Quote: @purplefaithful said:
@ BlackMagic7 said:
I think Keenum gives the team an oppertunity to grow a bit; everyone needs to step their game up right now to compensate for the QB. Keenum has shown he can win a game with the guys, and that he can lose games with the guys. If guys want to win, they need to grind.
I think it could be a good thing when Bradford gets back. Much like Keenum's game against Tampa, Bradford's game against New Orleans probably isnt the norm for Bradford. Guys can't expect to ride Bradford to wins on spectacular performances all of the time. Its a good reminder to keep grinding.
...
I hope Murray gets it going. I don't believe we've seen anything that he can do yet. He's been very limited for obvious injury reasons; he missed OTAs and a part of training camp. Both Cook and Murray were new to our playbook. Ome got a lot of reps, the other didnt...
I always kind of figured Murray would end up easing into reps as he got more familiar with what we do. With the time he missed, he has ended up extending his practice time in a way. Cook has shown a RB has a ton of roles and accountability in this offense, Murray's first time doing anything with the offense for real was practically in the middle of camp. He didnt get any low pressure time to ease into this... he got healthy enough to go and thrown into the camp mix...
But were at Week 5 now... the light bulb should be starting to flicker. He hasnt really been asked to do much with how well Cook was beyond running the ball. He's got to get protections down to stay on the field...
We've seen Keenum and the league has too.
He's good for 2/3 games. We need Sam back - asap and before its too late. Tired of wasting this marvelous D with these offensive ineptitudes.
The point was just that his time out there gave the team an early oppertunity to respond to adversity. It gives them a slap in the face reminder to keep grinding away when things don't go their way at the QB position.
When Bradford gets back; if he faces adversity, maybe the team will be more primed to rise and respond to the situation, instead of panicing once the game is on them. They've had 3 games on them now.
When a QB plays well, it suddenly is "their team." We all expect to win when Bradford plays well. What happens when he plays average? I'm thinking with this Keenum experience, there at least shouldn't be any panic or desperation.
Quote: @medaille said:
People are overstating Cooks importance to our success. We no longer have a team that is based around
the running back. I know it’s very vivid
in people’s minds of AD singlehandedly driving our entire offense through the
rushing game despite a horrific OLine and a horrific passing game. That is not who we are now. We’ve built an OLine that is more than solid
in both pass blocking and run blocking. We’ve got a passing game that is flourishing that
goes 4 deep in receiving threats. The
key thing to both of our losses was our mistakes and playing top level defenses
with a backup QB. If we play a clean
game, which we know we can, and we get slightly better QB play, that is enough
for us to consistently win. And it will
help to not play top 5 scoring defenses all the time.
The issue I see is how much Cook was depended on as a pass blocker, as a motion/split wide back, and as a target for the QB.
The sheer volume of stuff he was relied on for... the coaching staff had a lot of belief in his ability to do it. Our passing game often was centered around his ability to protect. He was phenominal at making the right reads and holding up at the point of attack.
I think Murray should be able to replicate the ground production. Our running game seems to mainly be shotgun, read option type, "here's the ball, don't get smeared," runs. What will probably take some tinkering is how the passing game adjusts to lossing a reliable protection piece in 3 WR sets. The more Murray can take over those small passing game nuances, the less screwing around with adjustments we'll have to make.
Cook was letting us find good playcalling rhythm in the passing game. Murray either fills in and executed all of those same responsibilites, or were going to have to adjust with rotations, formations or playcalls. The less he can handle, the more defenses will attack him. The more he handles, the less they bother.
...
I dont know if Murray is like a Patterson situation though Jor. If the season was a 16 year old's drivers exam; Patterson would have been like a guy who test drove with on his permit with his mother all spring and summer long in her car; the exam came, he drove her car... and he rolled stop signs, never signaled; and Ace Ventura'd his 90 degree parking spot "like a gloooovvve." ... Murray got his permit and didnt drive anywhere. He sat at home all spring and summer looking at it, reading a drivers ed packlet. When it was time to take the exam, he didnt have a car. Then one day, Dad showed up with his shiney truck and said, "get your shit on, were taking that test right now. I'll let you drive down there."
... iiits a stretch... but... kinda....
Quote: @medaille said:
People are overstating Cooks importance to our success. We no longer have a team that is based around
the running back. I know it’s very vivid
in people’s minds of AD singlehandedly driving our entire offense through the
rushing game despite a horrific OLine and a horrific passing game. That is not who we are now. We’ve built an OLine that is more than solid
in both pass blocking and run blocking. We’ve got a passing game that is flourishing that
goes 4 deep in receiving threats. The
key thing to both of our losses was our mistakes and playing top level defenses
with a backup QB. If we play a clean
game, which we know we can, and we get slightly better QB play, that is enough
for us to consistently win. And it will
help to not play top 5 scoring defenses all the time.
Cook balanced the attack which opened more room for Diggs and Thielen, it's not just Cooks running it's his contributions in the passing game both as a receiver and anD in blitz pickup. Hope Murray can be nearly as effective.
I think the Cook injury is why I have very little enthusiasm this season. Seems it has been one thing after another. I really don't know. After seeing the way the team played against the Saints I was almost suckered back in.
But, when Sam didn't play after that first game and now Cook going down, I just don't know how much more heartache I can take. The game doesn't bring any joy anymore.
I will probably watch the rest of the season from a distance this season.
Quote: @medaille said:
People are overstating Cooks importance to our success. We no longer have a team that is based around
the running back.
I hear yah, but it wasn't my point. For me its unfulfilled potential on offense.
Cook imo was quickly on his way to taking what looks like a good passing game (finally) and making the offense overall more impactful.
Said another way, Cook could have meant to Diggs and Defenses what L' Bell means to Antonio Brown and Defenses.
Quote: @BlackMagic7 said:
@ purplefaithful said:
@ BlackMagic7 said:
I think Keenum gives the team an oppertunity to grow a bit; everyone needs to step their game up right now to compensate for the QB. Keenum has shown he can win a game with the guys, and that he can lose games with the guys. If guys want to win, they need to grind.
I think it could be a good thing when Bradford gets back. Much like Keenum's game against Tampa, Bradford's game against New Orleans probably isnt the norm for Bradford. Guys can't expect to ride Bradford to wins on spectacular performances all of the time. Its a good reminder to keep grinding.
...
I hope Murray gets it going. I don't believe we've seen anything that he can do yet. He's been very limited for obvious injury reasons; he missed OTAs and a part of training camp. Both Cook and Murray were new to our playbook. Ome got a lot of reps, the other didnt...
I always kind of figured Murray would end up easing into reps as he got more familiar with what we do. With the time he missed, he has ended up extending his practice time in a way. Cook has shown a RB has a ton of roles and accountability in this offense, Murray's first time doing anything with the offense for real was practically in the middle of camp. He didnt get any low pressure time to ease into this... he got healthy enough to go and thrown into the camp mix...
But were at Week 5 now... the light bulb should be starting to flicker. He hasnt really been asked to do much with how well Cook was beyond running the ball. He's got to get protections down to stay on the field...
We've seen Keenum and the league has too.
He's good for 2/3 games. We need Sam back - asap and before its too late. Tired of wasting this marvelous D with these offensive ineptitudes.
The point was just that his time out there gave the team an early oppertunity to respond to adversity. It gives them a slap in the face reminder to keep grinding away when things don't go their way at the QB position.
When Bradford gets back; if he faces adversity, maybe the team will be more primed to rise and respond to the situation, instead of panicing once the game is on them. They've had 3 games on them now.
When a QB plays well, it suddenly is "their team." We all expect to win when Bradford plays well. What happens when he plays average? I'm thinking with this Keenum experience, there at least shouldn't be any panic or desperation.
Hogwash lol!
Just go beat F'ing Detroit at home after being swept the year before...
S hit, we might have to go back before Bud Grant was coach to see when a Vikings team lost 3 times in a row to the F'ing Lions. 3 times in a row.
They'll be plenty of panic and desperation in that locker room if they lose (again) @ Soldier Field. And a very empty bandwagon as fickle, beatdown Vike fans scramble to sell their tix to Packer fans next week @ USB.
But lets hope that doesnt happen...I really hope that doesnt happen.
Next two games are pretty much make or break.
If we take care of business in Chicago I think we will be fine. Especially since we will have Bradford back at the latest for the home game against the Packers, which I think we can win. Hopefully he can stay on the field for the rest of the year and that knee doesn't flair up yet again.
Quote: @purplefaithful said:
@ BlackMagic7 said:
@ purplefaithful said:
@ BlackMagic7 said:
I think Keenum gives the team an oppertunity to grow a bit; everyone needs to step their game up right now to compensate for the QB. Keenum has shown he can win a game with the guys, and that he can lose games with the guys. If guys want to win, they need to grind.
I think it could be a good thing when Bradford gets back. Much like Keenum's game against Tampa, Bradford's game against New Orleans probably isnt the norm for Bradford. Guys can't expect to ride Bradford to wins on spectacular performances all of the time. Its a good reminder to keep grinding.
...
I hope Murray gets it going. I don't believe we've seen anything that he can do yet. He's been very limited for obvious injury reasons; he missed OTAs and a part of training camp. Both Cook and Murray were new to our playbook. Ome got a lot of reps, the other didnt...
I always kind of figured Murray would end up easing into reps as he got more familiar with what we do. With the time he missed, he has ended up extending his practice time in a way. Cook has shown a RB has a ton of roles and accountability in this offense, Murray's first time doing anything with the offense for real was practically in the middle of camp. He didnt get any low pressure time to ease into this... he got healthy enough to go and thrown into the camp mix...
But were at Week 5 now... the light bulb should be starting to flicker. He hasnt really been asked to do much with how well Cook was beyond running the ball. He's got to get protections down to stay on the field...
We've seen Keenum and the league has too.
He's good for 2/3 games. We need Sam back - asap and before its too late. Tired of wasting this marvelous D with these offensive ineptitudes.
The point was just that his time out there gave the team an early oppertunity to respond to adversity. It gives them a slap in the face reminder to keep grinding away when things don't go their way at the QB position.
When Bradford gets back; if he faces adversity, maybe the team will be more primed to rise and respond to the situation, instead of panicing once the game is on them. They've had 3 games on them now.
When a QB plays well, it suddenly is "their team." We all expect to win when Bradford plays well. What happens when he plays average? I'm thinking with this Keenum experience, there at least shouldn't be any panic or desperation.
Hogwash lol!
Just go beat F'ing Detroit at home after being swept the year before...
S hit, we might have to go back before Bud Grant was coach to see when a Vikings team lost 3 times in a row to the F'ing Lions. 3 times in a row.
They'll be plenty of panic and desperation in that locker room if they lose (again) @ Soldier Field. And a very empty bandwagon as fickle, beatdown Vike fans scramble to sell their tix to Packer fans next week @ USB.
But lets hope that doesnt happen...I really hope that doesnt happen.
Next two games are pretty much make or break.
90-91 was the last time we lost 3 in a row to Detroit... Ugh...
Quote: @"BarrNone55" said:
@ purplefaithful said:
@ BlackMagic7 said:
@ purplefaithful said:
@ BlackMagic7 said:
I think Keenum gives the team an oppertunity to grow a bit; everyone needs to step their game up right now to compensate for the QB. Keenum has shown he can win a game with the guys, and that he can lose games with the guys. If guys want to win, they need to grind.
I think it could be a good thing when Bradford gets back. Much like Keenum's game against Tampa, Bradford's game against New Orleans probably isnt the norm for Bradford. Guys can't expect to ride Bradford to wins on spectacular performances all of the time. Its a good reminder to keep grinding.
...
I hope Murray gets it going. I don't believe we've seen anything that he can do yet. He's been very limited for obvious injury reasons; he missed OTAs and a part of training camp. Both Cook and Murray were new to our playbook. Ome got a lot of reps, the other didnt...
I always kind of figured Murray would end up easing into reps as he got more familiar with what we do. With the time he missed, he has ended up extending his practice time in a way. Cook has shown a RB has a ton of roles and accountability in this offense, Murray's first time doing anything with the offense for real was practically in the middle of camp. He didnt get any low pressure time to ease into this... he got healthy enough to go and thrown into the camp mix...
But were at Week 5 now... the light bulb should be starting to flicker. He hasnt really been asked to do much with how well Cook was beyond running the ball. He's got to get protections down to stay on the field...
We've seen Keenum and the league has too.
He's good for 2/3 games. We need Sam back - asap and before its too late. Tired of wasting this marvelous D with these offensive ineptitudes.
The point was just that his time out there gave the team an early oppertunity to respond to adversity. It gives them a slap in the face reminder to keep grinding away when things don't go their way at the QB position.
When Bradford gets back; if he faces adversity, maybe the team will be more primed to rise and respond to the situation, instead of panicing once the game is on them. They've had 3 games on them now.
When a QB plays well, it suddenly is "their team." We all expect to win when Bradford plays well. What happens when he plays average? I'm thinking with this Keenum experience, there at least shouldn't be any panic or desperation.
Hogwash lol!
Just go beat F'ing Detroit at home after being swept the year before...
S hit, we might have to go back before Bud Grant was coach to see when a Vikings team lost 3 times in a row to the F'ing Lions. 3 times in a row.
They'll be plenty of panic and desperation in that locker room if they lose (again) @ Soldier Field. And a very empty bandwagon as fickle, beatdown Vike fans scramble to sell their tix to Packer fans next week @ USB.
But lets hope that doesnt happen...I really hope that doesnt happen.
Next two games are pretty much make or break.
90-91 was the last time we lost 3 in a row to Detroit... Ugh...
In fairness....how often since the early 90s have the lions had a competitive team and the Vikings been on a historical streak of devastating injuries.
Quote: @JimmyinSD said:
@ medaille said:
People are overstating Cooks importance to our success. ...
Cook balanced the attack which opened more room for Diggs and Thielen, it's not just Cooks running it's his contributions in the passing game both as a receiver and anD in blitz pickup. Hope Murray can be nearly as effective.
Quote: @purplefaithful said:
@ medaille said:
People are overstating Cooks importance to our success. ...
I hear yah, but it wasn't my point. For me its unfulfilled potential on offense.
Cook imo was quickly on his way to taking what looks like a good passing game (finally) and making the offense overall more impactful.
Said another way, Cook could have meant to Diggs and Defenses what L' Bell means to Antonio Brown and Defenses.
I was responding to the fans that seem to think the entire season went in the shitter and are ready to throw the season away. Cook is tremendously valuable, but I think our offense is resilient enough that we are dropping down from potentially great to sufficiently productive enough so that we win more often than not. I think Diggs and Thielen can get open against almost any one, and that it's more on the QB to just get them the ball.
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