Photo courtesy of Vikings.com
Things continue to worsen between the Vikings organization and Adrian Peterson. Jason LaConfora, CBS Sports NFL Insider, reported early this afternoon that Peterson’s agent, Ben Dogra, was seen in a heated verbal exchange with Vikings Vice President of Football Operations, Rob Brzezinski, and the two physically “had to be separated” at the NFL Combine in Downtown Indianapolis. According to LaConfora’s sources, Dogra made it clear during the argument that “Peterson would never play there again.”
LaConfora also included information from a person reportedly close with Peterson:
“He will never play another game for the Vikings. It’s over.”
This news comes just days after ESPN shared an interview with Adrian Peterson in which the star running back described his uneasiness about returning to the Vikings.
[pull_quote_center]I’m still uneasy, to be honest with you. I’m still uneasy about a lot of things that took place within the organization. Of course those guys ultimately supported me, and I’m grateful for that. But ultimately, with me being able to be on the inside and see how cards were dealt, how things were worded, this, that and the other, it’s about protecting your brand, your organization, what you have built. In the (grand) scheme of things, not one person counts over that. I get that.[/pull_quote_center]
Recently, the Vikings front office has worked hard to make Peterson feel like he is wanted back within the organization. But if these reports regarding the exchange in Indianapolis between Peterson’s agent and the Vikings are true, the relationship between the Vikings organization and its once star player may be at its end.
We will continue to update Vikings Territory with any additional information obtained.
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If true, not good. At least as far as Peterson's trade value on the open market is concerned. Discord between the player and the team, whether perceived or real, would seem to lessen the Vikings' leverage in trade discussions. That is, if unloading him is the goal.
On the subject of Ben Dogra, I already have a low opinion of him. F*ck him, and as postscript to that: f*ck Bryant McKinnie too.
On the subject of Adrian Peterson, he and his paid representative are not doing so good a job of managing their own image and I'm not liking him so much. I don't see any language coming from Peterson accepting his responsibility for his own actions and predicament, much less the financial injury he has caused the Minnesota Vikings. Somehow he's being victimized. From my view the Vikings have been quite decent to him, given that there must be some sort of behavioral clauses in his contract.
These public high-jinx by his camp seem purposeful in forcing a trade and suggest that they are colluding with the Cowboys to pollute existing or anticipated negotiations.
So f*ck Jerry Jones too.
Lastly, it frosts me that Kevin Warren has attracted some bad-guy veener after having said nothing publicly against Peterson. Peterson's affable ignorance somehow outranks Warren's accomplishments as one of the NFL's few black executives, and a man who does work for children's charities without a Nike endorsement attached to it. So f*ck that too.
And f*ck Roger Goodell. I'm not sure why other than he's definitely one of the things I'm disliking about the NFL, so just f*ck him.
So let me get this straight: f**k e'rybody!
I was on board with what you said, until you got to Goodell. Goodell did a pretty good job of digging the NFL out of the mess created by Adrian Peterson.
By the way, you missed the most important thing that you could say: f*ck Adrian Peterson.
Goodell is a liar. Not fit to be a leader of any kind.
Trade him to the crappiest team they can find. He wants to play for Dallas so that's the last place I trade him. He brought this whole thing on all by himself. Nobody in the media or Minnesota put that switch in his hand and made him use it harshly. I was behind him up till now so AD you can go pound sand in Cleveland
Cleveland certainly has more/better draft picks to choose from from than Dallas... that part is for sure.
That's what I'm thinking Adam. The crappier the team the better the draft picks. I think there's a team out there that will over pay for his services. Remember we have Slick Rick in the captains chair.
Trade him to San Diego. He will need to restructure his contract. The Vikings may need to subsidize some of the restructuring. Minnesota gets a 1st round pick #17. The Chargers have a good defense, a good QB and need a RB like Peterson. May need a little offensive line help. Minnesota would get a good pick to build on and SD would get a piece to make them a contender. Win win
GoesslingESPN Ben Goessling
For what it's worth, source said Brzezinski and Dogra were seen talking cordially on Saturday.
Couldnt agree more. Until you hear AP come out and say I want to be traded there is no reason for people to be so outraged.
I think some of this is made up. Media sucks.
trade him to the cowbooooo.....mooooo like a cow.. for their 1st pik or for Dez Bryant.. or even a 3rd rd.
But Dez Bryant would be great ! cause he's only 26 not 30....APPPP......Make Jones think hard....... should i .....ke e p Dez Bryant or ta a aa ke P P PP PETERSON...
Adam Warwas that would be great trading AP to Cleveland for # 19.. And if Jones wants AP so much.. Lets make him give up their 1st pik and along with one of 5th or 6th. even 7th for AP. Look what Indianapolis give up for Trent Richardson... AP is way better than Richardson.......
Darrelle Revis to the Buccaneers cost them a first- and fourth-round pick (and at the time, more likely a third-round pick) after he was recovering from an ACL surgery at the age of 28 = Spielman will think of something..
The Vikings don't need to do anything,they have the leverage of a signed and current contract. Peterson has missed an entire season,as well as tarnished his reputation.Not to mention the fact that he is nearing 30,the dreaded age for a running back.So if the Vikings refuse to trade him then there are few options open to Peterson.
I guess he could retire,or he could threaten to sit out the season,but I don't see that as a smart move.Peterson and his agent need to STFU and talk this through with the Vikings in a mature adult way.And stay out of the media!
Eh. We definitely all had the standard knee-jerk reaction to this, but I'm curious if it's not yet another thing being overblown thanks to us all having a simple desire to just know what's going to happen. It's almost like a cliff hanger in your favorite TV show; you're dying to know how it's resolved, so you start really racking your brain trying to figure it out. And then try to find spoilers.
Thing is, as was mentioned, Brzy (seriously that's all I will call him from here on out) and Dogra were chatting amicably the next day, and furthermore Dogra apparently had confrontations with other executives from other teams. I'm wondering if maybe he wasn't just having a REALLY bad day, heck maybe was even a little lubed, started saying things he shouldn't (like 'my client will never play for you again!'). This is a guy who got booted out of his own company- he may be a good agent, but not necessarily the most controlled guy out there.
Who knows? I'm just going to do the same with this as I have- and will continue to do- regarding all AP news, and take it with a whole quarry of salt.