NFL playmakers make it happen

Panthers' Smith, Vikings' Peterson can make the big plays that change the game

Playmakers are the rarest of NFL stars.

They're a cut above Pro Bowlers or even All-Pros, though they usually belong to both groups.

Playmakers are the men who make other players stop and watch, whose skills are so unique, so game-altering, so eye-catching that peers and fans alike can't stop talking about their exploits.

Two such athletes are expected to be on display in the Metrodome today -- Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson and Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith.

Peterson is perhaps the most exciting tall runner (6 feet 1, 217 pounds) since the days of O.J. Simpson in the 1970s and Eric Dickerson in the '80s.

"He has a career's worth of highlight film just off his rookie season," Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme said of Peterson, who's in his second year as a pro.

Smith (5-9, 185) is a mighty mite of a receiver, so explosive that Delhomme has called him a rocket.

"The only difference [between them] is Adrian can touch [the ball] 20 to 30 times, whereas Steve not so much," Delhomme said. "But when Steve can get it, hopefully you get him one-on-one" on a defender.

When asked who else belongs in pro football's "playmaker" category, Delhomme named only three others -- San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson, Dallas receiver Terrell Owens and New Orleans running back Reggie Bush.

Smith is truly like a rocket waiting to take off, playing his first game this season following a two-week suspension for punching teammate Ken Lucas in training camp.

Peterson, the NFL's leading rusher with 263 yards, is hoping he doesn't get grounded by a hamstring injury that limited his practice participation this week. Whether he will play today will be a game-time decision.

"He's one of the special ones," Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers said.

"He runs real physical, almost like he belongs on defense," linebacker Jon Beason said.

Like other elite athletes, such as golfer Tiger Woods and former basketball star Michael Jordan, Peterson is special because he combines extraordinary skills with a tireless work ethic and unquenchable desire to succeed.

"Adrian is the guy [who] shows up to work every day with a smile on his face," Minnesota coach Brad Childress said. "He is a million-mile-an-hour guy. He loves to practice. The only thing he loves more than that is to play. If anything, you want to grab him by the belt and slow him down at times."

Smith is similar. His practice effort is sometimes so intense that coaches worry he's endangering himself.

One of Smith's ardent admirers is Peterson.

"Oh, man, he's amazing," Peterson said of Smith. "He's one of my favorite receivers to watch. He's so explosive and so quick. ... I really love his game."

Smith could be in store for a strong season this year because the Panthers have more offensive threats around him, which should keep defenses from being able to focus on him as they have at times in the past.

Delhomme said it was important for the Panthers to prove they could win without Smith the past two weeks, but now he's excited to have the speedy receiver back in the lineup.

"He's going to give us a chance," Delhomme said.

Playmakers are like that.

They have a knack for doing big things in big moments.