Looks Like Keenum Has Reached His Expiration Date

@"Vikergirl" said: Kudos to Keenum for fighting through the rough start. He got a low 5 from Zimmer.

He's had to do that a few times already this season.  That's what makes him a backup.  To his credit, he usually does fight through it and finds a groove.  That's what makes him such a good backup for this team.

As for Keenum, he started off really flat, though the line wasn't opening passing lanes and their D was sitting on screens and the flats early, both of which contributed to the batted passes. He got better as the game went on, but had trouble getting first downs. He had to move a lot today because of the line being banged up and was fortunate that Cleveland's secondary was holding all day, since that covered for the poor 3rd down offense. He still has issues with accuracy, tends to throw slants behind receivers, and still has some balls sail on him.

However, he once again did enough to win. Not always pretty, but his feet did cover for a rough day for the OL and a slow starting defense. I think we're a better team with a healthy Bradford or Bridgewater, but we're getting enough out of Keenum to not rush either of them back too early.

Keenum did end up doing enough to win, albeit again an 0-8 team...I'll continue to light a candle for Teddy and Bradford... 

@"BarrNone55" said: Keenum did end up doing enough to win, albeit again an 0-8 team...I'll continue to light a candle for Teddy and Bradford... 

Very true. I think a lot of the credit goes to Shumur adapting his play calling. Teams have tried taking away different things from Keenum each game, but Shurmur uses creative play calling to keep things moving. Cleveland took away the flats and screens, so Shumur responded with playaction passes to the running back to keep the offense moving.

I thought the playcalling was kind of crappy in the first half. Have to give credit to the Cleveland defense. In spite of the injuries, they played tough. We exploited some weaknesses as the game progressed. 

McKinnon has flourished under Shurmur...but, I can't help but wonder what the O would look like with #33 available...

Once again, the rumors of Keenum's demise have been greatly exaggerated.  ;)

Keenum leaves yards on the field. IMO, they need better red zone play for TDs to win the division. Can Teddy do that? I think the coaches think he can, but how do you bench Case? He'll have to play poorly at least for a game. 

Next slow start he has to sit IMO.  The whole team has to know that Keenum is a place holder for Teddy or Sam and should be expecting the change as soon as either is ready.  The change may not yield immediate returns,  bit the longterm gain should be better offensive results over all.

^^^This...Keenum has done a fine job, but there's little to no upside to his game...he is what he is...very streaky, not terribly accurate at times, and a pop gun arm...we'll need far better QB play to win more than we lose over the next 8 games...

@"BarrNone55" said: ^^^This...Keenum has done a fine job, but there's little to no upside to his game...he is what he is...very streaky, not terribly accurate at times, and a pop gun arm...we'll need far better QB play to win more than we lose over the next 8 games...

In no way do I see a pop-gun arm.  Honestly, he has as good or better of an arm than Teddy, especially when Teddy starts dropping his elbow and flicking the ball.

All I'm saying is be careful what you wish for.  Case has the team on a roll and you can tell the guys like playing with him.  Plus there is absolutely no guarantee that Teddy is going to come in and start playing better or even as good as Case has after not playing in a real NFL game for almost 2 years.  288 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT on a tipped ball is not exactly chopped liver.  Not to mention his legs have bailed him out of pressure multiple times, including a great play on the TD pass to Thielen yesterday.  Who knows what type of mobility Teddy will have coming back from that injury.

@"BarrNone55" said: McKinnon has flourished under Shurmur...but, I can't help but wonder what the O would look like with #33 available...

So frustrating. Put Cook and week-one Bradford on this team and it's a powerhouse.