Vikings '14: Waiting for Adrian Peterson

Peterson splitting defenders in the 2008 Pro Bowl. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Minnesota Vikings are struggling to move forward under new coach Mike Zimmer, with a rookie quarterback and the enforced absence of their greatest offensive threat.  They are 4-5, which is good enough for third place in the NFC North.  But none of those four wins have been against divisional opponents.

The big question is what the Vikings should do about Adrian Peterson, who until recently was the face of the franchise.  He has been off the field and into a media firestorm over his legal troubles involving being accused of taking a wooden switch to his young son's behind, along with the revelation that he's been a prolific father.  Now Peterson has pled no contest to reckless assault charges, thus eliminating the need for a trial, and is free to go back to playing football.  The NFL, which is having enough problems with other alleged domestic abusers, hasn't said yes or no to Peterson's reinstatement pending a hearing.  The Vikings are even less certain.

Depending on what the NFL does with Peterson--reinstate him after what amounts to a half-season suspension, or have him sit out a few more games--the Vikings have a decision to make.  Do they want Peterson back, knowing they're going to take another PR hit because of the way they mishandled his status the first time?  Do they need him back, given that there's a small chance the team could make the playoffs?  Or do they simply let Peterson twist in the wind until they find a way to get rid of him?

Otherwise, how are things?  Quarterback of the Future Teddy Bridgewater became Quarterback of the Present two weeks into the season, when starter Matt Cassell went down with an injury that ended his year.  Bridgewater excited the Purple Faithful briefly, until it became obvious that the offense has sputtered under his leadership, and the defense has improved to the point where they've been winning games.  The offensive line has not done a good job of keeping Bridgewater from getting pummeled by opposing defenses.  Teddy Bridgewater may be a rookie, but he's learning about life in the NFL the hard way.

But consider the alternative:  Christian Ponder, who was once where Bridgewater is now, did so poorly subbing for him during a Thursday night game at Green Bay against the Packers that the Vikings were out of the game by the second quarter.

Cordarelle Patterson, Mike Asiata and Jerick McKinnon do not have the collective rushing power and impact of one Adrian Peterson, but they've proved capable of taking up the offensive slack in his absence.  Now if only Patterson could stick to playing like Randy Moss without acting like him . . .

Everyone know this is a rebuilding year for the Vikings with half the season remaining.  Nobody knew it would be anything like this.  But if they get a few more victories under their belt, the new coaching staff and the young players could lay the groundwork for better things in 2015.  Meanwhile, the elephant in the room remains Adrian Peterson and what happens to him going forward.  Therein lies the immediate future of the Minnesota Vikings.

UPDATE (11/18):  The NFL has decided to suspend Peterson for the rest of the season without pay, and he has until April to comply with their demands for counseling before there's a hearing to determine if he can go back to playing football.  Neither Peterson nor the players' association were too happy about the ruling, so they're going to appeal.  And as long as they're appealing, Peterson will remain on Commissioner Roger Goodell's exempt list so he can get paid.

This is the only decision the NFL could make after their bungling of the Ray Rice case.  They now realize that domestic and child abuse aren't "boys will be boys" issues that can be explained away with a fine and a mild suspension, not while answering to corporations whose survival depends on what their customers think.  And the Vikings?  It wouldn't surprise anyone if we've seen the last of Adrian Peterson in purple and gold.
'r

Paul Molitor: Hometown Hero Turns Twins Manager

Former Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers baseball star Paul Molitor is introduced to the crowd Sunday, July 24, 2005, at a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn of the White House, where he participated as first base coach. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After a fourth-consecutive season of more than 90 losses, the Minnesota Twins gave the old heave-ho to manager Ron Gardenhire.  They promised an extensive search to find a replacement, including some outside candidates like former Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon (who ultimately went with the Chicago Cubs).  But everybody suspected the Twins would once again hire from within, with coach Paul Molitor and Fort Myers Miracle manager Doug Mientkiewicz the only real possibilities.

Those suspicions were confirmed when the Twins named Molitor its 13th manager since coming to Minnesota from Washington in 1961.  The last two managers current owners the Pohlad family have hired--Gardenhire and Tom Kelly--were on the job for a combined 27 years.

Molitor is well known in the Twin Cities area, having grown up in St. Paul.  He attended and played baseball for Cretin-Derham Hall high school and the University of Minnesota.  In a 21-year career spent with the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays and the Twins, Molitor had 3,319 hits, 234 home runs, 504 stolen bases, and a lifetime .306 batting average.  He's been to two World Series with the Brewers and Jays.  He entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004 on the first ballot.

Molitor has had coaching gigs with the Twins and Seattle Mariners, but he hasn't managed a game until now.  At 58, he doesn't have much of a learning curve.

Molitor inherits a Twins team that's an uninspired mix of players who are either not ready for the majors, or are earning their paycheck just by showing up at the ball park.  Players who are traded or otherwise let go usually did better with their new teams than they ever did in Minnesota.  The new manager's task (as well as the coaches he hires) is to get the most out of the talent he's been given.

That's not going to be easy with a management that's not exactly known for thinking outside the box.  The Pohlads and General Manager Terry Ryan have been spending their money carefully, if not always wisely, on bargain-basement free agents and other talent that so far have not panned out.  All those rookies they drafted have yet to show the promise that was predicted for them.

Paul Molitor, despite his hometown-hero status, is not going to draw any more flies to Target Field as a manager any more than fellow St. Paulite Joe Mauer already has.  Molitor has to earn his keep by steering the Twins in a direction that shows marked improvement on the field and in the standings.  If he succeeds, he can be a Hall of Fame manager.  If not, well, he's already made his mark on Minnesota sports history.