Photo courtesy of vikings.com
The Adrian Peterson saga has officially come to an end.
Or is it just beginning?
The former Minnesota Vikings star has officially signed a two-year, $7 million contract (with an option on the second year) with the New Orleans Saints, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.
It’s a bit of an odd situation for Peterson, who joins a New Orleans offense that relies heavily on the arm of Drew Brees. Plus, new teammate Mark Ingram plays with a similar style to Peterson as a two-down and short-yardage back. Head coach Sean Payton may have a difficult time finding a role for Peterson.
Coincidentally (or maybe not so coincidentally), the Vikings are scheduled to host the Saints for a Monday Night showdown to open the 2017 season. Peterson will open the season at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Peterson was the face of the Vikings franchise for nearly a decade after he was selected seventh overall by Minnesota in the 2007 NFL Draft. As a Viking, he accumulated 11,747 rushing yards on 2,418 carries and scored 102 total touchdowns (five receiving).
He is a three-time rushing champion (2008, 2012, 2015) and was named NFL MVP in 2012, just one year to the day after he had surgery to reconstruct his shredded knee that included a torn ACL. The Vikings made the playoffs in 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2015
The Vikings made the playoffs in 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2015 largely because of Peterson’s dominance carrying the rock. Specifically in 2008 and 2012, Peterson carried offenses that had no business competing in the playoffs. His efficiency on the ground simply couldn’t be stopped, regardless of how many players the opposing defense lined up in the box.
The all-time leading rusher in franchise history has achieved countless milestones in Minnesota. But many fans will remember him not for his on-field success, but for his controversial off-field incidents, costly fumbles in the playoffs and his egotistical behavior.
When Peterson returns to an excruciatingly booming atmosphere at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sept. 11, both sides of the spectrum will clash on national television. Will Peterson be welcomed back to Minnesota with warm cheers and fond memories of his greatness? Or will the crowd see his downfalls first, and boos flood U.S. Bank Stadium?
Regardless, one of the best Minnesota Vikings to ever suit up has officially ended his career in purple and gold.
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this sucks, but it is what it is and we need to win that first game regardless of who's playing RB for NO. just hope AD doesn't have one of those 'older guy goes off' games. not predictable, but there's often a few of those remaining for older players and he's apparently still in great shape and will have something to prove against us on MNF opening week
The big question is will he have live game reps in the pre-season to actually get into game shape. Adrian has been a slow starter for several years now, something I have mostly attributed to him not playing in the pre-season (and that may have been more on the team than AD, not sure who has been making that call). Anyway, good luck to him, I really don't see how this was a great match for him or the Saints, but maybe with Bree's being long in the tooth and losing his biggest outside threat they are planning to have a more balanced attack this season. I hope we can shut him down in week one, but after that I hope he finds a little success and doesn't just go out with a thud like Emmit Smith did in Arizona. On the positive side, this signing got done before the date for compensation pick accrual passed, so if Adrian was an eligible player he will be counted towards the Vikings total.
Thought he wanted to go to a place where he could win a ring saints have not been good since they screwed us over with bounty gate and destroyed Favre I purpose and now the one team that screwed ad out of a super bowl is the one he signs with u think thats bs I supported as his whole career and even if he was leaving this year was hoping for the best for him not anymore hope he sucks and retired next year. See u week 1 tho. I'll be there