Adrian Peterson Reinstated

[Raptorman]

One has to remember that Zimmer and Peterson have talked on the phone several times the past few weeks. So I think they pretty much know were each other stands. I also think Peterson is smart enough to separate what the coach says from the what the management says or does. Although at times his tweets don't look like it.

Peterson does have a point about the contracts. They are in a way very one sided. I could easily see the Vikings and him coming to an agreement on guaranteed money the next few years with an overall lower pay. After all, would you take $30 million guaranteed over $46 million maybe? Peterson knows he will not be able to sign for more than $5 million on another team if he gets cut, and I think that is what he is worried about. It would be a win-win for both Peterson and the team. They are going to have the cap hit if they plan on keeping him anyway, which it appears they want to. Or, they could a combination of guaranteed money the next two years, and let the third year sit as is. Again, win - win.

[Raptorman]

Think of it this way. Say the Vikings change his contract to the following. 3 years at $12 million a year, first two years guaranteed. And the third year voidable by AP. That give AP $24 million guaranteed. It give him an out if he wants it after two years. It leaves the Vikings with at most a cap hit of $8 million in year three if he is not on the team. Which is lower than the $17 million hit they take if he is. If he performs like the AP of old for the next two years, the third year he will either stay or go, knowing full well that no team in the league will give a 33 year old back $12 million a year. And if he stays, it is only a cap hit of $12 million over a current cap hit of $17 million. Win - win for both player and team.

Let me add this about Peterson being paid last year. He did not get paid his full salary. Whatever the punishment was, 6 games or whatever, he lost that money. So to say he was paid for not playing 15 games is just not true. It is why the NFLPA has filed a complaint against Goodall and the NFL for not redoing what the arbitrator said. Until that happens AP is out the money for those games that he was suspended for.

[VikingLord]

Peterson has a point about the contracts. I have never liked the fact that a team can fire a player at anytime for any reason.

Sure, they can do that, and when they do, the prorated portion of any guaranteed money accelerates against the cap for that season, plus they lose the services of that player and any future rights to his services. He's free to test the market.

What do you think about the fact that a team can pony up huge dollars for a free agent who turns out to be a bust?

These contracts are completely fair and well-bargained deals on both sides IMHO. If a player isn't sure about playing for a given team, sign a shorter deal.

If AD really wants out of his deal, compensate the Vikings appropriately instead of complain about it. Hand back any prorated guaranteed money on the deal and anything he was paid last year and I bet the Vikings would seriously consider releasing him. But AD won't do that, and if he isn't willing to put his money where his mouth is he should just shut his mouth and play for the team with which he signed the contract.

[VikingLord]

I could easily see the Vikings and him coming to an agreement on guaranteed money the next few years with an overall lower pay. After all, would you take $30 million guaranteed over $46 million maybe? Peterson knows he will not be able to sign for more than $5 million on another team if he gets cut, and I think that is what he is worried about. It would be a win-win for both Peterson and the team. They are going to have the cap hit if they plan on keeping him anyway, which it appears they want to. Or, they could a combination of guaranteed money the next two years, and let the third year sit as is. Again, win - win.

While there may be some reason to hope the Vikings and AD can bridge their gap in understanding here, the Vikings really have very little motivation to guarantee any more money to AD. Not only is he on the wrong side of 30 at a position where a long history of experience suggests his productive days are numbered, but he's also proven himself to be, how can we say it, less than a reliable team member with his off-field issues.

Spielman would have traded AD if there was a market. There wasn't. I'm sure the Vikings would consider sweetening AD's deal if there was good cause to do so. There isn't.

AD's best chance to get what he wants right now is to improve the market for his services in the eyes of other teams. If he can perform at a high enough level he might entice a team in the hunt for a playoff spot to part with the picks Spielman needs to get to make a trade worthwhile for the Vikings.

[IIsweet]

So do you think that the TB Buccaneers had a 1 sided deal with Carl Nicks ?
5 years at $47.5 million. $31 million guaranteed in March 2012.
He got MRSA and couldn't get on the field in year 2 but for 2 games. Still got his guaranteed $ !!!!

Everyone takes a risk. I love the NFL contract. It's not guaranteed. Look at how many NFL guys don't live up to that big contract and strap the owners and franchises. Thinking Washington with the big DT about 5-8 years back.

Most of these guys have a free college degree also. I do not feel sorry for them in the least. Don't be an idiot with your money. Live within your means and what is needed early on. Now don't get me wrong, at 21,22, and 23 I was an idiot and millions would have been fun to play with. However, at some point, it is an agents job to ask those questions and set the athlete up for later in life. Doesn't always work that way, but it should....

[Raptorman]

So do you think that the TB Buccaneers had a 1 sided deal with Carl Nicks ?
5 years at $47.5 million. $31 million guaranteed in March 2012.
He got MRSA and couldn't get on the field in year 2 but for 2 games. Still got his guaranteed $ !!!!

Everyone takes a risk. I love the NFL contract. It's not guaranteed. Look at how many NFL guys don't live up to that big contract and strap the owners and franchises. Thinking Washington with the big DT about 5-8 years back.

Most of these guys have a free college degree also. I do not feel sorry for them in the least. Don't be an idiot with your money. Live within your means and what is needed early on. Now don't get me wrong, at 21,22, and 23 I was an idiot and millions would have been fun to play with. However, at some point, it is an agents job to ask those questions and set the athlete up for later in life. Doesn't always work that way, but it should....

Well, considering he got the MRSA at the Tampa facility, yeah, he earned his money. And it was only $25 million guaranteed.

Also, only about 50% of NFL players actually have a degree.

[PacificNorseWest]

I can see a players stance when they ask for more guaranteed money. I can also see why AP is asking for more considering he knows he's stuck in Minnesota. I don't think he deserves it and I think it looks and is foolish of him to ask this given his current circumstances.

NFL players are one play away from their careers being done. They get hurt then they have the risk of getting cut the next season. Without that guaranteed money, they get nothing.

We can get into an argument about what these guys really deserve considering they already make millions, but I don't think that helps anything because the business side is what it is with today's sports culture. Having said that, I don't think I can really fault most players when they know the time is ticking on their careers wanting to get more money secured due to the insecurity of their paycheck for the next 1-3 years or so.

[DK Sweets]

Well, considering he got the MRSA at the Tampa facility, yeah, he earned his money. And it was only $25 million guaranteed.

Exactly. I'm staying out of this conversation, but that was a turrible example.

[Raptorman]

Exactly. I'm staying out of this conversation, but that was a turrible example.

From what I understand, MRSA can have long term health effects on people. So Nicks may have problems down the road.

[liquid_mojo]

Adrian Peterson and Guaranteed Contracts

Excellent read, thanks for posting!

[Mothman]

Excellent read, thanks for posting!

... and thanks for commenting on it. I meant to follow that link when Tom first posted it and I never did so. Your post served as a reminder. I just read the article and it was very informative!

[IIsweet]

I get the extreme nature of the Nicks situation, but there are numerous other things that happen to players.
The point was that other players make out great on their end also.
If not happy with a multi year contract, don't sign one. There's something to be said for job security, especially in a performance based profession. A long deal with a lot of guaranteed money up front entices these athletes.
What did AD get, signing bonus up front $, on his current contract? He chose that route and signed the contract.

[Raptorman]

... and thanks for commenting on it. I meant to follow that link when Tom first posted it and I never did so. Your post served as a reminder. I just read the article and it was very informative!

Just read that. Good information. Maybe some players agents should read it.

[Mothman]

Just read that. Good information. Maybe some players agents should read it.

Indeed. I had the same thought.

[Funkytown]

WARNING: May hurt some feelings!