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Where could Adrian Peterson land if he leaves Vikings?

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings’ talks about a restructured contract for running back Adrian Peterson aren’t likely to pick up steam until around the NFL scouting combine in the beginning of March, and it remains possible the team will work out a deal to keep him in Minnesota in 2017.

Peterson has said publicly he wants to return to the Vikings next season, and those close to him believe the same thing. He turns 32 in March and ran for only 72 yards in three games of a season during which he was recovering from a torn meniscus. Still, he could return next season if he finds common ground with the Vikings as they pursue a reworked deal in lieu of an option that would pay Peterson $18 million (including a $6 million roster bonus).

Still, this being a business, it’s entirely possible Peterson and the Vikings will part ways at the start of the league year, March 9, rather than work out a deal to keep him in Minnesota. Peterson acknowledged as much during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take last month, when he said, “I see myself in purple,” before adding, “A lot has to take place,” and naming the New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans as teams he has considered as possibilities should he not be back with the Vikings next season.

The list of possibilities for Peterson is probably longer than those three teams, but if he did become a free agent, it would take the right set of circumstances — a team close to winning, a role at running back and possibly a personal connection — for him to land there. Here’s a look at some of the places Peterson could end up, some more realistic than others.

Adrian Peterson could be a fit in New York if the Giants look to upgrade a rushing attack that ranked 29th in 2016. Jerry Lai/US Presswire

New York Giants

Running back situation: Rashad Jennings, 31, led the Giants with 593 rushing yards, and Paul Perkins, 22, had 456. Jennings was released on Tuesday, and though Perkins showed promise, he didn’t score a touchdown last season.

Projected cap space: $31.03 million

Could it work? The Giants went 11-5 with the league’s 29th-ranked running game and the second-shortest average drive in the league. The idea of playing in a backfield with Eli Manning and in an offense with Odell Beckham Jr. could be intriguing to Peterson, though a team that threw nearly 600 times last season isn’t about to become a ball-control outfit. Still, there could be a fit here if the Giants think Peterson can help put them over the top.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Running back situation: Jacquizz Rodgers led the team in rushing with 560 yards, but he’s a free agent. Doug Martin and his $7 million cap hit could also be on the way out after a violation for performance-enhancing drugs last season. Charles Sims, who played only seven games in 2016, is in the final year of his contract.

Projected cap space: $65.65 million

Could it work? It might have been no accident that Peterson mentioned the Bucs (remember in 2015 when his agent, Ben Dogra, posed in a Tampa Bay hat next to Peterson’s jersey during his standoff with the Vikings?). They’ve got the cap space to pay him plenty of money, though an up-and-coming young team might look to stick with a back like Rodgers as it builds around quarterback Jameis Winston. Should the Buccaneers have interest, though, they’ve got the wherewithal to get Peterson.

Houston Texans

Running back situation: Lamar Miller ran for 1,073 yards on 268 carries, and Alfred Blue chipped in another 420 yards. Both are under contract, with Miller, 25, carrying a cap hit of $6.5 million.

Projected cap space: $23.42 million

Could it work? It’s no secret in league circles how much Peterson would be attracted to the idea of playing in Houston, where he lives in the offseason and opened a gym last year. The Texans went to the AFC divisional playoffs last season, and they’d certainly be an attractive destination for Peterson. Given Miller’s cap number and his role, though, this one probably only works if Peterson is willing to accept a smaller part in the offense. The tradeoff — a chance to join a contending team in his adopted hometown — could be worth it.

Dallas Cowboys

Running back situation: Ezekiel Elliott is the man here, having led the league with 1,631 yards as a rookie. The NFL’s investigation into domestic-violence allegations still looms over Elliott, but as long as he stays out of long-term trouble, he’ll be a fixture in Dallas for a long time.

Projected cap space: minus-$13.02 million

Could it work? The Cowboys need to get their salary structure in order (though they’ll get cap relief from Tony Romo), and Peterson would need to fill in behind Elliott. Still, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, Peterson has been connected to the Cowboys in NFL circles. He grew up a fan of the team, has an admirer in Jerry Jones and could join the pantheon of players who win a Super Bowl in Dallas. If the Cowboys were interested, that possibility might be enough to get Peterson to accept a secondary role. Making this happen, though, would require quite a few gymnastics.

Denver Broncos

Running back situation: C.J. Anderson is coming off a knee injury. Devontae Booker ran for 612 yards last season, but the Broncos could be looking for a back who can remove pressure from their dicey quarterback situation.

Projected cap space: $31.49 million

Could it work? This is a sneaky possibility for Peterson if he decides to test the market. There’s still an elite defense that carried the Broncos to a championship a season ago, and John Elway has shown he’ll be bold if he thinks a veteran can help put the Broncos over the top. Denver is often mentioned as a landing spot for Romo, but Peterson could make sense here, too, particularly if the Broncos sell him on the idea he might be able to get them back to the Super Bowl.

New England Patriots

Running back situation: The Patriots have used a committee of LeGarrette Blount, Dion Lewis and James White, but Blount is a free agent at age 30. White starred in the Super Bowl, but probably isn’t the kind of back who could carry the ball 300 times as Blount did.

Projected cap space: $63.42 million

Could it work? It would be the most Patriots move ever, wouldn’t it, to sign Peterson for a year, coax another productive season out of him next to Tom Brady and get back to another Super Bowl? They’ve done it with enough veterans that it’s plausible with Peterson, and while he’d have to go there knowing the offense runs through Brady, he still talks in glowing terms about his time with Brett Favre. The chance to play with another legend and thrive in the Patriots’ atmosphere for a year could be appealing if New England had interest.

Green Bay Packers

Running back situation: The Packers have to decide if they want to give Eddie Lacy another chance, make Ty Montgomery into their feature back or add another piece to the group after releasing James Starks.

Projected cap space: $41.02 million

Could it work? It’s hard to see it, given how rarely the Packers dip into the free-agent market and how many questions they have to answer on their offensive line, where T.J. Lang is a free agent. They’re also not a team that would offer Peterson a boatload of carries. But general manager Ted Thompson’s occasional forays into free agency have been largely successful, including players such as Charles Woodson, Julius Peppers and Jared Cook. Would the Packers kick the tires on Peterson if he reached the market? It would offer Peterson the chance to do what Favre did: play against the Vikings as a member of a division rival. However implausible it is, Vikings fans have no doubt already considered the scenario. It’s at this point we should mention, of course, where Super Bowl LII will be played next February: Minneapolis.

NFL

Redskins can still build winner if Kirk Cousins gets big money

The Washington Redskins know, if they keep quarterback Kirk Cousins long term, that they must surround him with enough talent to flourish. That’s why deciding what they should pay him, or accepting that figure, has been difficult.

If they do sign him, they can’t blame any future mishaps on Cousins’ contract limiting their ability to improve. It’s just not accurate. If the Redskins sign Cousins and fail to get better, it’s because of other moves that didn’t work out — whether this offseason or from the past.

Kirk Cousins shouldn’t be considered an elite quarterback, but those who are still need help around them. Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports

This much is true: Cousins does need help to flourish. Most quarterbacks do, even those getting paid quite a bit of money. Otherwise, Drew Brees would have won more than 14 games in New Orleans the past two years. Cousins is not Brees, but the point is they all need help. The Redskins are well aware of that with Cousins, who has admitted as much himself.

Cousins will be paid more than his standing among quarterbacks (timing and leverage). But this is the same team that made Josh Norman the highest-paid corner. Norman is good, but is he the NFL’s best corner? He had multiple teams bidding; the price increased and the Redskins paid him. That’s how this works.

Other teams succeed

The Atlanta Falcons’ Matt Ryan took up 18.43 percent of the salary-cap space. The Falcons went from 4-12 the year Ryan signed a deal worth $20.75 million per year (when the cap was $123 million) to 11-5 this past season. Why? A new coach and improved talent acquired through the draft and free agency.

Yeah, the Baltimore Ravens have struggled since signing Joe Flacco long term; the Ravens also have missed on some receivers and tight ends. Last season, Flacco occupied 16.77 percent of the cap — a high amount. Here are others right around Flacco: Matthew Stafford (17.74); Eli Manning (16.87), Ben Roethlisberger (17.29). Brees was nearly 17 percent — but the 7-9 New Orleans Saints had an astounding $43 million in dead money. Yes, Cousins lacks the resume, and playoff success, of most of these quarterbacks. Nobody is wondering if Cousins is elite, either. So if that’s the rationale, that’s fine. Don’t pay him, but these teams have been able to still build around their quarterbacks.

Give the Redskins credit for how they’ve managed the cap under team president Bruce Allen and chief negotiator Eric Schaffer. It’s how they escaped their salary-cap hell of 2012-13. They’ve been a bit more frugal.

The goal is to remain in good shape. The Redskins currently are approximately $64 million under the salary cap; even if Cousins is tagged that leaves them with $40 million (assuming the cap hits the projected $168 million). They have the ability to free up more money if they want.

Also, keep in mind: The cap is projected to keep rising (that assumes TV deals will continue to increase, too, of course. If not, then it won’t rise as much or will stay flat). It could reach $190 million in two years.

The Redskins have other free agents they’d like to keep — at the right price, of course. Regardless of what happens with Cousins,

they might lose DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. They have future contracts to worry about as well, as I wrote about here.

They want to maintain flexibility, which is smart. It allows you to keep the guys around you have worked to develop.

Develop your own

If the Redskins don’t succeed after signing Cousins? Look at other factors. Will the 2016 class produce more than it did this past season? It takes time to measure a class, and if Josh Doctson and Su’a Cravens become top starters? It looks strong. The ’15 class has some hits already — guard Brandon Scherff, receiver Jamison Crowder. If Doctson can’t stay healthy? That’s unrelated to Cousins’ cap space. When you miss in the draft, you have to pay more to fix a problem in free agency.

They’ve drafted 17 players the last two years. They still have control of 13; develop them and they are fine. Otherwise, they have put themselves in a bad spot.

The Redskins have nine draft choices this spring. It’s impossible to hit on all of them, but that would have given them 26 draft picks in three years, with a general manager in Scot McCloughan who prides himself in this area. If they miss on too many, that’s on them.

Look at the free-agent classes of the last two offseasons. Here are players signed in that time who are no longer here: Chris Culliver, Stephen Paea, David Bruton, Kendall Reyes, Jeron Johnson, Dashon Goldson (trade) and Terrance Knighton. More hits mean the team keeps winning. If a team draftss and develop, it doesn’t need as many hits.

The Redskins gambled last year by not giving Cousins a long-term deal. It’s their right; they weren’t convinced enough in him long term. They also never made an offer that would even tempt him. So here we are and Cousins is playing the leverage game. That’s his right.

This isn’t about what they must do now. If they don’t believe in Cousins; that’s fine. But if they do make a deal, it doesn’t have to cripple them. Cousins’ future play will help determine that — but so will the other moves they’re still able to make.

NFL

Don't blame the Bengals' free-agent strategy for a lousy 2016 season

CINCINNATI — With free agency around the corner, it’s a good time to review what the Cincinnati Bengals did last season with their free agents and what impact that made on a lousy 6-9-1 season.

The Bengals experienced a significant change after letting two of their top receivers go in free agency and starting a new right tackle. The results weren’t great, but were they avoidable?

Wide receiver Marvin Jones

The Bengals wanted to keep Marvin Jones, but with A.J. Green in the building, it probably wasn’t meant to happen.

Although the Bengals reportedly gave Jones a competitive offer, he ultimately signed a five-year, $40 million contract with Detroit ($20 million guaranteed), giving him a chance to step out of Green’s shadow and into a bigger role.

Jones first season with the Lions started off strong, with 482 yards and two touchdowns in his first four games. His targets and production dipped significantly about midseason, but he still finished with 930 receiving yards and four touchdowns, better than any season he had in Cincinnati.

This was a big loss for the Bengals. When Green went down with a hamstring injury in Week 11, they didn’t have anyone reliable to step into his shoes.

Jones’ presence might have also eased the transition from offensive coordinator Hue Jackson to Ken Zampese and taken some of the pressure off Green in the early part of the season when Tyler Eifert was hurt.

With the offense struggling to maintain consistency, having Jones certainly would have helped in a big way.

Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu

Did the Bengals miss Mohamed Sanu in 2016? Of course.

Would he have been worth the money he commanded in free agency? Probably not.

Sanu signed a five-year, $32.5 million contract with the Falcons ($14 million guaranteed). For comparison: Green, the Bengals’ No. 1 receiver, received $15 million guaranteed when he signed his four-year $60 million extension in 2015.

Instead of spending that money, the Bengals signed Brandon LaFell to a one-year deal with $1 million guaranteed.

Sanu had 33 receptions for 394 yards and no touchdowns in 2015, which weren’t particularly eye-catching numbers. However, the Bengals did miss Sanu’s versatility, which included his ability to run plays from the wildcat formation.

Their offense appeared to lack some of that creativity at times in 2016.

Sanu played an important part in Atlanta’s run to the Super Bowl, with two postseason touchdown receptions. He finished second on the team in receptions (59) and receiving yards (653), and tied for third in receiving touchdowns (4).

Sanu’s playoff success likely made the Bengals think of what might have been, but at that price, and considering the role he played in Cincinnati, it just wasn’t worth it.

Safety Reggie Nelson

After six seasons in Cincinnati, Nelson signed a two-year deal with the Raiders with $4 million guaranteed.

He followed that up with a five-interception season that led to his second consecutive Pro Bowl berth.

The Bengals replaced the 33-year-old Nelson with Shawn Williams, who slid into the veteran’s starting role without much fanfare. Pro Football Focus rated Nelson 29th among all safeties and Williams 33rd overall.

Williams and fellow safety George Iloka, who signed a new deal in the offseason, each had three interceptions in 2016.

Still, it’s hard not to wonder what might have been if Nelson was around last season, particularly with his knack for forcing turnovers. Nelson helped the Raiders clinch their first playoff berth since 2002 with an interception against the Chargers.

Considering the Bengals played in so many tight games this season, a play like that could have been the difference in at least one of them.

Did they make the right move? This question might require a few years to truly answer. The Bengals reportedly made an offer to keep Nelson, but the sides ultimately chose to move on.

Williams is only 25, and should be a solid cog in the backfield for years to come. If he continues to improve, this will prove to have been the right move. For now, mark it as an incomplete.

Tackle Andre Smith

The Bengals allowed Smith to leave in free agency after seven seasons, obviously banking on the thought that their 2015 first-round pick Cedric Ogbuehi could slide into his place.

Smith signed a one-year deal with Minnesota. It included a $2.5 million base salary and a $500,000 roster bonus, with additional incentives for games played. However, a triceps injury landed him on IR after just four games.

The injury makes it difficult to assess how Smith would have played had he been allowed a full season away from Cincinnati. However, the Bengals’ offensive line was nothing short of disastrous in 2016, as Andy Dalton was sacked 41 times — more than twice the amount he had been sacked in 2015.

The mistake the Bengals made wasn’t necessarily allowing Smith to leave. Smith earned dismal grades by Pro Football Focus in both 2015 and 2016. But they did make a miscalculation in believing Ogbuehi was ready to take on a starting role.

He struggled instead and spent the season rotating with veteran Eric Winston at right tackle before being benched for 2015 second-rounder Jake Fisher. Ogbuehi finished the season ranked 70^th by Pro Football Focus among all tackles.

A healthy Smith could have perhaps given the line some stability, but it’s hard to predict the ultimate outcome.

Cornerback Leon Hall

Hall, 32, signed with the Giants in training camp after nine seasons with the Bengals. Although there was a possibility of a return to Cincinnati after William Jackson III was injured in the preseason, Hall ultimately chose to go to New York.

Hall was a rotational backup with the Giants. He played in 12 regular-season games as a reserve and at one point was a healthy inactive for the first time in his career. He was moved from cornerback to safety at the end of the season.

Hall’s position as a slot cornerback with the Bengals was filled by 24-year-old Josh Shaw. It’s unlikely his presence would have changed much about how the Bengals’ season ended.

NFL

Tom Brady's passion comes through with talk of 'ambassador' of health

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was a guest of Peter King’s two-part podcast on TheMMQB.com this week. Brady detailed the Patriots’ thrilling comeback in Super Bowl LI while also touching on how he tries to live his life on a daily basis. In addition, Brady was a guest on PFT Live with Mike Florio.

There was a common thread that stood out in the interviews, and it was how passionate Brady sounded as he was asked about health/wellness and what he’s done to play at a high level into his late 30s.

“Hopefully I can be a real ambassador for change in this area,” Brady said on PFT Live. “Outside of playing football, the one thing I love to do is to prepare for it.”

Brady predicted that in 5-10 years, many players and teams will be doing something similar.

The essence of Brady’s approach is to focus on pliability, as he used the examples of a demolition derby and car crash to explain how he prepares his body to absorb those impacts, and thus recover quicker from them to be available for the team the next week.

Tom Brady’s passion for the game came through in recent interviews. “Outside of playing football, the one thing I love to do is to prepare for it,” he said. EPA/Larry W. Smith

King put the podcasts into words in two pieces on TheMMQB.com — recapping the comeback of Super Bowl LI, and then focusing more on bigger-picture topics — but for those who have the time, there is something different about hearing Brady talk about the topics (Part 1 and Part 2) rather than simply reading his words. It was similar to Brady’s weekly in-season interviews on sports radio WEEI’s “Kirk and Callahan Show” (and as expansive, if not more).

In addition to Brady’s passion and voice inflection when speaking about being an ambassador, a few things stood out to me:

Per King, the Friday before the Super Bowl, normally reliable center David Andrews snapped the ball over Brady’s head when practicing the direct-snap 2-point conversion play that RB James White scored on to help the Patriots close to 28-20.
When the possibility of Brady being the best quarterback of all time, and how he wants to be remembered, was discussed, he said on PFT Live, “None of those things have ever mattered to me. It’s hard for those things to even take up any space in my mind. They’ve never been of significance to me.”
Brady has watched the coaches’ copy of the Super Bowl, but not the TV broadcast.
Brady touched on how everything centers around the game for him. “Football, to me is more than just a sport. It has become my life,” he told King.
Brady spent five days at home before leaving for Montana, which was primarily to make sure his body responded well from a physical Super Bowl. “I have zero pain,” Brady told King.
Brady told King he hopes to play into his mid-40s, while acknowledging that “a lot of things need to go your way” in a physical sport like football for that to happen. As for what will happen when he gets to his mid-40s, Brady said, “If I’m still feeling like I’m feeling today, who knows?”

This is a sweet spot for Brady, who feels he’s hit the perfect mix between experience and health. “Doing it when you’ve had the mental experience to be able to play for as long as I’ve had, and my body still feels like I’m in my 20s; I have the answers to the test now,” he told King. “You can’t surprise me on defense. I’ve just seen it all. I’ve been able to process 261 games, I’ve played them all. … There was a time when quarterbacking was really hard for me because you didn’t know what to do. Now, finally, you get to a point where you really know what to do. I don’t want to stop now.”

As for his approach on handling criticism, Brady told King, “What I’ve learned from myself is I don’t want to give my power away to other people by letting my own emotions be subjected to what their thoughts or opinions are. So if someone calls me something, that’s their problem. It’s not my problem. I’m not going to give away my power. You can call me an a– and I’m going to smile at you probably. I’m not going to say ‘You’re an a–’ because that person is [then] controlling me with what their thoughts and actions are.”

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