Forum The Longship Correcting the Cousins Narrative

Correcting the Cousins Narrative

Zanary
Joined May 2013
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Rep: 677

I think this author hits it pretty squarely.

https://vikingsterritory.com/2021/general-news/well-thats-dead-familiar-kirk-cousins-narrative-dies

"In the games Cousins is “off,” the Vikings are doomed. Totally doomed. The franchise needs him to be perfect, not the other way around. A case study is the 2017 Vikings. That team situated Case Keenum gloriously, thanks to a hellish defense. Minnesota does not do that anymore. It’s Cousins who must drag the Vikings to victory."

KOC, JJM, Flores...make a good plan, or you'll be following Kwesi....

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#1 · Dec 3, 7:48 AM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
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@"greediron" said:
@"HappyViking" said: Kirk is having his best season as a Viking and he's taking charge of the team more.  Maybe his confidence is growing because of the weekly Zim meetings?  Not sure, but something has helped him.  I do think he was "off" for some reason last Sunday; maybe a lingering Packer win "hangover".  He had wide open throws he missed on what could've won that game even though it was the defense that really deserves the majority of blame for that loss.

However, when it's 4th down late in
the game, fans aren't always asking for perfection.  We just want to
believe our QB will keep calm and lead the team.  Yeah, he's not perfect,
but sometimes Kirk makes it so easy to see his flaws in huge moments. B)



Aikman, Elway and many others have done the same.  One big white ass looks like any other.


lol, truth.

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#22 · Dec 4, 4:42 AM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
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@"Zanary" said:
@"Kentis" said: This season it depends on which half you’re talking about. Numbers show Kirk Cousins is terrible in second half of games in 2021
First half of games in 2021:
  • 16 touchdowns (2nd)
  • 0 interceptions (1st)
  • 71.0 percent completion rate (6th)
  • 8.0 yards per attempt (3rd)
  • 123.4 passer rating (2nd)
Now take a look at how Cousins has performed during the second half of each matchup this year and where he compares to other signal-callers around the NFL. Spoiler alert, these numbers are not as impressive. Second half of games in 2021:
  • 6 touchdowns (19th)
  • 3 interceptions (16th)
  • 64.3 percent completion rate (24th)
  • 7.0 yards per attempt (26th)
  • 88.2 passer rating (26th)
By the same measure, though, the offensive playcalling fell off a cliff and died at halftime all too often....
Beat me to it...

How much of this is on the Qb vs the OC? 70%? 10%? 

The OC who's most likely losing chess matches in the 2nd half of games to the other teams DC? 

The age old question of coaching vs player...Only the folks in Eagan know for sure. 

What are the odds Zimmer keeps Kubiak as OC if he isnt retired at the end of this season??? 

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#23 · Dec 4, 6:33 AM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
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@"greediron" said:
@"HappyViking" said: Kirk is having his best season as a Viking and he's taking charge of the team more.  Maybe his confidence is growing because of the weekly Zim meetings?  Not sure, but something has helped him.  I do think he was "off" for some reason last Sunday; maybe a lingering Packer win "hangover".  He had wide open throws he missed on what could've won that game even though it was the defense that really deserves the majority of blame for that loss.

However, when it's 4th down late in
the game, fans aren't always asking for perfection.  We just want to
believe our QB will keep calm and lead the team.  Yeah, he's not perfect,
but sometimes Kirk makes it so easy to see his flaws in huge moments. B)



Aikman, Elway and many others have done the same.  One big white ass looks like any other.


...kinda like the suburbs. ;-)

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#24 · Dec 4, 8:09 AM
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@"Vikergirl" said: Kirk Cousins is who he is. He has been playing beyond himself this year. His durability is amazing. He made the most of his opportunity. I bet he gets an extension.
I try to avoid talking about this to avoid jinxing him, but his durability is something that really needs to be talked about. I mean he's never, EVER hurt. Hasn't missed a game due to injury his entire career. That really is extraordinary. 
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#25 · Dec 4, 8:17 AM
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@"Zanary" said:
@"minny65" said: My current feeling of this team and 7.5 years of Zimmer as HC and 3.5 years of Kirk at QB!

Same old story
Same old song and dance,  My friend

Fate comes a-knockin'
Doors start lockin'
Your old time connection
Change your direction
Ain't gonna change it
Can't rearrange it
Can't stand the pain
When it's all the same to you
My friend

Should we replace these lyrics for the Immigrant song lyrics :(


I actually cover that tune pretty regularly...!



Well,  now I ruined it for you too:)

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#26 · Dec 4, 9:35 AM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
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@"minny65" said:
@"Zanary" said:
@"minny65" said: My current feeling of this team and 7.5 years of Zimmer as HC and 3.5 years of Kirk at QB!

Same old story
Same old song and dance,  My friend

Fate comes a-knockin'
Doors start lockin'
Your old time connection
Change your direction
Ain't gonna change it
Can't rearrange it
Can't stand the pain
When it's all the same to you
My friend

Should we replace these lyrics for the Immigrant song lyrics :(


I actually cover that tune pretty regularly...!



Well,  now I ruined it for you too:)


Nope, because it's not accurate.

Zimmer started with Teddy/Cassel/Ponder...focus went to Teddy...tragic knee problem, pick up Bradford...more knee issues, our receivers and one year of decent o-line play make Keenum look decent...then Cousins gets a new OC basically every year as Zimmer's vaunted defense falls off a cliff.

It's more like a band's series of albums...though, Zimmer's defensive decline does bear some resemblance to Aerosmith's descent into drugged madness circa 1980.

I guess, as stressful as it has been, the fact that we're so close, even in brutal losses...it really feels like what really needs to happen is a break from huge injury issues and an overall "headecomy from rectal cavity".  Hell, even Breeland hasn't been as tragic, lately.

We're maddening, but so close...but so maddening.  That's it with KC, too.  Last weekend could've/should've been a statement game for him, a "take charge" moment...but, he got pummeled most of the day and I think it did affect him.  I've never seen him throw low that much in a game, before.

Tomorrow's another game....

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#27 · Dec 4, 12:59 PM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
206,512 posts
Rep: 0
@"HappyViking" said:
@"greediron" said:
@"HappyViking" said: Kirk is having his best season as a Viking and he's taking charge of the team more.  Maybe his confidence is growing because of the weekly Zim meetings?  Not sure, but something has helped him.  I do think he was "off" for some reason last Sunday; maybe a lingering Packer win "hangover".  He had wide open throws he missed on what could've won that game even though it was the defense that really deserves the majority of blame for that loss.

However, when it's 4th down late in
the game, fans aren't always asking for perfection.  We just want to
believe our QB will keep calm and lead the team.  Yeah, he's not perfect,
but sometimes Kirk makes it so easy to see his flaws in huge moments. B)



Aikman, Elway and many others have done the same.  One big white ass looks like any other.


Maybe the greats do this too, but probably not on 4th and goal in a close game.  Kirk struggled last Sunday, and this play was just flat out embarrassing.


I am sure they were super careful not to make such a blunder at such a critical time.  /eyeroll.  

There was obviously some confusion before the snap, he was getting others lined up and then hurried to the line.  But I am glad the greats had better timing for their mistakes.

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#28 · Dec 4, 9:57 PM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
206,512 posts
Rep: 0
@"greediron" said:
@"HappyViking" said:
@"greediron" said:
@"HappyViking" said: Kirk is having his best season as a Viking and he's taking charge of the team more.  Maybe his confidence is growing because of the weekly Zim meetings?  Not sure, but something has helped him.  I do think he was "off" for some reason last Sunday; maybe a lingering Packer win "hangover".  He had wide open throws he missed on what could've won that game even though it was the defense that really deserves the majority of blame for that loss.

However, when it's 4th down late in
the game, fans aren't always asking for perfection.  We just want to
believe our QB will keep calm and lead the team.  Yeah, he's not perfect,
but sometimes Kirk makes it so easy to see his flaws in huge moments. B)



Aikman, Elway and many others have done the same.  One big white ass looks like any other.


Maybe the greats do this too, but probably not on 4th and goal in a close game.  Kirk struggled last Sunday, and this play was just flat out embarrassing.


I am sure they were super careful not to make such a blunder at such a critical time.  /eyeroll.  

There was obviously some confusion before the snap, he was getting others lined up and then hurried to the line.  But I am glad the greats had better timing for their mistakes.



I’m sure they were too.  Big difference in Aikman, Elway, and other SB winning QBs than Kirk in those situations.  

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#29 · Dec 4, 11:45 PM
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