Image courtesy of Vikings.com
According to a report by the USA Today’s Tom Pelissero, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson flew to New York on Monday, where he met with owners Zygi and Mark Wilf and general manager Rick Spielman.
From Arif’s live blog regarding Tom Pelissero’s appearance on ESPN1500 radio:
[quote_box_center]”He [Pelissero] told Darren Wolfson that he has had conversations with people on the Vikings who would know and has walked away from some conversations confident that Adrian Peterson was going to be traded and other conversations where he was sure Peterson was going to stay. Yesterday, he had a conversation who was sold that Peterson was going to be traded to the Cardinals.”[/quote_box_center]
The meeting appears to be a continuation of ongoing discussions with the star running back — last week, head coach Mike Zimmer and Spielman traveled to Houston and discussed Peterson’s future at his Texas home.
The free agency deadline approaches, and the Vikings front office is doing all it can to either retain Peterson or find a willing trade partner. As Arif reported, the Vikings are working hard to “dump” Peterson, who has expressed interest in five teams — the Cowboys, Chargers, Colts, Cardinals, and Buccaneers.
In a curious turn of events, Peterson took a commercial flight from Houston to LaGuardia Airport on Monday — many believed the Wilfs would have sent their private jet for Peterson’s trip. More on that tidbit from the Pelissero interview:
[quote_box_center]”Adrian Peterson is conflicted about playing with the Vikings, but his wife and agent will play a role in determining things—like whether he chooses to play for the team. Further, Wolfson said after the interview that Peterson’s camp is confused as to why the Wilfs didn’t send their personal jet for the meeting”[/quote_box_center]
The situation is nearing critical mass, and we expect a resolution soon. Check back shortly for updates and continue monitoring Arif’s Free Agency Live Blog for all breaking news.
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Sounds like the Wilfs don't want AD around no mo' dissin' him left and right. And it's not as if the Wilfs are moral paragons either with their dodgy financial shenanigans.
Ma patron non vide plus moi voulans ... sounds like a cajun Zydeco song.
"Mon patron", excuse' moi.
So what so what, so whatcha whatcha want?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru3gH27Fn6E
Did they pay for his ticket? Was it coach or first class? I wonder if it included an in flight meal? So many questions.
Here's is how I think the conversation went down...
AD: How are you gonna make me happy? Trade? More money?
Wilf's: No commodity, that's not how this works. WE own YOUR rights. If you would have kept quiet and allowed us to trade you without all the statements then we would have gotten enough value to trade you. That didn't happen. We would rather have you sit than trade you for a 5th rounder. So either play for your current contract or sit. Your choice. I have to take this phone call. Take care.
Probably right, and exactly as it should be.
Peterson has completely changed from his rookie season. He was a modest, polite guy who just wanted a chance to play in the NFL. Now, he is an egomaniac, thinking that he has a right to select the head coach, the Vikings COO, and force a trade because the Vikings didn't take out a full page ad in the Star Tribune defending his right to beat his kid whenever he wanted to.
Peterson is a gaping wound on the reputation on the franchise. I just wish he would shut his mouth long enough for the Vikings to dump him on some unwitting trade partner.
"whenever he wanted to ..."
Please submit links to support your premise that he has done this *ad libitum* or even mor ethan once.
Thanks in advance.
"As Arif reported, the Vikings are working hard to “dump” Peterson" I'm not sure that is accurate. It is a possibility they will trade him but they wouldn't be sending high ranking team officials to visit twice if they were trying to dump him. It should read "as Arif guessed the vikings are working hard to dump him".
Peterson (and his wife, agent, father ad nauseum) can keep believing his has leverage but the fact is that the Vikings own his helmet and everything underneath it. I'm a decades-long Vikings fan but I've had it with Adrian. He can play, sit or retire and I don't particularly care which option he chooses.
The only reason to keep this player is to sell seats for the new stadium. He will never be part of a Super Bowl run with the Purple and Gold.
Good riddance.
"the Vikings own his helmet and everything underneath it.", so you are saying that, possibly except for the pay involved, this really is modern day slavery.
Which BTW, really is more applicable to college football, but anyway.