The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... In two years on the job, Cardinals GM Steve Keim has been pragmatic in making trades and signing players in free agency. Chasing names and reputations has not been his style. Peterson is different. He's still in his prime and the Cardinals need a durable, physical runner. If the Vikings are open to trading Peterson, or if they end up releasing him, Keim has to be interested.

Diehards Line: So wrote Republic staffer Kent Somers, who reminded readers that taking OT Levi Brown instead of Peterson with the fifth overall pick in 2007 turned out to be a colossal mistake. Eight years later, the Cardinals might -- and it's impossible to put too much emphasis on "might" -- have another opportunity to acquire Peterson. The buzz surrounding the Peterson-Cardinals connection started when Somers suggested such a pairing during a radio spot. It gained momentum when Peterson's father, Nelson, told the St. Paul Pioneer-Press he's heard rumors that the Cardinals, Colts and Cowboys would be interested. Of course, the Vikings insist they want Peterson back, although the running back told ESPN.com he is "uneasy" about returning to the team. The salary cap complicates matters, too. But the issue wouldn't be insurmountable. It's not a given that Peterson will be on the market soon, perhaps not ever. It might take months for the NFL's appeal to be heard. But if he's available, Somers contends "the Cardinals won't pass on Peterson as easily as they did the first time."