Brees, a guy who is good at distributing the ball to different players,” Peterson said. “I know in this system, I’ll get some opportunities to catch the ball in space. Drew Brees, he’ll get the ball to me.”

While there has been talk that Peterson’s ability has declined in recent years, Payton isn’t buying it.

“There are some things I’ve seen him do that are rare,” Payton said. “Regardless of how talented anyone is, at some point it fades or diminishes. I don’t think it’s happened for him yet. I really don’t. And that’s exciting. I think he’s physically capable of giving us a very, very high, elite-level performance. I feel that way. It’s a little different with this player than the norm with age.”

Jets

• The New York Jets have promoted director of player personnel Brian Heimerdinger to VP of Player Personnel. (Matt Miller)

Patriots

Patriots left guard Joe Thuney, explained that the ability to play the same position consistently aided his development and has him more confident entering training camp this summer.

“That consistency and just being in the same spot the whole time definitely had its benefits. You just get comfortable. You get comfortable playing around the guys next to you. It makes it an easier transition,” Thuney said, via the Providence Journal. “I think going through [training camp] once, you kind of know what to expect, which helps. Everything was just new last year. Everything was a new experience and now, it’s a good feeling knowing what to expect.”