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Buddah · 02-24-2018, 10:17 PM

This
man is playing a very good game of poker right now. As they say, he is
holding all the cards. What happens with the Vikings will ultimately
decide what happens with free agency with so many other teams. Firstly,
you want to know why they have not made their intentions known in
regards to their own QB situation? Let us look into why Rick Spielman
might be the smartest GM in football.
Teams can wait until 4pm
est on March 6th before deciding to franchise or transition tag a
player. So why give any other team interested in their quarterbacks a
leg up on free agency? On March 7th at Noon est, teams can begin
negotiating with the agents to the perceptive free agents. Teams want
to be as ready as they can be with their own game plan before free
agency begins. This could be why the Redskins might wait to decide on
whether they will franchise tag Cousins again even though they would be
crazy to do so because they can't afford to do it. The Vikings can make
it as tough as they want on other GM's with what they decide to do.

First there is the case of Teddy and the possible tollover of his
contract. The Vikings know the NFL Player's Association will file a
grievance as soon as they push to have the league decide on the matter.
The Vikings can ask the league on March 6th at 3:59pm est if they want
to. While the league rules on this decision, and try to expedite it,
all the agents will be discussing free agency with GM's and Teddy's
agent won't be able to until that matter is over. Sure it will screw
Teddy, but if teams move on with their plan B, Teddy might have less
options when and if he hits the market. I am not saying the Vikings
will go that route, but they might.
By waiting on the decision on
Keenum, they await on what the Redskins will do. By waiting on Case,
it could give the impression the Vikings might pursue Cousins. Every
NFL team that wants Cousins are scared of the Vikings and their
attractive star player depth if they were to jump in the Kirk
sweepstakes. Kirk has already said of his interest with the Vikings
during Super Bowl weekend. I believe the paraphrased quote was,
"...number one with a bullet". Nothing any team can do because Kirk is
not about the money as he keeps telling the media. He wants to win. If
he tells the Vikings he will take less than expected to sign with them,
hell the Vikings might be smart to go his way. Not that I am a big fan
of him being a Viking, he is still an interesting prospect to consider
with his offensive numbers with the little star talent he played with.

If the Vikings have no interest in Cousins, then again, why make it
easier on the other teams to prepare? If Rick wants to take some phone
calls and tell their intentions to other General Managers in the spirit
of friendship, like lets say the Browns, then he can still take phone
calls. Such good sportsmanship might come back in the way of a trade
here or there. Especially with teams interested in Cousins who have
lots of draft picks. "Thanks for the tip Rick. You da man. If you ever
need anything just give me a hollar."
Now, if the Vikings have
plans to tag Keenum one way or another, there is no reason to show your
cards before the game is over. The longer they wait, the longer the
Redskins will sweat on their decision. Someone will have to give in
first. My guess, Rick will have two plans to submit at 3:59pm est if
the Redskins wait as well. Who will have the better poker face? If the
Vikings want Cousins, they might wait as long as possible before they
take action on Case or Teddy.
In 10 days we will know for sure
the direction we will pursue for our QB. So as the league waits, the
fans will wait too. Not an easy time for us Vikings' fans, but do know
we have a great poker player playing with our chips. He might not go
all in, but rest assured he will still win and walk away with whatever
chips he wants. SKOL!

02-24-2018, 10:47 PM

This is actually what I think is happening. Very well summarized by the author. Spielman, himself has been burned one too many times so keep the cards close and "pull a Patriots" and make any deal that much better. I like that attitude. No "sexy" splashes but solid deals that will build a dynasty.

02-25-2018, 03:22 PM

Interesting times...

On one hand I can't complain as a fan at making the playoff's 2 of the past 3 seasons and getting to the NFCCG this past year with QB2 and RB2.

OTOH, I see the NFC as really stacked with Philly, Rams, Saints, Vikings and even GB with Rogers all strong contenders next season.

Can't stand still, gotta get the QB right...40 years of not getting back to the big game is forever. Dont F it up RS.

02-25-2018, 03:37 PM

I think the Vikings are going to make a big move. Outside of QB, the team already has a championship-caliber roster. They just need something to remove all doubt. Something that makes them either dominant on defense or takes them to the next level on offense. Or maybe both.

Team is so close they can taste it. The cap space is there. I don't see them being passive this offseason. Maybe that means going all in on Cousins. Maybe that means breaking the bank for Richardson.

02-25-2018, 05:48 PM

Quote: @MaroonBells said:
I think the Vikings are going to make a big move. Outside of QB, the team already has a championship-caliber roster. They just need something to remove all doubt. Something that makes them either dominant on defense or takes them to the next level on offense. Or maybe both.

Team is so close they can taste it. The cap space is there. I don't see them being passive this offseason. Maybe that means going all in on Cousins. Maybe that means breaking the bank for Richardson.

Can I dream for both lol!

02-25-2018, 06:09 PM

The recent success has bought Spielman a bit of a reprieve (from me).

But he was the one who decided to have Shaun Hill as his backup in 2016 and then did not trust him to play when Teddy unfortunately went down.

Trading away a 1st and a 4th was a terrible move and the results have proved that out.

If Hill was not good enough then he should not have been the backup.

If Case was the backup in 2016 would he do the same trade?

The Patriots lost Brady in 2008 they did not panic and trade away 1st round picks for an oft injured QB on his 2nd team who was already willing to move him. They played Matt Cassel all season.

He also panicked and drafted Ponder in the 1st round of 2011. That was a 2nd round pick at best.

So, is he playing the rest of the GMs or are they playing him?

Seems like Howie Roseman played him.

I hope that he gets it right but I am afraid that he will pick one of the current 3 and HOPE that they are good enough.

02-25-2018, 06:13 PM

I think what happened with Bridgewater was a freak thing, but yah - if you dont believe Hill can back-up for a season if necessary than dont have him on the roster. Packers found out how important it is to have a decent back-up @ QB too. Not only did trader Rick panic on Ponder, it sure looks like they did the same thing at WR with Treadwell.

That said, the team is close to SB and RS deserve credit for that. But as we know, close yesterday doesnt guarantee future success.

02-25-2018, 08:44 PM

Sam had a decent year he started, but there were plenty of other
problems with the team that season. I thought the trade looked
reasonable until we found out Sam would miss the entire season last year. I don't
put that on RS at all. More like typical Viking bad luck.

I agree RS most likely whiffed on Treadwell, but there aren't any guarantees. It happens to every team. He also made great low cost additions with Thielen and Diggs, so that does even it out a bit.

02-25-2018, 09:34 PM

Spielman isn't perfect by far. No doubt we have had some busts, but it can be argued we have more talent on the field than any team in the NFL. The trade for Bradford was done in by the collapse of our o-line injuries. He still broke an NFL record for QB completion %. Even it was a dink and dunk season, that is a record to be proud of with all the pressure he was facing every down.

02-25-2018, 09:38 PM

Quote: @Buddah said:
Spielman isn't perfect by far. No doubt we have had some busts, but it can be argued we have more talent on the field than any team in the NFL. The trade for Bradford was done in by the collapse of our o-line injuries. He still broke an NFL record for QB completion %. Even it was a dink and dunk season, that is a record to be proud of with all the pressure he was facing every down.

I'm not sure we have more talent than anyone, but it's good talent. Defensive ineptitude in the CG aside, QB hurt us again. 73 QBR in the playoff's finally caught up to the team. The Vikings wont take the next step (imo) until QB is solidified and improved. A familiar chant among the franchises fans.