Categories: 3.2 Rumors
| On 9 years ago

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pursuing Adrian Peterson, Per BucsBlitz

By Arif Hasan

Scout.com’s Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s affiliate, Bucs Blitz, reports that the Buccaneers are pursuing Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, hoping to trade for him:

Various outlets have reported how the Buccaneers are on a list of teams Minnesota Vikings‘ running back Adrian Peterson wouldn’t mind playing for. On Wednesday evening, BucsBlitz.com has learned that Tampa Bay is interested in trading for him.

According to a league source close to the situation, the Bucs have had internal discussions of trading for Peterson. Whether the pursuit for the veteran tailback has already occurred or will occur, no clear answer was given. Instead, I was told there are “aggressive” plans in place.

For what it’s worth, Charles Robinson at Yahoo! Sports is not as easily convinced, though his sources and BucsBlitz’s report may not actually disagree:

Robinson may be speaking to the fact that the Buccaneers haven’t contacted the Vikings yet, which Gil Arcia, author of the BucsBlitz article, hasn’t claimed has happened—merely that they have an interest in giving up serious assets.

The Buccaneers were on Peterson’s list of teams he would be willing to restructure for, along with the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts (now presumably out of the running after signing Frank Gore).

I posited that the restructuring may mean a contract with a cap hit a little more than Marshawn Lynch’s though proper market valuation would be closer to $10.5 million.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold the first, 34th and 65th picks in the NFL draft, as well as the 10th pick in the 4th round, the 26th and 32nd pick in the 5th round, the eighth pick in the 6th round and the first pick in the 7th round. An optimistic trade may land the Vikings the 34th pick, though more likely a package involving a number of the mid-round picks and future picks may end up being more palatable to the Buccaneers who hold the most capital in the draft.

What “aggressive” means is up for interpretation. The Buccaneers currently have first-round pick Doug Martin, as well as third-round pick Charles Sims on the roster at running back. They also have Bobby Rainey and Mike James. Don’t be surprised if Martin, who had a phenomenal rookie year, is involved in a trade package as well.

Other trade assets for the Bucs include wide receivers Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, guard Logan Mankins and cornerback Alterraun Verner. Most likely, the Vikings are not interested in Jackson, Mankins or Verner despite all three filling positions of need.

This would give Adrian Peterson the opportunity to reunite with former head coach Leslie Frazier.

Arif Hasan

View Comments

  • This is definitely interesting. Sounds like there's a lot of options in a deal with them. As always, you laid everything out for us masterfully. SKOL

  • I would rather have Smith and Rhodes take his salary. Any draft pick and I would be happy to see him go. I'll keep checking in to VT for the latest.

  • The 34 pack the second round and 1 of the 3rd rounders. And doug martin and possibly there ss who there considering cutting anyways

  • I definitely would not be opposed to just taking as many pics as they want to give us I just don't want to receive nothing for who was the face of our franchise due to his actions not the local Minnesota media actions and just so you all know I live in Florida and it was on our local news as well
    #truth

  • Ummm, this "report" has no basis. I could write this fiction myself. How about talking about facts about the vikings instead of trying to be the first person to break a story that isn't even there.

    • I talked to a lot of reporters who have connections with the Bucs before posting this. They trust him; he's broken stories before.

  • Tampa being interested is the best news we could get. This is one of very few teams the Vikings can likely play a little hard ball with if they want AD. Hold out for that 2nd round pick and some mid rounders and get a conditional pick next year as well. The more suitors the better, Dallas and Arizona competing with each other would also be good, but Tampa will likely offer more total picks. As much as I want to see a first round pick, getting a high 2 with multiple mid rounders would provide a lot of flexibility. The McCoy Alonzo trade could set up a comparable Peterson David deal...I would still want late rounders thrown in.

    • You have presented a well thought out opinion about trading Peterson. The Peterson fanboys who sleep in their #28 jerseys will hate on you endlessly. :-)

      • No...see Mike, Dan T knows how to say his point of view without being an asshole. See how that works?

        • All I see is a reply from someone who is a bit self conscious about sleeping in his #28 jersey.That's your problem, not mine.

          • I got 2 jerseys...both retired and in the HOF.
            Point is that Dan doesn't need to disrespect people that have a different opinion than him when he comments. You, for some reason, do.

  • You ducking idiots are in dream land maybe a mid rounder that all. His trade value is not high he doesn't want to be here. We will NOT get Evans or David maybe maybe and 2nd or 3rd and 5th that's it. If you think we will get more wake the fuck up Dan T you are ducking dumb.