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The Vikings have an undisputed leader at quarterback for the first time since Teddy Bridgewater was sidelined in August 2016 with a season-ending knee injury.
The low-key Sam Bradford came in after that, and never seemed to be fully accepted as the team leader.
Case Keenum took over as the starter last season but his ability to lead was compromised by Vikings coach Mike Zimmer refusing to declare him the regular starter, saying that would be determined on a week-to-week basis.
There’s no question now, though, that Cousins is the man in Minnesota.
“I’ve said something for a long time,” said first-year Vikings offensive coordinator John DeFilippo. “This is something I truly believe in. If there’s a quarterback competition, you don’t have one.”
The Vikings sure think they have a quarterback now. Before signing his big deal as a free agent in March, Cousins threw for more than 4,000 yards and 25 or more touchdowns for three straight seasons for the Washington Redskins.
Now he’s on his way to becoming the face of the franchise, something the Vikings need. They really didn’t have one during their first two seasons at U.S. Bank Stadium, with running back Adrian Peterson getting hurt and then leaving the team, then Bridgewater getting injured, too.
https://www.twincities.com/2018/07/26/it...gs-leader/
I think the team is ready to be led, I really do. They put some $$$ into Cousins and he's the unquestioned man under center. I think it feels good for not only Kirk, but really the offense too. He's got good natural leadership ability and he's been waiting for this kind of opportunity. From what I've read and what Mack Brown said from his time in Washington together, he's a vocal guy. I like that and for me, I'd rather have the vocal 'take charge' dudes than the 'lead by example' guys that don't say much. In a game like football, it matters IMO.
He was recruited for and paid as the leader. It seems like Sam was a pro's pro. He came in after pre-season and had to become one of the guys before he could be a leader. He was never going to be a rah rah guy anyhow. Case led by becoming friends with the guys. He was a buddy that Diggs and Thielan seemed to work hard for or with truthfully. Teddy showed maturity and poise for a man so young. That never really translated to great production. Might have, may still but not here. However he was drafted to be the leader and handed the role. Emotionally he handled it very well. Kirk's coarse is the smoothest since Teddy's. No drama and heartbreak of being the "other guy" like Sam had to deal with. No temporary role like Case. There's no one way to get respect from your teamates. That's what leadership really is.
Edit: they did have a leader. They had a general. Mike Zimmer held his team together the best he knew how. Even if I didn't agree with his method. Patiently waiting for a new captain. I have respect for that leader.
I dont pay much attention to other teams players, so who KC is and how he speaks to fans, media is all new to me. Now when I hear him with the local media, I just want to roll my eyes he sounds like a cliche machine.
Than I realize he really means what he's saying lol!
It seems like forever since we've had a QB who's really the franchise face.
Teddy was well on his way, but man, before that? I think we have to go back to Culpepper?
Quote: @purplefaithful said:
I dont pay much attention to other teams players, so who KC is and how he speaks to fans, media is all new to me. Now when I hear him with the local media, I just want to roll my eyes he sounds like a cliche machine.
Than I realize he really means what he's saying lol!
It seems like forever since we've had a QB who's really the franchise face.
Teddy was well on his way, but man, before that? I think we have to go back to Culpepper?
Yep, Kirk is almost a little corny and hokey sometimes but he's genuine. His Dad is a pastor, he's highly religious and growing up in Holland, Michigan it was kind of like an idyllic 'Mayberry' type upbringing. Pure 1950s whitebread America. But don't let that fool you into thinking he's not a competitor. He was voted Captain of the Michigan State football team as a sophomore....that's a big deal. He also was very lightly recruited so he had to work hard to get where he is.
Quote: @purplefaithful said:
I dont pay much attention to other teams players, so who KC is and how he speaks to fans, media is all new to me. Now when I hear him with the local media, I just want to roll my eyes he sounds like a cliche machine.
Than I realize he really means what he's saying lol!
It seems like forever since we've had a QB who's really the franchise face.
Teddy was well on his way, but man, before that? I think we have to go back to Culpepper?
I think cliche machine is a good description. I'm ok with that. I'd rather have that then guys who go off script then need to explain what they "really" meant. I don't get to hear enough interviews and press conferences. I like what little I have heard from him.
Kirk Cousins, confident and in control, is already taking the leadNew Vikings QB relishes chance to lead, collaborate.
As Kirk Cousins prepared to board a plane bound for the Twin Cities on Tuesday afternoon, his phone lit up with a text message from Adam Thielen.
“[He] said, ‘Hey, can you get in early so we can throw?’ ” Cousins recalled. “I said my arrival time is not going to give me any time to do that, but he wants to work. On off days, he’s trying to find ways to get out here. I said, ‘I don’t even know what the rules are about you coming here and catching before [veterans report to training camp] on Friday.’ He said, ‘I think we can. I’ll find a way.’ ”
Such are the reasons Cousins seems so comfortable only 4½ months after he signed with the Vikings. Questions about his future were put to rest with the three-year, $84 million contract he received in March, and his status as the organizational alpha dog is not in doubt after several years of uncertainty with the Redskins. At this point, at least, there’s little for the 29-year-old quarterback to worry about other than bonding with players who seem as invigorated by football minutiae as he is.
“Those guys are just easy to work with,” Cousins said. “They’re easy to lead to because they are so excited about football and they love playing this game. There are people in this league who love what football brings them, but they don’t really love football. We’ve got a lot of guys on this team who really love football, regardless of what it brings them and that’s obviously fun to work with and play with.
”http://www.startribune.com/kirk-cousins-confident-and-in-control-is-already-taking-the-lead/489304151/
“If there’s a quarterback competition, you don’t have one.”
What the hell? Competition in a huge drive in this league. Being handed a job is how a team can get lazy players. So if there is an offensvie lineman competition... you don’t have one? I could agree with the phrase that if you are starting/rotating QBs then you don’t have one... but lack of compettion is how you get Joe Webb starting in a playoff game after your team goes from 6-6 to 10-6. No one’s spot on the roster should be protected and I always want the guy behind the starter pushing him to have a coach stay otherwise is a red flag for me.
Now I know they’re not paying him 84 million just to bench him... but if he can’t get the job done(injury)... they’d better have a plan, you’d think given the Vikings QB history of late that we’d be wanting a “starter” to park behind our guy.
You have 5 offensive linemen on the field at once. You only have one QB at a time. I agree with his statement. I also agree with the your old adage. If you have two QB's you don't got one. Least not one good one. Competition is for backup QB on successful teams.
Quote: @purplefaithful said:
The Vikings have an undisputed leader at quarterback for the first time since Teddy Bridgewater was sidelined in August 2016 with a season-ending knee injury.
The low-key Sam Bradford came in after that, and never seemed to be fully accepted as the team leader.
Case Keenum took over as the starter last season but his ability to lead was compromised by Vikings coach Mike Zimmer refusing to declare him the regular starter, saying that would be determined on a week-to-week basis.
There’s no question now, though, that Cousins is the man in Minnesota.
“I’ve said something for a long time,” said first-year Vikings offensive coordinator John DeFilippo. “This is something I truly believe in. If there’s a quarterback competition, you don’t have one.”
The Vikings sure think they have a quarterback now. Before signing his big deal as a free agent in March, Cousins threw for more than 4,000 yards and 25 or more touchdowns for three straight seasons for the Washington Redskins.
Now he’s on his way to becoming the face of the franchise, something the Vikings need. They really didn’t have one during their first two seasons at U.S. Bank Stadium, with running back Adrian Peterson getting hurt and then leaving the team, then Bridgewater getting injured, too.
https://www.twincities.com/2018/07/26/it...gs-leader/
Calling bullshit on that. Mike just wouldn't give the media an answer to their silly questions. They have no idea what he said to the team.
But so glad CK is now our QB.
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