Vikings RB Adrian Peterson wants to return, open to pay cut

[fiestavike]

Agreed. Peterson's age can't be changed but his contract will have to be altered no matter what team he plays for next season.

renegotiate and send him to Tampa for a 4th.

[S197]

It's going to suck seeing Peterson in another uniform. It's so rare to see a superstar stay with one team his entire career. I realize that's the business but I wish it happened less often.

[Mothman]

It's going to suck seeing Peterson in another uniform. It's so rare to see a superstar stay with one team his entire career. I realize that's the business but I wish it happened less often.

I still hope it won't happen this time but I seem to be in a distinct minority about that.

[J. Kapp 11]

Houston got a lot closer this season than our Vikes did this season. The Giants were closer too and they actually have two recent Super Bowl wins.

Well, if you call five seasons ago "recent," I guess that's true. 2007 is definitely not recent. And let's be real here ... neither of those teams is good enough to challenge for the big prize next year. Houston has a far worse QB situation than we do, and Eli Manning isn't exactly lighting it up. Plus, I think Ben McAdoo is WAY overrated.

Peterson's obviously positioning himself for an inevitable negotiation. He would be foolish to come out and say publicly that he's not worth the price on his currently signed contract and that he should take a substantial pay cut. That's no way to enter a negotiation.

Can't disagree with that. It's just weird that he would start naming teams that he hasn't even spoken with. How does he even know if THEY have interest in him? He's not going to come cheap, and Houston, for example, is already neck-deep in salary outlay to Brock Osweiler. It just seems ... strange.

We can probably expect to see posturing from both sides and I wouldn't worry about a word that's said from either side until that negotiation has actually taken place.

You're right. And honestly, I'm not worried about it, mainly because I think the chances of the Vikings re-signing Adrian Peterson are pretty slim.

[Mothman]

Well, if you call five seasons ago "recent," I guess that's true. 2007 is definitely not recent. And let's be real here ... neither of those teams is good enough to challenge for the big prize next year. Houston has a far worse QB situation than we do, and Eli Manning isn't exactly lighting it up. Plus, I think Ben McAdoo is WAY overrated.

Maybe I misunderstood you. I thought you were implying that he should stay in Minnesota if he wants to win a championship, rather than going to one of the teams he mentioned. If so, I apologize.

Can't disagree with that. It's just weird that he would start naming teams that he hasn't even spoken with. How does he even know if THEY have interest in him? He's not going to come cheap, and Houston, for example, is already neck-deep in salary outlay to Brock Osweiler. It just seems ... strange.

I'm guessing he named the Texans because he'd like to play in his home state if he can't remain with the Vikings.

You're right. And honestly, I'm not worried about it, mainly because I think the chances of the Vikings re-signing Adrian Peterson are pretty slim.

Well, Spielman's comments (above) allowed for some "wiggle room" but I noted that the first position he mentioned when asked about the draft was running back. I'm sure that wasn't a mistake.

[IIsweet]

Maybe I am on the dark side, but I would prefer Joe Mixon as a rookie in the backfield instead of AD.
Give me the Robert Smith clone and a lot of $$$ pumped into the OL and I think that we are A LOT better.
Would love to see this offense with intermediate speed WR routes and a RB can can play from shotgun, block, and catch.... Plus, run right by you.
If not available, I like Wayne Galman.
Regardless, we need an OL that is able to block Shurmurs schemes...

[J. Kapp 11]

Maybe I misunderstood you. I thought you were implying that he should stay in Minnesota if he wants to win a championship, rather than going to one of the teams he mentioned. If so, I apologize.

Stay in Minnesota and win a championship? Oh gosh, no! I'm 56 and perhaps the most optimistic (read: delusional) Vikings fan on the planet, and I'm still waiting!

No, I just meant that if he really wanted to win a championship, as is the case for most 10+ year vets without a ring, you'd think he would mention a true contender, like New England or some team like that. Not Houston or the Giants or the Bucs. Instead, everything he talked in the interview about seemed to revolve around either how much money he'd make or how much he's featured in the offense -- not about winning. At least that was my take.

That being said, you're right ... a move to Houston would make sense, at least for Peterson. I'm not sure it would for Houston, but who knows?

[Mothman]

Stay in Minnesota and win a championship? Oh gosh, no! I'm 56 and perhaps the most optimistic (read: delusional) Vikings fan on the planet, and I'm still waiting!

Well, that's what I was thinking too! That's why, in the context of how long you and I have been waiting for a championship, those 2 Giants Super Bowls seemed quite recent to me.

No, I just meant that if he really wanted to win a championship, as is the case for most 10+ year vets without a ring, you'd think he would mention a true contender, like New England or some team like that. Not Houston or the Giants or the Bucs. Instead, everything he talked in the interview about seemed to revolve around either how much money he'd make or how much he's featured in the offense -- not about winning. At least that was my take.

I wonder if maybe he was just thinking about teams that could use a good veteran RB? If he does hit the market, his options might be pretty limited.

That being said, you're right ... a move to Houston would make sense, at least for Peterson. I'm not sure it would for Houston, but who knows?

It probably makes more sense for him than them.

[losperros]

I still hope it won't happen this time but I seem to be in a distinct minority about that.

I with you, Jim. But I have to admit I feel the Vikings have already made a decision to move on with a RB from the draft.

Too bad. I wanted AD to finish as a Viking.

[PurpleMustReign]

Maybe I am on the dark side, but I would prefer Joe Mixon as a rookie in the backfield instead of AD.
Give me the Robert Smith clone and a lot of $$$ pumped into the OL and I think that we are A LOT better.
Would love to see this offense with intermediate speed WR routes and a RB can can play from shotgun, block, and catch.... Plus, run right by you.
If not available, I like Wayne Galman.
Regardless, we need an OL that is able to block Shurmurs schemes...

I don't think Mixon has declared. Has he?

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

[IIsweet]

I don't think Mixon has declared. Has he?

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Not positive, but that kid can play ! Reminds me of Robert Smith. Exactly the type of RB that I think we need to pursue.

[IIsweet]

https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status ... wsrc%5Etfw

Mixon declared

[w_huisman]

I'm having a hard time imagining we'll spend a high round draft pick on a running back when we're in such dire need of O-linemen. I just can't see it. If we'd draft Adrian Peterson reincarnated, he wouldn't be able to run behind this line. So what's the point?

I know I'm in the minority here, but I'll almost be upset if we spend anything more than a 4th round pick on a running back.

Just saw this.... A wide receiver with our first pick? Man, I hope not...
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-c ... ock-draft/

[cmoss84]

1) Regarding AP's comments on where else he would like to play:
I have a feeling this is how it went-"AP, what are some possible teams you would want to play for?" "I'm a viking, I will be in MN." "But if you HAD to choose another team, who would it be?" "I will be in purple-I will be a Viking to end my career." "Let's say the Vikings don't pick up your option-who is your 2nd/3rd choice?" "Well I'm going to be a Viking, but if not, I want to win. The Giants would be nice-same with the Texans and Bucs. They are all good teams capable of getting to the superbowl." ...I'm not worried at all about his comments.

2) My prediction on what happens:
We restructure a 1 year deal worth around 10-12 million, with about 1/3 of it guaranteed. He gets a nice paycheck and a chance to prove himself to other teams for his last big contract of his career, and enters his fair-well season with one more chance with us.
We draft 2 OL in the first 3 rounds and add another in FA. We also add another RB in the 4th rd.

[Texas Vike]

1) Regarding AP's comments on where else he would like to play:
I have a feeling this is how it went-"AP, what are some possible teams you would want to play for?" "I'm a viking, I will be in MN." "But if you HAD to choose another team, who would it be?" "I will be in purple-I will be a Viking to end my career." "Let's say the Vikings don't pick up your option-who is your 2nd/3rd choice?" "Well I'm going to be a Viking, but if not, I want to win. The Giants would be nice-same with the Texans and Bucs. They are all good teams capable of getting to the superbowl." ...I'm not worried at all about his comments.

2) My prediction on what happens:
We restructure a 1 year deal worth around 10-12 million, with about 1/3 of it guaranteed. He gets a nice paycheck and a chance to prove himself to other teams for his last big contract of his career, and enters his fair-well season with one more chance with us.
We draft 2 OL in the first 3 rounds and add another in FA. We also add another RB in the 4th rd.

Seems feasible and I'd be happy with that, as long as we draft a RB in, say, round 4 or 5, maybe even higher.