Adrian Peterson Reinstated

[Mothman]

I'm highly skeptical of all of this. The only thing I'm confident in at this point is that there is some issue in play.

I suspect there are several but my guess is one of them is money. I think it's a safe bet that another involves whatever level of discomfort his wife feels toward living in Minnesota (and perhaps toward the team). As I've been saying all along, there may have been words spoken and promises made behind the scenes last September that are at issue here too. We don't know what level of support Peterson was led to believe he would receive from the organization. They reactivated him after the Patriots game and then quickly reversed position under outside pressure. I've been wondering all along what was said to him during that span but whatever it was, and however he interpreted it, I wouldn't be surprised if that's at issue here as well.

We may never know the exact nature of the issues at play but clearly, there are issues!

[Mothman]

When I heard his wife was set to attend the meeting, I saw it as a good sign (for keeping AD), given that she seemed to have doubts about remaining in MN.

Let's hope she finds Mike Zimmer charming.

[vatusay]

can he reject a trade, or is him willing to restructure his only leverage on who he gets traded to?

[Mothman]

can he reject a trade, or is him willing to restructure his only leverage on who he gets traded to?

I don't. The ability to reject a trade would have to be something that was already worked into his contract. However, is he showed a lack of willingness to restructure, that might be enough to put the kibosh on many trades anyway. He has more leverage in this situation than some think.

[dead_poet]

can he reject a trade, or is him willing to restructure his only leverage on who he gets traded to?

He can't reject a trade unless it's in his contract (it hasn't been reported that it is) but he physically doesn't have to show up to the new team facilities (which leads to all kinds of ugliness, fines and such). His willingness to restructure isn't really leverage, either. If he wants a better chance at being traded, that's something he'll likely need to do. As others have said, he doesn't wield a ton of power right now. My guess is if he really wants out he'll restructure (perhaps only if terms are in place for a trade). His public displeasure probably means he won't restructure if he plays in Minnesota, though, which isn't the end of the world. Unless Spielman gets market (or above market) value, hopefully he'll be content returning as the highest-paid running back in the league. I really have no idea what market value for Peterson is right now with his reputation, age and salary. I'd like to believe it's at least a first-rounder.

I guess it really boils down to: what does Adrian Peterson want? We probably won't know the answer to that until there's confirmation he'll be in Purple or the announcement of a trade. And, you know, there's the whole aspect that he's still not reinstated thing.

[dead_poet]

It's interesting timing on all this with reports LeSean McCoy is not happy about being traded to the Bills. Some have speculated he may not show up, which could lead the Bills to pull the plug on the trade. It's never boring in the NFL.

[vatusay]

yea i wasnt sure if it was in his contract or not. i want to see AP back. he's an animal. match that with an actual passing threat the vikes havent had since favre, his already angry running style multiplied by how the nfl made example out of him, and it could be a scary year for the rest of the north. if he does get dealt id like to see what spiller could do in Norvs offense.

[dead_poet]

yea i wasnt sure if it was in his contract or not. i want to see AP back. he's an animal. match that with an actual passing threat the vikes havent had since favre, his already angry running style multiplied by how the nfl made example out of him, and it could be a scary year for the rest of the north. if he does get dealt id like to see what spiller could do in Norvs offense.

If AD leaves I think the draft is probably the way we'd go (and the Vikings have said as much that they won't be spending on a RB in free agency). Spiller's skillset isn't much different than McKinnon's, so I wouldn't see the appeal. A guy like Murray, Ingram, Mathews or Ridley would make more sense.

[dead_poet]

An interesting take. I'm not sure I agree, but it's interesting nonethless and may provide a bit of clarity as to trade expectations.

Wednesday (McCoy deal shows Peterson's limited trade value) edition: Wha' Happened?

The prospect of trading Peterson — combined with Dallas’ potential interest in him — has Vikings fans dreaming of a reverse Herschel Walker deal, whereby Minnesota would get a massive haul in return.

That dream should have been immediately realized as folly because the market for and importance of running backs is vastly different than it was a generation ago, but if it wasn’t, some other news Wednesday should snuff it out completely.

The Eagles have traded LeSean McCoy to the Bills for a young linebacker coming off of a torn ACL, Kiko Alonso.
That’s it. No more. A clean 1-for-1 swap.

So now we know the trade value for an elite NFL running back (McCoy has nearly 3,000 yards rushing combined in the past two seasons) who is a better pass-catcher than Peterson (three years of at least 50 catches, including one year with 78), is three years younger than Peterson (McCoy turns 27 in July), is due to make less money and count less against the salary cap than Peterson and whose most significant proven off-field transgression is that he is a bad tipper.
That value is one young linebacker — a former second-round pick who had a very good rookie season, but one who is coming off a very serious injury and isn’t doing full-speed drills yet.

We have to imagine Peterson’s trade value is significantly less than that.

http://blog.startribune.com/sports/rand ... a-happened

[fiestavike]

An interesting take. I'm not sure I agree, but it's interesting nonethless and may provide a bit of clarity as to trade expectations.

Wednesday (McCoy deal shows Peterson's limited trade value) edition: Wha' Happened?
http://blog.startribune.com/sports/rand ... a-happened

If nothing else, this trade will be used against the vikings in trade negotiations for Peterson. I'm sure Spielman wasn't happy to see this deal go down..

[Mothman]

He can't reject a trade unless it's in his contract (it hasn't been reported that it is) but he physically doesn't have to show up to the new team facilities (which leads to all kinds of ugliness, fines and such). His willingness to restructure isn't really leverage, either. If he wants a better chance at being traded, that's something he'll likely need to do.

True, but it provides him leverage in regard to where he'd be traded. Because of the size of his contract, his willingness to restructure could conceivably make or break a trade deal.

[dead_poet]

True, but it provides him leverage in regard to where he'd be traded. Because of the size of his contract, his willingness to restructure could conceivably make or break a trade deal.

Right. And the consolation if he doesn't want to restructure be traded to a particular team is playing here and dominating the NFC. That'd be fine, too. I think once the pads go on he's too much of a competitor to care about the color of his jersey. I can't imagine Rick trading him to a team Peterson prefers if that team is offering less than another team that Peterson doesn't want to go to. If that makes sense.

[The Breeze]

Interesting that the teams AD is said to be interested in are all warm weather or dome teams.

I think the leverage and trade value he has are not static. If several teams were after McCoy, or knew he was available, the Eagles may have gotten more. The fact that the vikes are flying coach and GM down there to meet the wife suggests to me a bit of capitulation on thier part.
How they handle this has effects on their own lockerroom and culture as well as influence on potential FA in the future. I don't think they want anything to do with a hold out. Any situation that puts them in a situation where they 'need' to get rid of him will decrease his trade value IMO.
Lots of people interested in how the vikes handle this.
It's a far cry from Winfield, when Spielman couldn't even be bothered to walk in to the weight room and talk to him. I'd have serious doubts about trusting him if I were a player..although they did right by G. Allen.
IMO, Zimmer lends Spielman some credibility, but what coach wouldn't want Peterson toting the rock?

[Mothman]

Right. And the consolation if he doesn't want to restructure be traded to a particular team is playing here and dominating the NFC. That'd be fine, too. I think once the pads go on he's too much of a competitor to care about the color of his jersey. I can't imagine Rick trading him to a team Peterson prefers if that team is offering less than another team that Peterson doesn't want to go to. If that makes sense.

It makes sense. Basically, if a trade is going to happen, it will probably take cooperation from all 3 parties (AD the Vikes and another team).

Interesting that the teams AD is said to be interested in are all warm weather or dome teams.

Yeah... IF that list of teams is accurate at all it's another factor that makes me wonder just how much influence is wife is having on all of this. Perhaps that's unfair but I can't help wondering...

I think the leverage and trade value he has are not static. If several teams were after McCoy, or knew he was available, the Eagles may have gotten more.

Plus, Kelly supposedly didn't think McCoy fit his system and kelly loves system. It's also noteworthy that Alonso played his college ball for Kelly.

How they handle this has effects on their own locker room and culture as well as influence on potential FA in the future. I don't think they want anything to do with a hold out. Any situation that puts them in a situation where they 'need' to get rid of him will decrease his trade value IMO.

Lots of people interested in how the vikes handle this.

You're right on target there.

[The Breeze]

@Jim
I believe his wife has a significant say and influence in this and rightly so.....except that he is under contract already, so it's weird. Is AD being viewed solely as RB with specific value or as the face of the franchise who merits largely different considerations?
Is Spielman's mind set or is it a fluid negotiation? Personally, I think they want to accomodate him as best they can. I think AD is a sympathetic character amongst his peers due to the way the league handled/jobbed him. The Vikes are in an awkward situation.
The sooner and more amiable this gets handled, the better.

----------