Bill Belichick: We had Adrian Peterson in for a visit this past spring

Bill Belichick said Tuesday morning that the Patriots took a look at running back Adrian Peterson this spring.

It’s not know if Peterson’s visit was more about the franchise kicking the tires on an available player or simply a scouting maneuver to gauge how much he had left in the tank if they were to face him. But it was interesting to hear the coach confirm the fact that the former All-Pro was in Foxborough for a visit.

“We brought him in here this spring. I've had some interaction with him,” Belichick said on a conference call with the media. “I have a lot of respect for him. I have a lot of respect for the way that he plays. I have a lot of respect for how hard he works, how important the game is to him. Those are the things that I admire about Adrian.”

Sunday will mark just the second time in his career that Peterson will face New England. The 32-year-old Peterson, who joined New Orleans in the offseason, met the Patriots in October 2010, and ran for 92 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries in a 28-18 New England win at Gillette Stadium.