Hartman: Adrian Peterson playing for Vikings remains likely

The fact that Adrian Peterson's suspension stands, which calls for the star running back to be off the Vikings roster until April 15 and the former MVP loses $4 million of the nearly $12 million he was to be paid this season, doesn't affect his future with the Purple one bit.

Peterson wasn't in physical condition to play any of the three games remaining in this season. Furthermore, if the NFL Players Association goes to court to try to eliminate the suspension handed down by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and upheld by arbitrator Harold Henderson, it won't affect Peterson's status with the Vikings next year.

For the Vikings to be a contender for the NFC North next year, they need a running game and Peterson is under contract. As reported here before, the Vikings ownership, General Manager Rick Spielman and coach Mike Zimmer want Peterson back in a Vikings uniform. The Wilf family, owners of the team, aren't concerned about a possible negative reaction by fans or that more sponsors might withdraw their support. They know that if the Vikings are to be a winning team they need the former Oklahoma star, and believe me, they also understand that winning cures all.

Also, Rob Brzezinski, executive vice president of football operations who controls the salary cap and does all of the negotiations with the players, has never lost a player the Vikings wanted to keep because of salary, and I am confident he will find a way to satisfy Peterson and his agent with a renegotiated contract.

It has been speculated that Dallas running back DeMarco Murray, who is being paid $1.4 million this season under his rookie contract and becomes a free agent at the end of the season, could be replaced by Peterson on the Dallas roster next season.

Murray, who has rushed for 1,606 yards this season for an average of 123.5 per game and has scored nine touchdowns, is only 26 years old; Peterson is 29. Jerry Jones, who owns the Cowboys, has the most valuable and most profitable franchise in the NFL and isn't going to let such a talented back go.

Think of it this way: If the Vikings could trade Peterson for Murray and upgrade in not only age but also in salary, it would be the best trade of the year.

While Cordarrelle Patterson, a first-round draft choice and a wide receiver who some people ranked as the next Randy Moss, has just 30 receptions for 350 yards and one touchdown, the surprise contributor has been free agent Charles Johnson, who had his first 100-yard receiving game last week with 103 on four catches, including a 56-yard touchdown, against the Jets. Johnson has tallied 283 of his receiving yards over the past four games.

Zimmer talked about the difference in production between Patterson and Johnson.

"Quite honestly, Charles Johnson has come in and done a nice job," he said. "When he's getting the opportunities he's made plays with it. I love Cordarrelle, I think he's a great kid. He needs to continue to be disciplined in everything he does, the routes, the alignments, being in the proper place, the depth of the routes, but I have high hopes for him."

Zimmer said that Turner and quarterbacks coach Scott Turner knew Johnson when he was with Cleveland and they were coaching there.

"We got him from the Browns because Norv and Scott knew him, he was there last year," Zimmer said. "That was the big thing. They had known the guy and knew he had a bunch of ability.

With the signing of righthanded pitcher Ervin Santana to a four-year, $55 million contract, the Twins payroll is expected to be around $105 million for next season, and it could reach a previous high, in 2011, of close to $113 million if they sign a relief pitcher. Last year the Twins started out with a $85 million payroll, which was 24th in the league. It's hard to know what the payroll for each team will be next year, but $105 million would have ranked 16th in MLB last season.

Santana has posted a 3.10 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 20⅓ innings and allowed just two home runs at Target Field over his career, and he has been nearly as good against the other AL Central squads.

Against the White Sox he is 5-6 with a 3.92 ERA in 16 starts and has 89 strikeouts over 105⅔ innings. Against the Indians he is 3-9 but with a 4.09 ERA in 17 starts and a 1.194 WHIP. His best numbers are against the Tigers, 8-3 in 13 starts with a 3.01 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 86⅔ innings with a 1.038 WHIP. Santana's worst performances have come against the Royals, a 5-6 record with a 5.00 ERA in 14 starts and just 66 strikeouts in 90 innings.

Sid's Jottings

• The Gophers football team should have two key contributors back in full health for the New Year's Day Citrus Bowl game against Missouri. Wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky, who last played in October at Illinois, will be available. And Antonio Johnson, who saw some action in the Wisconsin game on special teams, will be ready to return to the safety position and play the whole game.