Vikings' Gerhart ready for bigger role

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Vikings running back Toby Gerhart will get most of the first-string reps while Adrian Peterson starts training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list. Pat Christman

July 27, 2012

Vikings' Gerhart ready for bigger role

By Shane Frederick Free Press Staff Writer The Mankato Free Press Fri Jul 27, 2012, 11:27 PM CDT

MANKATO — Toby Gerhart says his approach to Vikings training camp is no different this year than it was in his first two.

“I try to prepare like I’m going to be the starter every year,” the running back said.

In the early going, anyway, Gerhart will be treated like a No. 1 back, as Adrian Peterson is starting camp on the physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list while continuing to recover from the knee injury suffered last season.

Gerhart started five games last season, his second in the league, including four when Peterson was out with ankle and knee injuries.

He finished the year with 531 yards rushing and 190 yards receiving, scoring a total of four touchdowns (one on the ground).

“This year there’s a little more prevalence with Adrian, his timetable and when he’s coming back,” Gerhart said.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said after the team’s first training camp practice Friday morning that Peterson “put up a fight,” upon being told he was being put on the PUP list.

Gerhart said he doesn’t know what the plan is for Peterson, so he’ll just take advantage of the extra reps until Peterson comes back.

“For me, it’s a great opportunity,” he said, “to come out and really help this team and show what I can do. ... I feel like I play better the more touches I get, and this year, potentially, early on I’ll be carrying the bulk of the load.”

Although he said he’d love to be a 1,000-yard back, that doesn’t mean he’s planning on stealing the job from a two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler.

“I want to come out and win,” Gerhart said. “Any way I can help contribute to the team to win, that supersedes anything personal. Beyond that, I’d like to come out and be a leader and be a contributor. We’ll see how this year plays out in terms of how much I carry, when Adrian comes back, stuff like that.”

Many at camp have noted that Gerhart appears to have bulked up a bit from last season, but he insists he’s carrying about the same amount of weight as he did last season. He’s currently listed at 6-foot-0, 231 pounds.

“I’ve really just worked on getting more toned, I guess you could say,” he said. “I put in the work and tried to change my body a little bit.”

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