silly reporter...

The notion that any trade that involved JG,  Carr, or any of a number of other QBs as a move to improve the QB position is not seeing it correctly.  Nobody that I have heard advocate for moving Cousins has said that any of those guys would be a step up.  Only that moving on from Kirk now would ease cap restraints and allow  the team to start the rebuilding now instead of in 2 years when they finally do move on from him.  its more of lack of belief that under Cousins the team will have enough cap space to keep who we need to keep,  add what we need to add,  in order for there to be enough of a roster to carry Kirks limitations.

I was just thinking about how stupid some of the local writers are. Courtney Cronin is one. Now in her defense, she was asked for a bold prediction and she gave one. Problem is that Jimmy G and a 2nd for Cousins would be ridiculous. And any team 'jumping' at that should just keep jumping until they find a cliff. 

As bad as she is she's not as bad as Mackey and Judd, who seem to think the Vikings should pass on every 2nd down, except of course when Dalvin runs for 30 on those downs. 

@"MaroonBells" said: I was just thinking about how stupid some of the local writers are. Courtney Cronin is one. Now in her defense, she was asked for a bold prediction and she gave one. Problem is that Jimmy G and a 2nd for Cousins would be ridiculous. And any team 'jumping' at that should just keep jumping until they find a cliff. 

As bad as she is she's not as bad as Mackey and Judd, who seem to think the Vikings should pass on every 2nd down, except of course when Dalvin runs for 30 on those downs. 

I like Courtney quite a bit and didnt have an issue with what she posted. I dont know what else she says because a lot of stuff wouldnt really be bold moves (IE letting guys go like Reiff, Rudolph, etc). Also, she takes a lot of heat on twitter from guys just because she is a girl and calls them out which is funny

Cronin isnt bad, I like some of the inside scoop she has now and then. Being a women reporter in a pro-sports world isnt for the weak willed either. 

She could have come-up with better quality than this though for a bold prediction..

I like Coller. I subscribe to his newsletter and find some pretty good content there. As for the rest, I'm not too impressed.

@"Rigby" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: I was just thinking about how stupid some of the local writers are. Courtney Cronin is one. Now in her defense, she was asked for a bold prediction and she gave one. Problem is that Jimmy G and a 2nd for Cousins would be ridiculous. And any team 'jumping' at that should just keep jumping until they find a cliff. 

As bad as she is she's not as bad as Mackey and Judd, who seem to think the Vikings should pass on every 2nd down, except of course when Dalvin runs for 30 on those downs. 

I have been reading opinions from Mackey, Zulgad, Cronin, Coller etc. for some time and was curious what local fans think of them. Anyone?

More from ESPN:

SB Timelines for all 32 teamsSTILL A YEAR AWAYMinnesota VikingsLast Super Bowl appearance: 1976
2020 FPI rank: No. 15
Strategy for becoming a Super Bowl contender: The Vikings are the most successful NFL franchise (seventh all-time in win percentage) to never win a Super Bowl. This is still a highly competitive team that isn't afraid to spend, even if it goes against trends of the NFL -- like paying a running back megabucks. Minnesota teams are built on the strength of the defense, which played a factor in the Vikings being one game shy of the Super Bowl in 2017. With Mike Zimmer at the helm, that model isn't going anywhere.
Biggest X factor: The offense showed it can score at will with just about anyone in 2020. But the defense, which is in the process of a multiyear rebuild, needs vast improvement. Minnesota has a formula to get the best it can out of quarterback Kirk Cousins, surrounding him with playmakers such as Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook and Irv Smith Jr. If the team can find ways to improve the defense -- such as spending on pass-rushers in free agency or making scheme adjustments -- then the Vikings could be two years away from getting to the Super Bowl. -- Courtney Cronin
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30795720/super-bowl-lines-all-32-nfl-teams-mix-getting-closer-years-away

@"purplefaithful" said: More from ESPN:

SB Timelines for all 32 teamsSTILL A YEAR AWAY

Minnesota VikingsLast Super Bowl appearance: 1976
2020 FPI rank: No. 15
Strategy for becoming a Super Bowl contender: The Vikings are the most successful NFL franchise (seventh all-time in win percentage) to never win a Super Bowl. This is still a highly competitive team that isn't afraid to spend, even if it goes against trends of the NFL -- like paying a running back megabucks. Minnesota teams are built on the strength of the defense, which played a factor in the Vikings being one game shy of the Super Bowl in 2017. With Mike Zimmer at the helm, that model isn't going anywhere.
Biggest X factor: The offense showed it can score at will with just about anyone in 2020. But the defense, which is in the process of a multiyear rebuild, needs vast improvement. Minnesota has a formula to get the best it can out of quarterback Kirk Cousins, surrounding him with playmakers such as Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook and Irv Smith Jr. If the team can find ways to improve the defense -- such as spending on pass-rushers in free agency or making scheme adjustments -- then the Vikings could be two years away from getting to the Super Bowl. -- Courtney Cronin
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30795720/super-bowl-lines-all-32-nfl-teams-mix-getting-closer-years-away

@"purplefaithful" said: More from ESPN:

SB Timelines for all 32 teamsSTILL A YEAR AWAY

Minnesota VikingsLast Super Bowl appearance: 1976
2020 FPI rank: No. 15
Strategy for becoming a Super Bowl contender: The Vikings are the most successful NFL franchise (seventh all-time in win percentage) to never win a Super Bowl. This is still a highly competitive team that isn't afraid to spend, even if it goes against trends of the NFL -- like paying a running back megabucks. Minnesota teams are built on the strength of the defense, which played a factor in the Vikings being one game shy of the Super Bowl in 2017. With Mike Zimmer at the helm, that model isn't going anywhere.
Biggest X factor: The offense showed it can score at will with just about anyone in 2020. But the defense, which is in the process of a multiyear rebuild, needs vast improvement. Minnesota has a formula to get the best it can out of quarterback Kirk Cousins, surrounding him with playmakers such as Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook and Irv Smith Jr. If the team can find ways to improve the defense -- such as spending on pass-rushers in free agency or making scheme adjustments -- then the Vikings could be two years away from getting to the Super Bowl. -- Courtney Cronin
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30795720/super-bowl-lines-all-32-nfl-teams-mix-getting-closer-years-away

1. It's not a "trend" in the NFL to not pay your 1st term RBs. There isn't a single NFL team who hit on a good young back who hasn't also paid him: CMAC, Henry, Cook, Kamara Barkeley, Elliott. Stiffing them is not a "trend" any more than paying them is unwise. 

2. With the exception of organizations who don't have an NFL-caliber QBs, and teams who have obviously chosen to tear it all up (jags, jets, etc), there isn't a team in the NFL who is "two years away' from getting to the Super Bowl. The multi-year rebuild is a thing of the past. Successful teams don't do it. It's why you get teams like the 49ers who go from 4-12 to 13-3 and a Super Bowl appearance in one season. Parity, injuries, the constant flow game-changing players from one team to another almost ensures it. A year ago, Tampa was 7-9. They add Brady, Wirfs, Winfield and most importantly, they finish the year without a single significant injury. Lombardis and boat drinks. The team they beat had 8 players on IR. Best teams don't always win the Super Bowl, but the ones who do are almost always among the healthiest. 

I like Courtney Cronin. She is very knowledgeable. Great on podcasts. I understand the idea that moving Cousins helps financially but Garoppolo isn't an upgrade. I think he is staying put. 

The 49ers blew a 10 point 4th quarter lead in Super Bowl LIV. Jimmy G threw two pick in the game and wasn't anything special in the big moment. 
Could Cousins have won that Superbowl if the glass slipper was on his foot instead of Jimmy G? I can't answer that, but I do know I would take Cousin's arm talent, durability and work ethic over Jimmy G every day of the week.

The Vikings offense started to click in 2020, and it was enjoyable to watch. 
I think Cronin's mistake was that she under-estimated Cousins' true market value. Rule of thumb is you sell when the market is high. I can buy into taking advantage of the market place as a reasons to trade. 
Cousins' open market value, I believe, is at it's peak... and his value to the Vikings might be at an all time high.
The only question I have with Cousins regarding his contract is... as more and more players are asked to restructure, sacrifice dollars or fear getting cut... will the team lay it all on the line and want to rally around him? Cousins says he wants to take on more of a leadership roll, well 2021 might give him that opportunity. I for one would love to see "winning" became more important to him than the "money". Not saying he needs to take a pay-cut, but leaders find ways to elevate and motivate the people around them. Statistically Cousins is a great quarterback, but it's the winning and leadership intangibles that he needs to take his game to the next level. 2021 will be a critical year for Zimmer and Cousins to make sure that the locker room is ready to play inspired football on week one.   
Great article and example here:

https://www.celebritynetworth.com/articles/celebrity/tom-bradys-massive-pay-cut-is-a-brilliant-financial-move/

@"Rigby" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: I was just thinking about how stupid some of the local writers are. Courtney Cronin is one. Now in her defense, she was asked for a bold prediction and she gave one. Problem is that Jimmy G and a 2nd for Cousins would be ridiculous. And any team 'jumping' at that should just keep jumping until they find a cliff. 

As bad as she is she's not as bad as Mackey and Judd, who seem to think the Vikings should pass on every 2nd down, except of course when Dalvin runs for 30 on those downs. 

I have been reading opinions from Mackey, Zulgad, Cronin, Coller etc. for some time and was curious what local fans think of them. Anyone?

@"comet52" said:

@"Rigby" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: I was just thinking about how stupid some of the local writers are. Courtney Cronin is one. Now in her defense, she was asked for a bold prediction and she gave one. Problem is that Jimmy G and a 2nd for Cousins would be ridiculous. And any team 'jumping' at that should just keep jumping until they find a cliff. 

As bad as she is she's not as bad as Mackey and Judd, who seem to think the Vikings should pass on every 2nd down, except of course when Dalvin runs for 30 on those downs. 

I have been reading opinions from Mackey, Zulgad, Cronin, Coller etc. for some time and was curious what local fans think of them. Anyone?

They are in the entertainment business as much as the news business.  Cronin is more focused on factual content while M&J are mostly peddling purple fan fiction every day to keep the ad money flowing.

@"Carl Knowles" said: The 49ers blew a 10 point 4th quarter lead in Super Bowl LIV. Jimmy G threw two pick in the game and wasn't anything special in the big moment.  Could Cousins have won that Superbowl if the glass slipper was on his foot instead of Jimmy G? I can't answer that, but I do know I would take Cousin's arm talent, durability and work ethic over Jimmy G every day of the week.

The Vikings offense started to click in 2020, and it was enjoyable to watch. 
I think Cronin's mistake was that she under-estimated Cousins' true market value. Rule of thumb is you sell when the market is high. I can buy into taking advantage of the market place as a reasons to trade. 
Cousins' open market value, I believe, is at it's peak... and his value to the Vikings might be at an all time high.
The only question I have with Cousins regarding his contract is... as more and more players are asked to restructure, sacrifice dollars or fear getting cut... will the team lay it all on the line and want to rally around him? Cousins says he wants to take on more of a leadership roll, well 2021 might give him that opportunity. I for one would love to see "winning" became more important to him than the "money". Not saying he needs to take a pay-cut, but leaders find ways to elevate and motivate the people around them. Statistically Cousins is a great quarterback, but it's the winning and leadership intangibles that he needs to take his game to the next level. 2021 will be a critical year for Zimmer and Cousins to make sure that the locker room is ready to play inspired football on week one.   
Great article and example here:

https://www.celebritynetworth.com/articles/celebrity/tom-bradys-massive-pay-cut-is-a-brilliant-financial-move/

@Jor-el

Per spotrac.com

Tom Brady signed a 2 year, $50,000,000 contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including $50,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $25,000,000. In 2021, Brady will earn a base salary of $15,000,000 and a roster bonus of $10,000,000, while carrying a cap hit of $28,375,000 and a dead cap value of $25,000,000.

Drew Brees has only average $25,000,000 per year over the last 4 years on 2-2 year deals when he could have taken bigger deals on the open market.

Russell Wilson signed a 4 year, $140M new money extension with the Seattle Seahawks on April 15, 2019 that included a $65M signing bonus, $107M of total guarantees, and an average annual salary of $35M. At the time of signing this deal was the highest average paid contract, most total guarantees, and biggest signing bonus in NFL history.

Kirk Cousins signed a 2 year, $66,000,000 contract with the Minnesota Vikings, including a $30,000,000 signing bonus, $66,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $33,000,000. In 2021, Cousins will earn a base salary of $21,000,000, while carrying a cap hit of $31,000,000 and a dead cap value of $41,000,000.

@Jor-El said: We need to figure out some other causes for the Vikings' inability to rise above mediocrity. 

I don't know,... maybe mediocrity is a byproduct that comes from leadership? 

@"Carl Knowles" said: @Jor-El said: We need to figure out some other causes for the Vikings' inability to rise above mediocrity. 

I don't know,... maybe mediocrity is a byproduct that comes from leadership? 

Rick is the leader
the leader who signed Kirk
the last piece of the puzzle he said
I got guaranteed dough she said!
Kirk is having a field day
playing quarterback in his purple lingerie
fans say give back some of the money
Kirk says no that's MY Honey!
and besides
you think Ricky can take more dough and build a championship roster with a good oline and then we win the Super Bowl after 10 years of failing to do so damn you must be out of your flippin' gourd...
Extension time!!!!!!!!!

@"comet52" said:

@"Carl Knowles" said: @Jor-El said: We need to figure out some other causes for the Vikings' inability to rise above mediocrity. 

I don't know,... maybe mediocrity is a byproduct that comes from leadership? 

I've written a poem which sums up this situation, I call it "Guaranteed Money" :

Rick is the leader
the leader who signed Kirk
the last piece of the puzzle he said
I got guaranteed dough she said!
Kirk is having a field day
playing quarterback in his purple lingerie
fans say give back some of the money
Kirk says no that's MY Honey!
and besides
you think Ricky can take more dough and build a championship roster with a good oline and then we win the Super Bowl after 10 years of failing to do so damn you must be out of your flippin' gourd...
Extension time!!!!!!!!!

@"StickyBun" said:

@"comet52" said:

@"Carl Knowles" said: @Jor-El said: We need to figure out some other causes for the Vikings' inability to rise above mediocrity. 

I don't know,... maybe mediocrity is a byproduct that comes from leadership? 

I've written a poem which sums up this situation, I call it "Guaranteed Money" :

Rick is the leader
the leader who signed Kirk
the last piece of the puzzle he said
I got guaranteed dough she said!
Kirk is having a field day
playing quarterback in his purple lingerie
fans say give back some of the money
Kirk says no that's MY Honey!
and besides
you think Ricky can take more dough and build a championship roster with a good oline and then we win the Super Bowl after 10 years of failing to do so damn you must be out of your flippin' gourd...
Extension time!!!!!!!!!

I think you've broken ground on new poetic syntax here. Haiku-like, but not quite....anaphora usage with 'Kirk' being used as a repeat pattern. This would work well at Spoken Poetry night at Java the Hut, the coffee bar around the corner. 

Me likey.