Vikings #1 on Cousins list

if cousins agent is getting to talk to other teams or at least the broncos... cousins statement this morning could certainly be taken as contract fodder to get the donkeys to get out a bigger pen when writing that check.

Smart move by Cousins,

Translation: "If all teams are going to pay me $20 m a year..........I'll go to the one who pays $22"

This has nothing to do with the Vikings IMO, just trying to prime the pump.

I cannot believe that folks are hesitating about this QB.  The argument that the Skins did not want him is just ignorant of the facts (no offense intended).  They tagged him two year straight which is a clear sign they did not want to lose him.  They never tried to trade him otherwise he would have been traded (there were probably conversations).  They did make him an offer after he signed the second tag and before the deadline to negotiate an extension of that tag.  Their GM publicly revealed the terms of that deal which is something that almost never happens.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bruce-allen-redskins-offered-kirk-cousins-53-million-but-he-prefers-franchise-tag/

Our goal was to sign Kirk to a long-term contract with the final objective of having him finish his career with the Redskins.
On
May 2nd, right after the draft, we made Kirk an offer that included the
highest fully guaranteed amount upon signing for a quarterback in NFL
history ($53 million) and guaranteed a total of $72 million for injury.
The deal would have made him at least the second highest-paid player by
average per year in NFL history.
But despite our repeated attempts, we have not received any offer from Kirk's agent this year.

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I do not see how all of these events can lead to the conclusion that the Redskins did not want him unless they were just lying.

As for his talent and capabilities, well, there is a lot of angst over the number of turnovers attributed to him.  He has committed his fair share in his 3 years started every game.  Here are some numbers to consider of QBs in their year 4th through 6th seasons or first 3 seasons starting every game ...
Kirk Cousins – 81 TDs, 36 INTs, 31 fumbles

Aaron Rodgers – 86 TDs, 31 INTs, 24 fumbles

Drew Brees – 77 TDs, 33 INTs, 22 fumbles

Ben Roethlisberger – 75 TDs, 38 INTs, 30 fumbles

Philip Rivers – 83 TDs, 35 INTs, 25 fumbles

Matt Ryan – 87 TDs, 43 INTs, 13 fumbles

Matthew Stafford – 71 TDs, 48 INTs, 28 fumbles
...  Cousins in his first 3 seasons starting every game (none of our current QBs can make that claim although Case did not get the chance) is very similar to all of these other QBs who most would consider in the top 10 or very close.

I believe he is only going to get better and cannot for the life of me understand the issue some have with this QB.

Here is an article where Kyle Shanahan thinks he is similar to Brees ...

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22280667/kirk-cousins-free-world-watching-nfl

Mike Shanahan, Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay all thought, at various
points, that Cousins might be the next Drew Brees, and they worked hard
to persuade him of as much. "I remember Kyle saying, 'Just keep playing.
I think you've got a chance to be a Drew Brees-type player someday,' "
Cousins told me in November. "I kept saying, 'Wow. I appreciate the
belief and confidence. I want to go prove you right.' Kyle said, 'You
don't have to prove me right. I know I'm right.' "
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I don't know but these coaches are pretty smart and they have had some success.  There is likely going to be a question about why did not Shanahan trade for Cousins and unless anyone knows what the Skins were asking or if they would even consider trading him to the 49ers we will never know.

I have been all over this from the jump.  I know.

I can live with any of the other 3 but I believe they come with legitimate concerns and more than would come if Cousins was the QB.

Will Teddy bounce back and play like he did before AND get better which he needed to do?
Will Sam be able to play a full season or even two full seasons with out missing any games?
Will Case repeat his performance and is his nature of taking risks something that he can overcome?

If they sign any of these 3 QBs instead and the answer is no then the team will be right back where they are now.

Trying to find a QB or decide on a QB.

With this defense and how close they came, I think it would be a waste to let this golden opportunity pass by.

They will figure out the salary for Cousins, Barr, Diggs, Hunter, and Kendricks.  Those are really the only high priced players they need to extend.  Waynes can get his 5th year option in 2019 and an extension in 2020.

They might try to find a guard or defensive tackle in free agency this year as long as it is not too expensive.

If they do not, then a draft of Billy Price in the 1st and a Tim Settle or Harrison Phillips in the 2nd would not be so bad.

Don't know what is going to happen but I like discussing the possibilities.

who said the skins didnt want cousins?  i havent heard anybody make that claim.   I have said repeatedly that cousins was in no way going to resign with snyder as that bridge was burnt beyond recognition 2 years ago when it first got ugly.

i think   cousins is  going  to land  about   25-27million a year  with about 115   gaurenteed over6  years i think thevikings should do that  the shoulddo that  i think brez couldwork hi cap magic and still retain  everyone wevwant to.and in three years cousins is  playing even at hi current  pace  it will look likea great deal 

Just saw some info, over the past 48 games he has played near ID to Stafford. W/L, Yards, TDs, Comp %, playoffs, etc... even age... So they will want the same contract.
Is he worth 30M a year?

@"Neptizzle" said: Just saw some info, over the past 48 games he has played near ID to Stafford. W/L, Yards, TDs, Comp %, playoffs, etc... even age... So they will want the same contract. Is he worth 30M a year?30 million is a hard  pill to swallow today  but  in three years not so much  I say yes

@"greediron" said: I think Cousins is a bit more real than most staring NFL QBs, but anything said during a contract period is to be taken with a grain of salt.

@"Neptizzle" said: why would the skins just keep dumping a legit QB? something isn't right with this kid... but if he would sign for a decent deal that allows us to keep the team together, go for it. We NEED to be able to keep the team together. Diggs, Barr, EK54, Hunter, etc... Cousins is only as good as those around him, so if he will sign for a team friendly deal so he can WIN? go for it. If he wants Stafford $$$ let him go blowup some other team. I'd rather have the core for 4-5 years and find a legit QB to develop or stick with a Teddy/Case than waste the core for this guy. But isn't this posturing done every offseason? go to that town, say you love their team? Say you'll sign a good deal... c'mon.

@"MarkSP18" said: I cannot believe that folks are hesitating about this QB.  The argument that the Skins did not want him is just ignorant of the facts (no offense intended).  

The timing of this will be very interesting. If Bridewater's contract Tolls, when will that decision be made? Since all four of these QB's are unrestricted, we can't start "legally" negotiation with them until March 12th unless we tag one of our 3 QB's between February 20th and March 6th. If you go after Cousins and don't get him, do you risk losing the other 3 to another QB hungry team especially if negotiations drag out? Those FA deals happen fast as soon as the negotiation period opens up and the teams that don't sign Cousins will be looking to fill that hole quickly. It's bad for Teddy on the money side of things, but I would feel much better if we knew we had him coming back on his 5th year contract number. He's not my top choice, but he's not a bad option if the other 3 choose to go elsewhere. 

I don't think it'll happen because I feel the Browns are going to back up the money truck, but I'd take Cousins over Teddy. However, I think there's little doubt that Minnesota is going to chose one of the 3 guys they currently have. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"MarkSP18" said: I cannot believe that folks are hesitating about this QB.  The argument that the Skins did not want him is just ignorant of the facts (no offense intended).  

Rather than try to read through all that. Can I just ask you...is your conclusion that the Redskins wanted Cousins and offered him fair money to stay, but that Kirk Cousins doesn't want to play for the Redskins under any circumstance? 

Cousins is a better QB than Keenum, so he could certainly be the piece that pushes things over the top, but if his contract demands really get into the $25-30 million range, then that starts to significantly limit the kind of roster you can build around him. It's good that the option seems to exist, but who knows which QB will be the right fit and that is hard to determine before we even know who our OC is. I'd also be interested to know what the points of contention between Cousins and Washington were, since that seems to have been an issue for the past few years.

A few months ago I mentioned the possibility of Cousins coming here...he'd have immediate upgrades all around, skill players, D, running game...he'd also be asked to do less...he's got the wherewithal to compete from behind... But man, he'll make some serious boneheaded plays at the worst possible time...ball security is a big issue...I gotta think that alone is enough for Zim to give this a hard pass...if Shurmur had stayed, going all in on Keenum would be the most palatable option...

Cap wise, it could probably work...but if I had my druthers, I'd rather lock down our guys, get Keenum at a reasonable deal, toll Teddy, and make a heard push for Richardson... Putting a pocket collapsing 3T on this D takes our D to the next level...the impact of a healthy Cook makes us odds on favorite for another deep run...

As much emphasis as this team has put into building a dominant defense it will be hard to maintain what we've got when we are drafting at the back end of every round and paying 20% of our cap to one player that isn't a top tier player.  25 to 30 million is to much for cousins...I don't care what the cap is going to be,  I don't care what his numbers say,  the guy isn't clutch and he doesn't improve the position that much over what a keenum, sam, or Teddy could likely do for significantly less money.  If others are sold that's fine,  but I don't see it.

As far as Brez being able to work his cap magic,  how much of that magic is built on rarely having to pay a QB a franchise type contract?  If he gets saddled with a 25 to 30 million dollar a year contract with a bunch of 8 to 12 million dollar guys on D,  somethings got to give.  Personally I woukd rather see more money/picks  put into the O line and build an offense that doesn't require a 30 million dollar QB to run it.  

Sheldon Richardson and Linval Joseph in the middle? Holy #$%^. I think playing next to Joseph would bring the competitive ability out in Richardson. 

Hey, lets all get used to a $25mm a year QB...That means we have at least a top 10 one. Wouldn't that be nice for the next decade??

@"NorthernCalVike" said: I don't know, I heard this morning that Colin Cowherd says Denver is close to a deal with Cousins But that would be tampering I would think.

https://247sports.com/nfl/denver-broncos/Bolt/Colin-Cowherd-reports-Broncos-close-to-deal-with-Kirk-Cousins-114466121 

I don't think either one knew what he was saying

@"JimmyinSD" said: As much emphasis as this team has put into building a dominant defense it will be hard to maintain what we've got when we are drafting at the back end of every round and paying 20% of our cap to one player that isn't a top tier player.  25 to 30 million is to much for cousins...I don't care what the cap is going to be,  I don't care what his numbers say,  the guy isn't clutch and he doesn't improve the position that much over what a keenum, sam, or Teddy could likely do for significantly less money.  If others are sold that's fine,  but I don't see it.

As far as Brez being able to work his cap magic,  how much of that magic is built on rarely having to pay a QB a franchise type contract?  If he gets saddled with a 25 to 30 million dollar a year contract with a bunch of 8 to 12 million dollar guys on D,  somethings got to give.  Personally I woukd rather see more money/picks  put into the O line and build an offense that doesn't require a 30 million dollar QB to run it.  

I do not know what Keenum, Sam, or Teddy will command in a new salary but I am guessing Keenum could be close to 20 mil.

The other two, because of their knees, are likely to get less.

Last year the Vikings spent 22 mil on 4 QBs so Brez was able to fit that into the cap and that was 13.2%.

Each year the cap could go up too.

I think Cousins has proven himself and only has 3 years starting and likely is going to get better the more he plays.

Our current 3 QBs could too but there are more concerns with them.