Peterson plea deal...

[J. Kapp 11]

To ensure he got Peterson over another GM who might want to sign him.

The Vikes probably can't get much for him but they might get something and, of course, that's probably only possible if Peterson will agree to re-negotiate his contract. If he won't, then cutting him is probably their only realistic choice. If he will, then they should actually consider keeping him.

The Vikings have no leverage for a trade, Jim. They're not in a position of power. Other teams know they can wait for the Vikings to cut him, and he's going to be a tough sell for most fan bases, even at a bargain-basement salary. He won't have many suitors.

Let me put it this way ... if Rick Spielman manages to trade Adrian Peterson and actually get a draft pick in return, then nobody on this board should ever say Spielman is not a shrewd wheeler-dealer of a GM.

There is also zero chance Adrian Peterson will re-negotiate his contract, with the Vikings or anybody else. Why would he? If the Vikings cut him, then he's going to have to negotiate a new contract with another team (and yes, for far less money). If they keep him, he's under contract. If they trade him, he's under no obligation to renegotiate (and his agent, likely pulling down at least 5% of Adrian's salary, won't let him). And think about this ... according to a Sports Illustrated investigation, supported by a phenomenal 30-for-30 special on ESPN, almost 80% of NFL players end up broke within 5 years of retirement, no matter how much money they made during their careers. There is absolutely no way Adrian Peterson or any other player is going to just give up money unless he's forced.

The Vikings will likely cut him, and he'll end up with somebody else at a lower salary. Don't be surprised if it's Houston. I'm guessing Adrian would love to go home, Arian Foster can't stay healthy, and people in Texas might be more likely too overlook the misdeeds of a fellow Texan as simply a way of life. Just my opinion, of course.

[Raptorman]

What is really sad in this is that any respect I had for the NFL and Goodell went out the window with this. To use the type of illegally obtained information like that published by TMZ to suspend a player, now I am talking any player not just Peterson, tells me that the NFL is not worried about the player but worried about the shield. Just because it is put out in a grand jury does not mean it's the truth. Now in this case it most likely is. But what about the next one. What about the next case when a player has to go in front of a grand jury and testify. They will be thinking, "will this be out on TMZ next week?". Will they be thinking, what are other people saying in the grand jury? The NFL did the justice system a great disservice today by using the information put out by TMZ. They said, if you get it out illegally, we will use it. WE don't care. WE will protect our image. Sad.

[Mothman]

Of course...

[J. Kapp 11]

Nice of the arbitrator to chime in.

[Mothman]

The Vikings have no leverage for a trade, Jim. They're not in a position of power.

I didn't say they had leverage. You asked "Why on earth would an NFL GM give up a draft pick?" and I tried to provide a reasonable answer: so another GM can't get him. A trade keeps him off the market and gives the team that traded for him exclusive rights to his services.

There is also zero chance Adrian Peterson will re-negotiate his contract, with the Vikings or anybody else. Why would he?

To play for a good team and have a chance to win a Super Bowl? Suppose the Patriots come calling and want to unload a 6th or 7th round pick for Peterson if he'll renegotiate his deal. Perhaps Dallas, the team he grew up rooting for, wants to trade for him. He's going to take a big pay cut whether he's traded or cut. That's inevitable so if he's presented with a very favorable playing situation, why not renegotiate?

There is absolutely no way Adrian Peterson or any other player is going to just give up money unless he's forced.

He's going to be forced. Again, that's inevitable and his agent will know that's inevitable. He can give the money up by being cut and signing with somewhere else or he can give it up by renegotiating. It's happening either way so if he and his agent are smart, they will consider circumstances and act accordingly.

I think the most likely scenario by FAR is that he gets cut but I don't think it's the only possible scenario or even the only reasonable one.

[PacificNorseWest]

I didn't say they had leverage. You asked "Why on earth would an NFL GM give up a draft pick?" and I gave you an answer: so another GM can't get him. A trade keeps him off the market and gives the team that traded for him exclusive rights to his services.

Quoting for emphasis.

People said the same when it came to Kevin Love. The assumption was that Cleveland would be dumb to trade for him when they could just sign him as a free agent after this season all the while keeping Wiggins. Except for the fact that you can't assume things like that. Cleveland did the trade because they didn't want to risk losing out on him in the open market.

This situation is similar in the sense that he can still play and probably at a very high level. He can help football teams win games and the choice becomes with us or against us.

[PurpleMustReign]

I am extremely disheartened that Adrian Peterson's season, and probably Viking career, is officially over. It upsets me that someone can make a mistake, albeit a severe one no doubt, and the League can label him a "Child Abuser" and say that he doesn't show any remorse, so he can't play football for a full season. What he did was wrong. But his intentions were not. He, along with Randy Moss, was my favorite Viking of all time. He was the best Running Back that I have seen in my life other than Barry Sanders. Today is a sad day for Viking nation. Thanks for all of the memories, Adrian.

[saint33]

I can't say I didn't see this coming. Still, it makes me sick to even try to discuss. This league and this commissioner are beyond corrupt at this point.

I never in a million years thought it would come to this, because I love the game so much, but after I attend the Packers game this week (as my ticket is already paid for), I think I may boycott the NFL until this clown in charge is held accountable for his butchering of the league and game.

[The Breeze]

pffft

sad

but typical of the corporate mentality.

It's hard to tell if this hurts or helps the nfl's image, as the casual fan, which i believe there are more of, may lack the same loyalty to the players as the NFL seems to.

They could lose throngs of vested fans over these kinds of backdoor moves but it hardly puts a dent in the ever expanding less vested fanbase that seems to be the bulk of the modern NFL.

It seems if the Wilfs have any desire to keep him at a reduced rate they better speak up on his behalf now in a clear way. I doubt their spines in that regard.....even their desire.

[Pseudo Everything]

What is really sad in this is that any respect I had for the NFL and Goodell went out the window with this. To use the type of illegally obtained information like that published by TMZ to suspend a player, now I am talking any player not just Peterson, tells me that the NFL is not worried about the player but worried about the shield. Just because it is put out in a grand jury does not mean it's the truth. Now in this case it most likely is. But what about the next one. What about the next case when a player has to go in front of a grand jury and testify. They will be thinking, "will this be out on TMZ next week?". Will they be thinking, what are other people saying in the grand jury? The NFL did the justice system a great disservice today by using the information put out by TMZ. They said, if you get it out illegally, we will use it. WE don't care. WE will protect our image. Sad.

I thought the NFL used Peterson's no contest plea to reckless assault of a four year old as the basis for the suspension.

I assume what you are referring to is the publication of the pictures depicting the injuries to Peterson's son (was TMZ the first to do that?). Publishing those pictures was not illegal. If what they did was illegal they certainly would have been charged by now. The person who gave TMZ the pictures probably did commit a crime. The DA in Montgomery County has an ongoing investigation into who leaked the pictures. The source of the leak is very likely someone inside the DA's office.

Peterson did not contest the accuracy of the pictures. If the pictures were not accurate Rusty Hardin would have been filing injunctions left and right and would have let the world know that they were inaccurate, in addition to filing charges against every media outlet that published them. He didn't do that.

There was also information in the public domain that the NFL had access to such as the charging indictment which contained a portion of Peterson's interview with law enforcement wherein he acknowledged using a switch as well as information from the pediatrician in MN who filed a report of abuse with the police.

[chicagopurple]

do you REALLY think the average fan is going to be "Outraged" over the treatment of a guy who abused his kids?!? NOT......At most all the fans in the league will have a giggle that they dont have to face AP when they play the Vikes anymore.....and perhaps be smugly happy that some millionaire is getting HIS #### whipped in a financial sense while they sit at home and continue to watch a game that they can no longer afford to attend......There isnt going to be any moral uprising in support of AP.....that train left the station long ago.

[The Breeze]

do you REALLY think the average fan is going to be "Outraged" over the treatment of a guy who abused his kids?!? NOT......At most all the fans in the league will have a giggle that they dont have to face AP when they play the Vikes anymore.....and perhaps be smugly happy that some millionaire is getting HIS #### whipped in a financial sense while they sit at home and continue to watch a game that they can no longer afford to attend......There isnt going to be any moral uprising in support of AP.....that train left the station long ago.

I'm not talking so much about moral support for AD as much as I am the BS tactics being employed by the commissioners office. What Peterson did was effed up. But what I see happening as far as how the NFL is framing it's discipline issue around this one case is another effed up act.

If this were happening to another superstar in the league I would be dissatisfied with the NFL. Ray Rice's situation and the way they handled it is a perfect example of how messed up this league is. This latest thing doesn't serve to make me any more confident that there is any truth or integrity to their motivations.

I doubt I would have the same sad feeling being a Viking fan if it happened to another guy....but the league has really really changed my view of the NFL and my appreciation for this particular sport due to it's shenanigans.

Whether it's player pensions and retirement stuff or the ream of crap about covering up data on concussions and painkillers......they are a bunch of greedy dudes with little credibility when it comes to accountability and players are continually held to a higher standard.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Is it really the league? Or is it Goodell? IMO Goodell knew what he he was doing the whole time, and got the perfect outcome. Im hoping it comes back to bite him in the ####.

[The Breeze]

Is it really the league? Or is it Goodell? IMO Goodell knew what he he was doing the whole time, and got the perfect outcome. Im hoping it comes back to bite him in the ####.

I see Goodell as the league proxy. He's completely replaceable by another suit should there be an actual economic downturn as a result of the actions of his office. A different commissioner would be an act of appeasement but hardly a signal to suggest anything other than business as usual.

The players union actually agreed to let Goodell assign his own arbitrator for this scenario in the CBA in exchange for more money.

The stupid, it burns.

I can't even decide who is most worthy of my irritation at this point...so I guess i'll point it at myself for having any interest in it.

[TSonn]

This whole thing is just so bizarre. The weirdest part to me is that Goodell is the hearing officer for the appeal. I mean, what? What type of sham is that? I work in a Dean of Students office at a public university and there are clear laws that state an appeal officer cannot know anything about the case before becoming the hearing officer. It's to prevent, you know, bias. We also have to abide by due process and if we violate a student's right to due process (AKA not giving proper notice or not making a decision when we say we'd make a decision), then whole case can be thrown out on appeal. Oh yeah, we also can't ask students to come in for a "pre-hearing" and then punish them morewhen they don't show up.

I know that the law is different from the NFL (a corporate business), but it just shows how corrupt things can be with the NFL. I've seen first hand why the university needs those laws/rules and the NFL just ignores them and chooses not to play by them.

I'm glad I bought my Bridgewater jersey from a Chinese website and I don't plan on purchasing any other official NFL item for a long time. (I'd say I will stop watching the NFL but I know that'd be an empty threat).