Adrian Peterson -- I'll Never Use a Switch Again

Adrian Peterson is finally speaking out -- saying he's a changed man and vows to never hit any of his children with a switch again ... in what seems like an obvious ploy to appease NFL commish Roger Goodell.

The NFL star just gave an interview with USA Today, essentially saying he now understands why people are upset at the way he disciplined his 4-year-old son ... and that he feels terrible about it.

"There's different situations where a child needs to be disciplined as far as timeout, taking their toys away, making them take a nap. There's so many different ways to discipline your kids."

He added, "No one knows how I felt when I turned my child around after spanking him and seeing what I had left on his leg. No one knows that dad sat there and apologized to him, hugged him and told him that I didn't mean to do this to you and how sorry I was."

"I love my son. I love my kids, my family. Like I said after I took the misdemeanor plea, I take full responsibility for my actions. I regret the situation. I love my son more than any one of you could even imagine."

The timing of the interview is VERY curious ... considering NFL commish Roger Goodell just ripped Peterson in a letter for having shown "no meaningful remorse" since the incident.

In a letter, which Goodell made public, the NFL commish explained why he banned AP for the rest of the season without pay.

"You have shown no meaningful remorse for your conduct. When indicted, you acknowledged what you did, but said that you would not ‘eliminate whooping my kids’ and defended your conduct in numerous published text messages to the child’s mother."

Goodell continued ... "You also said that you felt ‘very confident with my actions because I know my intent.’ These comments raise the serious concern that you do not fully appreciate the seriousness of your conduct, or even worse, that you may feel free to engage in similar conduct in the future.”

So, the question now ... you buyin' AP's new stance? Or is it just lip service to try and get back on Roger's good side?