Vikings Reverse Course Again, Ban Adrian Peterson

Here is the Vikings' statement on Adrian Peterson, released early Wednesday morning (around 12:45, to be more precise):

This has been an ongoing and deliberate process since last Friday’s news. In conversations with the NFL over the last two days, the Vikings advised the League of the team’s decision to revisit the situation regarding Adrian Peterson. In response, the League informed the team of the option to place Adrian on the Exempt/Commissioner’s Permission list, which will require that Adrian remain away from all team activities while allowing him to take care of his personal situation until the legal proceedings are resolved. After giving the situation additional thought, we have decided this is the appropriate course of action for the organization and for Adrian.

We are always focused on trying to make the right decision as an organization. We embrace our role - and the responsibilities that go with it – as a leader in the community, as a business partner and as an organization that can build bridges with our fans and positively impact this great region. We appreciate and value the input we have received from our fans, our partners and the community.

While we were trying to make a balanced decision yesterday, after further reflection we have concluded that this resolution is best for the Vikings and for Adrian. We want to be clear: we have a strong stance regarding the protection and welfare of children, and we want to be sure we get this right. At the same time we want to express our support for Adrian and acknowledge his seven-plus years of outstanding commitment to this organization and this community. Adrian emphasized his desire to avoid further distraction to his teammates and coaches while focusing on his current situation; this resolution accomplishes these objectives as well.

We will support Adrian during this legal and personal process, but we firmly believe and realize this is the right decision. We hope that all of our fans can respect the process that we have gone through to reach this final decision. – Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf

Not surprisingly, I have a few thoughts.

• I can't believe it took this long.
• The local business impact isn't huge on the Vikings bottom line (most NFL money comes from national revenue sharing), but the situation wasn't going to get better, and everyone in the organization had to know that. It was smart of the team to do the right thing, and better late than never, but did I mention I can't believe it took this long?
• If I were Adrian Peterson, I'd be instructing my legal representation to craft a plea deal as soon as possible. Suddenly, there's very real motivation for Peterson to get this resolved as soon as possible. Yes, the NFL will probably suspend Peterson once the case is resolved, but he can't concern himself with that. If he allows this case to go to trial, he will have missed 15 games as a result of the Friday indictment. If there is a conviction, there's no guarantee the NFL will just allow him to be reinstated with time served. If he cuts a deal next week as he should, he doesn't miss more than half the 2014 season, and it should be less than that. He'd then be eligible to play for his new team since the Vikings will obviously cut him after the season at the onset of the 2015 season.
• Or maybe Adrian sees that writing on the wall and wants to take a break so he's fresh for 2015 with the Cowboys. Or whoever. Who knows?
• Oh, and I can't believe it took this long. How did the Wilfs get so rich? They clearly aren't very smart, at least when it comes to public relations.