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5 reasons Sam Bradford trade was brilliant for Minnesota Vikings

By John Buhler

Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) passes against the Washington Redskins during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) passes against the Washington Redskins during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball during the first quarter against the New York Giants at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball during the first quarter against the New York Giants at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Adrian Peterson

The best thing Bradford has going for him in the Vikings offense is obvious: fellow Sooner Adrian Peterson. They were teammates at Oklahoma when Peterson was a junior and Bradford was a freshman.

Peterson would leave Norman after the 2006 NCAA season en route to being the Vikings’ No. 7 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. Bradford would win the Heisman Trophy his sophomore season in 2008 and went No. 1 overall to the Rams in 2010.

Bradford leaned on DeMarco Murray in the Sooners backfield in undergrad, but getting the chance to hand the football off to Peterson has to have Bradford excited about joining the Vikings. Even in his early 30s, Peterson remains one of the best running backs in the game today. He has a chance to finish as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher before he retires.

The Vikings’ offense has been built around Peterson since 2007 and 2016 will be no different. Sure, Turner will be a bit more careful about the usage of his bell-cow back, but he again will do the heavy lifting for the Vikings.

The best thing a quarterback can gain in terms of confidence is having a great running back to keep defenses honest. Bradford will essentially a better version of what he had in St. Louis with Steven Jackson in Peterson. Peterson will bring out the best in Bradford this fall.

Next: 1. Mike Zimmer defense

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