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wow,, was there a trade request / rumor I missed?

http://news.yahoo.com/adrian-peterson-v ... --spt.html

Adrian Peterson vents on Twitter about honoring contract
Associated Press By JON KRAWCZYNSKI

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Adrian Peterson took to Twitter on Thursday to express his frustration over criticism he is receiving while staying away from the voluntary portion of Minnesota Vikings' offseason.

The former NFL MVP has come under scrutiny from fans after saying he wanted a long-term commitment from the team despite the fact that he missed most of last season while addressing child abuse charges. He has three years and about $46 million left on his deal, but none of that is guaranteed.

"A (little) crazy how one side has so much power that they can do as they please when it come to the contract!" Peterson tweeted. "But when the other-side (player's) feels for whatever reason! Family, Change of scenery or simply - what they feels just might work best for them! Those same laws don't apply!"

Peterson skipped the first three-day set of optional practices this week. It was initially believed that Peterson was still upset with the Vikings for a perceived lack of support while he went through his legal problems last year that culminated in pleading guilty to a misdemeanor for striking his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch. But Peterson tweeted Wednesday night that his absence was a contract matter and was "business, not personal."

Coach Mike Zimmer said Wednesday that Peterson had two choices: play for the Vikings or not play at all.

Peterson will have his $12.75 million salary for 2015 guaranteed if he's on the roster for Week 1. But the 30-year-old also wants more of the money on the back end of his deal guaranteed, a person close to Peterson told The Associated Press on Thursday. His stance in the wake of missing 15 games last season because of his legal issues has caused a player who was once the most popular athlete in the Twin Cities to become assailed by fans and media who want him to show up for the offseason workouts and honor his contract.

Apparently that set Peterson off on Thursday.

"I know hundreds of players that wished their team would've HONORED the contract!" Peterson tweeted. "But instead got threw to the side like trash."

A Vikings official, who requested anonymity because the team does not comment publicly on player contracts, told the AP that the team has never asked Peterson to take a pay cut.

Peterson is the highest-paid running back in the league. His rookie contract included $17 million in guaranteed money and the new six-year, $86 million deal that started in 2011 included $36 million in guaranteed money that has already been paid out. Peterson's contract calls for $14.75 million in 2016 and $16.75 million in 2017, all of which is non-guaranteed.

Peterson's grievances were less with the Vikings specifically and more with the economic structure negotiated by the players' union in the latest collective bargaining agreement. Unlike the NBA and Major League Baseball, the NFL has long had contracts that were only partially guaranteed. Owners and executives have always maintained the number of serious injuries that NFL players suffer would make fully guaranteed contracts unfeasible.

The Vikings also have a set of voluntary practices next week. But the first team function that Peterson is required to attend is a minicamp starting June 16.

Tough sledding in Minny. Hard to believe AP is 30. His best days are behind him with a non guaranteed contract. I could see him gt traded.

http://blogs.twincities.com/vikings/201 ... love-game/

Adrian Peterson’s dad says Vikings running back isn’t going to worry about contract situation, returned for ‘love of the game’

2 June, 2015 // Vikings // Tags :

By Chris Tomasson

ctomasson@pioneerpress.com

Adrian Peterson’s father said Tuesday his son has returned to the Vikings for the “love of the game’’ and he’s not going to worry about his contract situation.

Peterson missed 15 games last season because of a child-abuse incident and skipped last week’s first three sessions of organized team activities because he was disappointed with his contract. But Peterson returned to OTAs on Tuesday at Winter Park even though the Vikings have no plans at this point to do anything with his contract, which three years and $44.25 million left, with none of it guaranteed.

“He’s not going to worry about (his contract),’’ Nelson Peterson said in a phone interview with the Pioneer Press. “He’s just going to go about his business and do what he has to do and go from there. The Vikings say he has a contract and he can play for us or play for nobody. So we’re going to play ball and we’ll go from there.’’

Nelson Peterson said the Vikings have made no promises to his son and that it was his decision entirely to return to the team.

“Adrian is his own man and he makes his own decisions,’’ said Nelson Peterson. “He came in on his own and I think everything will work out good. … He’s just come to play football and like coach (Mike) Zimmer said, he has a contract, so we’re going to play. He’s going to do what he loves to do.’’

Zimmer reiterated last week the Vikings weren’t going to trade Peterson. He said, “He can either play for us or he cannot play. He’s not going to play for anybody else.”

Tuesday’s participation in OTAs is believed to be Peterson’s first time back at Winter Park since Sept. 12, 2014, the day it was announced it had been indicted in Texas on a felony charge of child abuse. Peterson eventually pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault.

The Vikings have scheduled a 2:30 p.m. press conference Tuesday with Peterson and Zimmer.

Nelson Peterson declined to say how it all unfolded last weekend with his son having made the decision to return. While there has been plenty of animosity since last fall between the running back and the Vikings, he father hopes bygones will be bygones.

“The hope is that everything works out,’’ said Nelson Peterson. “I’m very excited for him to have the opportunity to get back with his teammates and doing what he loves.’’

Despite having not played in a game since Sept. 7, 2014 and in a practice since Sept. 12, 2014, Peterson’s father said he has no concerns about his son immediately getting back to speed.

“When you’re Adrian Peterson and you’re that type of player, how can that (be an issue)?’’ said Nelson Peterson. “He’s the best. He was born great. So he’s ready to go.

“He never gets out of shape. He understands it’s a business and he’s prepared himself for it year round. Even before all of this happened, he keeps himself in shape year round.’’

Follow Chris Tomasson at twitter.com/christomasson

While I'm sure there are reasons for NFL veterans to take issue with the way things are set up in the league, in this particular case, I don't think AP's got room to talk. Sure, the remainder of his contract isn't guaranteed but he's presenting that fact as if it's unfair. But he got a bunch of guaranteed money up front. Every player knows the back end of the contract is loaded and they won't likely see all of it.

Not to mention, it was AP's pride that kept this media situation going. While corporal punishment is legal in Texas, the severity of the punishment is what's in question and AP could have been back on the field long ago if he'd just been contrite. Basically, he's brought this situation on himself and backing your employer into a corner is rarely the means to an end.

Obviously, he realized this time that his actions weren't going to benefit him and he's done a 180 on showing up for OTA's. If he'd just been humble enough to do the same type of thing last year, he wouldn't be in this pickle.

The way contracts are only really binding for the player and not the team (at least in the sense that much is not guaranteed) may not be entirely fair, but you're right mokler, they do get a lot up front, and the players agreed to this in the CBA.

BTW, Cam Newton just got paid: