A case for Case

I am grateful we've had Case, really am.

But imo we're going to need better qb play if we want to make the post-season and make some noise. We need a home playoff game too.

Damn it, I can't be talking like that 7 games in. Frigging team always sucks me back in. ugh. 

Keenum has done an excellent job as a backup. He blew the top off of the Bucs defense and has been an effective game manager in his other wins. What I worry about him is that the passing game seems to become less effective each week. Now some of that is injuries and losing players like Cook and Diggs who open up different things in the offense, but it seems like each week the offense struggles more and more to get the passing game going.

I think that a healthy Bradford or Bridgewater have the potential to open up the offense, take some pressure off of the D, and turn some of those FGs into TDs, which will be important as their schedule gets tougher. However, I think Keenum is playing well enough that they shouldn't feel forced to rush either of them back too soon. I do agree that there could be a transition period, especially if Teddy takes over, but I also think there will be a point in the season where we need more from our QB than what we can expect Keenum to consistently provide. Regardless, he's been able to step in and do more than you could reasonably hope for a backup QB to do.

@"Tyr" said:  I also think there will be a point in the season where we need more from our QB than what we can expect Keenum to consistently provide. Regardless, he's been able to step in and do more than you could reasonably hope for a backup QB to do.

This...Well articulated as always Tyr. 

Case is a great backup. It was smart to bring him in. But he's limited. A healthy Sam or Teddy would take this team to another level. 

@"MaroonBells" said: Case is a great backup. It was smart to bring him in. But he's limited. A healthy Sam or Teddy would take this team to another level. 

THIS!

I have been hard on Case, and that is not fair,  he is what he is and my issue is really with those that insist that he is playing well and should be left at the starter when either Teddy or Sam returns... that is simply not a good idea as he is not near the QB that Sam is or Teddy was on the verge of becoming.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Case is a great backup. It was smart to bring him in. But he's limited. A healthy Sam or Teddy would take this team to another level. 

THIS!

I have been hard on Case, and that is not fair,  he is what he is and my issue is really with those that insist that he is playing well and should be left at the starter when either Teddy or Sam returns... that is simply not a good idea as he is not near the QB that Sam is or Teddy was on the verge of becoming.

The question is whether Sam or Teddy are better than Case if/when they return.  

Teddy had a horrible injury - non-contact - and hasn't played in a long time.  Sam might have a career ending problem.  

Case might end up the best option. 

@"A1Janitor" said: The question is whether Sam or Teddy are better than Case if/when they return.  

Teddy had a horrible injury - non-contact - and hasn't played in a long time.  Sam might have a career ending problem.  

Case might end up the best option. 

they both have shown to be better than what we have seen from Case these last few weeks.  outside of Tampa I havent really seen anything special at all from Keenum.  I like his grit and how he attacks the game instead of waiting for it to attack him, but his pass are pretty erratic.  about the only throw he makes with any consistency is the bootleg right and hitting the man dragging with him.  He has also had the luxury of playing 4 of his 6 games at home,  I dont know that his luck will continue when we play a good team in front of good fans yelling their asses off when he is at the line.

I'm not sure Teddy showed better in the past - certainly equal with a higher ceiling.  Sam did show better. 

My point is Case might be better than they are in their current state. 

Teddy has a better upside than Case Keenum, IMO. He's even got a better arm. I still feel that we need either Sam or Teddy in there for the stretch run after the bye if the Vikings expect to make the playoffs. Keenum has done a fine job in replacement of Bradford, no doubt. But tough road games are coming up that will make or break the season. I'd like to see TB with the time to throw in the pocket that Keenum has had this year.

@"A1Janitor" said: I'm not sure Teddy showed better in the past - certainly equal with a higher ceiling.  Sam did show better. 

My point is Case might be better than they are in their current state. 

Teddy has rarely had time like Case has been getting.  When Teddy has time to set his feet and get his body into his throw I really dont think its a competition IMO.  Teddys poor mechanics in 15 and sailing throws were a product of getting hit far to often and not being able to step into his passes and follow through.  I am expecting that to change if/when he returns.

@"A1Janitor" said: I'm not sure Teddy showed better in the past - certainly equal with a higher ceiling.  Sam did show better. 

My point is Case might be better than they are in their current state. 

Teddy never had a competent Line or multiple dangerous weapons to throw to, so how exactly was he supposed to show better?

Put Keenum on those teams and his QBR would be in the teens. 

We will see.  I bope you guys are right.  

I remember an elbow issue that causes him to put too much air under ball ... and affected his accuracy. 

I also wish Teddy would step up into the pocket like Case does. 

@"A1Janitor" said: We will see.  I bope you guys are right.  

I remember an elbow issue that causes him to put too much air under ball ... and affected his accuracy. 

I also wish Teddy would step up into the pocket like Case does. 

i think the elbow issue is a result of not being able/comfortable stepping into his passes.  as far as him stepping up goes.. there was rarely ever a pocket for him to step up into and considering the guys making that pocket it likely wasnt a  safe place to hang out anyway.  I do like Case's pocket awareness.

I don’t think there’s any question that a healthy
Bridgewater or Bradford is a better QB than Keenum.  Apparently a few do, but I’m not one of
them.  Keenum has been good enough, with
the defense shutting teams down, at home, against a lot of injured defenses.  The two teams we’ve played that looked closest
to playoff teams have been Detroit and the Steelers, and we’ve lost both of
those.  I see Keenum as a QB that is good
enough to beat sub-.500 teams, but probably not good enough to consistently win
against good teams on the road.  I think
if our goal is to go deep into the playoffs, we will need to transition from
Keenum to Bridgewater or Bradford at some point.

 

The real question is at what point in time do we make the
switch?  I think it has a very short and
clear answer.  Whenever Teddy or Bradford
looks better than Keenum in practice.  If
he doesn’t look clearly better, just roll with Keenum.

@"medaille" said: I don’t think there’s any question that a healthy Bridgewater or Bradford is a better QB than Keenum.  Apparently a few do, but I’m not one of them.  Keenum has been good enough, with the defense shutting teams down, at home, against a lot of injured defenses.  The two teams we’ve played that looked closest to playoff teams have been Detroit and the Steelers, and we’ve lost both of those.  I see Keenum as a QB that is good enough to beat sub-.500 teams, but probably not good enough to consistently win against good teams on the road.  I think if our goal is to go deep into the playoffs, we will need to transition from Keenum to Bridgewater or Bradford at some point.

 

The real question is at what point in time do we make the
switch?  I think it has a very short and
clear answer.  Whenever Teddy or Bradford
looks better than Keenum in practice.  If
he doesn’t look clearly better, just roll with Keenum.

Perfectly stated. 

BOOM

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Case is a great backup. It was smart to bring him in. But he's limited. A healthy Sam or Teddy would take this team to another level. 

THIS!

I have been hard on Case, and that is not fair,  he is what he is and my issue is really with those that insist that he is playing well and should be left at the starter when either Teddy or Sam returns... that is simply not a good idea as he is not near the QB that Sam is or Teddy was on the verge of becoming.

Yeah, to me it's like saying we shouldn't put Dalvin Cook back in when he's healthy next season because clearly Murray and McKinnon are playing well enough to win. Like Cook, either Sam or Teddy takes this team and puts it in competition with the elite teams. I think we can make the playoffs with Case and compete with whomever we find there, but a healthy Sam or Teddy bumps this team a notch higher--a legit SB contender IMO. 

I hate to bring it up again because it can drive one batty, but imagine a team with this defense, Sam or Teddy, Cook, Reiff, Diggs and Thielen. 

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"A1Janitor" said: I'm not sure Teddy showed better in the past - certainly equal with a higher ceiling.  Sam did show better. 

My point is Case might be better than they are in their current state. 

Teddy has rarely had time like Case has been getting.  When Teddy has time to set his feet and get his body into his throw I really dont think its a competition IMO.  Teddys poor mechanics in 15 and sailing throws were a product of getting hit far to often and not being able to step into his passes and follow through.  I am expecting that to change if/when he returns.