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Minnesota Vikings HC Mike Zimmer Is In Adrian Peterson’s Corner

By Adam Carlson

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One of the biggest question marks surrounding the future of the Minnesota Vikings involves former NFL MVP Adrian Peterson.  After spending 15 games this season out of action due to legal problems, there are plenty of reasons to be skeptical about Peterson’s return to the Minnesota Vikings or even the NFL in general.  His problems off the field led to the team losing sponsors and getting a lot of negative attention to the team.

Aug 28, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) leaves the field after the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. The Vikings won 19-3. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

But there was another major problem with Peterson’s absence: the lack of a running game.

During the 2014 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings only had a running back gain over 100 yards on the ground twice (Jerick McKinnon in weeks 4 and 7) and had only 11 runs of 20 or more yards.  Despite the emergence of Jerick McKinnon and the short yardage reliability of Matt Asiata, the team missed the production that Adrian Peterson can offer an NFL team.

In a recent article by ESPN, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer spoke about the possibility of getting Adrian Peterson back and what it would mean to the team.

"“Adrian was always great with me. I think he’s a good person. I think obviously he’s a great running back, and if it works out that way and things work out and he gets his life in order — that’s the most important thing, he gets his life in order, he gets the opportunity to come back — then I will be in his corner whatever the decision is made.”"

While it’s nice to hear that coach Zimmer would be in his corner, the decision as to remove Adrian Peterson from the Exempt/Commissioner’s Permission List is out of his hands. Instead, Peterson will need NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to activate him in order for him to play.  A decision will have to be made on Adrian’s status on that list by April 15th, when the star running back is eligible to be considered for reinstatement.

By now, we all know that Mike Zimmer likes players that can play football.  And he knows that Adrian can do that.

"“I think he would add value to any team, to be honest with you. I think the kid’s a heck of a football player.”"

Vikings fans have gotten to see first hand the kind of value that Adrian Peterson can add to an NFL team.  Players don’t win the NFL MVP award without being good at what the do.  Hopefully, Adrian can get his life in order and return to the field for the 2015 season.

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