Peterson plea deal...

[PurpleMustReign]

Acording to ESPN, he is contemplating retirement. I feel really bad for him right now. From the beginning, this whole thing has been very unfair.
What I Don't understand is why did Rice get an independent arbitrator, but AD got Henderson?

[fiestavike]

Acording to ESPN, he is contemplating retirement. I feel really bad for him right now. From the beginning, this whole thing has been very unfair.
What I Don't understand is why did Rice get an independent arbitrator, but AD got Henderson?

I would applaud him. I think he should sue the league, don't cooperate with Goodell at all, wait until april 15 and then after Goodell refuses to reinstate him, retire and go on to something else.

[greenandgold]

Even me, a Packers fan thinks AP got screwed! Why does Ray Rice, a man who knocks his wife unconscious get away with it and Peterson who may have just overdisiplined a child once get the book thrown at him?

All in about one month's time.

Shame Roger Goodell!

[Texas Vike]

Here's AD's statement about possible retirement:

"I've considered retiring from the NFL," Peterson said. "I still made $8 million dollars this year. I've thought about getting back into the real estate (business in Texas) I'm already in. That's something I've been interested in, something I'm involved in. I've thought about getting back into that. I've thought about going after the Olympics -- you only live once. It might be time for me to pursue that, as well. I love playing football, don't get me wrong, but this situation is deeper than that. For me, it's like, 'Why should I continue to be a part of an organization or a business that handles players the way they do? Making money off the field anyway, why not continue to pursue that (Olympic) dream and pursue other dreams and hang up the cleats?'"

More at link: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12021 ... retirement

[Pondering Her Percy]

This league just has ZERO consistency and it's pathetic. At this point, I'm starting to truly feel bad for the guy.

[Mothman]

Here's AD's statement about possible retirement:
More at link: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12021 ... retirement

Thanks for the link. This was interesting too:

But in the time he's spent away from the Vikings, he's also had more time to be at home with his wife, Ashley, and son Adrian Jr., and see his other children. That time, Peterson said, has made him count the cost of the NFL grind.

"I've been able to do things like getting kids signed up for schools. My wife and I hosted Thanksgiving at our house. We plan on having everyone here for Christmas," he said. "I got to go to 'Dad and Donuts Day' with my daughter (Adeja). I'm able to be around her more, take her to school. That's a lot of the reason (I think about retiring); I'm able to spend the time. Once you get back and you're not playing for a season, you really get to see the things you're missing out on."

I'm happy to read the comments in that article about Peterson's current relationship with his children, his perspective in light of what he's been through and his apparent interest in creating awareness regarding Minnesota children suffering abuse and in need of help. The article said he's been approached "by several millionaires about starting a charity to raise awareness about domestic violence". I'd love to see that happen.

I think this arbitration hearing was little more than a sham. Henderson echoing Goodell's BS claims about Peterson not expressing remorse just hammer that home (since he has publicly expressed such remorse and it's easily found online). Goodell is just abusing his authority at this point.

[Lars]

So... Peterson deserved to be disciplined, no doubt, but the NFL has managed to make Peterson into someone deserving sympathy. Is that really what they wanted to do? Now Peterson's career will be held hostage to a labor dispute between players and owners and the legal system. <sigh> So be it.

[Purple Reign]

I understand this is still a sensitive topic and, clearly, an important issue, but...
How is Ray Rice reinstated before Adrian Peterson?
Rice essentially got an 11 game suspension and AD got a 15+ game suspension.

Just playing devil's advocate here - AP being on the exempt list and still getting paid is not considered a suspension by the NFL. Only games that AP misses where he is not paid count toward a suspension. Rice's situation was also different since Goodell had already decided and applied a 2 game suspension to Rice but then changed his mind and decided to suspend him indefinitely when the video came out. I'm not saying that the 2 game suspension was appropriate, but that is what Goodell had initially ruled and an arbitrator ruled that Goodell couldn't apply another penalty. But I don't know why AP couldn't have agreed to giving back 6 game checks while he was on the exempt list and have that count toward his 6 game suspension.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

His comments on not wanting to take a pay cut pretty much tells me there is going to be a battle and I feel like we have seen the last of Peterson playing as a Minnesota Viking. There is no way this team keeps Peterson at his current salary. Sad.

[Mothman]

Just playing devil's advocate here - AP being on the exempt list and still getting paid is not considered a suspension by the NFL. Only games that AP misses where he is not paid count toward a suspension. Rice's situation was also different since Goodell had already decided and applied a 2 game suspension to Rice but then changed his mind and decided to suspend him indefinitely when the video came out. I'm not saying that the 2 game suspension was appropriate, but that is what Goodell had initially ruled and an arbitrator ruled that Goodell couldn't apply another penalty. But I don't know why AP couldn't have agreed to giving back 6 game checks while he was on the exempt list and have that count toward his 6 game suspension.

Because Goodell wanted to make an example of him and I suspect there was more than a little personal outrage involved. That's understandable but still unprofessional.

His comments on not wanting to take a pay cut pretty much tells me there is going to be a battle and I feel like we have seen the last of Peterson playing as a Minnesota Viking. There is no way this team keeps Peterson at his current salary. Sad.

Well, it's not like you'd expect him to just say "Sure, I expect to take a pay cut and I'll be more than happy f they slash millions off my contract." There will have to be a negotiation.

I understand where you're coming from but as others have pointed out, the Vikings paid him this year. Why do that if they aren't at least interested in bringing him back? Maybe it was just to retain his rights so they could try to trade him but the contract makes that somewhat prohibitive too. If I'm not mistaken, they're in cap shape to keep him and they don't have another superstar on the roster that needs paying next year. Let's see how it all plays out.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Because Goodell wanted to make an example of him and I suspect there was more than a little personal outrage involved. That's understandable but still unprofessional.
Well, it's not like you'd expect him to just say "Sure, I expect to take a pay cut and I'll be more than happy f they slash millions off my contract." There will have to be a negotiation.

I understand where you're coming from but as others have pointed out, the Vikings paid him this year. Why do that if they aren't at least interested in bringing him back? Maybe it was just to retain his rights so they could try to trade him but the contract makes that somewhat prohibitive too. If I'm not mistaken, they're in cap shape to keep him and they don't have another superstar on the roster that needs paying next year. Let's see how it all plays out.

You are right - but the way I read it, it sounded more like he wants to move on. I also believe he said something about this team having playoff ability. This whole situation has been nothing short of disappointing. All I know is we will not have a clearer picture until April, when the new league year begins.

[mondry]

Thanks for the link. This was interesting too:
I'm happy to read the comments in that article about Peterson's current relationship with his children, his perspective in light of what he's been through and his apparent interest in creating awareness regarding Minnesota children suffering abuse and in need of help. The article said he's been approached "by several millionaires about starting a charity to raise awareness about domestic violence". I'd love to see that happen.

I think this arbitration hearing was little more than a sham. Henderson echoing Goodell's BS claims about Peterson not expressing remorse just hammer that home (since he has publicly expressed such remorse and it's easily found online). Goodell is just abusing his authority at this point.

Sounds like a real monster who shows no remorse or love for his children that needs to be buried and destroyed to me.

[PurpleMustReign]

Sounds like a real monster who shows no remorse or love for his children that needs to be buried and destroyed to me.

No it doesn't. You are just saying that to get attention, and quite frankly, it's shameful. At first everyone was upset because he didn't show remorse... then he does and there are people, for some unknown reason, who say he doesn't show remorse.

He made a mistake, get over it. If you really don't like him, dont' watch the Vikings... we won't miss you as a fan.

[PsyDanny]

No it doesn't. You are just saying that to get attention, and quite frankly, it's shameful. At first everyone was upset because he didn't show remorse... then he does and there are people, for some unknown reason, who say he doesn't show remorse.

He made a mistake, get over it. If you really don't like him, dont' watch the Vikings... we won't miss you as a fan.

I suspect Mondry is being facetious!

[Lars]

I suspect Mondry is being facetious!

Maybe we should ask Roger Goodell to suspend Mondry as a Viking fan for not being clearly facetious enough.