Back in December, with his 2,000-yard rushing season still far from complete, Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson proclaimed the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award was "in the bag."
Peterson said he'd already turned his attention to claiming league MVP honors, despite the bias he felt voters have for quarterbacks. On Saturday, he was again overflowing with confidence about his chances.
"I'm going to win it," Peterson told Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post from Hawaii. "I will get it."
As you might expect, Peterson's assumptions have not escaped the notice of Peyton Manning, the Denver Broncos quarterback who serves as Peterson's chief competition for both the Comeback Player and MVP awards.
On Tuesday night, stars from the AFC and NFL Pro Bowl squads gathered at a resort in Oahu, where Manning delivered a speech imploring players to raise the level of play in the Pro Bowl and save the game from extinction. Manning also roasted stars in attendance, according to NFL.com's Andy Fenelon, who was on the scene.
Manning saved his best burn for Peterson.
"Everyone should play like Adrian Peterson," Manning said. "This guy does everything full speed. Pro Bowl -- promoting himself for MVP."
The audience burst into laughter. That included Peterson himself.
"I thought it was funny, man," Peterson said. "Manning is always pulling somebody's chain. This time, he got me. That's just the way he is. And I have a ton of respect for him."
Peterson's bravado is excellent. Manning's reaction to Peterson's pomposity is tremendous. Why can't we have them share the awards and call it a season?
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
