HEADLINES

Adrian Peterson

Extra Points: Mariota, Goodell, Peterson

October 22nd, 2014 at 10:22pm CST by Zachary Links

Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich sees his star quarterback Marcus Mariota stealing the show at this year’s scouting combine, writes NFL.com’s Bryan Fischer. “He’s a competitive perfectionist. Every single thing he does, he wants to do great,” Helfrich said. “He competes in period four just like he does in a BCS bowl game. To him, (the combine) is right in his wheelhouse, and he’ll do great.” Helfrich might be a bit biased, but Mariota is widely projected to be a top choice in the 2015 Draft. More NFL news..

  • A judge has ruled that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will be forced to testify at the Ray Rice hearing, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The ruling was expected by many since Goodell played an active role in all facets of Rice’s suspension.
  • A prosecution request to remove the judge handling the felony child abuse case against Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been denied, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The judge made some less-than-kind remarks about Peterson’s defense team earlier this month. As Rochelle Olson of the Star-Tribune writes, the trial is still on track for December 1st.
  • Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy hasn’t showed up at Bank of America Stadium since being placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, but that’s not because he’s not welcome, as David Newton of ESPN.com writes. “We haven’t asked him to stay away,” coach Ron Rivera said. “At the same time, we’re letting him take care of his business.”
  • Former Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice thinks Seattle made the right move by trading Percy Harvin, writes Terry Blount of ESPN.com. “I was surprised, but at the same time, it may have been the best thing for the team,” Rice said. “It’s tough losing a guy like Percy. He’s one of a kind. The league has never seen a player like Percy Harvin.”
  • The Rams auditioned wide receivers Skye Dawson and Derek Moye yesterday, tweets Howard Balzer of USA Today Sports. Dawson, who was cut by the Bucs in late August, worked out for the Lions last week. Moye, meanwhile, was scooped up by the Titans earlier today.

Peterson Could Be Suspended Even If Cleared

October 12th, 2014 at 11:21am CST by Rory Parks

Although it will not come as much of a surprise given earlier reports that Adrian Peterson is not likely to return to action until the 2015 season, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that, even if Peterson is cleared of the felony child abuse charge that he is currently facing, the league could still impose a suspension without pay.

As Mortensen writes, “One area of consensus that was reaffirmed in last week’s league meetings is that violation of workplace rules and personal conduct should not require a conviction,” and “Any facts established in a legal proceeding can be found as a personal conduct violation regardless of the legal outcome.”

This is not to mention, of course, the pending motion for revocation of bond that was filed by Montgomery County prosecutors in response to Peterson’s admission that he smoked marijuana in violation of his bond conditions. Peterson is currently on the league’s exempt/commissioner’s permission list and is being paid his full $11.75MM salary.

NFC Notes: Peterson, Osgood, Fairley, Rams

October 9th, 2014 at 2:42pm CST by Luke Adams

A day after Adrian Peterson‘s trial date for his child abuse charges was set for December 1, the Vikings running back is potentially facing another arrest today, according to Isiah Carey of FOX 26 Houston. Carey reports that Montgomery County prosecutors filed paperwork to have Peterson rearrested after he admitted to smoking “a little weed,” in violation of his bond conditions. There won’t be any action immediately since the judge presiding over Peterson’s case is facing a recusal hearing, which is scheduled to take place tomorrow, but the Montgomery County DA has asked the judge to set aside Peterson’s $15K bond.

Here’s more from around the NFC:

  • Kassim Osgood was cut this week by the 49ers just days after head coach Jim Harbaugh called him the team’s best special teams player, and Harbaugh said today that he hopes to get Osgood back on the 53-man roster “imminently,” according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link).
  • The Lions say they declined Nick Fairley‘s fifth-year option for 2015 to motivate him to have a big contract year, and so far that approach seems to be working, writes Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. Of course, it’s fair to wonder if Fairley would have been more productive and more consistent anyway, and question whether the Lions should have given up the flexibility to bring him back in 2015 at an affordable one-year price.
  • As he nears free agency, Falcons running back Antone Smith is increasing his value every time he touches the ball, says ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure.
  • Passing along news that Rams owner Stan Kroenke figures to be granted an extra year to transfer ownership of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and NBA’s Denver Nuggets, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post suggests there’s speculation that Kroenke will push for a permanent exemption from the NFL’s cross-ownership rule if he tries to move the Rams to Los Angeles. Currently, league rules prohibit ownership of teams in other sports that are in different markets than the owner’s NFL franchise.

North Notes: Peterson, Rice, Lions, Browns

October 8th, 2014 at 1:23pm CST by Luke Adams

Adrian Peterson‘s trial date was set today for December 1, and could happen even sooner than that if Peterson’s camp can expedite the process. With the case likely to be resolved during the season, it could create a predicament for the Vikings and the NFL, whether or not Peterson is found guilty, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Since the use of the exempt/commissioner’s permission spot for players facing charges is a new development, there’s no blueprint for how to proceed once the legal proceedings wrap up.

If Peterson is acquitted, will the Vikings reactivate him immediately? If Peterson is found guilty, will he face an immediate suspension from the league, and will the time he missed count toward that ban? It’s new territory for the league, and as Florio points out, it will be interesting to see how cases like Peterson’s and Greg Hardy‘s play out, and when we’ll see those players back on the field.

Here’s more from around the NFL’s two North divisions:

  • Having already appealed the indefinite suspension handed down by the NFL, Ray Rice also may pursue a grievance against the Ravens for terminating his contract after the public release of the elevator video, sources tell Florio. As Florio explains, Rice’s camp would make a similar argument to the one being made in the appeal of the suspension, pointing out that the running back had already been punished for the incident, and that the league and team should have already known all the relevant facts.
  • While the Lions were the only team reported to have Matt Prater in for a workout, the veteran kicker tells Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link) that “five or six” clubs had some interest after he was released by the Broncos.
  • Former Raiders linebacker Kaelin Burnett worked out for the Browns this week, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
  • Wilson also has the details on the free agents who tried out for the Lions and have yet to be reported. We already heard about a few kickers and defensive backs to audition for the club, but Wilson adds the following names to the list of participants (via Twitter): DB Bryan McCann, DT Kheeston Randall, LB Caesar Rayford, CB R.J. Stanford, and CB Trevin Wade.
  • In addition to their workouts reported yesterday, the Bengals also took a look at guard Antoine McClain and linebacker Troy Davis, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
  • Former Packers safety Jerron McMillian auditioned for another NFC North team this week, visiting the Vikings, tweets Wilson.

Adrian Peterson Trial Set For December 1

October 8th, 2014 at 11:15am CST by Luke Adams

11:15am: An effort will be made by Peterson’s camp to move the trial up to November 18, even though it’s currently set for December 1, tweets Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

10:57am: The trial for Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been tentatively scheduled for December 1, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo! (via Twitter). Robinson reports that the trial has the potential to move up a week or two into November if another case falls off the docket.

Peterson has been placed on the exempt/commissioner’s permission list by the Vikings, with the expectation that a decision will be made on his status once the legal process plays out. Still, while his trial is now scheduled to take place before the end of the 2014 season, it seems extremely unlikely that Peterson will play again this season, tweets Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report. The running back would have to be found not guilty of child abuse charges, and the Vikings and the NFL would both have to make the decision to reinstate him from the exempt list, with only a few games remaining.

The more likely outcome would see Peterson return for the 2015 season, though depending on the outcome of his trial, he could face further discipline from the league before seeing the field again. It’s also not clear if the Vikings will keep the NFL’s former rushing leader under contract into next season, when he’ll carry a cap hit of $15.4MM.

Extra Points: Megatron, Peterson, Bailey

October 7th, 2014 at 10:09pm CST by Zachary Links

Dodger Stadium is in play as a potential temporary venue for an NFL team moving to Los Angeles, according to Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times (on Twitter). Hopefully, whatever team moves there will fare better than the Dodgers did tonight. Tonight’s look around the league..

  • Calvin Johnson carries a cap number of more than $20MM into the next league year and given his recent health trouble, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk suggests that the Lions could move on from him after this season or next. The fact that Detroit considered trading up for Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans and ultimately decided to use that pick on tight end Eric Ebron suggests that the Lions are at least considering the wisdom of reallocating their dollars, Florio writes.
  • A source with knowledge of the situation tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that Vikings running back Adrian Peterson hopes to emerge from court tomorrow with a December 1st trial date. If he goes to trial on December 1 and is acquitted that week, he could theoretically return to action on December 7, when the Vikings take on the Jets.
  • The Ravens tried out veteran cornerback Champ Bailey, a league source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Bailey recently said that he was willing to play nickel or safety if it meant getting back in the NFL. Meanwhile, on the D-line, the Ravens expect to be without Chris Canty for three weeks following a procedure to alleviate swelling in his wrist, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
  • The Bengals worked out linebackers Adrian Robinson and Yawin Smallwood today, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Robinson, who originally signed with the Steelers as a UDFA, also had stints with the Chargers, Eagles, and Redskins.
  • Linebacker Kevin Reddick is available after being waived by the Chargers and Vic Tafur of The San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter links) could see the Raiders dropping the newly-signed Ray Ray Armstrong in favor of him. The Raiders were fans of the UNC product at last year’s Senior Bowl.
  • The Vikings cut Mistral Raymond from their injured reserve, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
  • Somewhat surprisingly, the Raiders were the only team to put in a claim on wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
  • Talk of a new stadium and an NFL team coming to Los Angeles should scare the Chargers, writes U-T San Diego’s Kevin Acee. Both the Rams and Raiders could make a play to return to their one-time home and that would hurt the Bolts’ bottom line.

NFC North Notes: Peterson, Bears, Lions

October 7th, 2014 at 3:04pm CST by Luke Adams

It was a good weekend for the Packers, who blew out the Vikings last Thursday, then got to watch the division-rival Lions and Bears lose their respective games on Sunday. After a sluggish start to the season, the Packers now sit in a tie for first place atop the NFC North, with a chance to extend their winning streak this weekend in Miami. Here are a few Tuesday updates from around the division:

  • Adrian Peterson will be arraigned tomorrow, and a spokesperson for the Vikings running back says he’ll plead not guilty to child abuse, tweets Jason Cole of Bleacher Report. That means a trial is likely, and the process could “take a while,” says Cole.
  • Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com also doesn’t expect Peterson’s case to be resolved anytime soon, as he hears from the DA’s office in Montgomery County, Texas that they don’t anticipate a trial date being set tomorrow (Twitter link). Assistant DA Phil Grant has expressed to La Canfora multiple times that it could be at least six months before Peterson’s case goes to trial, which would rule out the possibility of a return to the field in 2014 (Twitter link).
  • We heard earlier today that kick returner Trindon Holliday isn’t drawing any interest from the Panthers, but at least one NFC North team is taking a look at him. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports (via Twitter) that Holliday worked out for the Bears today — Chicago has had trouble finding a consistent and reliable option in the return game so far this season.
  • Wilson also provides another tidbit from out of the NFC North, tweeting that Dominique Franks was scheduled to work out for the Lions before he agreed to re-sign with the Ravens. Detroit is also taking a look at cornerbacks like Ellis Lankster and Curtis Marsh today, as we noted earlier.

NFC North Notes: Watkins, Lions, Peterson

October 3rd, 2014 at 12:06pm CST by Zachary Links

Bears teammates Willie Young, Ego Ferguson, and Jeremiah Ratliff are all products of Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia. It was an experience that helped mold them for the NFL, writes Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “You can’t explain to anybody else what Hargrave was unless you’ve been through it,” Ferguson, the Bears rookie defensive tackle, said. “People don’t understand unless you’ve been there and understood the struggle and the grind it took to make it.” Today’s look at the NFC North..

  • Back on draft day, when the Bills sent their 2015 first-rounder to Cleveland in order to select Sammy Watkins, there was speculation that the Lions had also been considering such a move as well. But head coach Jim Caldwell said today that the Lions weren’t close to trading up for Watkins, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I think it was more driven outside of this building than inside,” Caldwell said. “Folks caught onto it and I think that was probably more so than anything else.”
  • The next significant step in the Adrian Peterson case comes on October 8th when he’ll be arraigned on a charge of injury to a child, says Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports (video link). There have been no plea negotiations and the Vikings running back does not want to plea even if that would get him back on the field sooner. Peterson believes he is innocent and wants to clear his name. It’s up to the judge when Peterson goes to trial and prosecutors have said that it could take 9-12 months to get on the docket. If that’s the case, Peterson will not only miss the whole 2014 season, but could miss part of 2015 as well.
  • Because of the injury to Joseph Fauria, rookie tight end Eric Ebron figures to see more time for the Lions, writes Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. “We see that foundation of it is being built,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “We can see the reaction to different situations that he’s confronted with on the practice field and during the course of the games that we think he’s making good progress.”

Adrian Peterson Hopes To Return In 2014

September 21st, 2014 at 7:18pm CST by Rob DiRe

It was reported that Vikings’ All Pro running back Adrian Peterson would miss the season after being placed on the Commissioner’s exempt list while waiting for the results of his trial.

It was originally thought that the case would not go to trial until 2015, but Peterson’s camp is seeking an accelerated process that would move the trial date up significantly, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

If the trial date is moved closer, and Peterson is cleared of the charges, there is hope that he will be able to return to the field in a Vikings’ uniform this season.

As of now, Peterson has been placed on the Commissioner’s exempt list, which keeps him off the field but serves as a paid suspension from the team. With an accelerated trial, the Vikings’ star risks exposing himself to additional penalties under the player conduct policy, including fines and possibly a lengthy unpaid suspension from the NFL.

It also remains to be seen whether or not the team would want him back, or if at this point they have decided to move on from the face of their franchise. Florio notes that he expects more information to surface this week about the possibility of an accelerated trial date.

NFC North Links: Peterson, Packers, Lions

September 20th, 2014 at 7:58pm CST by Luke Adams

While the Vikings travel to New Orleans and the Bears prepare for a Monday night contest against the Jets, the Packers and Lions will square off in Detroit in what could be an important early-season battle between division rivals. At the moment, the NFC North is the league’s only division in which all four teams are 1-1, so the winner of that Green Bay/Detroit showdown will be guaranteed at least a tie for first place, and considering Minnesota and Chicago head into their respective games as underdogs, it’s possible that either the Packers or Lions could be sitting alone atop the division on Tuesday morning.

Here are a few Saturday notes from around the division:

  • With Adrian Peterson seemingly on the outs for the Vikings, Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press wonders if the club will use a high draft pick to land a running back in 2015. Walters also adds that, in his view, “it still looks like” Peterson will end up playing for the Cowboys in 2015. A report last month indicated that the veteran running back expressed some interest in eventually heading home to Texas to play for the Cowboys, though of course that was before he was indicted and placed on Minnesota’s exempt list.
  • “Everyone with even minimal interest in the Packers understands [Ted] Thompson will live and die with his draft and develop philosophy,” writes Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In his piece, McGinn explores how the Green Bay general manager settled on that philosophy, and how it has worked out for the club.
  • In his latest mailbag, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com fields Lions-related questions, addressing why Corey Fuller continues to be active over Ryan Broyles, among other topics.
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