Adrian Peterson Suspension Overturned: What Does it Mean?
Jul 25, 2014; Mankato, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back
Adrian Peterson(28) runs through drills at training camp at Minnesota State University. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
The breaking news of the day is that Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has had the remainder of his suspension overturned and is again an active member of the team’s roster. From the Star Tribune’s Master Tesfatsion:
From Doty's decision on Adrian Peterson "The court finds no valid basis to distinguish this case from the [Ray] Rice matter." #Vikings
— Master (@MasterTes) February 26, 2015
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In other words, if the NFL cannot retroactively suspend Ray Rice under new rules that did not exist at the time of the player’s infraction, they should not be able to do so to any player, Peterson included. This has always made the most sense to me. When I pointed out the cowardice of Roger Goodell in September, I stated that Peterson should not be punished for the league’s lack of structure or sense in their own penal process. Rather, Peterson should have been punished by the league for the infraction he committed by the rules that were in place at the time the infraction occurred. Evidentally Judge David S. Doty felt the same way. I bring this up not to pat myself on the back or absolve Peterson from his wrongdoing but to highlight how ridiculous the league’s stance was to begin with.
So, now what? Well, the Vikings are now “on the clock” again with the Peterson situation. Peterson may have requested a trade and his agent Ben Dogra definitely got into a shouting match with Vikings executive Rob Brzezinski at the NFL Combine. In other words, it has been a three ring circus.
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That does not necessarily mean the Vikings have to trade him. The league year begins on March 10th and there’s little doubt the Vikings would like to settle the matter sooner rather than later so they can build the roster with or without him. Still, the Vikings have him under contract and have the means to pay him his salary and stay under the cap. Whether they have the desire to may be another issue but coach Mike Zimmer has gone on record saying he does not expect the team to spend huge money in free agency. That thought process would certainly jibe with an expectation of Peterson’s return.
There are obviously plenty of raw feelings to go around. In some ways it would be easier to trade him and move on. That might not be the best decision though. It is hard to believe he cannot still play at a high level. Assuming he can, he would be a massive weapon for Teddy Bridgewater and the rest of the offense. The other question is compensation. Is there a team out there willing to give the Vikings requisite value for a 30 year old running back coming off suspension, despite his legendary status? We simply don’t know yet.
Stay tuned to Sporting Sota as this story seems to have new twists and turns almost daily.
Update: The original reports out stated that Peterson was reinstated. While this ruling does overturn the suspension it technically puts him back on the “Exempt” list. It seems unlikely that the NFL would re-suspend him to only have it overturned again but who knows anymore. Ugh. Regardless, the title of this post has been updated to reflect the change in semantics.