So we ALL know now where we stand at QB??

So we ALL know now where we stand at QB??When you have 3 you have none…!? :s

@"PurpleCrush" said: 4 games left in the season, you're currently the 6th seed, and the question is who do you play at QB.

Answer: the guy who best helps you make the postseason.

@"VikingOracle" said:

@"PurpleCrush" said: 4 games left in the season, you're currently the 6th seed, and the question is who do you play at QB.

Answer: the guy who best helps you make the postseason.

If your goal is to play one playoff game most years, then you are rooting for the right team.

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"VikingOracle" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"VikingOracle" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Games like yesterday really REALLY make you appreciate what we have in Cousins.

Anyone notice yesterday that the pass blocking and play calling seemed to get better when Mullens took over? It didn't. It just seemed that way, because Mullens ran the offense the way it was supposed to be run. He wasn't perfect, but he was a nice midpoint between the MVP-like play from Cousins and the WTF-like play from Dobbs. 

Mullens should be better with a week of prep. Mullens vs. Browning next Saturday in Cincy. And yes, the play calling always looks better when you don't have complete incompetence (Dobbs) at QB. 

I think it is a mistake not to start Hall going forward.  I don't care about the playoffs at this point as any game in the playoffs will be a serious beat down -- for me, it is all about player development at this point.

Understandable. But I think you're smart enough to know why a team in playoff contention can't and won't ever think that way. 

Yes, that is the problem with a "competitive rebuild" -- the Vikes get to lose in the first round of the playoffs every year.  I am at the point in my life where I want to see a SB victory and this was a perfect year to tank and improve draft position.  Injured QB, injured superstar WR, etc.  Getting to the playoffs with no hope of winning the SB is no longer my idea of a successful season unless it is building towards a SB run.  This year is not.  To me, competitive rebuild really is competitive mediocrity.

I'm assuming you mean sticking with the competitive rebuild after Cousins went down was the bad idea, and not that it was a bad idea from the outset. Because I think everyone would agree that if we'd stayed relatively healthy and not lost Cousins, JJ and half our line, the competitive rebuild would look pretty spectacular right now. 

@"PurpleCrush" said:

@"VikingOracle" said:

@"PurpleCrush" said: 4 games left in the season, you're currently the 6th seed, and the question is who do you play at QB.

Answer: the guy who best helps you make the postseason.

If your goal is to play one playoff game most years, then you are rooting for the right team.

If your goal is to tank while your team is solidly in the playoff hunt with players backing to go for it, then you're not concerned with building a winning culture.

@"VikingOracle" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"VikingOracle" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"VikingOracle" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Games like yesterday really REALLY make you appreciate what we have in Cousins.

Anyone notice yesterday that the pass blocking and play calling seemed to get better when Mullens took over? It didn't. It just seemed that way, because Mullens ran the offense the way it was supposed to be run. He wasn't perfect, but he was a nice midpoint between the MVP-like play from Cousins and the WTF-like play from Dobbs. 

Mullens should be better with a week of prep. Mullens vs. Browning next Saturday in Cincy. And yes, the play calling always looks better when you don't have complete incompetence (Dobbs) at QB. 

I think it is a mistake not to start Hall going forward.  I don't care about the playoffs at this point as any game in the playoffs will be a serious beat down -- for me, it is all about player development at this point.

Understandable. But I think you're smart enough to know why a team in playoff contention can't and won't ever think that way. 

Yes, that is the problem with a "competitive rebuild" -- the Vikes get to lose in the first round of the playoffs every year.  I am at the point in my life where I want to see a SB victory and this was a perfect year to tank and improve draft position.  Injured QB, injured superstar WR, etc.  Getting to the playoffs with no hope of winning the SB is no longer my idea of a successful season unless it is building towards a SB run.  This year is not.  To me, competitive rebuild really is competitive mediocrity.

I'm assuming you mean sticking with the competitive rebuild after Cousins went down was the bad idea, and not that it was a bad idea from the outset. Because I think everyone would agree that if we'd stayed relatively healthy and not lost Cousins, JJ and half our line, the competitive rebuild would look pretty spectacular right now. 

At my age, I think every decision should be keyed towards winning a Super Bowl.  The Flores hire was brilliant and really raised the ceiling for this team where i thought if things dropped right, this team could be highly competitive in the playoffs.  Once Cousins went down, and with salary cap problems still looming for next year, I think you need to pivot to making decisions not based on trying to play one post-season game but what will put the Vikings in the best position to win the SB in the near future.  To me, that means draft position and getting the younger players meaningful playing time (two goals that somewhat line-up).  Just like I hated Zimmer not playing back-ups in order to win a meaningless last game of the season, I disagree with a short term goal that hinders what should be the ultimate goal -- winning a SB.

From the perspective of the Vikings front office and coaching staff, the competitive rebuild actually worked; then Cousins went down.
They were competitive after cleaning up the early season rust, the O-line was starting to function as a unit, Cousins was finally in command of the same offensive scheme he had been in for more than one year, and the defense was coming together, and took a quantum leap from the previous year.
It appeared there was no team they couldn't beat.

That may have been a mirage, but the Wilf's aren't going to buy that.
Right or wrong, I expect the Wilf's to stay the course and make another run at Cousins next year.
And as always, and as it should be, it doesn't matter what we fans think.

Shitty as usual. Another 3 years of Cousins for the franchise of .500.

They are still trying to get to the playoffs, if they are eliminated then anyone and everyone will play. The main injury that took out Cousins obviously changed the season but the ripple effect of injuries afterwards has definitely made things more of a roller coaster. There have absolutely been ups and downs. Still questions though, does Cousins come back next year, affordable and recovered. The draft will be interesting. Also need to shore up depth. There a lot of contracts to consider. It's tough no doubt 

I think KAM said it best

We'd like KC back, but its also a business...

I think that message was for Kirko as much as anyone. I think he's back -unless a contender backs-up a Brinks truck for him. And I dont see Purdy doing anything but continuing to ascend. I think the 9'ers struck gold and the gods smiled on them (again). 

@"jargomcfargo" said: From the perspective of the Vikings front office and coaching staff, the competitive rebuild actually worked; then Cousins went down. They were competitive after cleaning up the early season rust, the O-line was starting to function as a unit, Cousins was finally in command of the same offensive scheme he had been in for more than one year, and the defense was coming together, and took a quantum leap from the previous year. It appeared there was no team they couldn't beat.

That may have been a mirage, but the Wilf's aren't going to buy that.
Right or wrong, I expect the Wilf's to stay the course and make another run at Cousins next year.
And as always, and as it should be, it doesn't matter what we fans think.

But what's interesting to me is that it took a few weeks for the defense to really figure out what it was doing.  We never really got to see fully healthy offense with good defense. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"jargomcfargo" said: From the perspective of the Vikings front office and coaching staff, the competitive rebuild actually worked; then Cousins went down. They were competitive after cleaning up the early season rust, the O-line was starting to function as a unit, Cousins was finally in command of the same offensive scheme he had been in for more than one year, and the defense was coming together, and took a quantum leap from the previous year. It appeared there was no team they couldn't beat.

That may have been a mirage, but the Wilf's aren't going to buy that.
Right or wrong, I expect the Wilf's to stay the course and make another run at Cousins next year.
And as always, and as it should be, it doesn't matter what we fans think.

Agree. It's so frustrating. In his 2nd year in KOC's offense, Cousins never looked better. An AP sportswriter who had been critical of Cousins in the past said at the time Kirk was the leading MVP candidate. The OL had improved, Addison was proving a worthy WR2, Hockenson was lighting it up, and the defense showed promise.

But what's interesting to me is that it took a few weeks for the defense to really figure out what it was doing.  We never really got to see fully healthy offense with good defense. 

Dustin Baker

@DustBaker

Vikings Defense, Per EPA/Play, 2023:

Weeks 1-3 = 26th

Weeks 4-14 = 1st

I'll toss out my unpopular opinion...

I agree re-sign Kirko for 2 year extension.
Dobbs is not the answer, I am disappointed as many of your are (and some not).
Mullen...a pretty solid backup.
Hall?  Too small of a sample size to evaluate properly.
Draft Bo Nix in the late 1st round (he'll probably drop that far...there is now a crowded field of QBs), let him sit behind KC and marinate. I was far more impressed with Nix for some odd reason than I was with USC's Williams or UW Penix.  I think Drake Maye is overrated.  But what the hell do I know?  I told you this was my unpopular opinion. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"VikingOracle" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Games like yesterday really REALLY make you appreciate what we have in Cousins.

Anyone notice yesterday that the pass blocking and play calling seemed to get better when Mullens took over? It didn't. It just seemed that way, because Mullens ran the offense the way it was supposed to be run. He wasn't perfect, but he was a nice midpoint between the MVP-like play from Cousins and the WTF-like play from Dobbs. 

Mullens should be better with a week of prep. Mullens vs. Browning next Saturday in Cincy. And yes, the play calling always looks better when you don't have complete incompetence (Dobbs) at QB. 

I think it is a mistake not to start Hall going forward.  I don't care about the playoffs at this point as any game in the playoffs will be a serious beat down -- for me, it is all about player development at this point.

Understandable. But I think you're smart enough to know why a team in playoff contention can't and won't ever think that way. 

@"VikingOracle" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"VikingOracle" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Games like yesterday really REALLY make you appreciate what we have in Cousins.

Anyone notice yesterday that the pass blocking and play calling seemed to get better when Mullens took over? It didn't. It just seemed that way, because Mullens ran the offense the way it was supposed to be run. He wasn't perfect, but he was a nice midpoint between the MVP-like play from Cousins and the WTF-like play from Dobbs. 

Mullens should be better with a week of prep. Mullens vs. Browning next Saturday in Cincy. And yes, the play calling always looks better when you don't have complete incompetence (Dobbs) at QB. 

I think it is a mistake not to start Hall going forward.  I don't care about the playoffs at this point as any game in the playoffs will be a serious beat down -- for me, it is all about player development at this point.

Understandable. But I think you're smart enough to know why a team in playoff contention can't and won't ever think that way. 

Still feels this way?

@"VikingOracle" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"VikingOracle" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Games like yesterday really REALLY make you appreciate what we have in Cousins.

Anyone notice yesterday that the pass blocking and play calling seemed to get better when Mullens took over? It didn't. It just seemed that way, because Mullens ran the offense the way it was supposed to be run. He wasn't perfect, but he was a nice midpoint between the MVP-like play from Cousins and the WTF-like play from Dobbs. 

Mullens should be better with a week of prep. Mullens vs. Browning next Saturday in Cincy. And yes, the play calling always looks better when you don't have complete incompetence (Dobbs) at QB. 

I think it is a mistake not to start Hall going forward.  I don't care about the playoffs at this point as any game in the playoffs will be a serious beat down -- for me, it is all about player development at this point.

Understandable. But I think you're smart enough to know why a team in playoff contention can't and won't ever think that way. 

Still feels this way?

@"Montana Tom" said: I'll toss out my unpopular opinion...

I agree re-sign Kirko for 2 year extension.
Dobbs is not the answer, I am disappointed as many of your are (and some not).
Mullen...a pretty solid backup.
Hall?  Too small of a sample size to evaluate properly.
Draft Bo Nix in the late 1st round (he'll probably drop that far...there is now a crowded field of QBs), let him sit behind KC and marinate. I was far more impressed with Nix for some odd reason than I was with USC's Williams or UW Penix.  I think Drake Maye is overrated.  But what the hell do I know?  I told you this was my unpopular opinion. 

Until they are officially eliminated, they are trying. That's all there is to it. Although it feels like crap because what is the leaderless ship going to do there? It just royally sucks how things went to hell so badly. 

@"Vikergirl" said: Until they are officially eliminated, they are trying. That's all there is to it. Although it feels like crap because what is the leaderless ship going to do there? It just royally sucks how things went to hell so badly. 

You just can't go in to '24 with elite weapons in Jefferson, Addison, Hockenson...and a question mark at QB.  Sure, they'll probably draft one, but the starting QB in '24 will be Cousins. I'd bet my bottom dollar. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"Vikergirl" said: Until they are officially eliminated, they are trying. That's all there is to it. Although it feels like crap because what is the leaderless ship going to do there? It just royally sucks how things went to hell so badly. 

It just further reinforces just how important it is to have a good QB. I'm more convinced now than ever that the Vikings will sign Cousins. They just don't have a choice (not to suggest it's a bad thing).

You just can't go in to '24 with elite weapons in Jefferson, Addison, Hockenson...and a question mark at QB.  Sure, they'll probably draft one, but the starting QB in '24 will be Cousins. I'd bet my bottom dollar.