Feb. 2, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA: Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson walks the red carpet prior to the Super Bowl XLVII NFL Honors award show at Mahalia Jackson Theater. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Peterson has at last chimed in on the gay marriage debate. In Peterson’s own words he is not “with that.” Meaning he is against marriage equality. Peterson voiced his opinion during an interview on Sirius/XM radio, saying:

To each his own, I’m not with it. But I have relatives that, you know, are gay. I’m not biased toward them. I still treat them the same. I love them. But again, I’m not with that. That’s not something that I believe in. But to each his own.

This puts Peterson squarely at odds with former teammate Chris Kluwe who of course is an outspoken advocate on behalf of gay marriage. But don’t expect any fisticuffs to break out between the two over the matter. They are actually friends. Peterson said he misses the now-former Viking punter. “It hurt me to see him leave,” Peterson said. “He was a good friend of mine and a really cool guy, man. Probably one of the smartest guys I’ve ever been around man. Different.”

See? They disagree on politics but are still friends. That’s how it should be in America. Everyone having their own opinion but still getting along. Everyone respecting everyone else’s takes.

Chris Kluwe and Adrian Peterson. They are role models in so many ways. Just follow their example and we’ll be okay.

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Dec 23, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) warms up before the game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

Another Viking defender has landed on the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players Countdown. Last week Chad Greenway came in at #70 and this week Jared Allen shows up at #60. Allen’s production dipped in 2012, thanks in part to some physical issues, but he still had a solid season notching 12 sacks.

We asked the question with Greenway so we have to ask it with Allen. Is this a legitimate selection? Does Jared Allen deserve to be considered one of the NFL’s 100 best players?

If you take the last few seasons together, there’s no question Jared deserves to be considered among the best pass rushing defensive ends in the league. And he’s also pretty good against the run and sometimes he even makes a big play dropping in coverage. And now and then he even long-snaps. And sometimes gets a shot in on Ray Edwards’ nads.

But that’s over the last few seasons. How about right now? Is Jared still in that near-elite category coming off a year where he was clearly slowed by injury? I guess that depends on how he recovers from the injury. He had shoulder surgery this offseason and is diligently rehabbing. There’s every reason to believe that, if Jared gets his body right, he can rebound from a somewhat off season.

Or maybe Jared is just past his prime and destined to see his production slip and slide more with each passing season. It’s a slippery slope for guys Jared’s age. Once you get that momentum going in one direction on a surface with not very much friction, you tend to just keep going right on into oblivion.

One thing I know for sure: Jared’s not getting close to 22 sacks again. That was an epic season for Allen. Everything fell just right. Expecting him to keep up that production was never realistic. 2012 was more than anything an adjustment back to the norm.

Bottom line: Maybe Jared is still a top 100 player but the arrow is definitely trending down. The only thing trending up with Jared is his bank account. Top 100 player or not, dude is making $17 million this season. And don’t even think of asking him to renegotiate. He will spear you in the butt like you were an elk.

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May 20, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin (11) participates in organized team activities at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Percy Harvin hasn’t been in Seattle long enough to create a headache for coaches, teammates and the media. Give him awhile and he’ll get there. For now though everything is roses and kittens and unicorns with rainbows coming out of their butts.

Harvin is in the honeymoon phase right now. And he knows that, if he wants that phase to last, he needs to say and do all the right things. So he is saying and doing the right things. Like showing up for OTAs. And kissing fan butt. And taking implied shots at the Vikings along the way.

One statement in particular seems like a dig against the Vikes. Harvin was asked how he felt about being in Seattle. He said, “It’s neat to know that you are wanted.” Implying that the Vikings made him feel unwanted?

Well maybe Percy had good reason to feel that way. For weeks you heard nothing but stories about how rotten a teammate Harvin was and how he was a headache and the team was looking to trade him. That’s liable to make a guy feel unwanted. And I still suspect most of that stuff was put out there by the team deliberately to smear Harvin in the eyes of the fans and make it easier for the fans to swallow the inevitable trade.

Harvin probably suspects that too. So he has reason to feel bitter toward the Vikings. He said all the right things after his departure but deep down you know he hates Rick Spielman and the whole gang at Winter Park. If he felt free to really speak his mind, I suspect his statements would be a lot stronger.

Anyway that doesn’t matter now. The Vikings have moved on. Spielman made a pretty good deal under the circumstances. The Vikes have a young, talented guy in Cordarrelle Patterson who could make fans forget all about Percy. And Percy is happy in Seattle. For now. Give it a few weeks though.

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