Barcelona finished its first season without a major trophy

MINNEAPOLIS - If Adrian Peterson is allowed to return to the Minnesota Vikings this season, the reunion probably wont happen swiftly.The NFL formally began a review of the star running backs case for potential punishment under the leagues personal conduct policy, informing Peterson on Thursday that his status on paid leave from the Vikings will not change until completion of the process.The NFL has requested that Peterson submit relevant information regarding his case and meet with designated experts who will make recommendations for the commissioners consideration, spokesman Brian McCarthy said. Peterson also will have the opportunity to have a hearing prior to the issuance of any discipline.Peterson pleaded no contest in Texas on Tuesday to misdemeanour reckless assault, down from a felony charge of child abuse for disciplining his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch. He received whats essentially two years of probation, plus a $4,000 fine and requirement to complete parenting classes and 80 hours of community service.Adrian wants to get on with his life and have his relationship with his son and get back to playing football, Petersons attorney, Rusty Hardin, said after the plea agreement was reached to avoid a trial or any jail time for the 29-year-old.Just how fast Peterson gets back to playing football is a complicated and potentially contentious matter.A few hours after the NFL released its update, the NFL Players Association issued a statement demanding efficiency and consistency. Those traits have often been missing from the disciplinary process.Our union worked with the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings and Adrians representatives on a mutual agreement pending the adjudication of his legal case. Now that his legal matter is resolved, we believe it is Adrians right to be treated in a manner that is consistent with similar cases under our collective bargaining agreement. We will pursue any and all remedies if those rights are breached, the NFLPA said.The Vikings (4-5) are in their bye week, scheduled to reconvene for practice Monday. They play next at Chicago on Nov. 16.With only seven games left on the schedule, the timeline is tight for a return. Commissioner Roger Goodell was excoriated for his initial leniency in the caught-on-camera knockout punch Baltimore running back Ray Rice threw at his now-wife. The league boss will be under intense scrutiny for how he handles any punishment for Peterson.Weeks after handing Rice a two-game suspension, Goodell announced in August he was toughening the leagues policy on domestic violence that now calls for a six-game suspension without pay for a first domestic violence offence.Thats not a cut-and-dry guideline in this case with Peterson, though, because he has maintained he intended no harm in seeking to discipline his son the way he was as a child growing up in Texas. His plea was not an admission of guilt, and the felony was reduced to a misdemeanour.On the other hand, theres the firestorm to consider when the Vikings first declared on Sept. 15 that Peterson, after sitting out the home opener the day before, would remain with the team to give him his due process in the legal system.The boy suffered cuts, marks and bruising to his thighs, back and one of his testicles, according to court records, and backlash from the public was strong. One major Vikings sponsor suspended its partnership, other corporations expressed concerns to the team and the league, and Peterson was dropped as an endorser of several brands.The Vikings then reversed course about 36 hours later, announcing that Goodell agreed to issue his special roster exemption. Peterson continued to draw his weekly in-season salary of more than $690,000, and the team was sheltered from the proverbial pitchforks that came out after their initial decision.Petersons admission that he smoked marijuana prior to an October court appearance is unlikely to weigh into the discipline. The league has a separate policy on substance abuse, which was revised in September and does not call for a four-game suspension until a fourth offence. Prior violations put a player in referral to the program, followed by a two-game fine and a four-game fine.The Vikings have been quiet since Petersons plea agreement, stating only that they will speak about his situation at the appropriate time.Also on Thursday, Nike confirmed it has severed its relationship with Peterson. His contract with the shoe giant had been suspended in September.___AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Bobby Evans Rams Jersey . Gorges is believed to have suffered the injury while blocking a shot with a hand during Montreals win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. The Canadiens added to their defensive depth this week by acquiring veteran Mike Weaver from the Florida Panthers. Taylor Rapp Womens Jersey . -- Byron Scott is taking over the Los Angeles Lakers with the vocal support of his fellow Showtime greats. http://www.laramsfootballshops.com/torry-holt-jersey/ . Stevenson scored the first three goals of the game in the first period for Regina (35-22-6), which has won eight of its last 10 games. Patrick DAmico added two for the Pats, Braden Christoffer had a single and Morgan Klimchuk chipped in a goal and four assists. Jack Youngblood Jersey . Luis Enrique signed the deal with club president Josep Bartomeu two days after it was announced by the club. That was two days after coach Gerardo Martino stepped down when Barcelona finished its first season without a major trophy in six years. Kurt Warner Jersey . -- Jake Paterson made 39 saves as the Saginaw Spirit halted the Guelph Storms seven-game win streak with a 6-3 victory on Sunday in Ontario Hockey League action.ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers have declined their $12 million contract option for Lance Berkman, making the 37-year-old switch-hitter a free agent. Berkman gets a $1 million buyout for the second year of the deal signed in January. Berkman hit .242 with six home runs and 34 RBIs in 73 games this season. He went on the disabled list July 7 with a left inflammmation and a sore right knee, and played only five games after coming back the final month of the season.dddddddddddd The six-time All-Star played only 32 games for St. Louis in 2012, when he dealt with a strained left calf and had two operations on his right knee. He hit .301 in 2011 for the Cardinals, who won the World Series that season over Texas. ' ' '