The Cowboy Rides Away: The Good In Adrian Peterson’s Comments
Almost a month ago, Vikings fans were reacting to comments Adrian Peterson made on how he felt about the Minnesota Vikings franchise. Here we are again, but with Adrian focusing in on another team, the Dallas Cowboys.
A month ago, Peterson told ESPN’s Ben Goessling that he was unsure about the franchise, but bought back in when head coach Mike Zimmer and offensive coordinator Norv Turner were brought in. An Outside the Lines report from Thursday says that Adrian Peterson was on the phone with Cowboys’ owner and GM Jerry Jones on June 7th.
In the call, Peterson expressed his willingness and desire to play for his hometown Cowboys. Jones said he’d love to see that happen. Vikings fans should be in the same boat.
Peterson is currently 29-years-old. Usually that means the downside of a running back’s career is coming and is coming fast. Sure, that’s for a typical run-of-the-mill running back and Adrian Peterson is not that, but it’s still something that needs to be considered.
The Vikings find themselves in a unique position. They don’t need to win. This isn’t labeled as a winning year by anyone. With a new coach and a new quarterback sometime this season or next, it’s a development year. They also have the talent level, it appears, that they could surprise us and have a solid season.
What needs to be considered is the future. Adrian Peterson will not be going anywhere in the 2014 season. Adrian Peterson is owed a lot of money if he stays on the Vikings roster. This is year four on a seven year deal that pays Peterson $100 million.
$100 million can buy you some wonderful pieces to put around Teddy Bridgewater, re-sign Cordarrelle Patterson and the to-do list goes on and on.
Adrian Peterson is widely loved by Vikings fans. He’s been the number one player with a bullet ever since a guy wearing the number four lay unconscious on the frozen turf of TCF Bank Stadium, but these comments will alienate a little of his luster.
When Kevin Love came to the Twin Cities it looked like he was all unicorns and rainbows, now look at the public’s opinion of the new Cleveland Cavalier across the state of Minnesota. You bring up his name, you might get something thrown at you, that is if you find one of the few people that still care about the Timberwolves.
Will Adrian Peterson ever get to that level of hatred? Probably not. Peterson won a MVP award, been to playoffs multiple times, he’s done some things in his tenure. The comments though will help what once could have been a PR disaster of trading or releasing Peterson, into an understandable business decision.
Peterson released a statement on Thursday saying that he would love to retire as a Viking. Don’t let the right words fool you. The heart wants what the wants.
Rick Speilman gets to make up for the Herschel Walker trade now. No pressure, Rick.