Peterson could lose license for speeding

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson could lose his driver’s license for six months if he pleads guilty or doesn’t fight the speeding ticket he was issued for going 109 in a 55 mph zone.

Adrian Peterson is no stranger to making news, but when news came out Thursday that he was cited by Edina police for driving 109 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone on the Crosstown Highway Saturday night, it was not the kind of news anyone wanted to hear.

While it wasn’t the kind of scandalous news the Tiger Woods saga was over the last week, it is likely to have some long-term ramifications – not the least of which being Minnesota law dealing with excessive speed.

Peterson could afford to have someone else drive him around town if he chose to. Now that will no longer be a choice. Under Minnesota law, driving over 100 mph at any time on any road results in an automatic six-month revocation of the driver’s license. Peterson has 21 days to appeal the ruling.

What makes the news disappointing for those in power at Winter Park is that the team’s franchise player was not only driving 54 miles over the 55 mph posted speed limit, but anyone with experience driving on the Crosstown Highway knows that it is almost always under some sort of construction and the potential for another driver pulling in front of another vehicle without warning could have led to catastrophic results.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Peterson has disputed that he was driving that fast and it’s likely that the reliability of the police radar will come into play. There were no drugs or alcohol involved in the incident, which happened at approximately 8:30 p.m. Saturday where Peterson was heading to the team hotel prior to Sunday’s game with Chicago.

FRIDAY NOTES

The Vikings injury report Thursday included the addition of guard Steve Hutchinson, who was limited in practice due to a shoulder injury. He has been dealing with back issues all year.

Hutchinson’s inclusion on the injury report can’t be a good sign, especially since starting right guard Anthony Herrera hasn’t returned to practice since suffering a concussion against Seattle two weeks ago. Herrera isn’t expected to play Sunday, which will mean backup guard Artis Hicks will be starting in his place.

Benny Sapp returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday with both a rib and thumb injury.

Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner practiced in full for the second straight day, but head coach Ken Whisenhunt said his starter will be a game-time decision. Warner is also coming off a concussion two weeks ago.

Starting left offensive tackle Mike Gandy missed his second straight practice Thursday with a pelvis injury.

With the Vikings being installed as three-point favorites for Sunday’s game, it will be the 10th time in 12 games that the Vikings have been point-spread favorites to win – the only two exceptions were games at Pittsburgh and at Green Bay. Of those 10 games, the Vikings have been double-digit favorites five times.