Adrian Peterson Back On The Field?

*FAN SUBMISSION by Darren Tyler of San Jose, CA. Follow him on Twitter @rotobacon.*

Courtesy: ABC News

Let me start out with a small disclaimer: I am not going to express an opinion on Adrian Peterson’s actions. Efforts have been made by both the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL to separate their organizations from the backlash caused by the reports and images surrounding the way AP punished his son. Appropriate discipline for children is an incredibly sensitive and polarizing topic, and I’m not about to try and throw my hat in the ring to talk about what is right or wrong in that realm. Instead, I’m going to focus on Adrian Peterson’s impending hearing, and the results of him taking a plea deal as seems to be expected. This is about football, folks – not family.

With that out of the way:

Adrian Peterson’s accepted a plea deal earlier this week during his hearing. This in turn drops his felony charges for child abuse to a misdemeanor. This means no jail time, ending with him being on probation as a first-time offender. This could essentially bring a swifter-than-anticipated close to the legal proceedings, allowing the NFL to step in and decide what appropriate punishment from an organizational standpoint would be. 

Based on the new rule instated earlier this year pertaining to cases of Domestic Violence, Adrian Peterson would be considered a first offender, dictating a 6-game suspension (this will also be the main topic of the NFLPA and Ray Rice’s upcoming appeal to happen later this month). He has already been on the Exempt/Commissioner’s Permission list since Mid-September, which barred him from any and all team activities despite continuing to receive pay.

What this means is that the NFL could potentially decide that Adrian Peterson has been “Suspended” for more than the minimum 6 games, and account for time already served in their disciplinary actions. While some additional monetary punishment may be enacted, there is the potential for Peterson to be eligible to play again not only this season, but not this week. The NFL powers denied his request for immediate reinstatement one day after his court ruling. 

But Adrian Peterson could find himself back on the football field starting in Week 11. Such a timeline doesn’t necessarily seem realistic given that the NFL has been anything but expeditious when deciding appropriate discipline this season, but the potential is there. It is also of note that any leniency they show to Adrian Peterson in the days running up to Ray Rice’s appeal for reinstatement could potentially be used against them, as Ray Rice was himself a first-time offender. However, many expect Ray Rice to win the appeal already as his case seems fairly solid since his punishment was well above and beyond that which was laid out in the weeks before his dismissal. 

In Rice’s case, I wrote recently that I doubted he would be able to find work even in the event that he is reinstated this season. There’s likely just too much baggage for any likely suitors to want to work through. In Adrian Peterson’s case, however, there is a major difference. While things became very ugly as the details of the story made it into the public eye, there is a significant divide in opinion on the subject.

Courtesy: CBS Local New York

There are those who believe he should be in jail, certainly, but there are also those who believe a parent should be left to discipline their child as they see fit. Some view Adrian Peterson’s use of a “switch” as a traditional form of punishment, and one not worthy of continual discussion. In addition, all of the details, images, etc. were made available immediately – there will be no “second elevator video” to reignite the issue the way there was in Rice’s case. 

Because of this, the publicity and questions surrounding Adrian Peterson’s reinstatement could be much easier to manage than in Rice’s case as well. Even if the Vikings decide to distance themselves by releasing Peterson, there are certainly teams out there which may be willing to take up the challenge for the reward of one of the NFL’s greatest rushers.

While many mid and late-season acquisitions can prove ineffective due to the need to learn a new system, a talent like Adrian Peterson can give a waffling team the boost it needs to claw their way into the playoffs; something which can’t be easily found or ignored. There is a chance the Minnesota Vikings decide to keep him inactive, but that’s a lot of money to pay out for someone who isn’t even on the sidelines. 

As Adrian Peterson’s hearing went as expected, I believe the NFL will grant him eligibility to return this season. It may be almost immediate, or it may be delayed until after the Rice hearing to allow the Commissioner’s office to regain a little credibility by appearing “consistent” for the first time this year. Either way, I’d expect to see Adrian Peterson’s name pop back up on an active roster in time for the playoffs.