Vikings lock up Adrian Peterson with massive deal

[FISHINGURU]

Less than two weeks after Chris Johnson commanded a huge contract extension from the Tennessee Titans, Adrian Peterson got his.

A day before the Minnesota Vikings will open the 2011 season, Peterson has been paid handsomely. The team announced a long-term contract extension for the All-Pro running back, one that will keep him in place for some time. According to Pro Football Talk, it’s a seven-year deal with a maximum value of $100 million. The deal reportedly includes $36 million guaranteed. No word yet on exactly how it’s structured, but there could be similarities with what Johnson received.

“Adrian’s performances on the field have given fans so much excitement since he first joined us as a rookie,” Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said in a statement released by the team. “His talent and determination are remarkable and we are proud to have him be a part of the family for years to come. We are excited that in the past week we have been able to lock up Chad Greenway and Adrian for the long term. Both players have come up in

our system and are the foundation to the future of the Vikings.”

With Peterson and Greenway in place, the biggest question surrounding the franchise now is where it will play in the near future. The club’s lease at the Metrodome expires after this season. The Vikings are showing a willingness to invest in their players. We’ll see where the stadium issue heads. For now, back to football.

“Adrian is, to me, the best running back in pro football and we’re happy to have him as a part of the organization for the long term,” Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier said. “He’s a fan favorite and a great teammate. Adrian’s a guy we lean on when he’s on the field with the ball in his hand and as a leader in the locker room.”

[reinhard1]

i think that is great news. i also think he is the greatest running back on the field today. good luck.

[LMITOUT]

There goes my fantasy season.

[Antero]

Not to discourage you Vikes fans but I think this is now a passing league.

AP is, in my opinion the best runner in the league but I am not sure how that gets the Purple to the promised land. It is hard to keep up with todays high powered passing teams with a run based offense. Especially with a D that is a bit suspect.

[LMITOUT]

Not to discourage you Vikes fans but I think this is now a passing league.

It's been a passing league for years.

[WyoChris]

This is great news. AP is an awesome offensive weapon and a lot of fun to watch every sunday.

Vikes just locked up a great LB, a great RB, drafted a talented young QB which will develop over the next few years, and got a veteran QB to hold down the position this season. Frazier has his priorities straight.... and is looking out for this team's future in years to come.

LMITOUT/Antero: Don't tell us stuff we already know.... everyone knows the NFL is a passing league, but it sure doesn't hurt to have a solid running threat. Every opposing team's defensive coordinator needs to seriously adjust their gameplan since they know how dangerous AP can be. If your not feeling wanted in this forum and need to make ridiculous posts... go find a packers forum so you can all tell each other how you want rodgers to father your children

[LMITOUT]

This is great news. AP is an awesome offensive weapon and a lot of fun to watch every sunday.

"Fun to watch" doesn't win championships and it appears that depending on opposing defenses to change their schemes doesn't either.

[zepman]

Doesn't matter...he IS the best RB in the NFL and he's locked up with the Vikes now until he blows out a knee. Good for fans, media, and the Vikes in general to have him signed and happy going into this year.

No doubt...the Vikes need an emerging QB who can make all the plays to take them to the next level...just don't know if we have our guy yet.

Ponder/Webb...I like Webb better....always have.

McNabb is a good "gap" QB...but doesn't fill the role as a franchise QB...yet.

This weekend will be interesting to say the least.

[Steve Foss]

LMITOUT/Antero: Don't tell us stuff we already know.... everyone knows the NFL is a passing league, but it sure doesn't hurt to have a solid running threat. Every opposing team's defensive coordinator needs to seriously adjust their gameplan since they know how dangerous AP can be. If your not feeling wanted in this forum and need to make ridiculous posts... go find a packers forum so you can all tell each other how you want rodgers to father your children

That made me laugh!

I've been wishing for a couple years that AP would get serious about a Super Bowl and sign with the Pack. Would have made Green Bay well nigh unstoppable. Oh well.

Congrats on the signing and good luck today, guys.

[Bryce]

Sounds like another Garnett/Mauer type deal. Maybe this one will work out. Will his body hold out long enough to help Ponder in LA?

[LMITOUT]

Peterson will be the highest paid running back in Los Angeles since Reggie Bush.

[james_walleye]

It's a good move, period. Glad it got done sooner rather than later.

[tonkapat]

Guaranteed money for an nfl running back is a big gamble. Especially for the length and amount of his contract. The only thing guaranteed about this deal is he is really expensive whether he plays or not. Hopefully he doesn't get a sore pu$$y and take half the season off like mauer caused by his fat wallet.

[Antero]

That's about $50 million per leg....not bad pay for someone who considers himself a slave.....

Adrian Peterson was interviewed by Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. The interview with Adrian Peterson ultimately focused on the state of the NFL Lockout. Peterson delivered several memorable quotes, but the silliest of all was a comment comparing the NFL to modern day slavery.

[FISHINGURU]

This is an awesome signing, whoever wouldn't want to lock up the leagues best RB is a moron....period.

I wouldn't expect any less from the trolls though, Greenway sucks, Percy is a bust, Jared is a no good hillbilly. Blah blah blah.....

[LMITOUT]

39 yards passing.

Not in a quarter, not in a half, but the entire game.

That's why you don't tie up $100M in a RB that couldn't even crack a hundred today.

What is Cedric Benson getting paid? Heck, he had a better day and he just got out of jail.

"Hello Adrian, this is Zygi...I want my money back."

If that is the extent of the passing game, or lack thereof, why even bother signing McNabb? Might as well put Ponder out there and quit with the tap dance routine.

[Stratosman]

Sorta agree with you..

But 3 and out everytime isn't gonna get the RB alot of chances to crack 100.... Gotta complete some 3rd down throws too..

[WyoChris]

Percy had a nice start to the game, and AP did his job as usual.... but 39 passing yds from Mcnabb???? Seriously? I think it's gonna be up to Ponder to get our offense rolling this year.

Not sure what to make of our defense quite yet..... once Rivers got into his rhythm in the 2nd half and stopped throwing INTs we didn't stand a chance.

[flipper]

Adrian has got the big bucks now. We've seen the best of him.

[schmitty3]

39 yards passing.

Not in a quarter, not in a half, but the entire game.

That's why you don't tie up $100M in a RB that couldn't even crack a hundred today.

What is Cedric Benson getting paid? Heck, he had a better day and he just got out of jail.

"Hello Adrian, this is Zygi...I want my money back."

If that is the extent of the passing game, or lack thereof, why even bother signing McNabb? Might as well put Ponder out there and quit with the tap dance routine.

He had 16 carries for 98 yards. That an average of 6.1 yrds a crack. Pretty good if you ask me. It's not his fault he didn't get more carries and they had no passing game. I wouldn't say he had a bad game. Look at the stats and do some math before you post this [PoorWordUsage].

[LMITOUT]

You completely missed the point.

39 passing yards.

And before you put away the calculator you should recall that Peterson had almost half of his total in one run.

A 10 point lead against a team that didn't have a FG kicker and you couldn't put them away. Why? 39 passing yards, that's why. A RB that is "fun to watch" doesn't matter. Not in this league.

[flipper]

28 yards of offense in the entire second half. Go Vikes!

[WyoChris]

LMITOUT - Do you have a life?

Seriously.... I'm getting tired of reading your [PoorWordUsage]...... I imagine i'm not the only one either

[schmitty3]

You completely missed the point.

And before you put away the calculator you should recall that Peterson had almost half of his total in one run.

That's what good backs do. Keep pounding it until the defense wears down, and gives you an opening. And what you said was he had a bad game cause he didn't have over 100 yards. If he woulda had the carries he should be getting he woulda had well over 100 yards.

[LMITOUT]

And what you said was he had a bad game cause he didn't have over 100 yards.

No, what I'm saying is that you can get almost any RB to do what Peterson did today and that instead of fooling around with a "serviceable QB" that people are so fond of talking about, you should be getting a serviceable RB and putting your money into a better QB/passing game. Now you have all your money tied up in a running game that will take you nowhere in this league of pass-happy offenses that will run up and down the field on you.

Will Peterson have games with huge numbers? If the past is any indication then probably so, but in the long term those blips won't be of much value.

The bottom line is Zygi is trying to buy a stadium much like the Twins did when they overpaid the other player in town, Mauer. It's like putting new carpet in your house when the roof is leaking...misplaced investment. But hey, it gets people all giggly and makes them want a new stadium where they can watch fifty more years of mediocrity.