Adrian Peterson needs to stop talking to the media

[720pete]

I like AP a lot but every time this guy opens his mouth its like

First when he compared NFL players to modern day slaves, I shook it off and thought maybe he was just having a crummy day and was blowing off steam.

Now he's talking to the media about the "heavy hit" the organization would take if the Vikings cut him. (Imagine this in context - a stream of journalists ask you for public comment on the impact that your firing would have on the company you work for. That's not a question you answer). Now he is talking about how is the best player in the NFL and that the upcoming player rankings will be wrong if he is not rated #1.

I realize he's a future HOF player, but he needs to learn to show some class and discretion with what he says to the media. Sometimes when I read his quotes its like he's living in his own fantasy land where nothing else matters other than himself.

[Eli]

Or maybe he needs to stop reading the opinions of sports journalists. Sounds like he may even be reading vikingsmessageboard.com.

I thought Peterson had his head screwed on a little tighter than that. Sounds like he's starting to come apart. As far as showing some "class" goes, Peterson has always had a pretty big head.

[Just Me]

I like AP a lot but every time this guy opens his mouth its like

First when he compared NFL players to modern day slaves, I shook it off and thought maybe he was just having a crummy day and was blowing off steam.

Now he's talking to the media about the "heavy hit" the organization would take if the Vikings cut him. (Imagine this in context - a stream of journalists ask you for public comment on the impact that your firing would have on the company you work for. That's not a question you answer). Now he is talking about how is the best player in the NFL and that the upcoming player rankings will be wrong if he is not rated #1.

I realize he's a future HOF player, but he needs to learn to show some class and discretion with what he says to the media. Sometimes when I read his quotes its like he's living in his own fantasy land where nothing else matters other than himself.

This is a little misleading:

The most recent is the "heavy-hit" the organization would take if they cut him - the context isn't so much that Peterson believes the team can't perform well, it's that he believes there would be a 'backlash' from some fans. I don't think you can fault him for that opinion - it may be correct.

The other ("best player in the NFL" - is from 2011). Hmmm... MVP in 2012? Maybe Peterson is a little psychic? I don't agree with Adrian's 'self-assessment' and I admire those who are a little more humble but I find it hard to get upset about a quote that was made three years ago (which one could argue was 'backed-up' by winning the MVP the following year).

The slave comment (again old news) there's just no justifying.

[Mothman]

Oh, yeah, he's really "coming apart"...

As Tom Pelissero said in the report PFT is drawing from, Peterson's right, the team would probably take a heavy hit of criticism from their fans for cutting him.

Peterson made clear in our chat Wednesday he understands he might not. He also was quick – and correct – to point out the reaction fans may have if the Vikings move on from their biggest star, just as they have in recent years with the likes of Percy Harvin and Jared Allen.

Peterson doesn't sound like he's "coming apart" at all. He sounds perfectly reasonable. For example;

“You couldn’t have told me that at least two or three of those guys wouldn’t still be here,” Peterson said. “It just goes to show how the business is. Ultimately, the organization is going to do what they feel is best for their team.

“If that’s going younger or trying to save money, that’s what it boils down to, no matter what type of talent you are. It’s really the unfortunate part of the business, but I’m blessed to still be around, and hopefully, it doesn’t happen to me one day. If it does, then, oh well. I’ll go on and do something different with my career.”

That's the perspective of a player that has perspective, not a player who's losing it. That's further illustrated by comments like this, from Pelissero's chat with Peterson:

Q: You're not 30 years old until March, but that's a young locker room in there. Do you feel like the old guy?

A: I do. It's like me, B-Rob (Brian Robison), Chad (Greenway). There's a couple other guys that's been around here. But we definitely have a lot of new faces in the locker room and a younger team than we had. I was thinking yesterday, like, 'Man, I'm probably one of the oldest guys in this locker room.' It just goes so fast, man. It's a lot to take in, but I just try to live in the moment and enjoy it.

If you read the entire interview, Peterson comes off very well but hey, there's always someone eager to overreact, criticize or pull a quote or comment out of context and hype it into headlines...

[Eli]

Why is Peterson saying anything at all? Have there been rumors that Spielman is getting ready to do something drastic? There's been a lot of speculation in the press that eventually the Vikings will wise up and decide that no running back is worth the amount of money that Peterson is being paid. But I've yet to hear anyone say there's anything in the works just yet.

Maybe Peterson is just reading the writing on the wall. Either way, it's looking like he's starting to think about this way too much.

[jackal]

Maybe its okay to talk but be a little more careful in your words.. This would seem prudent

[S197]

If you read the entire interview, Peterson comes off very well but hey, there's always someone eager to overreact, criticize or pull a quote or comment out of context and hype it into headlines...

Especially in the offseason. I guess when there's only minicamps to talk about, the only way to drum up articles is by asking loaded questions. We see these types of "who's the best" articles every year. Years ago it was Chris Johnson and AD, recently it was McCoy. I mean, honestly, how does one answer a question like, "do you think you're the best in the NFL?"

"Well, actually, no. You see, I'm rather old now and highly overpaid. That McCoy kid though, yeah he's probably a heck of a lot better than me."

These guys are paid to be competitors and all of a sudden people are shocked when they reveal their competitive mindset....

[Eli]

These guys are paid to be competitors and all of a sudden people are shocked when they reveal their competitive mindset....

Or when the seemingly fearless reveal their deepest fears.

[Mothman]

Why is Peterson saying anything at all? Have there been rumors that Spielman is getting ready to do something drastic? There's been a lot of speculation in the press that eventually the Vikings will wise up and decide that no running back is worth the amount of money that Peterson is being paid. But I've yet to hear anyone say there's anything in the works just yet.

Maybe Peterson is just reading the writing on the wall. Either way, it's looking like he's starting to think about this way too much.

As if a few comments to the media could possibly convey that...

Forget the pop psychology. He's repeatedly being asked about it because the media is focused on his age and his contract and looking for offseason reports that will generate website hits. His age, contract and future with the Vikings have been in and out of the news all offseason. He's likely aware of that and he understands the nature of the business so I'm sure he's also aware that at some point, his contract may become an issue. Answering questions about it when he's asked doesn't mean he's walking around overly focused or concerned about it.

Or when the seemingly fearless reveal their deepest fears.

Now you've shifted into overdrive... you should be working for Mike Florio.

[Demi]

Or maybe he needs to stop reading the opinions of sports journalists. Sounds like he may even be reading vikingsmessageboard.com.

I thought Peterson had his head screwed on a little tighter than that. Sounds like he's starting to come apart. As far as showing some "class" goes, Peterson has always had a pretty big head.

He's also not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

And don't forget

"You know, I'd be a liar if I said it's something that hasn't crossed my mind before," Peterson said on ESPN's SVP and Russillo. "But I've also said to myself it would be so amazing to be one of those players who stays with one team his entire career, it would be good if I could do that. But being from Texas, I've always wondered, wow, it would be cool to play in Dallas, to play back home. Or to play in Houston."

[Laserman]

I think his ego is a bit out of Whack

[Just Me]

Quick Correction: the OP had an incorrect link (from 2011) for AD claiming he's the best player. (I saw it was a 2011 article and dismissed it as "old news") Upon trying to find where he actually said that, I found it was made just a few days ago (Actual article is here.)

"I feel I'm the best," he said, according to the Pioneer Press, adding that he knows others -- namely fans and other players who are voting in NFL Network's Top 100 players -- feel differently.

"Peyton (Manning) will be 1, of course," he said. "The MVP will be 1."

So, I don't know what question was asked that prompted him to respond, but I still think this is a "non-story".

The headline might as well read:

THIS JUST IN! Future Hall of Fame running back thinks he's good! (Film at 11). He's a former MVP. To my knowledge, he's never blown up at the Chargers defense and told them if they don't stack 8 men in the box, that's what they're going to get!"

[Mothman]

So, I don't know what question was asked that prompted him to respond, but I still think this is a "non-story".

... and you're right, it is a non-story.

The article you linked to points to this PP article as the source:

http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_25 ... est-player

The headline might as well read:

THIS JUST IN! Future Hall of Fame running back thinks he's good! (Film at 11). He's a former MVP. To my knowledge, he's never blown up at the Chargers defense and told them if they don't stack 8 men in the box, that's what they're going to get!"

LOL!

[The Breeze]

My concern about his comments is that it kinda sounds like it might be difficult to get him to take a pay cut when the time comes.

Even if he is still the best RB in the league in two years his contract may be a cap hindrance.

His willingness to restructure will probably be tied to how the team is performing.

[Mothman]

My concern about his comments is that it kinda sounds like it might be difficult to get him to take a pay cut when the time comes.

Even if he is still the best RB in the league in two years his contract may be a cap hindrance.

His willingness to restructure will probably be tied to how the team is performing.

That and what the market looks like.

It's a problem for the future and it can't be solved until then so all the offseason focus on it this year really feels like "click farming" to me.