Cousins missed opportunities in San Francisco

@"KingBash" said: Once again, we're gonna have a new OC, a new system, there will be a learning curve. Prepare for a lot more of this next year. Who knows if Kirk has "it" but we won't find out any time soon with him constantly learning another system as opposed to knowing all this like the back of his hand.

Build a decent oline and most of this angst will vanish.  Put it on RS and MZ for bringing in a high dollar QB with limitations to play behind a paper mache line.

Wish we could get Teddy back he is a gamer and fearless.  But I know that ship has sailed.  I agree we need an upgraded O-Line.

@"comet52" said: Build a decent oline and most of this angst will vanish.  Put it on RS and MZ for bringing in a high dollar QB with limitations to play behind a paper mache line.

Cousins can be a successful QB but not with sub par guards and swinging door tackles.  We can develop whatever replacement QB to be the future heir apparent.  But why Vikings management continue to dance around on this point is beyond ludicrous.

@"Ralphie" said:

@"comet52" said: Build a decent oline and most of this angst will vanish.  Put it on RS and MZ for bringing in a high dollar QB with limitations to play behind a paper mache line.

Agreed.  Everyone knew who Cousins was.  He's not Mahomes.  Not Watson.  Not Wilson.  But we failed to get him an offensive line to protect him and are disappointed at the outcome.

Cousins can be a successful QB but not with sub par guards and swinging door tackles.  We can develop whatever replacement QB to be the future heir apparent.  But why Vikings management continue to dance around on this point is beyond ludicrous.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Ralphie" said:

@"comet52" said: Build a decent oline and most of this angst will vanish.  Put it on RS and MZ for bringing in a high dollar QB with limitations to play behind a paper mache line.

Agreed.  Everyone knew who Cousins was.  He's not Mahomes.  Not Watson.  Not Wilson.  But we failed to get him an offensive line to protect him and are disappointed at the outcome.

Cousins can be a successful QB but not with sub par guards and swinging door tackles.  We can develop whatever replacement QB to be the future heir apparent.  But why Vikings management continue to dance around on this point is beyond ludicrous.

Can a team pay a QB 30+ million per year and still put a quality line in front of him?  If they try and build a cheap quality line through the draft it will be to late for cousins as that will require 2 or 3 more pieces and by then ONeill will need a new deal that wont be cheap.  

IMO yes, with a bit of luck in FA and a good draft pick here or there. Probably a greater % of the cap is going to go to the offense vs the D than what we've seen during the Z era. 

They are probably set from Bradbury through O'Neil for now. Fix the left with 2 players. That should bring major improvement. Easier said than done I know. 

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Ralphie" said:

@"comet52" said: Build a decent oline and most of this angst will vanish.  Put it on RS and MZ for bringing in a high dollar QB with limitations to play behind a paper mache line.

Agreed.  Everyone knew who Cousins was.  He's not Mahomes.  Not Watson.  Not Wilson.  But we failed to get him an offensive line to protect him and are disappointed at the outcome.

Cousins can be a successful QB but not with sub par guards and swinging door tackles.  We can develop whatever replacement QB to be the future heir apparent.  But why Vikings management continue to dance around on this point is beyond ludicrous.

Can a team pay a QB 30+ million per year and still put a quality line in front of him?  If they try and build a cheap quality line through the draft it will be to late for cousins as that will require 2 or 3 more pieces and by then ONeill will need a new deal that wont be cheap.  

IMO yes, with a bit of luck in FA and a good draft pick here or there. Probably a greater % of the cap is going to go to the offense vs the D than what we've seen during the Z era. 

They are probably set from Bradbury through O'Neil for now. Fix the left with 2 players. That should bring major improvement. Easier said than done I know. 

Next year we are going to have approximately $60 million invested in cap in Cousins, Diggs, and Theilen. Last year we were 30th in pass attempts. That type of spending is just foolish and unsustainable. Jettison Diggs, who has for a couple seasons now lobbied for a trade (albeit in a passive aggressive manner) and put your money where your mouth is regarding the running game. Build a line that can take over games. 

@JimmyinSD. said:

Cousins needs to take a pay cut,  trade Diggs for OL help and use the cap savings from Diggs and likely Reiff to add more OL help.

I'd be jiggy with this. Make it so, #1! ;)

@"BarrNone55" said: Next year we are going to have approximately $60 million invested in cap in Cousins, Diggs, and Theilen. Last year we were 30th in pass attempts.

I'd really hate to see Minnesota trade Diggs or AT, but when you put it like this yes, it does seem really dumb.
The scary part about trading either one of our top WRs is that there's no one to step in at all. Bisi Johnson is ok at best but counting on him for ~800 yds seems like a big stretch. Maybe Irv Smith takes a giant leap but again, counting on that actually happening is risky.
I'm also skeptical on what trading Diggs could even net the Vikings. A late first MAYBE? At that point is it worth it? The Vikings are in a weird spot in regards to Kirk/AT/Diggs.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Ralphie" said:

@"comet52" said: Build a decent oline and most of this angst will vanish.  Put it on RS and MZ for bringing in a high dollar QB with limitations to play behind a paper mache line.

Agreed.  Everyone knew who Cousins was.  He's not Mahomes.  Not Watson.  Not Wilson.  But we failed to get him an offensive line to protect him and are disappointed at the outcome.

Cousins can be a successful QB but not with sub par guards and swinging door tackles.  We can develop whatever replacement QB to be the future heir apparent.  But why Vikings management continue to dance around on this point is beyond ludicrous.

Can a team pay a QB 30+ million per year and still put a quality line in front of him?  If they try and build a cheap quality line through the draft it will be to late for cousins as that will require 2 or 3 more pieces and by then ONeill will need a new deal that wont be cheap.  

Everybody says quick fix OL and extend cousins,  I dont see it with talk of extending Cook ( to likely 10+ a year himself)and Diggs and AT taking about 25-30 between them.  Imo cook is a luxury we cant really afford or justify,  with an improved OL I think Mattison and Boone could get the job done and for much less money.

Cousins needs to take a pay cut,  trade Diggs for OL help and use the cap savings from Diggs and likely Reiff to add more OL help.

All that cap space on D from LJ, Griff, and Rhodes will likely be needed to resign Harris, a couple CBs,  and another stout run stuffer DT or 3T since we really dont  have quality at either one right now.

@pattersaur

Trading Diggs isn't without risk. Definitely no sure thing on the roster to pick up his snaps, but Bisi has already shown to be solid. Davis earning several game balls as a scout squad guy is intriguing. He's got speed to kill and we've had success building guys up. 

Let's say we got a late first. We can probably fix both the OL and add another CB before Day 2 starts.