May 27, 2015; Eden Prairie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer looks over his team as they stretch to start practice at Winter Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
What We Learned During the First Week of OTAs in the NFL:
- Peterson tries to be sympathetic figure in problem of his own making
- Cowboys Hardy’s appeal concluded
- Ray McDonald can’t stop getting arrested
- Brady’s appeal date set
- Two St. Louis Rams players live as homeless for a night
- Manziel gets harassed at a golf tournament
- Steelers start OTAs off with two-point drill
Football in shorts is in full swing across the league and while it will be a while till there is some actual contact between these players; there is no shortage of stories in today’s NFL. Whether it’s deflated footballs, domestic violence or some weird contract holdout there is always something to talk about.
Peterson’s Twitter rant, Zimmer doesn’t flinch
The odd thing about the contract dispute Adrian Peterson seems to be having with the Minnesota Vikings is that he keeps trying to make himself out to be a sympathetic figure. He’s all but shouted on the rooftops that he wants a trade and was hoping that his demands of Minnesota guaranteeing the $46 million he has remaining on his contract would lead them to trade him.
Instead, they’re just fine with playing this game of chicken with him. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said last week that Peterson isn’t going anywhere. He said Peterson “can play for us, or he cannot play.” Pretty clear cut and that prompted Peterson to go on a questionable Twitter rant (are there any other kinds?).
I love people who think they know it all! Smh, Research how many NFL teams hasn't honored a player's contract & learn something.
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
Question for the people, is a contract two sided or one?
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
Ok great two sided! Well why when one party decides ... Mr. ? we wan't you to take a pay cut now or better yet flat out release you!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
There's never no talk about honoring a contract!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
I know hundreds of player's that wished their team would've HONORED the contract! But instead got threw to the side like like trash.
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
I know hundreds of player's that wished their team would've HONORED the contract! But instead got threw to the side like like trash.
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
A lill crazy how one side has so much power that they can do as they please when it come to the contract! But when the other-side (player's)
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
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!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
All I'm saying as a Minnesota Viking player! WE need the same power to do as all 32 teams do we they feel, under contract or not!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
It's time for a change! Then again I'm grateful because at the end of the day, I know some of those same guys that wish a team held on!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
Also I appreciate all my colleagues for voting ya boy into the Top 100 ! Mad Love & Respect goes out to all of y'all (You All)! God Bless
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
To clarify, since analysts & everyone else have the answers to what place in MY Heart this "rant" came from...
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
This is not against the Vikings. I am just frustrated that our union did not get guaranteed contracts for its players.
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
NFL players deserve guaranteed contacts like Our NBA and MLB brothers.
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
. Owners have the right to release players, at will, without honoring their contracts.
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 28, 2015
However, players do not have the luxury of saying that they want out of their contract. And I won't even get into the franchise tag convo
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) May 29, 2015
Peterson is currently sitting out the Vikings OTAs apparently in the hopes he can get his contract guaranteed or get traded. This is probably going to end very anticlimactically. Just to be clear, Peterson is mad that the Vikings want him to honor his contract and aren’t releasing him outright or trading him for picks or something. He’s actually mad at that but thinks it’s awful NFL owners don’t always honor contracts the players sign.
Next: Greg Hardy's appeal complete