Vikings' Peterson has something to prove

The most dynamic runner in the league feels as if he has something to prove against the 49ers on Sunday.

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson had the worst game of his life in 2007 when he faced the 49ers. He gained just 3 yards on 14 carries — an average of 7.7 inches per rushing attempt.

Although the Vikings defeated the 49ers 27-7, Peterson did a lot of talking to himself after that performance.

“From the moment I walked off the field, I was like, ‘I can't wait ‘til we play the 49ers again,'” Peterson said Wednesday in a conference call with Bay Area reporters. “And I think they're a better defense than they were then. This is what coaches want their defenses to play like.”

Peterson will get that chance to play the 49ers' defense on Sunday at the Metrodome in the weekend's only NFL game matching 2-0 teams.

After his first season, in which Peterson gained 1,341 yards and was named the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, he thought back to that game against the 49ers.

And after Peterson led the NFL and set a franchise record with 1,760 yards in 2008, he was driven during his offseason workouts with visions of what the 49ers did to him back on Dec. 9, 2007.

“That's the game that sticks in my mind constantly,” Peterson said. “That was the worst game of my career, and I'm not taking it lightly. I definitely don't forget about that game. During the offseason, that's the game that pops up in my head.”

The 49ers did a remarkable job of gang-tackling during that game, and cornerbacks Walt Harris and Nate Clements aggressively attacked Peterson from the flanks. Linebacker Patrick Willis helped clog the run lanes with 10 tackles, and delivered one bone-jarring hit.

“I felt like I was getting attacked by bees in that game,” Peterson said.

And what was his assessment of Willis?

“He's got that deadly sting,” Peterson said.

Peterson and Willis entered the league together in 2007. Peterson was chosen No. 7 overall, while Willis lasted until the 11th pick. Peterson said if the NFL had a do-over of the 2007 draft, he would be the first selection and Willis would be No. 2. (The Raiders had the first pick in '07 and chose quarterback JaMarcus Russell.)

“I love Patrick Willis. I love the way he plays ball. He plays ball just like me,” Peterson said. “In my personal opinion, I think he's the best defensive player in the league, especially at this position. I'm not taking anything away from Ray Lewis, but I think he'll eventually be better than Ray Lewis. I'm sure he has that mentality.”

Willis is not the only player on the 49ers that Peterson enjoys watching. He also had kind words to say about San Francisco running back Frank Gore. After two games, Peterson leads the league with 272 yards rushing, while Gore is second in the NFC with 237 yards.

“As a back — and I've been doing this for a long time — I recognize talent and I recognize guys who run that ball hard,” Peterson said. “And that's what Frank Gore does.”

EXTRA POINTS

Gore, the reigning NFC offensive player of the week after his 207-yard performance in a 49ers victory over Seattle, took part in limited practice with a sore right ankle. He said he expects to be fully healthy for Sunday's game.

Linebacker Ahmad Brooks, who has been out since undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery after the 49ers' third exhibition game, returned to practice. His availability for Sunday's game is uncertain.

Defensive end Justin Smith did not practice, as coach Mike Singletary gave him the day off from practice as a veteran courtesy. Gore, guard David Baas (ankle) and linebacker Marques Harris (toe) were limited, while Brooks and running back Glen Coffee (hip) took part in full practice.

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