MANKATO, Minn. -- Adrian Peterson says he's tried to avoid sports television throughout the offseason.

The All-Pro halfback has heard enough, apparently, about the fumbling issues that have marred his past two seasons.

That doesn't mean Peterson hasn't come to his own conclusion about the root of the problem.

"What I came up with is, it's all mental," Peterson said after the Vikings' first training-camp practice on Friday.

"Just basically, it's that simple. It's mentally being aware at all times of my surroundings, knowing that guys are definitely throwing those extra punches to knock it out at all times. So, it's mentally knowing that I have it high and tight at all times."

Since the start of the 2008 season, Peterson has fumbled 18 times -- few more memorable than his two, plus a botched handoff from Brett Favre, in January's NFC championship game.

Coaches had him work with a weighted ball during his extremely limited time in voluntary workouts this offseason, and Peterson acknowledged on Friday he must be more consistently, fundamentally sound with his carriage.

"When I was holding it low," Peterson said, "giving those guys that space to be able to punch up and knock the ball out at times -- bring it up high, keep it high and tight. Being back the way it's taught and the way you're supposed to carry the ball. It's pretty simple."

That adjustment, Peterson believes, starts the same place as everything else: inside his helmet.

"It's an ongoing process," coach Brad Childress said. "We can't really play with pads until we get out here (Saturday) morning. Those are points of emphasis. (Running backs coach) Eric Bieniemy tore that issue apart forward and backward. He looked at carries and if it was for extra carries.

"I don't want to change the way (Peterson) runs with the football. You can't play that position and be cautious. He is a violent, reckless running back. In football, sometimes the ball comes loose. Do I like it? No. Am I going to tolerate it? No. We are going to emphasize it, and usually, you achieve what you emphasize."

Childress said he still trusts Peterson in short-yardage situations and envisions his role increasing on third downs as well.

Contract matter

Rookie running back Toby Gerhart said he was in constant contact with his agent, Andrew Kessler, as negotiations on what ended up being a four-year, $3.767 million contract dragged into early Friday afternoon.

Gerhart -- who had arrived in Mankato on Thursday afternoon after driving with his family from California -- also got a pointed message from Childress.

"I got a little text message (Thursday) saying, 'Get here, and get your mind right,'" Gerhart said. "And that's what I want to do. I'm here to play football. I'm here to help win and get a Super Bowl back here, and that's my goal and that's what I look forward to doing."

Likely destined for the No. 2 job behind Peterson, Gerhart also worked on Friday behind Albert Young.

Favre update

It was only a matter of time before Childress faced the question in his first media session of camp:

Shouldn't Favre be here?

"He'll make a decision, and we'll live with it, either way," Childress said of the veteran quarterback, who widely is presumed to be returning for a 20th NFL season but hasn't revealed his decision.

"Would I love to have him come back? I'd love to have him come back. But that's something that he's wrestling with right now, and he'll do what's best for him and his family, and I think everybody can live with it either way."

All-Pro end Jared Allen had a more blunt take on the situation.

"It's Brett," Allen said. "That's all you have to say -- it's Brett. Twenty years in. If I make it 20 years in, I'm not coming to training camp either. So, you know what? It's Brett. We'll see you in a couple weeks, baby."

Quick hits

• Peterson's absence from minicamp raised speculation he was unhappy with his contract, which in essence has two years remaining and will pay him $3.64 million in base salary this season. On Friday, he provided his strongest statement yet that money isn't an issue. "Yeah, I'm happy with my contract," Peterson said. "I'm here in training camp, working out ... competing and that's my focus."

• As expected, QB Tarvaris Jackson took the majority of reps with the No. 1 offense in Friday's practice, which was held in shorts and lasted a little more than an hour. In the only team (11-on-11) period, Jackson was 5-for-6 passing, Sage Rosenfels 2-for-2 and rookie Joe Webb 1-for-1. The Vikings will practice twice on Saturday, likely with both sessions in pads.

• Though the front-runners are clear, coaches clearly plan to look at a variety of combinations in the secondary. Most notable on Friday, Asher Allen worked in with the No. 1 defense at both cornerback spots behind Antoine Winfield and Lito Sheppard.

• Childress provided the line of the day when asked about veteran DT Pat Williams dropping (allegedly) to 324 pounds. "Pat's big enough to eat hay and (expletive) in the street," Childress said. "I'm not sure how he lost those 18 pounds, but I'm happy he did."