Speaking about that QBOTF...
The Vikings were saying goodbye to a bittersweet season when Eric Kendricks was asked to share the pain that comes with playing the kind of quarterback who can throw 35 times for 301 yards while running 17 times for 78 yards.
"That's just the league nowadays," the inside linebacker said Monday, a day after Giants quarterback Daniel Jones used the Vikings' loose defense to boost his reputation — and likely his bank account — mightily in a 31-24 wild-card upset of the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Kendricks was still answering the question when a video of Tom Brady appeared on the television screen inside the Vikings' locker room. Brady, perhaps the last elite pure pocket-passing quarterback the game will ever see, would go on to play and get destroyed by the Cowboys in the NFL's final wild-card game Monday night.
Obviously, the league never will see another Tom Brady in terms of success and longevity. But, Eric, do you think the NFL will ever see another quarterback with the G.O.A.T.'s strictly pocket-passing style? The kind of style that saw Tom "run" 29 times for minus-1 yard this season?
"No," Kendricks laughed. "No, I don't.
"Like, man, I'm trying to think of any of the new quarterbacks in the league who are strictly a pocket quarterback, and I can't think of any. I think almost all quarterbacks today can run. I mean, even Kirk Cousins is an athlete when he gets loose. He doesn't do it very often, but he's a pocket quarterback who can run, too. When he does it."
Eight starting quarterbacks remain in the hunt for Super Bowl LVII. Four of them — Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts, 24; Buffalo's Josh Allen, 26; Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes, 27; and Jones, 25 — are the second-leading rushers on their teams. The other four — San Francisco's Brock Purdy, Dallas' Dak Prescott, Cincinnati's Joe Burrow and Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence — can move as well.
Mahomes, the likely league MVP this year, averaged 5.9 yards on 61 carries with four touchdowns. Hurts, another MVP candidate, ran for 760 yards and 13 touchdowns, one shy of the league record for a quarterback. Jones ran for 708 yards and seven touchdowns during the regular season and then made his career postseason debut by becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to win a playoff game while throwing for 300 or more yards and rushing for 75 or more yards.
And then there's Allen. If defenders like the 6-0, 232-pound Kendricks thought the 6-5, 221-pound Jones was a load, here comes the 6-5, 237-pound Allen.
Allen has played the Vikings twice in his career. A win as a rookie in 2018 and an overtime loss this year. He ran 16 times for 123 yards (7.7 average) and two touchdowns in those two games.
Asked what he thought the first time he tackled the bigger and, who knows, faster quarterback, Kendricks smiled and said, "Looking at him, I felt like it wasn't sustainable. It was crazy. I've never seen anything like him.
"And," Kendricks was quick to add, "let's not forget."
What's that?
"Quarterbacks also have a halo around them," Kendricks said. "They get protected. A guy like Josh Allen can run at you full speed and at the last second slide."
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-quarterback-kirk-cousins-giants-daniel-jones-mobile-pocket-tom-brady-mark-craig/600244137/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
"As a defender, you're in that no-man's land," Kendricks said. "You're bracing for this guy who's now bigger than you coming at you. And you're thinking, 'Do I hit him? Get fined $30,000 or whatever?' I get it. It's for the safety of the league. But look around the league. There's a whole other level of quarterback play that's going on every week, especially the playoffs."
Yep. The now-idle Vikings know that all too well. While Jones was gouging the Vikings defense with his arm and legs, Cousins stayed in the pocket and chose a checkdown pass on fourth-and-8 with the season on the line rather than a running lane to his right that could have extended the play and at least bought time for a desperation pass to Justin Jefferson, the best receiver on the planet.
@"purplefaithful" said: "As a defender, you're in that no-man's land," Kendricks said. "You're bracing for this guy who's now bigger than you coming at you. And you're thinking, 'Do I hit him? Get fined $30,000 or whatever?' I get it. It's for the safety of the league. But look around the league. There's a whole other level of quarterback play that's going on every week, especially the playoffs." Yep. The now-idle Vikings know that all too well. While Jones was gouging the Vikings defense with his arm and legs, Cousins stayed in the pocket and chose a checkdown pass on fourth-and-8 with the season on the line rather than a running lane to his right that could have extended the play and at least bought time for a desperation pass to Justin Jefferson, the best receiver on the planet.
The pocket was collapsing fast on Cousins from all sides. You are correct that there was some real estate on the right side where TJ ran his route, but I don't think Cousins had any chance of escaping that pressure with his legs. Lawrence had already blown past Cleveland and was a step away from hitting Cousins.
Nothing in the QB pipeline in Minnesota. Need to change that.
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/trey-lance-raises-eyebrows-social-143055089.html
@"StickyBun" said: Nothing in the QB pipeline in Minnesota. Need to change that.
What are you talking about? Josh Rosen! Hello! :-)
@"TBro" said:@"purplefaithful" said: "As a defender, you're in that no-man's land," Kendricks said. "You're bracing for this guy who's now bigger than you coming at you. And you're thinking, 'Do I hit him? Get fined $30,000 or whatever?' I get it. It's for the safety of the league. But look around the league. There's a whole other level of quarterback play that's going on every week, especially the playoffs." Yep. The now-idle Vikings know that all too well. While Jones was gouging the Vikings defense with his arm and legs, Cousins stayed in the pocket and chose a checkdown pass on fourth-and-8 with the season on the line rather than a running lane to his right that could have extended the play and at least bought time for a desperation pass to Justin Jefferson, the best receiver on the planet.
The pocket was collapsing fast on Cousins from all sides. You are correct that there was some real estate on the right side where TJ ran his route, but I don't think Cousins had any chance of escaping that pressure with his legs. Lawrence had already blown past Cleveland and was a step away from hitting Cousins.
Yeah, that tarnishes a good article.
Cousins for Lance, I would sacrifice another potential wild card round experience for a QB with promise of a brighter future. How long realistically will SF's window be open? Deebo taking a lot of shots, Kittle is slowing down, holding that defense and staff together is going to be impossible. Kyle, come get your boy.
Young, fit, great legs with a big . . . arm. Could be magical and would help out a OL that won't ever be perfect.
Bring Lance home!
Personally not Lance fan
@"1VikesFan" said: Personally not Lance fanSitting at 23 you will have your choice of Anthony Richardson, a pick, or dealing for Lance. I can't think of a better value at 23 than him, but I open to arguments on why that is a bad idea.
Don't really have any specific argument and I realize I am no expert on QB skill sets but for some reason he doesn't impress me.
If he's that good why would Shanahan want to trade him. Are Purdy and Garapollo or even Cousins better options? If they are it'd be a pretty dumb move by Kwesi and KOC, wouldn't it?
Lance was a running QB at NDSU that also had a strong arm. The Bison never relied on passing and probably half the time Lance would drop back, he'd end up running the ball. He was a great FCS QB, but that doesn't mean he's going to be an NFL QB that can make accurate throws on passing downs 20 to 30 times a game. Like Wentz before him, no way would I trust either of them to be great passing QBs in the NFL. Neither of those guys should've been drafted before the 4th round, IMO, and I thought that before they were drafted.
I see some low level buzz about Tanner McKee of Stanford and Minnesota out there in the world.
@"Skodin" said: Cousins for Lance, I would sacrifice another potential wild card round experience for a QB with promise of a brighter future. How long realistically will SF's window be open? Deebo taking a lot of shots, Kittle is slowing down, holding that defense and staff together is going to be impossible. Kyle, come get your boy.Young, fit, great legs with a big . . . arm. Could be magical and would help out a OL that won't ever be perfect.
Bring Lance home!
Cousins for Lance would never happen. Vikings are not going to saddle JJ with an unproven QB. But could the Vikings consider trading 23 for Lance and have him sit and learn for a year or two under Kirk? Yeah, I could see that.
@"StickyBun" said: I see some low level buzz about Tanner McKee of Stanford and Minnesota out there in the world.
He's a classic pocket passer. Nothing wrong with that, but won't extend plays with his feet. Essentially, Kirko 2.0.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"Skodin" said: Cousins for Lance, I would sacrifice another potential wild card round experience for a QB with promise of a brighter future. How long realistically will SF's window be open? Deebo taking a lot of shots, Kittle is slowing down, holding that defense and staff together is going to be impossible. Kyle, come get your boy.Young, fit, great legs with a big . . . arm. Could be magical and would help out a OL that won't ever be perfect.
Bring Lance home!
Cousins for Lance would never happen. Vikings are not going to saddle JJ with an unproven QB. But could the Vikings consider trading 23 for Lance and have him sit and learn for a year or two under Kirk? Yeah, I could see that.
You're crazy if you think the Vikings are giving up a 1st for a guy who can't break into the starting lineup behind Garapollo and Mr. Irrelevant. Trey Lance has 4th-5th rd. value based on his lack of development.
@"mgobluevikes" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"Skodin" said: Cousins for Lance, I would sacrifice another potential wild card round experience for a QB with promise of a brighter future. How long realistically will SF's window be open? Deebo taking a lot of shots, Kittle is slowing down, holding that defense and staff together is going to be impossible. Kyle, come get your boy.Young, fit, great legs with a big . . . arm. Could be magical and would help out a OL that won't ever be perfect.
Bring Lance home!
Cousins for Lance would never happen. Vikings are not going to saddle JJ with an unproven QB. But could the Vikings consider trading 23 for Lance and have him sit and learn for a year or two under Kirk? Yeah, I could see that.
You're crazy if you think the Vikings are giving up a 1st for a guy who can't break into the starting lineup behind Garapollo and Mr. Irrelevant. Trey Lance has 4th-5th rd. value based on his lack of development.
LOL. No, I'm not crazy, though my kids might disagree. Yes, I think teams will consider giving up a 20-50 pick for Lance. His lack of playing time actually argues both for and against a high pick. Against because you don't know yet if he can play in the NFL. For because you don't yet know if he can't.Either way, the point is likely moot. I doubt the 49ers trade him. I think they'd be fools for trading him. Because if you think Brock Purdy is now the future of the franchise in SF based on one half season, you're crazier than you think I am. :-)
@"MaroonBells" said:@"mgobluevikes" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"Skodin" said: Cousins for Lance, I would sacrifice another potential wild card round experience for a QB with promise of a brighter future. How long realistically will SF's window be open? Deebo taking a lot of shots, Kittle is slowing down, holding that defense and staff together is going to be impossible. Kyle, come get your boy.Young, fit, great legs with a big . . . arm. Could be magical and would help out a OL that won't ever be perfect.
Bring Lance home!
Cousins for Lance would never happen. Vikings are not going to saddle JJ with an unproven QB. But could the Vikings consider trading 23 for Lance and have him sit and learn for a year or two under Kirk? Yeah, I could see that.
You're crazy if you think the Vikings are giving up a 1st for a guy who can't break into the starting lineup behind Garapollo and Mr. Irrelevant. Trey Lance has 4th-5th rd. value based on his lack of development.
LOL. No, I'm not crazy, though my kids might disagree. Yes, I think teams will consider giving up a 20-50 pick for Lance. His lack of playing time actually argues both for and against a high pick. Against because you don't know yet if he can play in the NFL. For because you don't yet know if he can't.Either way, the point is likely moot. I doubt the 49ers trade him. I think they'd be fools for trading him. Because if you think Brock Purdy is now the future of the franchise in SF based on one half season, you're crazier than you think I am. :-)
Between Purdy and Lance, I know who's draft value is higher by about 3 rds.
@"mgobluevikes" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"mgobluevikes" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"Skodin" said: Cousins for Lance, I would sacrifice another potential wild card round experience for a QB with promise of a brighter future. How long realistically will SF's window be open? Deebo taking a lot of shots, Kittle is slowing down, holding that defense and staff together is going to be impossible. Kyle, come get your boy.Young, fit, great legs with a big . . . arm. Could be magical and would help out a OL that won't ever be perfect.
Bring Lance home!
Cousins for Lance would never happen. Vikings are not going to saddle JJ with an unproven QB. But could the Vikings consider trading 23 for Lance and have him sit and learn for a year or two under Kirk? Yeah, I could see that.
You're crazy if you think the Vikings are giving up a 1st for a guy who can't break into the starting lineup behind Garapollo and Mr. Irrelevant. Trey Lance has 4th-5th rd. value based on his lack of development.
LOL. No, I'm not crazy, though my kids might disagree. Yes, I think teams will consider giving up a 20-50 pick for Lance. His lack of playing time actually argues both for and against a high pick. Against because you don't know yet if he can play in the NFL. For because you don't yet know if he can't.Either way, the point is likely moot. I doubt the 49ers trade him. I think they'd be fools for trading him. Because if you think Brock Purdy is now the future of the franchise in SF based on one half season, you're crazier than you think I am. :-)
Between Purdy and Lance, I know who's draft value is higher by about 3 rds.
I'd say neither have a definitive trade value at this point.
Neither is probably going anywhere with their rookie contracts, but Purdy's performance (including playoffs) sets his value way ahead of Lance, and it's not particularly close.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"mgobluevikes" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"Skodin" said: Cousins for Lance, I would sacrifice another potential wild card round experience for a QB with promise of a brighter future. How long realistically will SF's window be open? Deebo taking a lot of shots, Kittle is slowing down, holding that defense and staff together is going to be impossible. Kyle, come get your boy.Young, fit, great legs with a big . . . arm. Could be magical and would help out a OL that won't ever be perfect.
Bring Lance home!
Cousins for Lance would never happen. Vikings are not going to saddle JJ with an unproven QB. But could the Vikings consider trading 23 for Lance and have him sit and learn for a year or two under Kirk? Yeah, I could see that.
You're crazy if you think the Vikings are giving up a 1st for a guy who can't break into the starting lineup behind Garapollo and Mr. Irrelevant. Trey Lance has 4th-5th rd. value based on his lack of development.
LOL. No, I'm not crazy, though my kids might disagree. Yes, I think teams will consider giving up a 20-50 pick for Lance. His lack of playing time actually argues both for and against a high pick. Against because you don't know yet if he can play in the NFL. For because you don't yet know if he can't.Either way, the point is likely moot. I doubt the 49ers trade him. I think they'd be fools for trading him. Because if you think Brock Purdy is now the future of the franchise in SF based on one half season, you're crazier than you think I am. :-)
I agree with both of the bolded statements. Too early to crown Purdy yet, although the media is doing it....but what else is new. There's no reason for the 49ers to trade Lance this offseason. Remember, they gave up a shit ton to get him. And honestly, if you could get Richardson at #23, or trade down and get him at like #35-40, I'd pull that trigger first before getting Lance. Not saying the Vikings are interested in any of that.49ers have to give Purdy a full blown shot as the starter next season. I don't think Lance is part of their plans but they aren't going to give him away either.
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