Time to face facts and trade Adrian Peterson.

It’s the right business decision in my opinion. Take emotion out of the equation and it seems like the obvious move to make – assuming a fair deal can be struck, of course. Why have him tied to a team going nowhere, wasting the prime years (very few left) of his career, when he deserves to have a shot at a title? The team is not going to suddenly leapfrog the Packers (still improving), the Bears (a contender) and the Lions (who are making a lot of right moves this past couple of years) and snatch a Super Bowl title. In the best-case scenario, the other teams in the Division all collapse due to an incredible string of calamities. I wouldn’t bank on that. I stated my reasoning in some detail and stick by my opinion, that this is the most prudent decision for all involved. Even the fans, who would usually be happier with more wins and playoff appearances than their love for any individual player.

I fail to see how LUCK really played a big part in the Packers fielding a roster most consider to be among the best in the NFL. Yes, the way they advanced due to some good fortune allowed them to make it to the big game; but when there, they certainly stepped up and displayed their depth of talent and shrewd coaching in beating a formidable opponent handily. Look, I love the Vikings and have been loyal since 1970 (yes, I am old!) But, I stand by my opinion. I’m sure you were being facetious in suggesting we trade our whole roster. But, I don’t see how that kind of statement has any bearing on my suggestion that we strategically attempt to trade a single player (whose contract expires this year, by the way). How much will it take to re-sign Peterson? And, do you actually think this Vikings team is on the rise and able to vie for any playoff wins in the next 2-3 years? Really? Maybe I am crazy, but I always have felt the goal is to win Super Bowls. I know my expectations have never been fulfilled with this franchise, yet I still hold to that belief and support them in the supposed quest for that elusive prize.

How does keeping a superstar in a no-win situation (and paying him an enormous salary, obviously) make sense? I detailed my points above and stand by the contention that I don’t support treading water when it comes to managing an NFL team. The entire business is predicated on moving forward and advancing the prospects for delivering a title. A title is not going to happen during Peterson’s tenure with this franchise. That’;s my contention, and I am entitled to my opinions. So, with that as the foundation for my beliefs, I came to the decision that moving him would be in his best interest as well as the team and its dwindling fan base.

Otherwise known as the doomed (for the Vikings) Herschel Walker Trade. I’m sorry but I just HAD to go there :(

I think saying “giving up” is the wrong term. My point is, if you TRULY believe we have a shot at a Super Bowl run (because I presume that is the goal of every team) during the next 2-3 years (presuming we are unlikely to win it all THIS year… ), then how costly will it be to retain Peterson, while praying he stays intact and doesn’t decline? What is the point in paying him what he will surely demand at the end of this expiring contract, trying to piece together a bonafide championship caliber team around him, and meanwhile, the clock is ticking down on his viability and trade value. Pretty soon, we will be on the other side (my opinions of course) a 5-11, a 7-9 season, and Adrian will be getting worn out and be two years older with a big, fat contract. I do not like that scenario and refuse to feel like that’s the only alternative.

Let’s say McNabb starts and suddenly recaptures some of the magic of five years ago (rarely happens). We still have an O- line in decline, a defensive backfield in flux, and some questionable Receivers. We currently do not have a legit Number One WR, and even if we somehow snag Braylon Edwards, he is a borderline #1 at best. Inevitably, we will need to rebuild the left side of our Line very soon (need I point out why?) and I’m not so thrilled with the Center or the Right side either. That will take money, and we won’t have any once Adrian’s agent gets through with the FO. I want to always pursue the Super Bowl title this franchise’s fans deserve. That’s my bottom line – and I am convinced it aint gonna happen in Adrian’s years here.

I still am very concerned about the Offensive Line that our backs are relying upon. Not to mention how vulnerable the aging McNabb and green Ponder will be. Did you see how many time McKinnie pulled a matador move last season? Ole! McNabb better be running his conditioning drills this summer. He is going to need to be fleet afoot!

I agree and have generally always been opposed to drafting RBs as high as Peterson was selected – for the reasons you illustrated. I would much rather tie up less money in a RB who might produce 1000 yards, rather than pay superstar money to a guy who gets you 1500 yards. Usually, superstar Running Backs do not deliver Super Bowls for their franchises. Look into the record books and notice how guys like Barry Sanders and the like fill highlight reels, but often are frustrated by rarely making the playoffs. A solid, productive running attack can be made up by committee. Peterson has the highest trade value he will ever have, right now. Still healthy, still under-30, and some team that feels a star talent like him is their ONE missing element, might be willing to cough up a lot to secure him. The Vikings franchise is not fiscally able to support what he will obviously demand at the end of the year. So, why be in denial? Do you really believe he will turn his back on the possibility of joining a richer team with a more solid Offensive Line, just to stay in Minnesota, where the stadium crisis loom and the team is clearly on a rebuilding trajectory?? Please. His agent and he are already salivating at the anticipated lucrative offers bound to come at him next winter. If YOU were him, would you give that extra effort this year, risk injury and possibly blow the chance for the last gigantic payday of your career? Seriously.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/126370288.html

(i.e., his playing peak, the team’s prospects in the next several years, the O-Line he relies upon, etc.)

In this era, I believe (as you apparently do) that a franchise can avoid a massive rebuilding effort, IF they strategically re-tool. The mistake the Vikings made was desperately reaching out to Favre last year, when many experts and armchair quarterbacks like me felt it was past the point where that made sense. Favre played other-worldly in 2009. He snatched victory from the jaws of defeat more than once, and if not for his incredible play, the team was a .500 squad. Observers who are unemotional about things could see the facts as I describe them. That said, it seemed clear that the O-Line was leaky that year (replay that Saints playoff game and dissect their performances), the and problems loomed at DB and other spots. I felt the team should have faced the music and done some retooling following that loss – and NOT gone after Favre. If they had attempted to trade Peterson then, I would have thought it the wise move. I think the PR aspects overruled everything else. With the stadium issue looming, and the CBA crisis on the horizon, many Front Offices want to avoid doing things to turn off the fans. Trading a superstar who is a model citizen and great teammate is always a PR gamble. Maybe they could have started to retool by trading AP – or maybe other moves could have begun the process. It’s now a moot point.

My contention is that we ought to look at what we actually have and where this team is positioned to go in the coming several seasons. I refuse to buy into any pipe dream that this team is playoff-caliber. It just isn’t right now, in my opinion. Too many holes. So, unless you strongly disagree with that, you may want to ask yourself how we get back to the Super Bowl in the foreseeable future and when is that even remotely realistic? I do nto fault most of the moves of the Front Office, and am in no way bashing them here. I just feel, when the facts are laid out as I see them, you sometimes have to bite the bullet and take some unconventional action to get back on track. It would not be the first time a franchise moved an established superstar. But I feel we have no other chips as potentially powerful as this – and with his contract expiring… well, I am now guilty of being redundant to the extreme.

I appreciate your thoughtfulness and thoroughness in responding. However, we can politely disagree on several points. I feel you are “wishful thinking” more than I care to. To me, the idea that we drafted this star player has no relevance. Also, the point you made about our team’s “relevance” is also inconsequential. We are only as relevant as the number of wins the team compiles. I am very familiar with the roster and also have considered that (I give the FO the benefit of the doubt) that we will likely add one decent WR, and make a few more moves to improve the roster,

That all said, based upon the schedule I have to predict a 5-11 or 6-10 this year. If many things click, we could possibly get 7-9 or 8-8. My prediction is 6-10. So, once again, I predicate my opinions on this scenario. We have a great player who is at the end of his contract. Clearly, he deserves to cash in and he will not turn his back on the best offers that will come his way. The Vikings are in a state of limbo regarding a stadium, and they are gambling on the QB position gelling soon. Nothing against McNabb or Ponder, but one is seemingly past his prime and declining, while the other has a long way to go before I feel we can point to that position with great certainty.

The bottom line to all my contentious comments is that it is not gonna happen. The franchise will retain Peterson, most likely. He will have to be compensated however (deservingly) and then that leaves us still needing to retool or rebuild (choose your term). So, no one should get all worked up over my meaningless opinions. I am just stating that I would take this approach and do what was in my power to at least explore opportunities with other teams.

I am not disagreeing with most of your post. However, some clarifications:
1. The point about game-changing RBs is true. And I do not expect to see CJ leading the Titans to the Super Bowl in the next 2-3 years. So, he runs a risk of a season- or career- ending injury and then the Titans are screwed. I believe teams with 2-3 good or very good backs are often in the best position to win.

2. This “face of the franchise” point is something I appreciate but do not find so critical in the case of a RB like Peterson. Other players can step up and represent this team adequately (Ponder will likely be the new face of the team). In a perfect world, you want to retain people like AP, but it is not a luxury the franchise can afford at this point. And, major point to make (rather obvious) is that you DO NOT trade a player of his caliber unless you get what you need in return. So, barring a trade partner who can offer a proper package, he stays. But then we have to sign him or lose him… and potentially get nothing at all in return – just a polite wave goodbye as he heads to a deep-pockets team.

3. I appreciate your point, but don’t feel Peterson is essential as a PR asset. Other players can fill that role nicely.

4. I am skeptical, to say the least, about your contention he can be kept at a “relatively low cost.” His agent will make certain of that. His last big payday is on the horizon, and his value could not be higher so look out for that contract and its terms.

I stand by my predictions for this season. Maybe I’m just a poor prognosticator, but I see a 6-10 record this year. (After schedule breakdown and review). IF we cannot get proper value for him, we don’t trade him. That’s simple. But, we WILL have to pay him a lot of money, regardless. That is unavoidable.

I asked myself (remember, I love the Vikings and have been loyal since 1970):

“If I were Adrian, what would I be thinking right now? And my answer is that I think I might be better off elsewhere – AND I need to get top dollar for being *arguably) the best RB in the NFL. I would be thinking, this is my LAST contract while at the top of my craft. I need to cash in now, because if I shred my knee in Week X of the season, I may possibly never sign another contract. Lots of risk on my side. I want to ink a long-term deal, and the only way I stay in Minnesota is if they pay me what I deserve. Oh, and I am less than thrilled at the Metrodome situation, feel uneasy with the possibility the franchise may be uprooted, and am not doing cartwheels about our O-Line or our overall offense. I’m very aware that defense have me marked as the one big threat, so they are going to be keying our running attack every down. I also feel I would like one Super Bowl ring before my production starts to slip. Will the Vikings be that team I need around me? I picture myself in New England or Dallas or Miami (etc.) and can envision the last five years of my career battling for a championship in one of those towns.

You say “AP is this team”, but what does that mean, besides PR value. I like him as a person and acknowledge how great an athlete he is. But that’s irrelevant to what I am musing about. I will try to provide some clarity by throwing out a few hypotheticals:
- Any number of Running Backs could fill the role nicely. A team like GB doesn’t have any RB near AP’s talent, yet they won it all a few months ago. So, I believe there are a number of good RBs in every draft; not that they aare identical in talent to AP, but there are always several good RBs available in any Draft.
- For sake of argument, let’s say another team (maybe they can easily afford the luxury of carrying a superstar RB’s contract; and maybe an anemic rushing attack is the one thing holding them back from a championship) covets AP. If they were to agree to sending us a #1, a #2 and a productive player or two, then I like that idea,

You say, “Name ONE person in the draft that can impact this team like he has?” =
I can’t answer that because the previous draft is done and the next one is too far off to speculate on. My point is that a team does not necessarily need to have a RB at the very top of the list, talent-wise. It’s nice to have, but the players who regard themselves as “elite” (as Peterson does) cost the team a lot to retain. I feel winning is what pleases fans more than likable characters. Winning games is the most important factor for most fans.

You say" AP is this team." Not sure what that means, but a team ought to have a bunch of players who can represent the franchise with class and dignity. No team should be defined solely by one player. I imagine Ponder will become one of the new faces of the Vikings very soon. And there are a number of other players who can step into that role if they want to. My point is, IF we can parlay AP (via trade) into eventually 2-3 productive players, we may be better off doing so at this critical point. Just saying I would make inquiries and explore the possibility.

It would have to be discussed discreetly, which teams do all the time. Also, if another team inquired, I am just of the opinion that I would see what we could negotiate. Never would I openly shop a player of his character and talent. But, in a clandestine manner, some exploration can be conducted. Keep in mind that there is no guarantee that he will remain with this franchise beyond this season and the expiring contract. Like most players, money will dictate a lot, and also he will inevitably weigh his chances of getting a ring with this team – assuming he actually cares about championships. Not all players care about much beyond the amazing salaries they get.

That’s the entire point, isn’t it? If money were no object, this whole NFL thing would be quite easy! Keep everyone. Not the way things work in the world, though. If money didn’t factor in, I would never consider trading AP as long as he was happy here. But, that’s a ridiculous notion, right? Because resources ($$) are finite, a lot of tough decisions must be considered every day.

The “new QB” we got is old and coming off a disastrous season. His attitude has been openly questioned/criticized by numerous sportswriters, reporters and NFL people. So, the jury is out on Donovan, and he has a LOT to prove. Even if he had played at a Pro Bowl caliber of play last season, I would be wary of his age and mileage as well. We have serious concerns across the Offensive Line. Our WR crew boils down to Percy Harvin, who is clearly best suited to play Slot, and then a bunch of semi-beautiful journeymen. Even if we add a big name like Braylon Edwards (who has plenty of detractors himself), that means we might have to keep expensive Bernard Berrian and hope Devin Aromashadu is going to emerge as a dependable wide-out. Hmmmm, not so confident on the position myself.

I say we ARE in rebuilding phase, just be breaking down the roster. Whether or not the Front Office would ever use that term is another point altogether, but that just boils down to PR. Fans like yourself are loyal and try to look on the rosy side. I am just being realistic from my one perspective. I want the team to contend and win a Super Bowl in my lifetime. I just don’t see this current edition being anywhere near that level, so I am frustrated that I may never get my wish.

… Peterson, when he signs a new contract, will be the highest paid Viking player. He is great, but that does mean tying up a large percentage of the team’s resources in one player, who happens to man a position where the average player can expect a very abbreviated career. I believe the NFL is a quarterback-driven League, and I would hesitate to have all that money tied up in a HB. That’s just my philosophy. So, to your point, assuming he will inevitably be the highest paid player, the fans have the right to expect a lot of production from that one player. That’s how it always goes. He is a superstar player, no one can argue the fact. I just feel I would prefer to spread the limited dollars around more evenly, if it can translate to more Wins.

No RB with 5+ years ever traded for more than a 5th round pick.

Peterson has 4 years already. Every year, new RB’s are taken in the draft who put up 1000+ yards, and many of them in the 2nd and 3rd round.

Last year’s rushing leader Arian Foster wasn’t even drafted.

We all need to put down the crack pipes and forget the whole ‘time to trade AP’ idea. Not happening.

Life goes on…

people expecting a bounty of picks for Peterson are blinded by the fact he’s the best RB in the league. Really, what we would get for Peterson would not outweigh what we would lose with him. Teams wouldn’t be willing to spend practically half a draft on a RB entering his 5th year, even Peterson, when one 3rd round or 2nd round pick can net you a RB who will be able to move the chains just as well.

I mean, really, where would he go? What team is just a RB away from a SB? That would be the only team to give up a boatload of picks; the desperate ones. Only one I can think of off the top of my head is Indy, and they have cooler heads than to sell their draft for a single RB.

By many of the other responses, you can see that you are in the minority. I stand by my contention that, in light of all factors, I would have to seriously consider trying to make bold moves. It is my amateur oopinion that on the team’s current trajectory (weighing factors of financial limits; age of many key players; and the prospects of competing within an improving Division) the time might be right to investigate some bold moves – this idea being just one of several to get this team back into contention. Some of the blanket (read: emotional) statements being posted are just that; emotional, not analytical reactions. I understand but can’t respect such reactions.

This team, as currently constructed is not a playoff caliber team. To climb back into a viable position as a contender, there are a lot of holes to be filled and some huge question marks. Every team has room for improvement, but I do agree this is a cobbled-together squad in many ways. Huge questions abound at critical positions. While we hope they will all pan out, I think it would be childish to expect the majority of the chips to fall our way. There are many ways to build a franchise, but some methods are a lot riskier than others. To me, this team is relying on too many what-if propositions to come through. We are looking at a stretch of years of rebuilding, whether or not anyone wants to admit it. Break down the roster and tell me why I’m wrong. Once again, in light of that (if you buy it from me), the most prudent business move may be to try to trade certain coveted players – IF (and ONLY if) you can improve the team in some lasting and significant manner. I am tired of stateing this redundantly, so this will be my last post on the subject. I feel it was worth some dialogue at least. Apparently, many would prefer to watch Peterson toil away for a .500 team than face facts.

Why turn this into a blanket statement, when it pertains to this particular franchise at this particular time? That is the important thing to stress. My suggestion – and please keep in perspective that it is merely a suggestion on a blog site (read: meaningless and of no impact on anything), I am discussing the Minnesota Vikings at this point in their franchise history. A lot of factors make the situation unique, which all weighed on my reasoning to even suggest such “blasphemy” (as Fanboys want to call any such notions). One thing I would point out is that Adrian Peterson, while a phenomenal player and a decent person, is not the ONLY NFL player who draws fans to games. Any productive, exciting player can fill seats and win fans. Look around the league. Do I have a special affections for AP because he wears Purple and Gold? YES. I do. I am a fan of his and applauded the selection when he was drafted. I have never criticized his play, even when he was fumbling at a record pace. So, if anyone suggests I don’t appreciate the player, they are woefully incorrect.

The cold facts are this: The Minnesota Vikings’ franchise is in the unenviable position of having major question marks about their future in the NFL. Obviously, the lack of a stadium deal is far from resolved. They are regarded as one of the lowest-valued NFL franchises, as it is. (Look it up.) Whether or not the team or blindly-loyal Fanboy-types are man enough to admit it, this team (personnel-wise) is in transition and aging at so many positions, it is in REBUILDING Mode. Have you watched Donovan McNabb’s play deteriorate over the past 3-4 years? Do you think Christian Ponder is the next Dan Marino (a rookie QB who jumps right in and plays at the highest level)? Do you think Adrian Peterson is a martyr who will accept anything but Top-dollar for his services over the course of the LAST BIG contract he will ever sign? Do you think our current Offensive Line stands a chance of keeping our QBs in one piece this year, when you review the defensive personnel just with our own Division? Brett Favre might still be playing at a high level for this team if the Line had not been such a seive the past 1-2 years. The Saints basically ruined him that game two seasons back, because they manhandled a younger version of the current O-Line. And last year, we saw the further deterioration of Hutch, McKinnie and Herrera. Loadholt, to me, looks like a bust. I watched and broke down many of his plays and he looks like a bust to me. The Centers are mediocre at best. Is that line good enough to win a Championship with? Are they good enough to win the Division behind? I HOPE they are, but I don’t THINK they are. I see some painful days ahead for Donovan and Christian, not to mention far too few holes for Our RBs, including the Godly Adrian Peterson. I watched all the games last year. There were VERY FEW holes for our backs to exploit. Maybe someone else out there can be mature enough to corroborate my take on that. Has the Line IMPROVED a lot since this point last year? Or just gotten older and even LESS effective. I am not a hater. Just calling it as I see it.

You may say, “What’s the point? We like burying our heads in the sand because it’s too hard to change things.” Yep, that’s the way most “fans” think and behave. Not me. I’m a fighter and prefer to do everything in my power to win. The NFL is supposedly all about winning the Super Bowl. You want to take your best shot at it every year, right? OR am I wrong about that? All I am saying is it might be smart to look at a number of BOLD moves to get the franchise on the right trajectory to win a Super Bowl. Keeping Adrian Peterson may be a luxury a team in this position simply can’t afford. And it is again insulting when people comment, as if I am saying you just trade him away and then go with Toby Gerhart as our one and only RB. I never intended that, nr would the plan be to do that. Multiple moves would have to be made in order to even consider trading a back like AP. But that doesn’t intimidate me, and I feel there are many possible scenarios to improve the team by trades and FA moves.

Obviously, the likelihood of anything other than Peterson getting a FAT contract this year is miniscule. The FO will never trade him, unless he puts the negotiating gun to their heads and flat-out says he would rather play elsewhere. They don’t have the stones to rock that boat – but HE and his dad certainly may. As I said before, if I was his father, I probably would be whispering in his ear to look elsewhere for a lot of reasons. If that happens (and I believe it is 50% possible), then what? He will walk and go play for a high-profile team and we will have nothing in return. I think Adrian would look great in a Cowboys or Patriots uni. And I bet his dad has already Photoshopped him wearing a few other team’s jerseys. Just sayin’… be careful where you place your blind loyalty. It’s almost never reciprocated. Not in “business”, and that is all the NFL is.

I flatter myself. They are the experts and I am nothing but an old man who thinks he knows something about football because he just watches it on television for fifty years. I can’t disagree with your contention. The proof is always in the W-L record, and (dare I say) how many Super Bowls you win (in theory, anyway). I just would like my favorite team to win one Super Bowl, one day – hopefully in my lifetime, which may or may not mean there is a lot of time left. I foresee a team with a losing record, featuring a great RB. I see a Vikings team that may once again be a viable championship team in about 3-5 years from now. At that point AP will either be done or far less impactful than he is today. In the meantime, they need to rebuild most of the Offensive Line as well as the Defense – pretty much across the board. The QB position is a mystery at this point. We all pray that Ponder is the answer, otherwise… start over again there. The Divisional opponents, in my layman’s appraisal (yes, my opinion is fairly worthless compared to true NFL experts) have all been on the upswing and seem to be steadily improving… especially their Defenses. Between the Packers, Bears and Lions, I would guess the NFC Central champs come from that group during the next 3-5 years. Sure, the Vikings might get a Wild Card berth at some point, but do they really match up well against the top-tier NFC teams now? I don’t see how.

So, if my amateur suppositions are correct, we will retain Adrian Peterson – let’s say we lock up his services for the remainder of his career. At the end of what I see as an inevitable rebuilding phase (you can disagree of course), he will be around 30 years old and a lot of the tread will be worn on his tires, as they say. He also will have absorbed a lot of punishment due to lack of running room behind a porous, aging Line. Maybe things go well, and by 2016 they Vikings are poised to make another Super Bowl run. For his sake, as much as for the franchise and its fans, let’s hope he is STILL in one piece and a happy and productive player. Let’s hope he avoided significant injuries, despite the inadequacies of the Linemen supposedly leading the way for him and helping to keep him intact. Even in what I consider this “best case scenario”, he is inevitably older, more beat up and perhaps clinging to the end of a career. My original post merely suggested that maybe there is a better outcome than this, one that might translate into a speedier rebuilding – for the sake of the franchise, its players, and the fans. I understand that I am not an expert, and I apologize for flattering myself. Thanks for reminding me that I’m nothing but an aging fan, one who is tired of waiting for this franchise to bring home the Lombardi.

That type of idiocy will never happen again. Of course, our franchise was guilty of the original stupidity, and have themselves to blame for setting the team back for a log period. I disagree with those who conveniently suggest that we would agree to any heavily-lopsided trade offer for AP. That is not the only possibility, from my standpoint. A proper trade is possible, one that might yield a player or two and a handful of valuable draft picks. IS it likely? No. But, if a proper deal could be worked out with a contending team, I am just saying I would consider it. I feel AP is our only real bargaining chip in a major trade. Am I wrong?