Adrian Peterson Reinstated

[PurpleKoolaid]

Yeah, Zimmer is spot on, and speaks his mind. Doesnt really hold anything back. I hope the team does well under him, because I'd like to see what he could do here for 10 years (or more).

I dont know what Dogra and AD are thinking when they talk as if they can just get up and go to AZ. or Dallas, or anywhere else. If AD wants to leave so bad, they should be spending more time trying to negotiate a deal with the NFL, and with another team that will give us a 1st and 3rd for AD, and get rid of some cap money. Not riding camels.

[Mothman]

Yeah, Zimmer is spot on, and speaks his mind. Doesnt really hold anything back. I hope the team does well under him, because I'd like to see what he could do here for 10 years (or more).

I dont know what Dogra and AD are thinking when they talk as if they can just get up and go to AZ. or Dallas, or anywhere else. If AD wants to leave so bad, they should be spending more time trying to negotiate a deal with the NFL, and with another team that will give us a 1st and 3rd for AD, and get rid of some cap money. Not riding camels.

I don't know what you mean by "negotiate a deal with the NFL" but they aren't allowed to negotiate with other teams while peterson is under contract with the Vikings. It does sound like peterson will meet with Goodell in the near future:

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Good ... vant032515

As for riding a camel... that just looked to me like a guy having fun on his birthday. If someone wants to arrange for me to ride a camel on my birthday, I'll be happy to do it!

[Demi]

I actually didn't quite understand the point of the statement, honestly. Regardless of where he goes he'll likely retire a Viking (unless he plays another 6 years and wins a super bowl with said team) ... lots of HoF players spend the bulk of their time on one team and then go somewhere else when they older only to retire with the original team.

I guess I'm missing how that statement is supposed to impact Peterson.

Playing the only cards they can.

[VikingLord]

If this isn't just about getting guaranteed money and Peterson genuinely has a problem with the team, here's how it probably adds up:

— Peterson took the plea deal thinking that, as Troy Vincent told him, he'd get a two game suspension, be fined and get back on the field in 2014.

But the conversation you refer to was with a *league* official. The plea deal which, BTW, AD publicly stated he had no intent of taking when this first came out because he wanted to "clear his name in court" or some such nonsense, also had nothing to do with the Vikings. There is no evidence the Vikings influenced either thing, so I still don't see how this plays in the AD-versus-Vikings narrative.

— 2 weeks later, he was suspended indefinitely by Goodell, fined, and given a list of requirements he had to fulfill to receive consideration for reinstatement in April.

As with the above, that is Goodell and the league, not the Vikings, and I've never heard any suggestion the Vikings influenced Goodell in his decision, nor the league in their actions to restate the consequences for AD's actions under the CBA. Once again, nothing to see here as far as AD having a beef with the Vikings.

— A few days after that, in an extensive interview, he told Tom Pelissero of USAToday: "I would have to get back in the community and get a feel," Peterson said. "I know who loves me. The coaches and the players, it's not going to be a problem. I've felt so much support from those guys. The organization, I know there's people in the organization that support me and there's people that I know internally that has not been supporting me."

Did AD ever do this? Seems to me he stayed in Texas and the Vikings came to him, or he flew to New York to meet with the Wilfs.

— A few days after that, Adam Schefter posted the quote I just reproduced above (in my reply to VikingLord) about Kevin Warren working with the NFL to make sure Peterson did not return this season.

This suggests Warren had the power to do that, but as far as I can see the tail never wagged the dog on this one. Goodell and the league determined the punishment and have fought *hard* to make sure it sticks. I doubt very much that Warren added anything to that even if this were true, nor could Warren have changed any of it in AD's favor had he wanted to. Even if this is true, it doesn't amount to a flea on a rhinoceros.

— It seems likely that's the source of Peterson's beef with the Vikings and for those out there who haven't thought about exactly what that means, it means a Vikings representative was working with the league to deprive Peterson of the opportunity to play in 4 or 5 games. That cost him millions of dollars (and saved the Vikes millions—don't forget that) and potentially hundreds of rushing yards, something that probably matters to a guy whose dream is to one day become the all-time rushing leader). On top of that, as Mike has pointed out above, it means Peterson accepted a plea deal to return to a team that didn't really want him to return and actually worked against his return, thus giving up an opportunity to have his day in court.

If that is true, if AD truly places the blame for him playing at the feet of Warren and the Vikings and not himself first and the league second, then all I can say is the man is truly disturbed and deluded. Peterson's plea deal and ultimate punishment had very little to do with the Vikings. In fact, about the only real beef I could see AD having with the team is the fact that they went back on their stated intent to get him on the field pending the outcome of the investigation, and that is almost never mentioned during any of these discussions.

I get what you're saying, but none of it explains why AD would want to play elsewhere next year.

[The Breeze]

I don't think the point is really any longer about not playing last season. The point is about being LIED TO. If he had been told straight up that, because of the nature of the NFL due to Ray Rice, Hardy Etc... their (Vikings) hands were tied with sponsors and the league office as far as getting him back on the field last season, sure, he would have been disappointed, but I can't possibly believe he wouldn't be able to grasp it and ultimately respect that decision.

Peterson's camps actions and comments suggest that the FO told him, the media and the fans one thing, while, through Warren as a proxy, plotted or followed a course with the league office in a completely different direction and never confided in him about it. Then promoted Warren after it was completed. Even if that wasn't the plot from the get go, could they not have kept him informed truthfully as it evolved?

Is that what actually happened? I don't know. But it would sure make much more sense out of Peterson's current stance rather than suggesting he just turned into a colossal dbag at the flick of a switch (see what I did there?)....when his league wide reputation amongst players and coaches has been basically spotless in terms of professional integrity when it come to all things football.

I don't think it's a good precedent at all to treat members of your own organization, especially highly valued ones, as if they were the GM of the Browns. Only the few people involved can say for a fact that is what has gone down, but I certainly wouldn't put it past the people running this team (most teams?) or the league to think it's a just way of dealing with any player under contract.

Speaking of contracts....NFL contracts are a joke, a bad one at that. Saying that any player is obligated to honor the contract he signed is complete crap IMO. Teams can release any player they want for pretty much any reason at all regardless of the truth and not have to pay the a dime past anything that was guaranteed. The only reason Jay Cutler is a Bear is because of the $15m guaranteed for 2015...otherwise Chicago is not "honoring" that contract due to him violating the "@$$hole clause". The NFLPA has to be one of the dumbest professional organizations out there, considering the actual leverage they have.

Honor is something that has leaked out of this league in large volume over the years and replaced with greed and entitled idiocy.

In the conversations we've had here at VMB about the players of the old era being better vs todays guys, I've realized that the real difference is that the older era guys are about 100times more likeable because, generally speaking, they played the game outta of passion and love rather than for "look at me" and cash. Now the norm is whoring yourself out to the highest bidder and tearing your ACL performing your sack celebration. Meanwhile the NFL is a multibillion dollar "non profit" who's CEO grossed over $40m last season alone. The owners until more recently had probably spent more resources on covering up the games safety issues and prescription drug problems than taking care of the broken backs of former players who made the obscene wealth of the league possible. Honor? pffft

Warren "the sellout" Sapp a decade ago referred to the NFL as a Plantation system, and it's mostly true. The owners absolutely rake it in every year unless they are complete idiots. But since it's a club even the idiots among them prosper.

If these guys lied to AD he doesn't owe them a darn thing. I don't like what he did to his kid. He comes from a different culture than me, so I have little room to judge. But he paid the price. I think he is a guy that would have found success in any era not only because of his talent but mostly because of his love for the actual game, which is the only only reason I follow the sport.
August feels like 10 years away from this current context.

It will be interesting to see what, if anything, AD ultimately has to say in regards to the actual beef. If it's true that they lied to him and he caves in and plays for them I'll lose respect for him. If he is truly just being a d-bag...respect gone. If they did lie to him, he is giving them every chance to come clean and make some amends by not going public about it. The dude has some hardwired principles that he follows, which is partly how this whole debacle was instigated. It's shaping up to be quite a standoff. I wish it was happening to some other team and player though.

[PurpleKoolaid]

I don't know what you mean by "negotiate a deal with the NFL" but they aren't allowed to negotiate with other teams while peterson is under contract with the Vikings. It does sound like peterson will meet with Goodell in the near future:

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Good ... vant032515

As for riding a camel... that just looked to me like a guy having fun on his birthday. If someone wants to arrange for me to ride a camel on my birthday, I'll be happy to do it!

No, I meant think aernt negotiated with the NFL yet even. Get that done first.

[DK Sweets]

No, I meant think aernt negotiated with the NFL yet even. Get that done first.

Huh?

[Demi]

Huh?

I think Goodell (or someone) made a comment recently that April 15th is still the date for reinstatement.

Thought that was overturned in court? Or not?

I assume that's what he's talking about.

[FatSketty]

Suspension was overturned (NFL appealing) which put him back on the exempt list. Still needs King Rog's release from that list.

The NFL might wait on the appeal and try to enforce missing games from this season, or just stick with making the decision in April. Who knows.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Yeah, the re installment isnt until next month, I would think that makes it harder for anyone to work out a deal before then. Which is really unfair to the Vikings. Unless im mistaken, and they could have already traded the headache? Goodel really hosed us.

[VikingLord]

Peterson's camps actions and comments suggest that the FO told him, the media and the fans one thing, while, through Warren as a proxy, plotted or followed a course with the league office in a completely different direction and never confided in him about it. Then promoted Warren after it was completed. Even if that wasn't the plot from the get go, could they not have kept him informed truthfully as it evolved?

The only problem with this is AD has never alleged that is what happened. What I heard from him was essentially some in the Minnesota media and some fans made him feel unwelcome/unfairly treated, and that "some" in the organization weren't supporting him. Its a pretty big leap to go from that to he was lied to, but let's go down that path and say the Vikings did lie to him. So what? Could the Vikings really control this situation once the league got involved and determined how things would go? So what if someone in the organization supposedly "worked with the league to keep AD off the field"? Did Goodell need that assistance to do what he did?

It just doesn't add up for me. Apart from mollifying sponsors and some fans, having AD off the field hurt them far more than it helped them. To suggest they were actively misleading AD while at the same time patting Goodell on the back for his actions is a real stretch, and not one AD has ever made a public statement about. Maybe Warren was OK with the actions the league office was taking, but so what? Whether he or other people in the Vikings ownership were for or against what Goodell was doing is really irrelevant, because nobody on the Vikings could have done a darn thing about it one way or the other. If anything, the Vikings at least ensured AD got paid for some missed time when they put him on the special exempt list.

I don't think it's a good precedent at all to treat members of your own organization, especially highly valued ones, as if they were the GM of the Browns. Only the few people involved can say for a fact that is what has gone down, but I certainly wouldn't put it past the people running this team (most teams?) or the league to think it's a just way of dealing with any player under contract.

They could have just cut him outright ala Ray Rice. All things considered, I think AD was treated very fairly by the Vikings. As for the league, he was not treated fairly.

Speaking of contracts....NFL contracts are a joke, a bad one at that. Saying that any player is obligated to honor the contract he signed is complete crap IMO. Teams can release any player they want for pretty much any reason at all regardless of the truth and not have to pay the a dime past anything that was guaranteed. The only reason Jay Cutler is a Bear is because of the $15m guaranteed for 2015...otherwise Chicago is not "honoring" that contract due to him violating the "@$$hole clause". The NFLPA has to be one of the dumbest professional organizations out there, considering the actual leverage they have.

Well, joke or not, the contract AD signed is valid and the Vikings retain his rights under the CBA.

If these guys lied to AD he doesn't owe them a darn thing.

Legally I doubt that is true, but even if it is he has yet to allege it.

It will be interesting to see what, if anything, AD ultimately has to say in regards to the actual beef. If it's true that they lied to him and he caves in and plays for them I'll lose respect for him. If he is truly just being a d-bag...respect gone. If they did lie to him, he is giving them every chance to come clean and make some amends by not going public about it.

The facts don't suggest that, neither by his public statements nor by his actions.

I'd also say if you still have a lot of respect for the man based on his actions, you are probably in the minority at this point. Not only did he injure a 4-year old in a pretty grotesque manner, he is now basically trying to get out of an obligation he freely agreed to just a few years ago. You can say NFL contracts are a joke and unfair, but from everything I've seen the Vikings have done their best to uphold their part of the deal and continue to do so.

I don't know if he's being a d-bag per se, but whatever is driving his behavior I think has a lot more to do with him than it does with the Vikings or the state of Minnesota (meaning the media and the fans).

[The Breeze]

@Edward
I don't know the facts around what went on between the FO and AD. As far as I'm concerned they have yet to be revealed. Certainly nothing regarding the meeting in NY.
I'm only proposing a situation that could adequately explain the way AD is behaving that would seem justified to him. I thought that was obvious.
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All the comments around what the Vikings did or did not do with cooperation of Goodells office are not to my point. Regardless of what they did or did not do, IF they knowingly lied to him in the process and have failed to convince him otherwise after the fact, I have the capacity to understand how he would be really pissed about it. And I do not think any of that is any more of a stretch than this all being about guarranteed monies or other stuff. Seems to me, if he just shows up and plays this season he's guarranteed about $13m.
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I know exactly what's been made public, just like everyone else following the situation. Your counting of what's been made public and and subsequent dismissal of there being more to the story seems somewhat obtuse or convieniant to me.
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My respect or lack of respect for him, AND the Wilfs (who have been convicted of jerking partners around in the past), and FOs in general, for that matter, is in terms of overall honesty and manipulation .
Regardless of what he did and whatever group you think I belong in, he didn't lie about any of it, nor have I seen him caught in any lies regarding anything that has been dug up about him.
AD has always been a straight shooter IMO, like Zimmer.
If this turns out to be a case where nothing beyond what has been reported has taken place, then I'll have lost that respect for him, and wouldn't want him on the team given the stink and stress of this. Me being a fan.
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There is nothing legally binding that can force him to play. He does not want to play for the Vikings for whatever reason. Zimmer has stated unequivically that he does not want him on the team if he doesn't want to be there.
Many doubted the guy upon his early return from the ACL and he proved them wrong in spades. I think people are doubting him in a similar vein regarding how resolute is about not playing for the Vikings....even if it means not playing.
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Considering everything they are publically offering him and valuing in him in terms of wanting his return, he still has some deep grudge against someone high up....even after flying to meet with them on his own time and dime.
If they REALLY want him back, I think playing hardball with this guy is a mistake.....especially if he was intentionally misled during the whole suspension/exempt issue. I think they should trade him and move on.
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In the end, I'm just speculating like everyone else and trying to offer up something a bit more imaginative than the company line. I don't reall think very highly of the Wilfs....

[Just Me]

There is no basement in the alamo.

http://www.neverendingfootsteps.com/201 ... idnt-know/

[Mothman]

If that is true, if AD truly places the blame for him playing at the feet of Warren and the Vikings and not himself first and the league second, then all I can say is the man is truly disturbed and deluded

That's a pretty far cry from the hypothetical scenario I laid out above.

I'm sure Peterson is more than aware that his own actions are what led to him not playing in the first place. This idea that keeps coming up that he is somehow shifting blame for his actions to the Vikings in one way or another is has no basis in anything Peterson has said.

Peterson's plea deal and ultimate punishment had very little to do with the Vikings. In fact, about the only real beef I could see AD having with the team is the fact that they went back on their stated intent to get him on the field pending the outcome of the investigation, and that is almost never mentioned during any of these discussions.

I get what you're saying, but none of it explains why AD would want to play elsewhere next year.

Then we'll just have to wait for an actual explanation instead of a hypothetical explanation I came up with based on what little information is available from the media. Considering how much time they've devoted to this story, they've reported remarkably little of substance.

[Boon]

couldn't link it directly cause of the chat filter lol

Edit: never mind, still blocks it lol. It's a funny deadspin article about adrian