Vikings Message Board.Com

Purple bruise wrote: There is no chance that he will spend a second in prison for this.

He's being tried in Texas. If he draws the wrong jury, he most certainly could end up in prison.

Besides, if he really believes he took his child's punishment too far, as he claims, then why not plead this thing? Admit you're wrong, pay a fine, do some community service, and get on with your life.

It tells me one of two things: 1) the DA isn't interested in a plea, or b) Peterson really doesn't believe he did anything wrong. If it's b), then he deserves to sleep in the poop-filled bed he's made, including prison, if that's what the judge decides once he's found guilty.

I was no stranger to the leather belt, but jeez, those pics, hard to look at it.

J. Kapp 11 wrote:
It tells me one of two things: 1) the DA isn't interested in a plea, or b) Peterson really doesn't believe he did anything wrong.

I understand what you are saying but If his community determines in a trial that he is not guilty, then legally speaking he wouldn't have "done anything wrong". Morally everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I won't say they are wrong as this is a tricky issue, but I don't know what other standard one can use to distinguish between discipline and abuse other than 'community standard' without re-writing the laws to explicitly spell it out. Maybe that should happen but its a huge political can of worms that most politicians are probably hesitant to open.

Time in prison?
He'll get a slap on the wrist, if even that.

Hopefully this will at least keep him from beating his many children from many wives. Which is about the best you can hope for.

Prison.

fiestavike wrote: I understand what you are saying but If his community determines in a trial that he is not guilty, then legally speaking he wouldn't have "done anything wrong". Morally everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I won't say they are wrong as this is a tricky issue, but I don't know what other standard one can use to distinguish between discipline and abuse other than 'community standard' without re-writing the laws to explicitly spell it out. Maybe that should happen but its a huge political can of worms that most politicians are probably hesitant to open.

For me your statements on his being not guilty are the key. If AP is found not guilty by a jury of his peers then he is not guilty. Folks can not like it, have different opions, whatever, but IMO, it is important to respect the result of the legal process. That is how our society works. I would not want to live under a legal system where if enough people AKA a lynch mob think I deserve to be punished, then I get punished irrespective of what the legal process produced.

IMO, if he is found not guilty, get him in uniform. If he is found guilty, then he serves his sentence, after which, get him in uniform. The NFL is not the legal system, it is not their job to determine what the debt to society is for their personnel, that is why we have courts.

mansquatch wrote: For me your statements on his being not guilty are the key. If AP is found not guilty by a jury of his peers then he is not guilty. Folks can not like it, have different opions, whatever, but IMO, it is important to respect the result of the legal process. That is how our society works. I would not want to live under a legal system where if enough people AKA a lynch mob think I deserve to be punished, then I get punished irrespective of what the legal process produced.

IMO, if he is found not guilty, get him in uniform. If he is found guilty, then he serves his sentence, after which, get him in uniform. The NFL is not the legal system, it is not their job to determine what the debt to society is for their personnel, that is why we have courts.

I understand and respect your positions. For me, though, I would need to see one more thing before I could cheer for AD again. I would want him to seek counseling and commit to changing his approach to disciplining his children. He admitted what he did, but has taken no responsibility for the fact that his actions cut and bruised his four year old child. While that may be considered a moral judgement on my part, I do not think it would be unreasonable. From a purely PR perspective, it would be the surest way to rehabilitate his character.

mansquatch wrote: For me your statements on his being not guilty are the key. If AP is found not guilty by a jury of his peers then he is not guilty. Folks can not like it, have different opions, whatever, but IMO, it is important to respect the result of the legal process. That is how our society works. I would not want to live under a legal system where if enough people AKA a lynch mob think I deserve to be punished, then I get punished irrespective of what the legal process produced.


IMO, if he is found not guilty, get him in uniform. If he is found guilty, then he serves his sentence, after which, get him in uniform. The NFL is not the legal system, it is not their job to determine what the debt to society is for their personnel, that is why we have courts.

I think there is something to be said for that perspective. In my opinion the NFL goofed up the Personal Conduct Policy the moment they started getting involved in criminal cases before they were adjudicated. If they simply had an iron clad policy that they will respond when the legal proceedings are complete, I think they could defuse a lot of the public criticism and sponsor pressure. "Once there is a verdict we will react". But by dipping their toe into the waters of reacting before the legal process is complete, they've made themselves a huge target for public opinion, which does influence sponsorships. If they have any sense they will announce as their new policy going forward that they have established fixed punishment guidelines for various types of off field infractions, and those punishments will be doled out after legal proceedings are complete. Then NEVER WAIVER FROM IT. Sure, there will be some bell weather cases that will be challenging given the can of worms they have already opened, but after a few of those, things will calm down and they won't have this massive PR problem going forward.

BGM wrote:I understand and respect your positions. For me, though, I would need to see one more thing before I could cheer for AD again. I would want him to seek counseling and commit to changing his approach to disciplining his children. He admitted what he did, but has taken no responsibility for the fact that his actions cut and bruised his four year old child. While that may be considered a moral judgement on my part, I do not think it would be unreasonable. From a purely PR perspective, it would be the surest way to rehabilitate his character.

I think his current legal position makes it hard for him to come forward and say much of anything. I imagine his lawyer has told him to keep quiet.

To his credit, in his statement, he said that he's sorry ("I want everyone to understand how sorry I feel about the hurt I have brought to my child") and accepted at least some degree of responsibility for his actions ("I have to live with the fact that when I disciplined my son the way I was disciplined as a child, I caused an injury that I never intended or thought would happen").

He hasn't made a direct commitment to changing the way he disciplines his children but he did say,:

"I know that many people disagree with the way I disciplined my child. I also understand after meeting with a psychologist that there are other alternative ways of disciplining a child that may be more appropriate."

He's also expressed a desire to learn from his mistakes and become a better parent. I get the feeling he has said what he can say and is doing what he can do given his current situation.

I agree, Jim. But after the smoke clears, I would like to hear about him reinforcing his commitment. This one was a deep wound for me as a fan (which sounds a little self-centered, I admit), and it will take more than a prepared statement to change my opinion about cheering for AD.

BGM wrote:I agree, Jim. But after the smoke clears, I would like to hear about him reinforcing his commitment. This one was a deep wound for me as a fan (which sounds a little self-centered, I admit), and it will take more than a prepared statement to change my opinion about cheering for AD.

I feel exactly the same way. My point was really just that I think the prepared statement was probably all he could do (publicly) so far. I'm guessing if he's found not guilty, we'll get the reinforcement you're talking about. I certainly hope so.

I find the reference in his statement to meeting with a psychologist encouraging.

Report: Peterson relationship with Vikings is 'severed'

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/rep ... ar-BB8fetC

Thanks for the link. Clayton's stated expectations are certainly worthy of consideration. I doubt he's privy to any concrete information about the Vikes relationship with Peterson and their intentions that we wouldn't also be hearing reported from sources more closely associated with covering the team but that doesn't mean he's wrong about AD being released once the case is resolved.

Zimmer was just quoted saying:

“I wish the very best for Adrian because I believe in him as a person and I believe in him as a good guy,’’ Zimmer said. “I wish for the best for Adrian and we’ll worry about the rest when other more concrete news comes out.’’

My guess is IF Peterson's fate as a Viking has already been decided it's because they've concluded his cap hit won't be worth taking along with the PR hit they'd likely take from playing him again. However, it wouldn't surprise me if they were truly just in "wait and see" mode right now and haven't made a final decision.

Mothman wrote: My guess is IF Peterson's fate as a Viking has already been decided it's because they've concluded his cap hit won't be worth taking along with the PR hit they'd likely take from playing him again. However, it wouldn't surprise me if they were truly just in "wait and see" mode right now and haven't made a final decision.

I think they're waiting to see what public opinion will look like after the trial. My guess is he's too damaged at this point to be worth the salary they'll owe him. These are businessmen running a business and they'll make whatever decision will yield the most profit. With the bad PR and his contract, I'm guessing that won't include keeping Peterson.

I wonder what team he'll be on in 2015.

Cliff wrote: I think they're waiting to see what public opinion will look like after the trial. My guess is he's too damaged at this point to be worth the salary they'll owe him. These are businessmen running a business and they'll make whatever decision will yield the most profit. With the bad PR and his contract, I'm guessing that won't include keeping Peterson.

I agree with public opinion after the trial will have a bearing on his future in Minnesota. There's a lot of time between now and next season. While the story will be news whenever there are updates, I still think (depending on the outcome), a restructure could take place and steps can be taken to improve his image (public apology, counseling, etc.). I'm not convinced the Wilfs have written him off or he's finished in Purple.

Cliff wrote: I think they're waiting to see what public opinion will look like after the trial. My guess is he's too damaged at this point to be worth the salary they'll owe him. These are businessmen running a business and they'll make whatever decision will yield the most profit. With the bad PR and his contract, I'm guessing that won't include keeping Peterson.

I wonder what team he'll be on in 2015.

I totally agree. After all the, NFL is a business and the bottum line is for the owners to make money.
At the very most, AD will spend a minimum time in county jail (no way in a prison) and will most likely be playing in the league in 2015.