MCT

Matt Asiata isn't Adrian Peterson, and he isn't trying to be. Those comparisons, however, come with the territory of taking over for the best running back in Vikings history.

Asiata became the team's featured back when Peterson was placed on the NFL's exempt list and deactivated Wednesday. Asiata, already a man of few words, was brief when asked about how he feels about his new role.

"I'm confident," he said. "Nothing is going to change in my attitude. I'm the next man up, and I'm going to go out and just play."

Sunday's game against the Saints in New Orleans will be Asiata's third NFL start -- and his first with any kind of advanced notice.

"It's a big opportunity," he said. "I've got big shoes to fill. I'm not going to replace AD. I'm going to go out there and showcase my talent and help the team win games."

His teammates think he has what it takes to help the offense get back on track after last week's 30-7 loss to New England.

"He's a great pass catcher out of the backfield. He can run between the tackles. He's great in pass protection," backup running back Jerick McKinnon said. "There are a lot of people that, because we don't have Adrian, they don't know what to expect. I think Matt can come in and fill that role and be a great leading back for us."

Fullback Jerome Felton said that it isn't fair to compare Asiata to Peterson and that he's confident in Asiata's abilities.

"He's a very good, reliable back, and he's physical and he can get downhill, and I like that," Felton said.

"He'll be good moving forward."

Offensive coordinator Norv Turner admitted that the game plan changes with Peterson out of the lineup, and hinted that he intends to split carries between Asiata and McKinnon this week. That said, it's assumed Asiata will get most of the carries between the tackles and McKinnon will be used to try to get outside.

"When we have a back who is capable of making big plays and has a history of making plays ... those plays can supplant some plays we're not getting in another area," Turner said of Peterson. "Matt and Jerick both had big runs.

"We just have to adjust our plan," Turner said. "I just don't think we can say ... we're going to get three or four runs over 15 yards like we would with Adrian."

Asiata has proven in the past that he can produce when given the opportunity. Last week, he caught a touchdown pass on the first drive of the game.

He has 46 yards rushing on 15 carries this season, and 267 yards on 77 rushes for his career.

Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson said that although Asiata's role on the team has changed, his demeanor hasn't.

"He's not changing for nobody just because AP isn't here," Patterson said. "He's our guy now, and that's what we love about him."