Can we really be 6 days from Sunday
...and still not know who our starting QB is? Vikingsterritory.com polled staff on who SHOULD start and then who they predict WILL start.
SHOULD
Hall - 5
Dobbs - 4
Mullens - 0
WILL
Dobbs - 6
Mullens - 4
Hall - 0
Couple beat writers have said things like "based on everything I'm hearing I expect it to be Dobbs." Which is probably just code for "it's Dobbs, I just can't tell you."
I think it’s a ridiculous statement to say that Dobbs surely
won’t be back next year. The Dobbs we
got the first 2 games was complete backyard football, just running on instincts
against defenses that were unprepared.
The Dobbs we got last couple games is still in the midst of learning the
plays, getting them integrated so he can play fast and loose. I don’t think there’s any reason to assume
that this is his peak capability. I
think a full offseason under KOC would do a lot for his development and mastery
of the position and our system. There’s
a very real possibility that the Vikings would prefer Dobbs at a $20-$30M discount
from Cousins.
For the rest of this season, I think there’s equally valid
reasoning for all 3 guys, but it really comes down to what they can see in
practice and how much mastery they have over the offense and their god given talents. I don’t think we’re really in any place to
make good decisions on who should be starting as we have so little information
on Hall and Mullens.
@"medaille" said: I think it’s a ridiculous statement to say that Dobbs surely won’t be back next year. The Dobbs we got the first 2 games was complete backyard football, just running on instincts against defenses that were unprepared. The Dobbs we got last couple games is still in the midst of learning the plays, getting them integrated so he can play fast and loose. I don’t think there’s any reason to assume that this is his peak capability. I think a full offseason under KOC would do a lot for his development and mastery of the position and our system. There’s a very real possibility that the Vikings would prefer Dobbs at a $20-$30M discount from Cousins.For the rest of this season, I think there’s equally valid
reasoning for all 3 guys, but it really comes down to what they can see in
practice and how much mastery they have over the offense and their god given talents. I don’t think we’re really in any place to
make good decisions on who should be starting as we have so little information
on Hall and Mullens.
I think its a bit silly to expect a hardcore journeyman that was traded for scraps to be the starter in 2024 because he'll come 'at a discount'. Do the Vikings want to win games? If so, don't see how that's the way to do it. They'll have to decide on Cousins before the Draft, so there's no guarantee they'll be able to draft the rookie QB they want or even IF they will for sure. I've seen Dobbs now and he's the same dude (insert Spiderman pointing at Spiderman meme) that he's always been. Expecting him to be viable as a starter is saying you expect him to do something he's never done before at 28 years old.
Now if the Vikings were guaranteed to get the QBOTF in the Draft, then yeah....it makes sense as a bridge dude for low bucks. But I think the Vikings feel they are a good team and will continue to be a good team in 2024. I think they'd like the best QB they can get and that would be Cousins. Now I understand: if Cousins plays hardball and wants a stupid contract, they'll walk. But contrary to some here, I think he'll be more flexible than he's ever been in that department and will play ball.
@"StickyBun" said:@"medaille" said: I think it’s a ridiculous statement to say that Dobbs surely won’t be back next year. The Dobbs we got the first 2 games was complete backyard football, just running on instincts against defenses that were unprepared. The Dobbs we got last couple games is still in the midst of learning the plays, getting them integrated so he can play fast and loose. I don’t think there’s any reason to assume that this is his peak capability. I think a full offseason under KOC would do a lot for his development and mastery of the position and our system. There’s a very real possibility that the Vikings would prefer Dobbs at a $20-$30M discount from Cousins.For the rest of this season, I think there’s equally valid
reasoning for all 3 guys, but it really comes down to what they can see in
practice and how much mastery they have over the offense and their god given talents. I don’t think we’re really in any place to
make good decisions on who should be starting as we have so little information
on Hall and Mullens.
I think its a bit silly to expect a hardcore journeyman that was traded for scraps to be the starter in 2024 because he'll come 'at a discount'. Do the Vikings want to win games? If so, don't see how that's the way to do it. They'll have to decide on Cousins before the Draft, so there's no guarantee they'll be able to draft the rookie QB they want or even IF they will for sure. I've seen Dobbs now and he's the same dude (insert Spiderman pointing at Spiderman meme) that he's always been. Expecting him to be viable as a starter is saying you expect him to do something he's never done before at 28 years old.Now if the Vikings were guaranteed to get the QBOTF in the Draft, then yeah....it makes sense as a bridge dude for low bucks. But I think the Vikings feel they are a good team and will continue to be a good team in 2024. I think they'd like the best QB they can get and that would be Cousins. Now I understand: if Cousins plays hardball and wants a stupid contract, they'll walk. But contrary to some here, I think he'll be more flexible than he's ever been in that department and will play ball.
While I agree with your premise on Kirk for next season, CJ Stroud already looks darn good and Richardson did too when he was on the field. All this to say, if we do roll with a rookie QB next season it doesn’t automatically mean we’ll suck. Just probably, ha.
@"pattersaur" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"medaille" said: I think it’s a ridiculous statement to say that Dobbs surely won’t be back next year. The Dobbs we got the first 2 games was complete backyard football, just running on instincts against defenses that were unprepared. The Dobbs we got last couple games is still in the midst of learning the plays, getting them integrated so he can play fast and loose. I don’t think there’s any reason to assume that this is his peak capability. I think a full offseason under KOC would do a lot for his development and mastery of the position and our system. There’s a very real possibility that the Vikings would prefer Dobbs at a $20-$30M discount from Cousins.For the rest of this season, I think there’s equally valid
reasoning for all 3 guys, but it really comes down to what they can see in
practice and how much mastery they have over the offense and their god given talents. I don’t think we’re really in any place to
make good decisions on who should be starting as we have so little information
on Hall and Mullens.
I think its a bit silly to expect a hardcore journeyman that was traded for scraps to be the starter in 2024 because he'll come 'at a discount'. Do the Vikings want to win games? If so, don't see how that's the way to do it. They'll have to decide on Cousins before the Draft, so there's no guarantee they'll be able to draft the rookie QB they want or even IF they will for sure. I've seen Dobbs now and he's the same dude (insert Spiderman pointing at Spiderman meme) that he's always been. Expecting him to be viable as a starter is saying you expect him to do something he's never done before at 28 years old.Now if the Vikings were guaranteed to get the QBOTF in the Draft, then yeah....it makes sense as a bridge dude for low bucks. But I think the Vikings feel they are a good team and will continue to be a good team in 2024. I think they'd like the best QB they can get and that would be Cousins. Now I understand: if Cousins plays hardball and wants a stupid contract, they'll walk. But contrary to some here, I think he'll be more flexible than he's ever been in that department and will play ball.
While I agree with your premise on Kirk for next season, CJ Stroud already looks darn good and Richardson did too when he was on the field. All this to say, if we do roll with a rookie QB next season it doesn’t automatically mean we’ll suck. Just probably, ha.
Actually, my point is there's no guarantee the Vikings will draft the QB they want and a decision on Cousins will have to be made before that point. The right rookie QB could play in Year 1, at least part of the season, but again where Minnesota will select there's no guarantee.
@"StickyBun" said:@"medaille" said: I think it’s a ridiculous statement to say that Dobbs surely won’t be back next year. The Dobbs we got the first 2 games was complete backyard football, just running on instincts against defenses that were unprepared. The Dobbs we got last couple games is still in the midst of learning the plays, getting them integrated so he can play fast and loose. I don’t think there’s any reason to assume that this is his peak capability. I think a full offseason under KOC would do a lot for his development and mastery of the position and our system. There’s a very real possibility that the Vikings would prefer Dobbs at a $20-$30M discount from Cousins.For the rest of this season, I think there’s equally valid
reasoning for all 3 guys, but it really comes down to what they can see in
practice and how much mastery they have over the offense and their god given talents. I don’t think we’re really in any place to
make good decisions on who should be starting as we have so little information
on Hall and Mullens.
I think its a bit silly to expect a hardcore journeyman that was traded for scraps to be the starter in 2024 because he'll come 'at a discount'. Do the Vikings want to win games? If so, don't see how that's the way to do it. They'll have to decide on Cousins before the Draft, so there's no guarantee they'll be able to draft the rookie QB they want or even IF they will for sure. I've seen Dobbs now and he's the same dude (insert Spiderman pointing at Spiderman meme) that he's always been. Expecting him to be viable as a starter is saying you expect him to do something he's never done before at 28 years old.Now if the Vikings were guaranteed to get the QBOTF in the Draft, then yeah....it makes sense as a bridge dude for low bucks. But I think the Vikings feel they are a good team and will continue to be a good team in 2024. I think they'd like the best QB they can get and that would be Cousins. Now I understand: if Cousins plays hardball and wants a stupid contract, they'll walk. But contrary to some here, I think he'll be more flexible than he's ever been in that department and will play ball.
Agree. Some seem to think that Cousins will play the kind of contract hardball he did in his 20s. Granted, he's not a chump; he's not going to take peanuts. It will be a competitive contract. But contracts tend to plateau a bit for QBs in their mid to late 30s. And 35-year-old, recovering-from-injury Cousins with school-age kids, entering his 3rd year in the same offense, with the weapons it has, is very likely going to be more agreeable than years past.On the other side, the fact that he was having an MVP-like season could be used by his camp to push for a top salary.
@"StickyBun" said:@"medaille" said: I think it’s a ridiculous statement to say that Dobbs surely won’t be back next year. The Dobbs we got the first 2 games was complete backyard football, just running on instincts against defenses that were unprepared. The Dobbs we got last couple games is still in the midst of learning the plays, getting them integrated so he can play fast and loose. I don’t think there’s any reason to assume that this is his peak capability. I think a full offseason under KOC would do a lot for his development and mastery of the position and our system. There’s a very real possibility that the Vikings would prefer Dobbs at a $20-$30M discount from Cousins.For the rest of this season, I think there’s equally valid
reasoning for all 3 guys, but it really comes down to what they can see in
practice and how much mastery they have over the offense and their god given talents. I don’t think we’re really in any place to
make good decisions on who should be starting as we have so little information
on Hall and Mullens.
I think its a bit silly to expect a hardcore journeyman that was traded for scraps to be the starter in 2024 because he'll come 'at a discount'. Do the Vikings want to win games? If so, don't see how that's the way to do it. They'll have to decide on Cousins before the Draft, so there's no guarantee they'll be able to draft the rookie QB they want or even IF they will for sure. I've seen Dobbs now and he's the same dude (insert Spiderman pointing at Spiderman meme) that he's always been. Expecting him to be viable as a starter is saying you expect him to do something he's never done before at 28 years old.Now if the Vikings were guaranteed to get the QBOTF in the Draft, then yeah....it makes sense as a bridge dude for low bucks. But I think the Vikings feel they are a good team and will continue to be a good team in 2024. I think they'd like the best QB they can get and that would be Cousins. Now I understand: if Cousins plays hardball and wants a stupid contract, they'll walk. But contrary to some here, I think he'll be more flexible than he's ever been in that department and will play ball.
I think Cousins is the most likely option for 2024, but
there’s a lot of time between now and when they’ll make that decision and a lot
could happen. Cousins could get offered much
more from some other team (probably more guaranteed money over more years). Cousins ankle might not heal properly or he’s
way behind schedule or looking severely limited in his mobility. Maybe Dobbs and the Vikings go on a 4-1 run, keep
the Packers out of the playoffs and win a couple of playoff games, so now you
got Dobbs at 6-3 compared to Cousins 4-4, you look at career playoff wins where
Dobbs has the upper hand plus youth, plus not injured, and people start saying
things like, “Imagine how good Dobbs could be with a full offseason in the
system”. There’s just a lot of options
for how this can play out. Also maybe
Dobbs operates the offense competently but not spectacularly, and Kwesi is
looking at Hunter+Dobbs or keeping Cousins and getting rid of Hunter in order
to not screw his rookie contract QB plans. Maybe Flores gets a HC job, and now you're making more long term plans rather than short term plans.
I say we run the wildcat. Then everyone is happy.
@"AGRforever" said: I say we run the wildcat. Then everyone is happy.
Agreed, obviously w/ Chandler taking snaps he’s no longer a liability when pass protecting…!!! ;) B)
It's eye opening to think Dobbs is the best Viking QB option at this time when you consider he's thrown 5 Ints, 3 fumbles and only 3 TDs in past two games.I'm so not excited about Sunday's game. Hope Josh can win me over again have a great game. I'm just not expecting that to happen.
@"HappyViking" said:That's where I'm at.It's eye opening to think Dobbs is the best Viking QB option at this time when you consider he's thrown 5 Ints, 3 fumbles and only 3 TDs in past two games.I'm so not excited about Sunday's game. Hope Josh can win me over again have a great game. I'm just not expecting that to happen.
@"HappyViking" said:The odds are the season went down the drain with Cousins injury. But the rest of the team has enough talent that even a game management QB could give them a chance. Unfortunately, none of the three remaining QB's may be able to provide that level of play.It's eye opening to think Dobbs is the best Viking QB option at this time when you consider he's thrown 5 Ints, 3 fumbles and only 3 TDs in past two games.I'm so not excited about Sunday's game. Hope Josh can win me over again have a great game. I'm just not expecting that to happen.
Edit Post (mod action — author will see a notice)
Warn Poster
Suspend User (3 days)
The user will be suspended for 3 days and will receive an email with the reason and information about how to appeal.