Adrian Peterson Is Going To Complain About His Contract Because. . .Well, Just Because, I Guess

by Christopher Gates on Jul 14, 2010 3:49 AM CDT in Minnesota Vikings

It's about three weeks before training camp gets underway, and the media outlets out there appear to be in full-blown "let's just throw crap at the wall and see what sticks" mode. In this case, the distinction is a co-honor shared by Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk and Michael Lombardi of NFL.com. In his column the other day, Lombardi posted this little blurb:

The next player to complain about his contract will be Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who missed the mandatory minicamp due to a scheduling conflict.

And that's it. Nothing about what this is based on or anything like that, other than missing a mandatory mini-camp due to going to Adrian Peterson Day in Palestine, Texas a couple of months ago or so. PFT then decided it would speculate on the possibility of AP being a contract issue as well. Of course, they said that Sidney Rice's hip injury was the same thing. . .maybe all the Vikings will hold out until they get new contracts. Who knows, really?

(Maybe I can get the Vikings to re-do my deal, too. . .after all, 25 years of getting your heart ripped out on an annual basis has got to be worth something, right?)

Anyway, while it's good for Florio and Lombardi. . .both guys I generally enjoy reading, despite the issues I occasionally have with them. . .to speculate on things and wax philosophical about the Beloved Purple on such matters, in this case I think it's pretty obvious that there's no there there. I mean, why on earth would Sidney Rice complain about his deal? Yes, he had the standard "third-year wideout awakening" that receivers at the NFL level sometimes have, but he caught more passes last season than he had in his previous two years combined. He's really not in a position to make noise about his contract.

As far as Peterson is concerned, I really don't think he's going to be an issue at this point, either. Sure, he might see Chris Johnson and his one good season holding out for more money and say to himself, "Hey, I've been better than that guy." And he has been. But AP doesn't strike me as that sort of player. He has two years left on his rookie deal, and has been pretty decently compensated for a guy that's been one of the best running backs in the league since his first game in the NFL against the Atlanta Falcons in 2007.

Until either Peterson or Rice, or one of their agents, actually says something about dissatisfaction with their contracts, I really don't think there's anything to read into this sort of thing. There has been absolutely nothing to indicate that either player is unhappy.

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Peterson’s deal is worth more than Johnson’s already due to where they were selected, and Johnson won’t be able to get much of a pay increase this year with the CBA’s uncapped year rules currently in place. Adrian knows the team will be looking to give him an extension by this time next year anyways, there’s no reason he has to be upset. Agreed, this is all “crap against the wall” and this one isn’t going to stick.

by Cobra312004 on Jul 14, 2010 7:43 AM CDT reply actions

Well, it's July

The guys who make a living by feeding content to rabid NFL fans, are hard pressed to come up anything during this dead-zone time in the NFL calender. I think most people here in Minny know that AD was parading around Texas, and not holding out for a contract issue.

Adrian will get extended, and probably set a new bar for running back salaries. Zygi doesn’t mind spending money, so I personally have no fear of AllDay holding out/griping/leaving any time soon.

by toke1 on Jul 14, 2010 8:46 AM CDT reply actions

Right and wrong

The article is just speculation, but it is pretty much spot on. If you were to guess on the next Viking to have a contract dispute, it will be AP. Granted, we probably won’t see it hashed out in the media, like other players have. But it will happen. AP will and should be getting more money. RBs have a short timespan to make their cash and APs is shortening daily. He will see his new deal before next season starts.

Rice has reason to not be happy with his contract. He most likely would have gotten a decent payday had this year not been uncapped. He is just a victim of bad timing. He probably should have been on IR in 08’. To put him down for his stats that year really isn’t fair. I’m a huge Rice fan and hope the Vikings do him right!

by Arsist on Jul 14, 2010 11:44 AM CDT reply actions

I agree.

Chris Johnson’s rookie contract is pretty paltry compared to other backs in the NFL. Johnson had an amazing 09 season, but he has been an instrumental part of that offense since he’s arrived.

I see AP looking to be compensated in 2011 and could be a tenuous offseason filled with “AP TV” on ESPN if it’s not handled properly.

Semper Fi

by ChicagoMarine on Jul 14, 2010 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Its not about good guy bad guy

CJ and AP have contracts that are WORLDS apart. If AP used CJ as an example for holding out, it would be a TERRIBLE example. Regarding Rice…I could see him trying it…heck Steve Smith from the Giants is. I don’t know that it would work though, I’d definitely want to see another season from him before tossing any dough at him.

That said, this was pretty dumb journalism by Florio, a guy that I do normally like. Amazingly, its getting traction which shows just how little there is to write about these days!!

by TrevorR on Jul 14, 2010 12:02 PM CDT reply actions

The heart ripping out thing helps me understand your confusion .

This is Speilman’s time to shine . We are under cap aren’t we ? We have been. Or at least I have been talking about extensions for awhile . When we win the Ring . Do you want to pay out the inflated costs then ? This is a very strategic time to get these deals done . The NFL destroyed free agency based on success . It is time to take that leftover moneys and cement the foundation of this teams future . Imagine 5 year deals for AP,Sidney,Chad …..with decisions onLeber,Edwards,Lito,FarwellR.Cook,Lewis,Klien,Jackson,….and others to come next year . If ? Collective bargaining has deliberately caused this dilema . Why ? To force extensions to secure the futures of the owners . Goodell & Owners are in collusion . They are forcing stabilization . This part of it I can live with . How about you . The story is hype like the others are saying . But the dilema is real . It was with us this whole time . It’s good to see you are ready to open your eyes to see the reality ? Embrase this one . It is a good time to negociate .

Did you see what Yotter on Scout reported : Brett indeed was lied to about going to the Jets . They also pushed out reports (lied) to make Brett appear the bad guy . Goodell won’t do anything about it ! He wanted Brett there to sell tickets for an over-priced stadium . Convieniently given a Superbowl to recover nearly half the cost . More collusion !!!! So relax . It’s OK fella .

by gothicpurple on Jul 14, 2010 6:08 PM CDT reply actions

AP & CJ have had 2 staight good/great years and are the best RBs in the league. RBs only last so long, pay the MEN!

RBs only last so long, more so than any other position. It is fair to say that CJ and AP might only have a few good seasons left so waiting another 2 years might mean they miss out on their one chance at a big contract. WRs can wait as they usually will be around much longer than RBs.

Favre's ankle, Starcaps BS and hopefully a busy Piston offseason, oh my. Go Netherlands/Holland/Dutch Soccer(no its not Football)! Also, Lesnar, Lesnar, Lesnar!!!!!!!

by VikesPma on Jul 15, 2010 12:24 PM CDT reply actions