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Thanks for the info. It looks like there are reports about this all over the place now. Here's another:Funkytown wrote:Wow.
If the reports are true, then after all the anger and vilification, it looks like he won't even miss all of the voluntary team activities, much less the mandatory camps.Ian Rapoport @RapSheet 14m14 minutes ago
The #Vikings did not adjust Adrian Peterson’s contract. Source: “He wanted to go in.” So he will today. Satisfying end for Vikes & AD
#Vikings RB Adrian Peterson to me on why he's returning now: "I decided to come back just to get around my teammates and the coaching staff. There's never been any love lost with those guys. Basically it's time for me to come in and test the waters and re-familiarize myself with our offense and the direction they're trying to go in."
Ben Goessling @GoesslingESPN
Peterson said he would leave contract questions to his agents, but added "any player wants to guarantee as much as possible."
Ben Goessling @GoesslingESPN
Peterson: "I'm returning because I want to. I’m a part of this football team and I owe it to the guys I play with and to our coaches."
Ben Goessling @GoesslingESPN
Peterson's return has been in the works since last week. Conversations with Zimmer -- whom AP deeply respects -- played a big part in it.
"I've been away from the game for an entire season," Peterson wrote to the AP. "I wanted the chance to be around the players and coaches, the guys that really matter to me."
After skipping the three practices last week, Peterson tweeted that he was looking for more long-term security on a contract that has three years and roughly $45 million left on it, none of which is guaranteed. He told the AP that a family commitment caused him to miss the workouts, but also said "it's normal procedure for any player in my position to want to secure his future."
Peterson's agent, Ben Dogra, told The Associated Press they have received no assurances from the Vikings that changes to his contract are on the table.
"I understand this is a business. Clearly there were a lot of emotions involved, but I will only be better from the situation," Peterson wrote. "I have a role to play and the Vikings have one as well. It's time to move forward and put my energy and focus on preparing for the season."
That comment from Dogra highlighted above makes me wonder if that's what Zimmer was referring to when he said he thought he had an indication of when Peterson would show up."I love my teammates," Peterson said. "We have a great group of young players and a solid coaching staff and I'm excited to get back on the field with those guys and play in front of the fans again."
Dogra said Peterson has been eyeing Tuesday as a return date for "several weeks."
"He wants to join his teammates and he has a great relationship with Coach Zimmer." Dogra said. "It's been a tough time for everybody, but he wants to move forward and focus on the 2015 season. That was always his goal. He always wanted to be in a position not to miss any games."
Cliff wrote:The NFL is wording it as "Adrian Peterson's holdout is over. The star running back is reporting to Minnesota Vikings' OTAs today."
Is it a hold out if you miss a few days of an optional program?
I'd say that's stretching the meaning of "holdout" a bit. Of course, I also read at PFT this morning that Peterson's offseason included "threats to retire". I certainly don't recall him ever threatening to retire.
"The conversation between Mike Zimmer and I went well," Peterson said to ESPN. "He was able to express what place [his comments] came from and I was able to listen. I was also able to express how I received that and we came to common ground about it. That was the end of it. I told him to tell the family I said hello and I'll see you next week."
I get the feeling all of this might have gone much worse without Zimmer. It's clear Peterson respects him.Raptorman wrote:Looks like Zimmer knew more and kept it to himself. I like this guy.
WooHoo!Raptorman wrote:Maybe this thread can die a quick death now.
Interesting! Hopefully it doesn't reach number one.Cliff wrote:If anybody is curious, this is our second most posted in topic. The first being the stadium thread.
It's got 511 posts to go to catch up!DK Sweets wrote:WooHoo!
Interesting! Hopefully it doesn't reach number one.
