The list of running backs who have run for 2,000 yards is short. It is revered almost for those who aren’t on it as for those who are.

Such legends as Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton and LaDainian Tomlinson from the 16-game era never touched 2,000 yards. Neither did predecessors Jim Brown or Gale Sayers.
Gaining 2,000 yards in a season is sort of like what the 50-home run club used to be — before ’roids.
Five running backs have run for 2,000 yards. A certain fella from the Vikings wants to make it six.
“It is something I think about and dream about,” said Adrian Peterson, the consensus No. 1 fantasy pick this year. “I don’t focus on it, because you’ll never accomplish it that way, but that’s my bar. It will always be 2,000 or more. I hope to accomplish that some day.”
Peterson could get off to a blistering start. Four of the Vikings’ first five opponents averaged at least 132 yards rushing allowed in 2008. Some of those opponents, such as Green Bay, should be better. But others, such as the Lions, Browns or Rams, might not. A running back needs to average 125 yards rushing over the 16-game schedule.
Tomlinson was a little irked this offseason when Jim Brown himself declared Peterson the best running back in football. He’s not the blocker and receiver Tomlinson was at 24, but he might be the better runner.
One thing Peterson, 24, does have on his side is time. Eric Dickerson and Jamal Lewis were 24 when they ran for 2K. O.J. Simpson and Terrell Davis were 26; Barry Sanders was 29.
The average rushing yards allowed last year by the teams the Vikings will face in 2009 is 1,936. That certainly gets Peterson in the ballpark. All he has to do is stay healthy and run, run, run.
“With Adrian,” Vikings running backs coach Eric Bieniemy said, “anything is possible.”

CONTEST OF THE WEEK
Loyal followers (both of ’em) know that we like to hand out T-shirts to our most prescient readers. To that end, how many rushing yards will the Panthers accumulate against the Eagles? The tiebreaker will be how many DeAngelo Williams gains. Send both guesses to fantasyfootball(at)phillynews.com or fax to 215-854-5524 by noon Sunday. Closest wins. In the event of a tie, one winner will be chosen at random. One entry per reader, of course.

THREE UP
—Ray Rice, RB, Ravens: A sleeper this year, Rice should get off to a big start against the Chiefs on Sunday.
—Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers: With the Eagles’ linebacking corps in flux, Stewart should get consideration as a second running back in larger leagues.
—Austin Collie, WR, Colts: Those in deep leagues might want to grab Collie as a third receiver now, before he has five catches and 70 yards against the Jags on Sunday.

THREE DOWN
—Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints: Could miss Sunday’s week’s sweetheart matchup against visiting Detroit because he got hurt on a chain-link fence. That’s a bad omen to start the season.
—Kevin Jones, RB, Bears: Last week’s season-ending ankle injury was unfortunate for the O’Hara grad. Garrett Wolfe is now the handcuff for Matt Forte. Larger leagues take note.
—Fred Jackson, RB, Bills: Give it a week before using Jackson, who will start in place of suspended starter Marshawn Lynch. Buffalo’s had some tumult along the offensive line, and a trip to New England is just as disconcerting.