Vikings won't trade Peterson

THE MINNESOTA Vikings don't plan to trade Adrian Peterson and fully expect him to be with the team for the 2015 season.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer was emphatic about that yesterday at the NFL owners' meetings in Phoenix.

"We're good to go. I mean, he's under contract and we expect him to honor it," Zimmer said.

"I think when he goes into the Hall of Fame, he's going to want to go in with the jersey that everyone remembers him as. That will be as a Viking."

Peterson's contract has 3 years remaining, with a $12.75 million salary for 2015. None of the remaining money on the deal is guaranteed.

Peterson, 30, has not yet been reinstated by the NFL from his suspension under the personal conduct policy. The star running back and 2012 league MVP has balked at returning to the team, questioning the Minnesota organization's support of him after he was suspended for disciplining his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch. The case was resolved in court with a plea bargain.

One day after Peterson's agent, Ben Dogra, reiterated that Minnesota no longer is the best place for Peterson, Zimmer said, "I think we are pretty firm. I think we handled everything the way we are allowed to handle it."

"At times we were not able to speak with him, which really is kind of ridiculous because of the [league] rules."

Peterson currently is on the commissioner's exempt list while the NFL appeals a federal judge's decision to nullify an arbitration ruling that upheld his suspension.

Dogra told the Associated Press yesterday that the standstill comes down to how the Vikings view his client.

"I would like to have their position in writing, and they have not done so," Dogra said. "Is Adrian the face of their franchise or is he in their mind a 30-year-old running back. I want them to tell [us] that."

Asked if he thought Peterson and Dogra were trying to force the Vikings' hand, resulting in a trade, Zimmer didn't hesitate in responding.

"I'm not going to speculate on what he wants and doesn't want, but Adrian's under contract for 3 more years for us," Zimmer said. "And that's why you sign these contracts, why you get these big bonuses."

* New Orleans coach Sean Payton said there is "not one iota" of truth to rumors the Saints would consider trading quarterback Drew Brees and dismissed speculation they might try to move up from the 13th spot in the draft to select Marcus Mariota.

"Won't happen," Payton said when asked about Mariota.

* Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons officials were informed at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix of the discipline they face for violating league policies, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The discipline is expected to be announced next week, with one source saying it is expected to be "severe.''

Browns general manager Ray Farmer admitted to texting during games in violation of the league's electronic device policy. Farmer has not revealed who he texted, but sources and reports have said the texts went to an assistant coach and an unnamed team representative on the sideline and that the texts dealt with in-game strategy and use of personnel.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank acknowledged in February that the team broke NFL rules by piping artificial crowd noise into the Georgia Dome over the past two seasons. He said what was done was "wrong,'' and affected the competitive balance and fairness on the field.

* The New York Jets have signed veteran tight end Kellen Davis, adding a big blocker to their offense.

The 6-7, 265-pound Davis signed with the Giants last offseason, but was cut during the summer. He was signed by the Lions in October, released and then re-signed and played in six games, mostly as a blocker.

* Late Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson, who died last March, will be honored with a life-sized statue erected at the stadium that bears his name.

The statue will serve as a centerpiece in a newly established Founder's Plaza at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

* The Chicago Bears have agreed to a 1-year contract with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Mason Foster.

The 6-1, 241-pound Foster appeared in 57 games and made 54 starts over four seasons with the Buccaneers after being drafted in the third round in 2011.

* Linebacker Brandon Magee, who was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, told the Tampa Bay Times he was headed to spring training at the Boston Red Sox' minor league facility in Fort Myers, Fla.

Magee played both sports in college at Arizona State and was drafted by the Red Sox in 2012.

* Cincinnati Begals defensive tackle Devon Still revealed that his 4-year-old daughter Leah in in remission.

Almost 10 months ago, Leah Still was diagnosed with a rare pediatric cancer that gave her a 50-50 change of survival.

Devon Still's heartfelt message on Instagram included a shoutout to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

"Thank you to the doctors at CHOP for putting together the best plan of action for my daughter," he wrote.