Adrian Peterson - Pro Football Rumors

NFC North Notes: Packers, Tillman, Peterson

January 31st, 2015 at 8:59am CST by Ben Levine

Ron Wolf‘s biggest transaction during his tenure as Packers general manager was his acquisition of Brett Favre. Wolf sent a first-round pick to the Falcons to acquire the young quarterback, but that move may have never happened had former Jets GM Dick Steinberg had his way.

ESPNNewYork.com’s Rich Cimini spoke to Wolf following his nomination for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The 76-year-old reflected on his first employment with the Jets, when he was a member of the front office. The organization fell in love with Favre, and when the Southern Mississippi quarterback fell to the second round, the team made a deal with the Cardinals to move up two spots.

“Dick thought he had a deal with Arizona,” Wolf said. “Fortunately for me and unfortunately for the Jets, when he called Arizona to finish the deal, they backed out because a player they wanted was still there.”

Of course, the rest is history. The Falcons selected Favre as the 33rd pick in the draft (the Jets selected Louisville quarterback Browning Nagle with the next pick), and the young player was traded to Green Bay a season later.

Let’s take a look at some more notes from the NFC North…

The Packers announced the firing of special teams coach Shawn Slocum yesterday, and Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin.com says that the move wasn’t a surprise. Had the team overcome their two key special teams mistakes (the fake fake field goal and the botched onside kick) and made it to the Super Bowl, Wilde surmises that Slocum would have kept his job. However, the loss cemented the coach’s fate.
Bears cornerback Charles Tillman made an appearance on ESPN Radio’s “SVP & Russillo” on Thursday, and the impending free agent told the hosts that he’d like to stay in Chicago. “Oh yeah, most definitely,” Tillman said (via ESPN.com’s Michael C. Wright). “I would love to be back in Chicago. But that’s not up to me. That’s up to the new GM. His name is Ryan Pace. So that’s up to him and coach [John] Fox.”
Bears tight end Martellus Bennett believes his former coach, Marc Trestman, is better suited to be an offensive coordinator. “Trestman, I think the issue that he had probably was managing us all, all the different personalities,” Bennett said (via Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun). “There’s a lot of big personalities. And I think, for a first-time head coach in the NFL, dealing with all the personalities that you have, I think that’s hard when you got guys like me, you know, [Brandon] Marshall, Lance Briggs on defense, Tillman.”
Count Greg Jennings among those in the Vikings locker room who hope running back Adrian Peterson will stick around in 2015. The wideout discussed the subject on SiriusXM NFL Radio (via Ben Goessling of ESPN.com): “I don’t know if he’ll be back. I can’t answer that question. But what I do know is that if he does come back, he’d be accepted with open arms. As an organization from the Wilfs on down, we all want him back. So, I mean, it’s a touchy subject and he’s been the franchise player – face of that team – for eight years. So it will be a loss, a huge loss, if we can’t get him back, and that’s the nature of this business.”

Schefter, Caplan On Suh, Bucs, Peterson, QBs

January 29th, 2015 at 12:04pm CST by Luke Adams

While most reporters continue to focus on the Super Bowl, which is now just three days away, NFL insiders Adam Schefter and Adam Caplan turn their attention to the offseason in a pair of stories for ESPN.com today, providing a handful of interesting tidbits about coaches, free agency, and the draft. Let’s dive in and round up the highlights from Schefter and Caplan….

Many of Schefter’s sources around the league don’t expect the Lions to assign the franchise tag to Ndamukong Suh, since the price ($26.87MM) would simply be too high for one player. Per Schefter, those who know Suh think that the idea of playing in a big market like New York, Chicago, or Dallas has always appealed to him. The Jets, Giants, Bears, and Cowboys could all certainly use a player like Suh, though you could say that about nearly every team in the NFL.
There’s a “real sense” that the Buccaneers have their sights set on Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota as the No. 1 pick in April, says Schefter, though he cautions that many NFL execs and scouts consider Jameis Winston the best QB prospect in the draft. We still have three months until draft night, so plenty can – and will – change in between now and then.
While the Vikings seem comfortable with the idea of bringing back Adrian Peterson, the veteran running back may not want to return to Minnesota. According to Schefter, at least six teams have already done background work on Peterson to prepare for the possibility that he becomes available.
Multiple executives told Caplan at the Senior Bowl that Washington‘s Kirk Cousins and Mike Glennon of the Buccaneers are viable trade candidates, especially for teams looking for stopgap starters for the 2015 season. One NFC team exec said he thought both Cousins and Glennon would be worth a fourth- or fifth-round pick in a trade.
Although former Bills defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is coming off a successful season in Buffalo, he’s no lock to coach anywhere in 2015, says Caplan. We’ve heard all along that Schwartz will be patient when it comes to picking his next job, and Caplan notes that there’s still $6MM left on his deal with the Bills, which gives him the flexibility to take his time.
Caplan identifies six free-agents-to-be who may fly under the radar this offseason but could really help a team, including running back Roy Helu, linebacker Dan Skuta, and safety Jeron Johnson.

Extra Points: Peterson, Kiffin, Draft, Jets

January 16th, 2015 at 10:28pm CST by Dallas Robinson

In a 35-page document filed Friday, the NFL asked a federal court to throw out the NFLPA’s petition to have Vikings running back Adrian Peterson‘s suspension overturned, writes Dave Campbell of the Associated Press. Citing labor law, the league argues that there is no reason to “re-litigate all of the decisions” made by arbitrator Harold Henderson on December 12. The trial is scheduled for February 6, while Peterson is currently suspended through at least April 15. Let’s look at some more notes from around the NFL…

We heard earlier today that Mike Shanahan could be “in play” for the 49ers offensive coordinator job, and now another interesting candidate has emerged. A league source tells Cam Inman of the Mercury News that Lane Kiffin could be interested in returning to the NFL, and posits San Francisco as a possible destination. Kiffin, the OC at Alabama, was the Raiders head coach from 2007-08.
86 underclassmen have declared for this year’s draft, a 20% decrease from 2014, tweets Troy Vincent, the NFL’s executive director of football operations. Those declaring have until Monday to withdrawal and reclaim their eligibility.
Following the news that Jets director of college scouting (and former GM) Terry Bradway was fired, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com looks back the executives many missteps during his time leading Gang Green. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News takes a different tack (Twitter links), noting that Bradway heavily pushed to draft Darrelle Revis, and wanted to select Russell Wilson.
USA Today examines how each of the four remaining playoff teams were built, noting that each club contains forward-thinking personnel men, strong drafting decisions, and top-notch quarterbacks.

Extra Points: Peterson, Broncos, Fox, Tryouts

January 14th, 2015 at 10:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman made it clear earlier today that he wants Adrian Peterson on his squad next season, writes Mark Craig of the Star Tribune.

“I don’t know if there’s a team in the NFL that wouldn’t want Adrian Peterson on the football team. If you can name me one. And I don’t want to speak for other teams. I’m being a little sarcastic with that. But I know he’s a pretty good football player.”

However, as the writer points out, Spielman did not specify what would happen to the star running back when he’s eligible to be reinstated in April…

“I’ve known Adrian his whole career and what type of person Adrian is. But I also know that we have to follow everything that’s put in place for us. Is there a resolution? Not right now. All I know is where we stand today. Does that change? I’m sure it’s going to change. Until those things change and get resolved, right now, we have Adrian Peterson, who is under contract for next year, who is currently suspended by the NFL. That’s pretty much all I can go into right now.”

Let’s take a look at some assorted notes as we wrap up this Wednesday evening…

Gary Kubiak is the wrong choice if Broncos GM John Elway wants a strong coach, writes Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports believes if John Fox gets the head coaching job with the Bears, he’d bring along Dennis Allen and Kyle Shanahan as his coordinators (Twitter link).
CFL defensive back Delvin Breaux worked out for the Buccaneers and Jaguars this week, according to Howard Balzer of USA Today (via Twitter). Breaux has been a popular name in NFL circles and seems to have drawn some degree of interest from more than half the league.
Duron Carter met with the Panthers on Wednesday and will visit with the Browns on Thursday, according to Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
Following his workout with the Giants last week, outside linebacker Phillip Hunt worked out for the Titans recently, tweets ESPN’s Adam Caplan.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

North Notes: AP, Jennings, Steelers, Shanahan

January 7th, 2015 at 4:54pm CST by Luke Adams

If Adrian Peterson feels as if he needs a fresh start away from the Vikings next season, head coach Mike Zimmer would respect that decision, he said today in an appearance on Pro Football Talk Live.

“I would respect Adrian’s decision,” Zimmer said. “I’ll always be honest with him and up front but I’m gonna try to explain to him the reasons why I would like to him to be here. But it has to be a two way street and he has to get his life taken care of — but we’ll sit down and talk, but I’m a pretty good recruiter, too.”

Of course, Peterson remains under contract in Minnesota, so it’s not as if he’ll simply have the opportunity to sign elsewhere right away when he’s reinstated from his suspension. But it’s unlikely that the Vikings will want to keep the star running back at his current 2015 cap number ($15.4MM), so Peterson will have leverage to reach the open market if he declines to take a pay cut.

Here are some more Wednesday links from out of the NFL’s two North divisions:

Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was arrested today in Georgia on charges of speeding, DUI, and reckless driving, according to a report by Jeff Dickerson and Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. Jennings could face disciplinary measures from the league or from the Bears, who released a statement indicating they’re in information-gathering mode.
Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review examines what a new contract for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger might look like, concluding that something in the range of five years and $100MM would make sense.
Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor is open to playing one more year in Pittsburgh if the team wants to bring him back, and hopes to remain with the organization after ending his playing career, as Kaboly details. “I can be in the office. I can be at the bottom and work my way up. I can be an assistant,” Taylor said. “I don’t mind working my way from the bottom up.”
If Kyle Shanahan decides to leave his offensive coordinator position with the Browns this offseason, he prefers to try to establish his own identity as a coach rather than necessarily teaming up again with his father, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN.com.
The Lions announced 12 reserve/futures signings yesterday, but rugby star Jarryd Hayne wasn’t among them. The team still intends to finalize a contract with Hayne once a work visa issue is cleared up, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

NFC North Notes: Bears, Gaine, AP, Lions

January 6th, 2015 at 3:12pm CST by Luke Adams

As the last NFC North team left standing prepares to host its divisional playoff game this Sunday, let’s round up a few items on the Packers‘ division rivals….

A scouting director who has worked directly with Chiefs director of player personnel Chris Ballard thinks Ballard should be “a lock” as the Bears‘ next general manager, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. That same source believes that if Ballard lands the Chicago job, he could look at ex-Bears special teams coordinator Dave Toub as a head coaching candidate.
While Ballard may be the favorite for the Bears‘ job, multiple sources tell Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link) that Texans executive Brian Gaine is interviewing for the position today. A league source suggests to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter link) that Gaine may be consultant Ernie Accorsi‘s top recommendation for the team.
The first court date in Adrian Peterson‘s legal case challenging his suspension will be February 6, says Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The Vikings running back and the NFLPA will likely push to get resolution in time for the start of March’s free agent period, to allow Peterson the opportunity to reach the market along with everyone else, if Minnesota decides to cut him.
Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said on Monday that he has yet to decide whether to make changes to his coaching staff, and strongly defended the work of offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. Kyle Meinke of MLive.com has the details and the quotes from Caldwell.

NFC Notes: Garrett, AP, Suh, Brees, Bucs

December 30th, 2014 at 1:49pm CST by Luke Adams

Cowboys decision-makers Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones have publicly lauded head coach Jason Garrett for his work this season in Dallas, suggesting that his job is safe, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk says there’s “a school of thought in some league circles” that if the Cowboys get upset this weekend by the Lions, the team may not re-sign Garrett this offseason. In my opinion, leading this Cowboys team to a 12-win season will likely be enough to earn Garrett a new deal, but it’s a situation worth monitoring.

Here’s more from around the NFC:

As the Vikings wait for Adrian Peterson to potentially be reinstated in 2015, head coach Mike Zimmer said today that he’ll be “in [Peterson’s] corner” if he returns to the Vikings next season, per Ben Goessling of ESPN.com. “Adrian was always great with me,” Zimmer said. “I think he’s a good person. I think obviously he’s a great running back and if it works out that way and things work out and he gets his life in order – that’s the most important thing, he gets his life in order, he gets the opportunity to come back – then I will be in his corner whatever the decision is made.”
Ndamukong Suh‘s latest “misstep” complicates his pending free agency, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, who says the ramifications of the defensive tackle’s one-game suspension could make the Lions think long and hard about whether to sign Suh to a lucrative new multiyear pact.
Working out a contract extension similar to the one signed by Tom Brady with the Patriots in 2013 would be a win-win situation for Drew Brees and the Saints, writes Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. Brees still has two years left on his current deal, but tacking on a few extra years could give him some additional security and create some cap flexibility for New Orleans.
The Buccaneers spent big in free agency last offseason and it certainly didn’t translate to regular-season success. However, as Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune details, that doesn’t mean the Bucs will shy away from free agency in 2015.
Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com takes an early look at the Buccaneers‘ offseason, including the team’s projected cap space and the prospective free agents that should be let go or retained.

NFC North Notes: Peterson, Lions, Hayne

December 15th, 2014 at 4:53pm CST by Luke Adams

The NFLPA formally filed its lawsuit on behalf of Adrian Peterson today, in the hopes of getting the Vikings running back reinstated from his suspension prior to the start of the 2015 league year in March. We’ve got plenty of Peterson-related updates to pass along in this afternoon’s round-up of NFC North notes, along with one item on the division-rival Lions. Let’s dive in….

As Jason Cole of Bleacher Report explains, Peterson’s camp wants the running back reinstated by March so that if the Vikings decide to cut him, he can be involved in the first wave of free agency — if he’s reinstated in April or later, Peterson’s leverage would be significantly reduced in the event that Minnesota approaches him about a pay cut.
The NFLPA’s lawsuit crafted on Peterson’s behalf is “a masterpiece,” according to ESPN.com legal analyst Lester Munson. However, as Munson points out, judges almost never overturn the decisions of arbitrators, so the suit is unlikely to change anything for the running back.
According to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports, the NFLPA attempted to reach a compromise with the NFL before Henderson issued his ruling — the NFLPA proposed that Peterson would sit out the rest of the season, but would recoup some of the $4MM+ in salary he has lost, and would be reinstated well before April 15. Needless to say, the league didn’t agree to those terms.
After paying a visit to the Lions last week, rugby star Jarryd Hayne is in town again today, and the team has expressed interest in signing him, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Agent Jack Bechta tells Birkett that “no decision is imminent, as we have to explore all options,” but it sounds as if Detroit could have interest in signing Hayne to the same sort of deal Carlin Isles signed a year ago — Isles, another rugby standout, joined the Lions’ practice squad in December, giving the team first shot at him for a reserve/futures contract at season’s end.

NFLPA Files Lawsuit On Behalf Of Peterson

December 15th, 2014 at 9:25am CST by Luke Adams

9:25am: The NFLPA has publicly posted its 75-page petition on behalf of Peterson, in PDF form.

8:48am: The NFL Players Association has formally filed a lawsuit challenging arbitrator Harold Henderson‘s ruling on Adrian Peterson‘s suspension in the U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, reports Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The suit from the union had been expected since the moment Henderson issued his ruling upholding Peterson’s suspension on Friday.

Under the terms of Peterson’s suspension, the Vikings running back will be forced to miss the rest of the 2014 season, and won’t be considered for reinstatement until at least April 15. Since NFL free agency begins in March, being reinstated in April or later would significantly affect Peterson’s ability to find work, if the Vikings decide to part ways with him. Of course, there’s no guarantee that he’ll hit the open market, but Minnesota will likely only bring back the former MVP if the two sides can work out a new contract that reduces Peterson’s cap hit.

The lawsuit filed on Peterson’s behalf by the NFLPA is expected to contend that Henderson was not truly a neutral arbitrator, having previously worked for the league. A recording – obtained by ABC News – of NFL executive Troy Vincent allegedly assuring Peterson that he’ll only be suspended for two games will also likely play a part in the suit.

Following Henderson’s announcement on Friday, we learned that Peterson had considered the possibility of retiring, but given his apparent willingness to engage in a legal battle to overturn his suspension, it doesn’t appear he’s leaning that way at the moment.

Extra Points: Peterson, Playoffs, Super Bowl

December 14th, 2014 at 10:43pm CST by Rob DiRe

As we close one more Sunday of regular season football with an huge win for the Cowboys to take control of the NFC East, here are a few NFL stories that could have an impact going forward:

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson plans to file a lawsuit on Monday beckoning the NFL to reinstate him in time for the beginning of the league offseason, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Peterson’s suspension calls for him to be considered for reinstatement on – or after – April 15, but the All-Pro runner is hoping to be reinstated earlier in order to provide maximum flexibility for his offseason, whether he remains the the Vikings or enters into unrestricted free agency.
The league votes on rule changes every offseason, but a more notable vote could come this March, when league owners will make a decision on whether to expand the current playoff format, reports Chris Mortenson of ESPN. The plan to be put up to vote should include two additional Wild Card teams making the playoffs, one in each division. In addition to the extra postseason teams, owners will also look into reseeding playoff clubs, so that a division title wouldn’t necessarily guarantee a home playoff game — that’s likely a reaction to this year’s NFC South, which could potentially have a six win champion.
In one of the stranger and more interesting stories this Sunday, there may be a scenario in which the Super Bowl is canceled this season. According to Howard Kunreuther and Erwann Michel-Kerjan of BusinessWeek.com, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act is set to expire, and Congress will have to make a decision on renewing it by December 31. The bill was put into effect in 2002, following the attack on September 11. Under this bill, insurance companies that off terrorism insurance are backed by government money in case of a large scale attack. Without this backing, insurance companies may be reluctant to sell insurance to high-risk events at a reasonable price. This came to play before during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and although the matter was resolved, it took several months to work out an agreeable deal.