Vikings Message Board.Com

dead_poet wrote: That should be a priority no matter who the quarterback or running back is. If an offensive lineman is somehow not giving 100% on each play based upon whose lining up behind him he should be benched. I doubt this factors in to their mindset when the ball is snapped.

I'm not saying its a matter of relative effort - its more a matter of relative emphasis, especially as it relates to their effectiveness as a unit.

dead_poet wrote: Same as the offensive linemen. Bridgewater has to execute the play call no matter who is behind him. If the focal point of the offense shifts a bit more to the ground game (because it's more successful on a per-play basis) then so be it. There's no way of telling that Teddy's average depth of target would shrink based on AD being on the field. If anything it could rise based on AD helping the team get into second and third-and-short situations with Teddy taking more shots down the field.

There may be no telling it, but it would be far more tempting for Turner to call for his All-World RB to carry the offense rather this his rookie QB. All I'm trying to say is, without said All-Word RB back there, neither Turner nor Teddy have that luxury. They have to make it go on the merits of the players they have and develop their approach and skills to match that reality.

dead_poet wrote: By their nature most "big plays" come from the pass, but that's not the only way they happen. How many runs of 20+ yards have we seen and, really, what difference does it make how the "big plays" happen (run, pass, special teams) as long as they do?

All I'm saying here is that as great as AD is as a player, it's time for the Vikings to become a much more proficient passing team. That is easier when they have no choice in the matter. Losing AD forced their hand, and that might not have been a bad thing for this team's long-term prospects.

dead_poet wrote: I disagree. Players should improve individually and collectively with no bearing on who the QB or RB is.

That's a true statement, but it misses my point. In our jobs, we have bosses, and those bosses have points of emphasis. While we all may try to stay well-rounded in our skillsets, there is no denying that we will emphasize the skills and traits used by our bosses to evaluate our performance. If the emphasis is on paving the way for the star runner and playing dink-dunk in the passing game to complement that runner, then that's what those players are going to do.

As before, it's not a matter of effort or lack of will to improve - it's a matter of emphasis.

mondry wrote: Can't speak for the nation but here in Oklahoma it's pretty much unanimous that they want to see him play. In fact most don't even really get why he can't play, almost everyone I talked to here says they were disciplined the same way as kids and it's just how it is down here. Not saying anything more than that or getting into "right and wrong" but if you wanted some non minnesota perspective that's what I'm seeing here.

same where I live.

Mothman wrote: I think you're referring to his original statement, which can be found here:

http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/S ... 390b6a3fbf

This may be the part you were talking about:
He also said:
Based on the contents of the statement and his subsequent remarks, it seems clear that he understands what he did was wrong and that he regrets it.

I still stand by my original statement that he has not actually acknowledged that what he did was wrong. By your own admission you are making an assumption that he understands what he did was wrong. Yes, he admits there are alternative ways of discipline that may be more appropriate, but again, not admitting his way is wrong. He says he always believed the way his parents disciplined him had a great deal to do with his success, so doesn't that imply that he thinks the same discipline would be good for his son? I believe he now realizes that what he did is frowned on by the general public and he regrets injuring his son, but I just don't think he thinks he really did anything wrong. That's the way I interpret it.

Where does he say what he did was wrong? OFC he regrets it, he got caught. But I haven't heard a statement from him saying he was wrong in whipping his son, and was sorry about it. He doesn't need to say that's the way he was brought up, that excuse isn't going to work. And maybe that's why Goodell and the NFL are dragging their feet.

PurpleKoolaid wrote:Where does he say what he did was wrong? OFC he regrets it, he got caught. But I haven't heard a statement from him saying he was wrong in whipping his son, and was sorry about it. He doesn't need to say that's the way he was brought up, that excuse isn't going to work. And maybe that's why Goodell and the NFL are dragging their feet.

You have a point. And I am guessing somewhere down the line Peterson will need to say publicly that whipping is an inappropriate punishment for a 4 year old boy. I am also guessing that there will be some who can never forgive him for what he did -- no matter what he says. In the end, everyone will have to move on regardless of what any one of us thinks of him. And personally I'm ready for that to happen -- whether it's sooner or later.

PurpleKoolaid wrote:Where does he say what he did was wrong? OFC he regrets it, he got caught. But I haven't heard a statement from him saying he was wrong in whipping his son, and was sorry about it. He doesn't need to say that's the way he was brought up, that excuse isn't going to work. And maybe that's why Goodell and the NFL are dragging their feet.

"I want everyone to understand how sorry I feel about the hurt I have brought to my child."
"I caused an injury that I never intended or thought would happen."
"No one can understand the hurt that I feel for my son and for the harm I caused him."

http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/S ... 390b6a3fbf

Seems like it's all there already and has been since the beginning of this fiasco.

PacificNorseWest wrote:The best thing to me about his apology, aside from the accountability, is he makes no mention in that quote of rejoining the Vikings. He may have mentioned after, but in terms of just the apology itself, he was succinct about focusing on the issue itself and shows to me, that he wanted to right the wrong with his son and family before getting on to the football side of things. Small detail I thought shouldn't be overlooked. Obvious, but something most don't do.

I noticed that too. The article I posted earlier also mentions it briefly. As a person who normally speaks whatever's on his mind, I'm hesitant to think it was done on purpose.

PurpleKoolaid wrote:What, no self control DKS? Because someone doesn't agree theres a problem in the NFL with domestic abuse and believes it wont stop unless a real message is put out.

I don't have much self control, that's why I'm trying to avoid your baiting.

We have different opinions on this. Please don't try to make this personal.

fiestavike wrote: same where I live.

Not sure where fiestavike is from, but people generally agree with Mondry's post in Missouri. Everyone here knows what a switch is, the only difference is they aren't particularly common. Very few people think he deserved to get in trouble, though.

I wouldn't follow Missouri or Oklahoma's lead on a lot of issues, mind you. Just giving further perspective.

TSonn wrote: "I want everyone to understand how sorry I feel about the hurt I have brought to my child."
"I caused an injury that I never intended or thought would happen."
"No one can understand the hurt that I feel for my son and for the harm I caused him."

http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/S ... 390b6a3fbf

Seems like it's all there already and has been since the beginning of this fiasco.

People want him to say "I was wrong" otherwise they won't leave him alone. They are just searching for reasons to complain about him. If AD gave them each $1million, they would still whine.

DKSweets wrote:I don't have much self control, that's why I'm trying to avoid your baiting.

We have different opinions on this. Please don't try to make this personal.

You made it personal. And why would I waste my time trying to 'bait' you?

So many have completely flip flopped on this subject since AD got caught beating his 4 year old son. Now theres a chance that he may play again. Im trying to point out that my opinion stands. I think he knew exactly what he was doing, and I don't want young Viking fans thinking of him as a role model. And since we have different opinions on this matter, lets consider it closed.

TSonn wrote: "I want everyone to understand how sorry I feel about the hurt I have brought to my child."
"I caused an injury that I never intended or thought would happen."
"No one can understand the hurt that I feel for my son and for the harm I caused him."

http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/S ... 390b6a3fbf

Seems like it's all there already and has been since the beginning of this fiasco.

I think theres going to have to be more of 'I am sorry I abused my child' and 'I will never let it happen again'. Then maybe the NFL will consider the matter closed, and let him get back to football, after a very hefty fine. As it is, he go paid for all the games he missed. I would also love to see him having to go to child abuse programs, so that he knows, if it really was accepted in places 25 years ago, it never should have been. I personally of tired of seeing the rich and famous getting away with so much.

PurpleMustReign wrote: Ahh the good ole us vrs them, again.
People want him to say "I was wrong" otherwise they won't leave him alone. They are just searching for reasons to complain about him. If AD gave them each $1million, they would still whine.

Ahh the good ole us vrs them, again. Sorry if I am thinking the NFL star is getting away with what would put the average joe in jail. At least average Joe's that make as much as I do.

Purple Reign wrote:I still stand by my original statement that he has not actually acknowledged that what he did was wrong. By your own admission you are making an assumption that he understands what he did was wrong. Yes, he admits there are alternative ways of discipline that may be more appropriate, but again, not admitting his way is wrong. He says he always believed the way his parents disciplined him had a great deal to do with his success, so doesn't that imply that he thinks the same discipline would be good for his son? I believe he now realizes that what he did is frowned on by the general public and he regrets injuring his son, but I just don't think he thinks he really did anything wrong. That's the way I interpret it.

If you're looking for a quote where he literally said the words "I was wrong" then no, I don't think that's out there. He's made it clear that he regrets injuring his child and that he understands there are better ways of disciplining him in the future so to me, it sounds like a lesson learned. It's up to everyone to decide for themselves if he's been contrite and if they want to forgive his actions or not.

PurpleKoolaid wrote:So many have completely flip flopped on this subject since AD got caught beating his 4 year old son. Now theres a chance that he may play again. Im trying to point out that my opinion stands. I think he knew exactly what he was doing, and I don't want young Viking fans thinking of him as a role model. And since we have different opinions on this matter, lets consider it closed.

I don't know that I'd call it flip-flopping, at least not for me.

There has been a lot of talk about contrition in this thread. I think most of us want to see a man who is truly sorry for what he did and intends to change his ways. If that has happened, then my relationship with him (which is to say, whether I remain a fan) can be restored. Whether he has actually taken that stance ... well, that's up to each individual to decide. You apparently want to see more. I can respect that.

That being said, I haven't flip-flopped. My thoughts on his actions -- which were that he went completely overboard with the disciplining of his child -- haven't changed. But if we get tossed out of every relationship for good when we mess up, we're all going to end up pretty lonely.