‘WE WANT ADRIAN'
2007 NFL Draft
Browns fans say Peterson is perfect pick for their team
Browns fans say Peterson is perfect pick for their team

By Blake Jackson

Published: April 22, 2007

MOORE — Phil Maher clutches a custom-made Cleveland Browns jersey in his left hand.

No. 58.

The year of his birth, into this world and into Browns fandom. The faded mud color he's come to call "beautiful.” The words "OKC Dawg” embroidered across the shoulders.

He takes a long, hard look and turns to his right.

No. 28.

Crimson and Cream. The word "Sooners” etched across the chest. The oft-blurred calling card of tailback phenom Adrian Peterson.

"Maybe I could take half of this jersey and half of this one, sew them together and make a No. 28 for Cleveland,” Maher says.

He immediately turns and knocks on a wooden table.

Maher is president of the Central Oklahoma chapter of the Browns' official fan club. On Saturday, he and 10 or so of the club's most diehard members will hole themselves up in the back room of the Bricktown Hooters and wait.

The Browns have the third pick in this year's NFL Draft.

"Cleveland has to take Peterson,” says club vice president Brian Smith. "One way or another. Draft him. Sign him. Play him.”

Peterson enters the week as the third-ranked overall prospect according to Rivals.com, Mel Kiper Jr. and the draft gurus at Scouts Inc.

What NFL insiders can't seem to agree on is where the former All-American will land once teams are on the clock.

Some have Peterson headed to the Browns at No. 3. Others have the Minnesota Vikings drafting him at No. 7. Still others are projecting the Houston Texans or New York Giants to trade up for a shot at AD.

"I've followed Peterson since he was a freshman at Oklahoma, and he's a game-breaker,” said Mike Perkins of Salina, Kan. Known to Minnesota faithful as the Kansas Viking, Perkins holds season tickets and will be in Minneapolis to watch this year's draft.

"You have to game plan for a guy like Adrian. I don't know if it will happen, but we'd love to get him.”

Peterson himself has expressed interest in playing for the Texans or Dallas Cowboys, returning home to spend his pro career in the Lone Star State.

However, he's also recently given nods toward becoming the next great Browns running back or joining Cadillac Williams in the Tampa Bay backfield.

"(Cleveland) likes pounding the ball, running north and south,” Peterson said via phone last week. "I think I would fit well in their system.

"You know, I wouldn't mind going to Tampa Bay (also). I really like (coach Jon Gruden), his coaching style. He's so intense.”

Inundated with rumors and reports, fans are left to formulate their own draft strategies.

"I know the Atlanta Falcons want (Georgia Tech wideout) Calvin Johnson bad,” said Maher. "Maybe they could trade up with Cleveland to draft him and then we could still get Peterson at No. 8.”

Yukon's Lance Smiley headed up the now-defunct Oklahoma Oakland Raiders fan club in the late 1990s.

He's sure owner Al Davis won't be calling Peterson's name on Selection Saturday.

"We need a QB, and our offensive line was like a wet paper bag last season. They couldn't hold anything,” Smiley said.

"Peterson is the farthest thing from what the Raiders need.”

Jeff Block isn't like the rest of the NFL fanatics.

You won't find him whooping and hollering among the Browns Backers, Purple Pride or Raider Nation come Saturday. Instead, you'll find him at work, patiently waiting to hear the news.

See, Block is a Sooner first.

He's going wherever Peterson's going.

"If the Raiders took him at No. 1, I would not cheer for the Raiders,” said Block, a retail store manager in Moore. "But if he went to the Browns or Vikings, I would definitely become a bigger fan of theirs.”

Like many fans in the era of fantasy sports, Block intently monitors individual performances. Especially those of former Sooners.

Tracking players sometimes takes precedence over team allegiance.

"I've rooted for the (Pittsburgh) Steelers and (Miami) Dolphins over the years,” said Block. "But recently, there's been enough Sooners going to the Chicago Bears that I've started following them a lot.”

Now, he will follow Peterson.

Fans like Block are safe.

Draft Day won't become Doomsday.

It can't.

But for Phil Maher and Brian Smith, heartbreak is only a "With the third pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select ... Brady Quinn” away.

Fans will sweat as the future of their beloved team hangs in the balance.

"We need something to ignite Cleveland,” Smith says, pouring over the crumpled No. 28 jersey sitting on the table. "That's just not going to happen with anyone other than Adrian. He's a perfect fit for a blue-collar city.

"Draft him. Sign him. Play him. It's as simple as that.”