I don’t think that because the league favors offense that it
means you need to prioritize offense, it just means that the scores will be
higher. I think ultimately you want to
have both sides as good as possible.
This past year was the first year in many years that we didn’t have one
side of the ball be a complete liability.
I think that is something to build on.
I do agree that we need to slightly prioritize offense, because it’s
still behind the defense, but after investing heavily in the offense I think we’re
at a point where we can spend some draft capital on defense if need be, or more
precisely we can follow BPA without focusing on specific needs as much.
I think 70% of our offensive improvements will come from our
OC and QB choices, the rest will come from upgrading the OLine (and getting
Cook back). Maybe if the stars align, we
can add Fitzgerald to our team.
On defense it’s just about getting a few more studs on the
DL, so that we can rotate guys and to replace guys like Robison who will be
retiring soon.
On both sides of the ball, I think we need to focus on
becoming less predictable, and having our schemes be more versatile and
adaptable to whatever we are facing and to compensate for injuries we might see
during the season. It seemed like we
really honed in on what was working, and then it all fell apart when we couldn’t
adjust when we needed to most. We need
to be able to trust our depth to execute without limitations.
I think Bradford or Cousins would allow the team to reach a higher plane than Teddy or Case....and more consistently. But the Vikings need to be bold in whatever it is they decide: go for it and don't look back.
Quote: @Canthony said:
@ purplefaithful said:
@ kmillard said:
Qb and a dominant offensive line will take this team a long way.
IT would rival 98 in record lol!
Better OL and Dalvin Cook going into Philly and I would have liked our chances...
...
Bring in a guy like Cousins... I think you have a recipe for greatness
Maybe. But at what cost? 25M? 30M? That ends all discussion of adding a 3T like Richardson, who I think would take our defense from very good to dominant. Pay no attention to his stats in Seattle. He drew constant double teams and holding penalties, and the Seahawks are pretty determined to get him back. Personally, I think he might be the most talented 3T in the NFL after Donald.
And where does Bradford stack up to Cousins? It's close, but I think Bradford is better. And he'll cost a fraction as much because of the knee. But yes, the knee is obviously a concern, so you back him up with a tolled Teddy and Sloter. Bradford and Teddy together would cost half as much as Cousins...and allow this team to keep the QB they saw as its franchise QB, add an elite defender, and keep the defense together until they have to pay a QB. At that point we'll have a much better idea of where Sam, Teddy and Kyle are.
I might change my mind, but that's where I'm at right now...
I think that the only reason the "team" considers Teddy a "franchise" QB is because Zim wants a game-manager who can keep their emotions under control and not make mistakes. Maybe that's THEIR definition of a "franchise" QB... but not mine. I don't know if Cousins is- or isn't- the answer, but I think he gives the offense more potency than any of the other QBs on our roster last year. No, we may not be able to sign a stud DL... but if our damn offense could out-score someone for a change, we wouldn't need to have All-Stars at every defensive position.
Quote: @pumpf said:
I think that the only reason the "team" considers Teddy a "franchise" QB is because Zim wants a game-manager who can keep their emotions under control and not make mistakes. Maybe that's THEIR definition of a "franchise" QB... but not mine. I don't know if Cousins is- or isn't- the answer, but I think he gives the offense more potency than any of the other QBs on our roster last year. No, we may not be able to sign a stud DL... but if our damn offense could out-score someone for a change, we wouldn't need to have All-Stars at every defensive position.
This^. Good post, pumpf. I've evolved to this thought process over the course of the last 10 days.
Quote: @pumpf said:
I think that the only reason the "team" considers Teddy a "franchise" QB is because Zim wants a game-manager who can keep their emotions under control and not make mistakes. Maybe that's THEIR definition of a "franchise" QB... but not mine. I don't know if Cousins is- or isn't- the answer, but I think he gives the offense more potency than any of the other QBs on our roster last year. No, we may not be able to sign a stud DL... but if our damn offense could out-score someone for a change, we wouldn't need to have All-Stars at every defensive position.
Disagree. I think too many try to retrofit Teddy into this game-manager straitjacket as if that's all he'll ever be. That's what he was his first two seasons because, like a lot of young QBs around that time, that's what he was asked to do on a run-first team with a good defense and one of the NFL's best running backs.
It's frustrating, too, because everyone seems to have forgotten that the idea was that the straitjacket was going to come off in his 3rd season. If you recall the buzz from that summer, Mike Zimmer talked about it. Norv talked about it. Even Adrian mentioned that he was going to have to adapt and be more of a pass catcher because the offense was changing.
It would be like Matt Ryan missing the last couple of seasons and folks claiming that all he'll ever be is a game manager who averaged about 3,000 yards a season with 19 TDs and 13 INTs, because that's what he averaged his first two seasons.
It's kinda ridiculous.
Quote: @pumpf said:
I think that the only reason the "team" considers Teddy a "franchise" QB is because Zim wants a game-manager who can keep their emotions under control and not make mistakes. Maybe that's THEIR definition of a "franchise" QB... but not mine. I don't know if Cousins is- or isn't- the answer, but I think he gives the offense more potency than any of the other QBs on our roster last year. No, we may not be able to sign a stud DL... but if our damn offense could out-score someone for a change, we wouldn't need to have All-Stars at every defensive position.
I disagree, when Teddy was turned loose he often was able to move the team quite well. I dont think we honestly know what we have in Teddy based on what we saw his first 2 years running an AD-centric offense that really tied his hands due to overly predictable play calling, horribly slow developing pass plays, as well previously discussed oline woes that continued into the next season. How can we say what Teddy would ultimately be since his development was so hindered early on and then abruptly ended? I am not saying he will be a gun slinger, but I think we saw enough 4 quarter drives to know that he has more in him than just being a game manager.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
Disagree. I think too many try to retrofit Teddy into this game-manager straitjacket as if that's all he'll ever be. That's what he was his first two seasons because, like a lot of young QBs around that time, that's what he was asked to do on a run-first team with a good defense and one of the NFL's best running backs.
It's frustrating, too, because everyone seems to have forgotten that the idea was that the straitjacket was going to come off in his 3rd season. If you recall the buzz from that summer, Mike Zimmer talked about it. Norv talked about it. Even Adrian mentioned that he was going to have to adapt and be more of a pass catcher because the offense was changing.
It would be like Matt Ryan missing the last couple of seasons and folks claiming that all he'll ever be is a game manager who averaged about 3,000 yards a season with 19 TDs and 13 INTs, because that's what he averaged his first two seasons.
It's kinda ridiculous.
Do you mean if people ignored Ryan having 6 years averaging 28 TDs and 4,000 yards, and only looking at his first 2 years, that would be ridiculous? Well, yeah, it would.
But if the ONLY experience Ryan had in the NFL was his first two years - yes, some people would justifiably suggest he might never produce any more. Why would we assume otherwise? Not every rookie who is "decent" his first 2 seasons becomes a much better player, even if uninjured. Christian Ponder's stats were similar to Bridgewater's for his first two seasons, but he didn't turn into Matt Ryan.
Some people seem to see 6 great seasons by Bridgewater that haven't happened yet.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ Canthony said:
@ purplefaithful said:
@ kmillard said:
Qb and a dominant offensive line will take this team a long way.
IT would rival 98 in record lol!
Better OL and Dalvin Cook going into Philly and I would have liked our chances...
...
Bring in a guy like Cousins... I think you have a recipe for greatness
Maybe. But at what cost? 25M? 30M? That ends all discussion of adding a 3T like Richardson, who I think would take our defense from very good to dominant. Pay no attention to his stats in Seattle. He drew constant double teams and holding penalties, and the Seahawks are pretty determined to get him back. Personally, I think he might be the most talented 3T in the NFL after Donald.
And where does Bradford stack up to Cousins? It's close, but I think Bradford is better. And he'll cost a fraction as much because of the knee. But yes, the knee is obviously a concern, so you back him up with a tolled Teddy and Sloter. Bradford and Teddy together would cost half as much as Cousins...and allow this team to keep the QB they saw as its franchise QB, add an elite defender, and keep the defense together until they have to pay a QB. At that point we'll have a much better idea of where Sam, Teddy and Kyle are.
I might change my mind, but that's where I'm at right now...
When he tries 
Hmmm. First, Sam has always been a guy who plays it safe and will take the checkdown rather than trying to throw someone open or allow them to try to make a contested catch.
That's really been his M.O. going all the way back to OU. I wasn't mad at Case for trying to get the ball to Adam and Diggs. I was mad that he didn't have the arm strength to hit them in stride when they were open and his pop flies turned into contested catches. He was also late on his reads or was just going to out right throw it to someone who was covered when an outlet was available.
Cousins can hit our guys as they uncover anywhere on the field. So can Sam, but he needs a really clean pocket or he'll bail to the checkdown. Kirk doesn't need that. He's used to playing behind backups and working the pocket enough to get room to go for chunk plays.
Kirk isn't a gunslinger though. If it isn't open he's going to take the checkdown if the game situation allows it. That wasn't always the case with him but he's been growing ever since he became a permanent starter.
If Bradford was guaranteed healthy fine. I'd still argue for Cousins as I think he's naturally more aggressive and more likely to lead your team on a comeback late in a game.
As for the Defense, there's zero chance Richardson alone stops NO, Philly or NE from dropping 30+ in the Playoffs.
First half both Jacksonville and Philly pressured Brady. But they couldn't keep it up for 60 minutes and the points started to pile up.
The good Offenses have too many weapons and very creative play calling. Unless you pressure their QB on every snap, which isn't possible in the NFL, you either need to score the keep up or you need 5 guys who can flat out cover, and cover for long periods of time. And even then the opponent will just start running the ball.
Rub routes. WR bunches. Singling up their leaper like Gronk or Jeffery. RBs lining up on the outside and running routes like WRs. Teams going for it on 4th down like crazy I the Playoffs.,
All this crazy stuff and yet the teams in Minnesota's way never abandon the run,which keeps their play action viable.
I'm o.k.with Sam and Teddy if the team lands Richardson, signs two CBs in FA and finds an upgrade from Sendejo that can cover TEs while also using a high pick on a DE to rotate with Griffin and Hunter.
One or two pieces alone ain't gonna be enough to make this a Defense that can shut down anyone. If the cost of fixing all of it is not getting Cousins then fine. I'm just not sure the FO would devote enough resources to that side of the ball to take it over the top.
But Cousins and an RT in the first round sure would elevate the Offense in a hurry!
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