Kuhn on Peterson joining Saints: ‘Just part of the plethora of weapons that Drew has at his disposal’

Through most of his 10 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Adrian Peterson was a focal point.

Now, the All-Pro running back who literally carried the Vikings’ offensive load shifts into a complementary role with the New Orleans Saints. Peterson gets to do his part to enhance the passing of Drew Brees and the running of his new backfield mate, Mark Ingram.

‘I know it’s not the same as when he was in Minnesota’

“You contrast that with Drew and our wide receivers and Mark as our other starting-complement back, and you’re looking at a lot of challenges,” Saints fullback John Kuhn told Alex Marvez and Mark Dominik on Late Hits. “So that’s why it really excites me, because I know it’s not the same as when he was in Minnesota for all those years mostly as the No. 1 guy with his style. Here, he’s just a part of the plethora of weapons that Drew has at his disposal.”

Kuhn, who joined the Saints last year as a free agent from the Green Bay Packers, said he was not shocked that the Saints acquired Peterson. He could see that the team was heading in this direction all along.

‘They’re bringing their guys in and creating a 53-man that they think can really challenge within the NFC’

“I look around and I think about the last eight-nine months that I’ve spent here with the Saints organization and I’ve realized this team is right now trying to fit themselves with a championship roster and they’re bringing their guys in and creating a 53-man that they think can really challenge within the NFC,” Kuhn said. “And it starts with some more explosiveness on offense and that’s exactly what AP brings. And our room right now is looking to be very competitive, very challenging and with challenges and competitiveness, it only brings out the best in everybody.

“I knew him from afar for many years and then we met and I told some stories of what it was like to watch him from the other sideline when we were in the Pro Bowl together and how much I admired the way he ran two years ago when we met. But he’s a heck of a guy, he’s a great competitor and I look forward to having him in our backfield in addition to our other guys this year with the Saints.”