Saints throw Peterson a lifeline
Parties closing in on one-year contract
If it’s true, as NFL Network reported Monday, that Adrian Peterson was close to signing a deal with the New Orleans Saints, it’d make sense. Especially for Peterson. This year’s NFL draft, which goes Thursday to Saturday in Philadelphia, boasts one of the deepest running back classes in years, draftniks say.
So it’s doubtful after Saturday there’ll be many, if any, teams willing to pay millions a year for a reliable runner.
Even one of Peterson’s class. Even if there remain a few teams, such as the Saints, that could use his top-shelf rushing talents.
As running back is a position whose value continues to plummet, Peterson — one of pro football’s standout offensive performers this century — would be wise to sign somewhere in the next 48 hours or so. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Peterson and the Saints were closing in on a deal that would pay him $3 million in 2017 with the chance to earn another million through incentives.
A former MVP who has been named to seven Pro Bowls and scored 102 touchdowns, Peterson turned 32 last month. He has missed most of two of the past three seasons: first in 2014 after a domestic-violence incident with his son, then last season after he tore the meniscus and sprained the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee.
In between, Peterson was outstanding in 2015, rushing for a league-leading 1,485 yards.
Minnesota cut him last month rather than pay him $18 million.
WHAT NOW FOR BLOUNT?
New England’s LeGarrette Blount led the NFL last year with 18 rushing touchdowns. But the renowned pounder remains a free agent, having watched the Patriots work out Peterson and attempt to woo others.
Meanwhile, on Monday came reports the Buffalo Bills declined to match New England’s restricted free-agent offer to underappreciated RB Mike Gillislee, who impressively backed up LeSean McCoy in Buffalo last year, rushing for 577 yards at a 5.7-yardsper-carry clip and scoring eight times.
Gillislee will now make $6.4 million over two years with the Pats. Under RFA rules, Buffalo receives a fifth-round draft pick from New England as compensation. Buffalo had assigned Gillislee a one-year tender worth much less at $1.797 million.