Adrian Peterson - Pro Football Rumors

NFC Notes: Suh, Peterson, RGIII, Hardy

December 4th, 2014 at 10:01pm CST by Zachary Links

Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy signed the richest contract ever for a player at his position two months ago and he’s rooting for Lions pending free agent Ndamukong Suh to shatter that figure, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I hope he breaks the bank,” McCoy said. “He’s an awesome player, an all-pro, Pro Bowl player. Was Rookie of the Year. Just a dominating force since he’s been in the league. Everything that’s coming to him, he deserves it.” More from the NFC..

There has been no settlement reached in the Adrian Peterson appeal yet, so the hearing went on as planned today, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). The hearing for the Vikings running back wrapped up around 3:20 CT (link).
There’s a “real chance” Robert Griffin III will be Washington‘s starting QB before this season is over, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). A report earlier today indicated that coach Jay Gruden wants the team to get rid of RGIII in the offseason.
Rams coach Jeff Fisher is most certainly telling the truth when he says that he doesn’t regret the 2012 blockbuster deal that sent the draft rights to RGIII to Washington, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t missed opportunities in that draft. As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes, of the 74 picks used before the Seahawks took quarterback Russell Wilson, the Rams had five of them. Instead, the Rams selected Michael Brockers, Brian Quick, Janoris Jenkins, Isaiah Pead, and Trumaine Johnson with those picks.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera had positive things to say after pending free agent Greg Hardy visited with some of his teammates on Saturday. “He looks good. He looks like he’s fit and in shape,” Rivera said, according to Bill Voth of Black And Blue Review. “I had a chance to say hello, talk a little bit. Between he and I, it was a nice conversation. He’s trying to keep himself busy, and he’s just waiting to find out what his situation and circumstances are going to be.” Still, given Hardy’s baggage, it’s unclear if there’s a future for him in Carolina.

NFC Notes: Briggs, Panthers, Peterson

December 3rd, 2014 at 10:16am CST by Luke Adams

The Bears placed veteran linebacker Lance Briggs last week, and while Briggs intends to continue his career next season, he sounds resigned to the fact that it may not happen in Chicago. The former third-round pick, who has been with the club since 2003, may become the latest longtime Bear to find work elsewhere, as he acknowledged on his Comcast SportsNet show yesterday.

“I’ve been through some nasty contract disputes,” Briggs said, per Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. “I got a chance to see a lot of guys come and go. And I got a chance to see how things were handled with players before me. So for me, it just laid the foundation for what’s to come. For me, I prepared myself for the days that are coming. So I don’t hold bitterness. There’s no bitterness. When I think of the whole situation, I think of all the great years and I’m thankful for everything that Chicago has meant to me.”

Here’s more from around the NFC:

The Panthers‘ willingness to part with veteran players whose mental lapses cost the team is sending a strong message to the rest of the roster, writes David Newton of ESPN.com. After releasing players like Charles Godfrey and Jason Avant earlier this season, Carolina cut cornerback Antoine Cason and linebacker Jason Williams this week after Cason gave up an easy touchdown catch late in the first half and Williams missed an assignment on a blocked punt that resulted in a TD for the Vikings.
Arbitrator Harold Henderson encouraged the NFL and NFLPA to try to reach a settlement on Adrian Peterson‘s case, but so far no offers have been exchanged between the two sides, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN.com.
As our Offseason in Review post on the Giants shows, New York was extremely active in free agency in 2014, but the spending spree hasn’t paid off at all for the club this season, writes Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.
The fact that Jim Harbaugh has a year remaining on his contract with the 49ers wouldn’t be an impediment if he wanted to pursue a college job, says Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Still, if Harbaugh is coaching a team besides San Francisco in 2015, it’s likely to be an NFL franchise.

Latest On Adrian Peterson’s Appeal

December 2nd, 2014 at 2:10pm CST by Luke Adams

The appeal hearing for Adrian Peterson‘s suspension took place today in New York, and the session has since come to an end, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who tweets that the Vikings running back gave a statement but didn’t testify.

As outlined by Tom Pelissero of USA Today and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, one of the key issues in play during the hearing was whether or not NFL executive Troy Vincent, who may have told Peterson he would be credited with “time served” during his stint on the exempt list, would be required to testify during the process. And according to Florio, arbitrator Harold Henderson did indeed decide that he wants to hear from Vincent later this week. Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets that the hearing is expected to continue on Thursday, the day Vincent figures to testify.

While there’s a possibility Vincent will testify on Thursday and Henderson will eventually make a ruling one way or the other, the arbitrator would prefer the two sides to reach some sort of settlement, according to both Florio and Garafolo (Twitter link). Peterson’s current suspension calls for him to sit out the final several weeks of this season, and makes it possible for him to be reinstated starting in April.

As detailed at ESPN.com, Vincent allegedly told the Pro Bowl running back that agreeing to be placed on the exempt list would result in a two-game suspension once his legal case was resolved, assuming he attended a disciplinary hearing with commissioner Roger Goodell. However, Peterson didn’t attend that hearing, explaining later in a statement that the league refused to answer any questions about the involvement of outside experts in the meeting.

If the two sides reach a settlement, a resolution could come this week, but otherwise we may be waiting a little while for a decision from Henderson. Florio tweets that the deadline for a ruling is “as soon as practicable” once the hearing wraps up later this week, but as we’ve seen with past cases – such as Josh Gordon‘s appeal, which was also heard by Henderson – it can sometimes take weeks to resolve appeals, which greatly reduces the likelihood of Peterson getting back on the field this season.

Extra Points: NFLPA, Peterson, Pasztor, Eagles

December 1st, 2014 at 10:27pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The NFL plans to unveil a new personal conduct policy in the near future, but it doesn’t seem as though the NFLPA is entirely on board. According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today, the union is refusing to enter negotiations regarding the revised protocol unless the talks occur under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. Despite that assertion, Pelissero writes that the two parties have met at least four times to discuss the policy. Furthering the disagreement, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, is the fact that the league wants commissioner Roger Goodell to retain total control over the disciplinary process — the NFLPA, meanwhile, prefers a neutral third party to handle such issues. Here’s more from around the league…

Appearing during halftime of Monday Night Football, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that Adrian Peterson‘s appeal of his suspension could end up in federal court (Twitter link via Mortensen’s colleague, Kevin Seifert). If the NFLPA decides that the hearing officer isn’t entirely nonpartisan, it could attempt to push the Viking running back’s case to a more high-profile arena. While such a move would appear drastic given that there are just four games remaining in the regular season, one of Peterson’s aims would surely be to recoup the $4MM+ base salary he’s set to lose.
Jaguars right tackle Austin Pasztor is expected to miss the remainder of the season after injuring his hamstring in Sunday’s win against the Giants, John Oehser of Jaguars.com writes. Pasztor, a CFL transplant in his second NFL season, missed the first four games of 2014 after breaking his hand. The 24-year-old will be a free agent after the season.
The Eagles’ forays into free agency were nearly perfect, argues Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Mark Sanchez, signed to a one-year deal worth $2.25MM, could be the top free agent bargain, and safety Malcolm Jenkins has added a veteran presence to a young secondary. Lesser-known additions such as offensive lineman Andrew Gardner and defensive back Chris Maragos have also worked out well, writes McLane, as the pickups have bolstered Philadelphia’s depth.

NFC Notes: Lynch, Peterson, Bush, Suh

November 27th, 2014 at 1:26pm CST by Luke Adams

As the second half of the Bears/Lions game gets underway in Detroit, let’s round up a few Thanksgiving Day notes from around the NFC….

While head coach Pete Carroll insists that the Seahawks expect running back Marshawn Lynch to continue his career in Seattle in 2015, it won’t be an easy decision for the team, given Lynch’s age and increasing cap number. In an Insider-only piece, Field Yates of ESPN.com takes a closer look at the team’s upcoming decision on Lynch.
With the appeal hearing for his suspension set to commence next Tuesday, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has until tomorrow to submit any materials he plans to introduce at the hearing, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
After signing with the Cardinals, veteran running back Michael Bush is looking forward to getting a fresh start in Arizona, telling ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss that he didn’t feel as if he got a “fair shake” from the Bears during his last year in Chicago.
Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press believes the Lions should let defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh walk in free agency, arguing that GM Martin Mayhew and his staff have exhibited a knack for finding less cheaper – and often younger – defensive talent in the draft and free agency.
In a story for ESPN The Magazine, Tim Keown takes an interesting look at Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith‘s financial history since entering the NFL, including the Pro Bowler’s struggle with his family’s demands for money.

Poll: Cowboys’ Running Back Options For 2015

November 23rd, 2014 at 7:27pm CST by Rob DiRe

As DeMarco Murray continues to rack up big yardage behind the Cowboys’ offensive line, much thought has been given to the team’s future plans at the position. While Murray is in the middle of an extravagant campaign that will put him on the short list for Offensive Player of the Year, he is a free agent after this season and will likely be looking for a long-term contract with guaranteed money.

The team has already made an effort to keep him, offering him a four-year deal earlier this season. The two sides were unable to agree, and Murray has played out the year on his rookie deal.

Murray’s leverage has since been complicated, as the prospect of other high-profile backs hitting the open market became more likely. Seahawks‘ star Marshawn Lynch is a candidate to be released this offseason, despite no signs of immediate decline in his performance in Seattle. He is an older back and carries a price tag that the Seahawks may be unwilling to pay, but could accept a modest deal elsewhere if the right opportunity calls.

Things change quickly, but signs point to this being his final season with the team. A player like Lynch could cut into the team’s need for Murray.

An even better fit could be Adrian Peterson, who has a future similarly in flux with the Vikings. Peterson admitted that he might be better off with a fresh start when he returns to the field following his suspension concerning his legal troubles. Peterson had been linked to the Cowboys before, and now with his tempered value and chance of being released, the connection could come to fruition.

Of the three players, Peterson might actually be the top target this offseason over Murray should he come available. Peterson’s unique talent could vault him to the top of many team’s wish list, as long as they are willing to deal with the off-field controversy.

Peterson may be a top commodity for many teams if he is available, but his counterpart in offseason controversy could be a low-risk high-reward backup plan. Ray Rice‘s play dropped off before being suspended and released by the Ravens, but the lack of clamor for his services could lead him to a team on a short-term deal without guaranteed money. With his fresh legs after the year off, a return to his 2012 form could yield high dividends for his next employer.

If all four of the players are available this offseason, which player would be the best runner for the money, whether with the Cowboys or another team in search of a star halfback?

Sunday Roundup: Peterson, Mallett, Newton

November 23rd, 2014 at 12:33pm CST by Rory Parks

We heard earlier today that Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer expects embattled running back Adrian Peterson to return to the team in 2015. However, outside of the obvious public relations decisions that Minnesota will have to make in evaluating Peterson’s future with the club, Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune discusses the untenable financial ramifications of keeping Peterson in the fold. Vensel cites former NFL agent Joel Corry, who says:

“His contract doesn’t bear any relation to the rest of the running back market. I know Peterson had some unique value as the face of the franchise with the new stadium opening in 2016, but that doesn’t exist anymore. From a pure economic perspective, having a 30-year-old running back in 2015 with a $15.4 million cap number and $13 million salary wasn’t going to be the most efficient use of resources.”

As Vensel suggests, the Vikings could approach Peterson with offers for a contract restructure, but Peterson’s receptiveness to such overtures is doubtful at best. That is especially true given that the same ESPN article in which Zimmer expressed his confidence that Peterson would be back with the club also contained the revelation that Vikings general counsel Kevin Warren has been working with the NFL to make sure Peterson does not return this season. That led Peterson to remark recently, “Maybe it’s best for me to get a fresh start somewhere else.”

Let’s look at a few more links as Sunday’s games get underway:

Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle details Ryan Mallett‘s journey to becoming the Texans‘ starter and Mallet’s desire to be more than a one-game wonder as he attempts to lead Houston to a playoff berth.
Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer writes that Panthers quarterback Cam Newton wants to lead a winner in Carolina and Carolina’s front office wants him to stay. His future with club could ultimately depend on if the Panthers can climb atop the weak NFC South in 2014.
Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com answers a number of questions from readers inquiring into the Jaguars‘ strategy this offseason, including draft and free agent targets and the club’s biggest needs.
Marshawn Lynch may be on his way out of Seattle in 2015, but regardless of how he his viewed by the public at large, he is beloved in the Seahawks‘ locker room and his teammates will hate to see him go, writes Jayson Jenks of the Seattle Times.

North Notes: Blount, Gordon, Cobb

November 23rd, 2014 at 8:48am CST by Rory Parks

Although he acknowledges that there is no evidence to suggest that LeGarrette Blount wanted to get himself released from the Steelers when he left the field prior to Pittsburgh’s Monday night win over the Titans, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wonders if Blount “walk[ed] out on the Steelers so he could walk right back to the New England Patriots.” Bouchette notes that, with no ramifications whatsoever–although the Steelers certainly could have penalized him instead of essentially rewarding him for his behavior–Blount “went from a team fighting to make the playoffs to one among the favorites to win it all, one where he had success last season and was used more often than he was with the Steelers.” Even if it sounds a bit like a conspiracy theory, Bouchette believes it is fair to think that Blount knew exactly what he was doing and that everything played out according to plan for him and for New England.

Now for some more notes from the league’s north divisions:

The Browns expect star receiver Josh Gordon to be on the field for 20-30 snaps in his first game of the 2014 season this afternoon, according to ESPN.com staff.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that a ruling on Ray Rice‘s appeal hearing is expected by tomorrow. Even if the former Ravens running back is reinstated, of course, it will be difficult for him to find a job in the league this season.
Even though they have been publicly silent on the issue, ESPN’s Ed Werder tweets that Vikings ownership and management were pushing throughout the season to get Adrian Peterson back on the field. Albert Breer of the NFL Network tweets that Minnesota’s coaching staff would love to have Peterson back, and Werder adds in a full-length piece that head coach Mike Zimmer believes Peterson has not played his last game in a Vikings uniform.
Although he believes the Packers will work out an extension with Randall Cobb, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com writes that Cobb’s excellent 2014 season is driving up his price, possibly out of Green Bay’s budget. On the other hand, even though the Packers have a number of young wideouts on the roster, Demovsky notes that none of those players have proven they are capable of filling Cobb’s shoes.
Ben Volin of the Boston Globe describes how Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh has finally paired excellent play with clean play in his free agent season.

Extra Points: Goodell, Vikings, Harvin, Dogra

November 22nd, 2014 at 11:08pm CST by Rob DiRe

In the wake of the Adrian Peterson decision, tensions between the NFL and the player’s union are high once again, writes Mark Maske of the Washington Post. Commissioner Roger Goodell exerted significant power in suspending Peterson for the season, singular power the the union was under the impression he would no longer be wielding on his own. According to Maske’s source, the two sides have no good will between them.

“I think it reflects a fundamental disagreement about the role of the commissioner’s office in the disciplinary process,” said Gabriel Feldman of the sports law program at Tulane University. “I think it’s a reflection of the tension that has existed. It’s not surprising. It would have been surprising if the Players Association had not sought so vigorously to have Peterson reinstated. To some extent, it is each side playing the role it’s supposed to play.”

Here are some other notes from around the NFL this Saturday evening:

In Peterson’s absence, the Vikings will be forced to continue the season using a running back-by-committe approach, and that may be the plan going forward, writes Matt Vensel of the Minnesota Star-Tribune. He writes that the player taking carries for the Vikings next season could be any one of the players on the active roster, Peterson, or someone they take in the 2015 NFL Draft.
The Jets‘ have seen a lot of improvement with their midseason acquisition of Percy Harvin, and are happy with how he has fit in so far, writes Brian Costello of the New York Post. They will have a tough decision to make at the end of the season on whether to keep him at his hefty price tag of $10MM, but Harvin hopes to remain with the team.
Since Ben Dogra has been fired, CAA Sports has also terminated the contracts of a number of employees who worked closely with the embattled NFL agent, writes Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal. On behalf of Dogra, his attorney, Rusty Hardin, stated that he was unsure of any “supposed cause” for his firing and ensured that none of the agent’s clients had left (via Twitter). He also commented on Dogra’s future, saying he “hasn’t decided where he is going to land or whether he is going to start his own firm.” (via Twitter).
Three of the top four quarterbacks selected in this past NFL Draft have seen significant game action this season, and Greg Gabriel of the National Football Post has compared their play to see who has played best and who has shown the most promise for the future. The answer to both questions so far point to Derek Carr, who has impressed with his decision-making and his quick release, according to Gabriel. Blake Bortles has struggled and Teddy Bridgewater has yet to be unleashed, while Johnny Manziel is the only one of the four to not receive any significant playing time this season.

NFC East Links: Rolle, Smith, Cowboys, Cofield

November 22nd, 2014 at 8:50pm CST by Rob DiRe

Antrel Rolle is playing in a contract year for the Giants, and while he wants to stay with the team, he knows that anything can happen in an NFL offseason, writes Bob Glauber of Newsday.com.

“Staying here would definitely be ideal,” said Rolle. “I feel like there’s a lot of things that I would like to get accomplished with a new set of [teammates]. I feel like there’s a lot more to get done. Unfortunately, if you don’t have the opportunity to stay, you move on.”

The 32-year-old safety has been a stalwart of the Giants’ defense since coming over from Arizona in 2010.

Here are some other links from around the NFC East:

Eagles‘ first-round pick Marcus Smith has struggled to see the field as a rookie, but the team worries if he will ever develop into the player they had hoped when they drafted him, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Smith has been compared to Danny Watkins, another failed first-round selection.
Cowboys‘ head coach Jason Garrett has been thought of as a puppet for Jerry Jones, but Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPNDallas.com thinks Garrett has wielded more power within the organization recently. He cites the team drafting Zack Martin, letting DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher leave in free agency, and holding off on extensions for Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray as all uncharacteristic moves for Jones, likely influenced by Garrett.
Martin has been excellent as a rookie, validating the Cowboys‘ decision not to draft Johnny Manziel. However, if the Browns decide to sign Hoyer to a long-term contract, Manziel could still be a fit for the Cowboys, writes Steven Mullenax of The LandryHat.com. With the struggles of Brandon Weeden and Tony Romo‘s injury issues, Manziel could be a good backup and eventual replacement in Dallas.
Given the choice between Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, or Murray this offseason, Jon Machota of DallasNews.com believes the Cowboys should place Peterson at the top of their wish list. He believes that signing Peterson behind this offensive line would be more dangerous even than the younger DeMarco Murray.
Washington defensive lineman Barry Cofield eased his way back into action last week against the Buccaneers, after returning from injury. Cofield should see his snaps increase starting this week, reports Tom Schad of the Washington Times.
Washington defensive coordinator Jim Haslett has been in charge of an erratic defense during his tenure with the team, but despite scheme changes and coaching changes, he has survived, writes Mike Jones of the Washington Post. Jones paints the major problem in the consistency of the defense as a lack of talent on that side of the ball.
As the controversy with the Washington team name carries on, one devoted fan has decided to take a stand against the name, writes John Woodrow Cox of the Washington Post. He found a company to make strips of cloth that say “Washington” in which fans can use to patch over their old team apparel. Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News points to the name change for the University of Stanford as a precedent for the change, and the New Yorker has used their cover to mock the name in anticipation of Thanksgiving, according to Sports Illustrated.