Armour: Adrian Peterson waits on NFL, and game suffers
CHICAGO -- Adrian Peterson isn't the only one being punished for Roger Goodell's mistakes.
The Minnesota Vikings dropped to last in the NFC North on Sunday with a 21-13 loss to the Chicago Bears. By forcing Peterson to sit while Goodell and the NFL try to "get it right" with the personal conduct policy, the league is actually compromising the integrity of the game.
Peterson, after all, has rushed for 14 touchdowns against the Bears, more than he's had against any other opponent. He's gouged the Bears for an average of 116.3 yards per game, second-highest of the teams he's faced four times or more.
Imagine if Peterson was playing after Harrison Smith's interception gave them the ball at the Bears 27 late in the third. Or when the Vikings and their rookie quarterback were marching deep into Bears territory during the two-minute drill – without knowing exactly how much time was left, no less, thanks to a malfunctioning clock.
"We know how much of a difference he would make, we know how great a player he is," Vikings tackle Phil Loadholt said. "We've prepared for a few weeks without him, so it's on us to execute without him. We just weren't able to do that.
"But it's obvious in those situations -- or any situation -- you'd want to have him back."
Instead of getting Peterson back, the Vikings are forced to wait while their All-Pro running back fights for his rights because all Goodell and the NFL cared about back in September was damage control.
Facing withering criticism for his woeful handling of the Ray Rice situation, Goodell needed Peterson to go away, and figured he would worry about the details later. Except it's not that simple. It never was.
Yes, putting Peterson on the commissioner's exempt list after he was indicted on charges of child abuse was the right thing to do, allowing him to focus both on his legal woes and the personal shortcomings that led to them. But the NFL needed a plan for what happened once the case was resolved, and thinking he could lollygag until the Super Bowl to make changes to the personal conduct policy doesn't cut it.
Goodell should be applauded for the programs the NFL has put together in the past two months to educate players, coaches and personnel about domestic abuse and sexual assault. Domestic violence and sexual assault are not unique to the NFL, and the league is sending a powerful message to the rest of society by saying abuse in any form is unacceptable.
But the NFL can't wish away those few players who do run afoul of the law, and Goodell was naïve to assume the NFLPA would simply agree to whatever he decreed.
The players and their union have long resented Goodell's role as judge and jury when it comes to disciplinary matters, and they've been itching for a scenario just such as this to try and force changes. By not reinstating Peterson as soon as he pleaded no contest to a reduced charge almost two weeks ago, and then imposing new conditions on the process, Goodell practically gift-wrapped it for them.
Peterson has a grievance hearing scheduled for Monday over his reinstatement. He has refused to participate in a disciplinary hearing because the NFL reportedly wants to bring in outside experts, which is beyond what's spelled out in the collective bargaining agreement.
"At this point, I've resolved my matter in the criminal court; I've worked to make amends for what I've done; I've missed most of the season, and I stand ready to be candid and forthcoming with Mr. Goodell about what happened," Peterson said Sunday in a statement issued by the NFLPA.
"However, I will not allow the NFL to impose a new process of discipline on me, ignore the CBA, ignore the deal they agreed to with me, and behave without fairness or accountability," Peterson said. "The process they are pushing is arbitrary, inconsistent, and contrary to what they agreed to do."
So Peterson continues to sit. And, without him, the Vikings continue to struggle.
GALLERY: BEST OF WEEK 11 AROUND THE NFL