The Case For and Against Tagging Keenum
Speculation will only increase from here on
out now that NFL teams can start tagging their own players prior to free
agency. This is when we will see teams start to lay the first card from their
off-season hands, revealing their intentions. The Vikings like every other NFL
team have to decide whether a player warrants the hefty monetary commitment via
the tag vs. working a long-term extension or walking away all-together. All
things equal the Vikings are fortunate to only have one realistic target for
the tag, quarterback Case Keenum. But there is a lot more to this decision than
meets the eye. Here is the Case to tag or not to tag Keenum (sorry I had to).
Option
1: The Franchise Tag (Non-Exclusive) - If the Vikings want to see Keenum lead
the offense again in 2018 to prove his play in 2017, the franchise tag is a one
year $23.1M option. The largest benefit to the tag is that the Vikings would
know Keenum is a Vikings in 2018 and the team would not be committed past this
year if he regresses without Pat Shurmur. It's easy to argue that Case isn't
worth $23.1M, but the flexibility of a one-year deal has additional value
associated with it. Compared to the market Case's play was also in-line with
Alex Smith who signed a multi-year extension worth $23.5M a year. Once again
throw the consistency of both QB's out the window and $23.1M isn't an
unreasonable number. Now there is the bad. The Vikings are learning first hand
that having QB's on expiring deals is tricky business. Players aren't going to
give teams significant discounts when they're this close to reaching free
agency. If Case performs well again next season the Vikings are right back to
this point again. The issue is that they are now in the Kirk Cousins cycle
where the franchise tag becomes 120% of the previous years salary. That makes a
second tag for Keenum $28.2M. Not only
would have make a second tag unlikely, but an extension that much tougher. The
player has all the leverage to suggest receiving at least $28M in cash during
the first year of the deal. Add in potential feelings the Vikings lacked
commitment and there isn't a ton of room to expect Keenum to sign a team
friendly deal.
Option
2: The Transition Tag - If the Vikings aren't entirely sure if they want to tag
Keenum exclusively or are having trouble gauging a fair market deal, the
transition tag becomes an option. The transition tag is a one year $20.9M deal
that isn't often used. Under the transition tag the player can negotiate with
any other team and come to terms on a long-term contract extension. Upon
signing with another team the Vikings would have 7 days to match the deal as
signed or decide to walk away. The ability to match is attractive since it
assures you if matched you won't be left high and dry. The negative is that the
agreed upon deal will not be team friendly (it's designed so you don't match
it). Although unlikely another potential positive to the transition tag is
that'd it would likely buy the Vikings time to renounce the tag if they found
an alternative on the market. You can renounce the tag without any
repercussions until it is signed. Case and his agent would prefer a long-term
deal so signing the tag immediately doesn't make much sense. In a nutshell the
transition tag only makes sense if the Vikings and Case can't figure out his
market value and the Vikings want some control over the situation. There are
times players will let teams match an outside deal but if the Vikings have
doubt Keenum would give them that right, tagging him in this fashion makes some
sense.
Option
3: A Long-term Extension - Last but not least is finding middle ground and
signing Case of a 3-year deal in the range of $57M ($19M/yr). An extension is
beneficial for Case since it takes the pressure to perform on a one year deal
away. From a team standpoint it gets you away from a second tag and the
guaranteed money in years 2 & 3 would likely be light. You could get out of
the deal relatively painlessly in the future. The major con here is that Case
will likely want to test the FA market to see if he could get a deal in excess
of $19M/yr. As eluded to, players typically want to hit the marketplace at this
point barring a team overpay. If that happens there is no guarantee Keenum will
find a contract he likes elsewhere without looking back. The chance the Vikings
would be left with no QB would be real.
Everyone
can come to their own conclusions on what will happen based on the above. My
hunch is that the Vikings will end up franchising Keenum for $23.1M only if they
don't believe they have a legitimate shot in the Kirk Cousins contest and Bridgewater intends to walk. On the
tag the Vikings could rest assured they have a QB and continue to work a
long-term extension through mid-July to keep Keenum happy. The nice thing in
that scenario is that the external market pressure would be relieved.
@"StickyBun" said:@"FSUVike" said: Cousins will get money he can't refuse from either the Jets or Broncos.Minnesota will sign Case to a multi-year deal with an early out. He will regress into what I'm going to call Andy Dalton 2.0, good enough to get to the Playoffs, not good enough to get to the Super Bowl.
In a few years Minnesota will be looking to Draft a QB to compete with Sloter, who hasn't developed as much as the team would like.
If you look in your heart you know that this is the most likely outcome. And as Vikings fans we should be used to it by now but it will hurt any way. :(
I wish I could argue with this rationale, but how can you really if you're being honest as a Viking's fan? Odds are this team won't maximize its potential because of weakness at QB and it will turn problematic in the near future. Sigh. I mean, I see options with these 3 but any great ones? Nope.
If the front office believes Cousins can get them over the top, more so than Keenum and without detriment to signing young talent, they'd damn well better do it. This is exactly the situation I am sick and tired of after all these decades of no SB trophies.
@"purplefaithful" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"FSUVike" said: Cousins will get money he can't refuse from either the Jets or Broncos.Minnesota will sign Case to a multi-year deal with an early out. He will regress into what I'm going to call Andy Dalton 2.0, good enough to get to the Playoffs, not good enough to get to the Super Bowl.
In a few years Minnesota will be looking to Draft a QB to compete with Sloter, who hasn't developed as much as the team would like.
If you look in your heart you know that this is the most likely outcome. And as Vikings fans we should be used to it by now but it will hurt any way. :(
I wish I could argue with this rationale, but how can you really if you're being honest as a Viking's fan? Odds are this team won't maximize its potential because of weakness at QB and it will turn problematic in the near future. Sigh. I mean, I see options with these 3 but any great ones? Nope.
If the front office believes Cousins can get them over the top, more so than Keenum and without detriment to signing young talent, they'd damn well better do it. This is exactly the situation I am sick and tired of after all these decades of no SB trophies.
I agree in theory, pf....if they like Cousins, if they feel strongly internally about him then $%^&ing for it. I just think that teams like the Jets, Browns and Broncos are going to send his contract into orbit. And contrary to what is rumored that Cousins said, he's not turning down a shit ton of $$$$ from the Jets or Browns. He just won't do it and I wouldn't blame him. I'm sure if he had his preference with all things being equal, he'd choose Minnesota.I think the Vikings are going to go the easy and safe route with this. Its weird: as fun as last season was, I have this sense that the Vikings are going to take a step back this upcoming season.
@"JimmyinSD" said:@"Norse" said: The reality is Teddy can not make the majority of the intermediate-deep throws that Sam made against the Saints, and has never produced the results we saw from Keenum this season. Add in the knee injury and I just can't put my trust in him as THE guy. After being out of football for 2 years. As someone mentioned don't count Sam out, if that cleanup of his knee fixed the problem. Reality is you are passing judgement on a kid who was only entering his 3rd year, had made improvements in each of his ford 2 years, and from all accounts was looking to make a big leap into that 3rd year. Reality is you don't know what Teddy can or cannot do at this point. The coaches know, and they've said he is looking very good, his teammates know and they say the same, but you want to create your own version of "reality"?I am actually to the point of hoping he does get to move on, because so many fans here are expecting him to fail that no matter how good he would play it would never be good enough. So many people are getting so invested in the notion of him being unable to improve on what we saw in 15 or that his leg is going to fall off that he will never be able to convince them otherwise.
If the front office were as high on TB as you are we wouldn't be having this discussion. They'd have already signed a deal to make him their guy for 2018.But the reality looks like a lot more like they are hoping to toll him while they come up with a different plan and keep him in reserve. Honestly if there is an injured Viking qb who when healthy can produce at franchise level it's Bradford, not Teddy. If you want to roll the dice on a bum knee roll it on Sam's, the upside if it works is a lot higher.
The team has a brief window of opportunity here and a franchise level qb can get them to the promised land. It's a hare-brained gamble to say Teddy, Sloter and some 3rd guy is your plan after your 13-3 NFCC run. Is the franchise serious about winning a SB or are they just dicking around smoking hopium like fans? What happens if they go with this plan and TB can't cut it? Oh well, start over and waste the few years long window of opportunity that is here NOW. But hey we saved money... hurray money! Sorry no SB but you fans should feel good cuz we saved MONEY!
@"JimmyinSD" said:@"Norse" said: I dont think its worth chancing next season to see if Teddy can get it done or not.The time to strike is now. and i think that Case is the worst option of the bunch to try and develop a stronger offense. his limited arm and tendencies to lock onto receivers makes him a liability that cant be over come with better blocking. I hate to sound like I think he is complete shit, but of the 3 he gives me the most pause in terms of elevating the offense. I think he is a quality back up or short term starter, but as far as giving the league another year of taking away the out routes and jamming Diggs and Theilen or using bracket coverages to force him into holding the ball and or making overly contested throws, that is the chance I dont see worth taking.if the team isnt going to go the economical route and try and get at least one good QB out of the 2 lower cost prospects in Sam and Teddy, then they should go all out for Cousins. why go middle of the road? Do you honestly think that Case has more game than what we saw this year? I dont see his arm getting stronger, nor do I think he will suddenly start to see the entire field and use his eyes to move defenders. he is a school yard QB and that is great for a while, but his short comings are becoming more apparent to opposing defensive coordinators.
I don't think that Case would have a worst season with a better line and Cook back.
Case took us 1 game away from the Super Bowl last season. When was the last time that happen? Add Flip who might or could be a better OC than Shurmur. I think he would have a good season.
How many teams that get to NFC title game ditch their QB the following year...Only the Vikings.
It wouldn't hurt my feelings if Case took the money and moved on to another team. At least he would be appreciated.Whoever the QB is this year if we don't make it to the NFC title game then it's a failure.
@"Poiple" said: with all of the case criticism you would think he lead us to a 7-9 season. smh....
Again with the "led" the team to 13-3? He was a part of the team. But everyone (without an agenda) knows that the defense was our strongest link. If anyone, THEY led us to 13-3.
But, of course, I wouldn't be so myopic as to say that any one person- or even side of the ball- was responsible for our successful REGULAR season.
You see, Poiple, the problem with giving Case credit for 13-3... means that you also have to "credit" him with our lack of success in the NFCCG. And if that's really who he is, why would we want him back?
Whoever ends up being the pick will benefit a great deal from the return of DC. Our running game is going to get a shot in the arm and that's a definite plus for any of the choices we have in front of us. I think we need to continue to shore up the O-line to protect said guy and block better for Dalvin.
I'm very hopeful that the addition of DeFilippo will really build upon what Shurmur did here. I'm SO GLAD we didn't end up with Bevell 2.0.
@"FSUVike" said: Cousins will get money he can't refuse from either the Jets or Broncos.Minnesota will sign Case to a multi-year deal with an early out. He will regress into what I'm going to call Andy Dalton 2.0, good enough to get to the Playoffs, not good enough to get to the Super Bowl.
In a few years Minnesota will be looking to Draft a QB to compete with Sloter, who hasn't developed as much as the team would like.
If you look in your heart you know that this is the most likely outcome. And as Vikings fans we should be used to it by now but it will hurt any way. :(
@"JimmyinSD" said: Show me a list of players that have dislocated their knee. I van only think of a handful and know of 1 that came back, but they were WRs and RBs which are much more physically demanding positions on the knee.Teddy was a kid when he was drafted, and was only beginning to mature when he got hurt. I think any issues that we had with his arm were going to be laid to rest as he matured and the Vikings put a decent line in front of him and gave him some quality targets and decent play calling. All things Case had the advantages of when people want to make comparisons.
If he was a running QB I could understand the concern of his knee holding up, but he isnt so I think if the coaches are happy with where he is at in relation to 2016 and his mobility is on par with then, no reason not to give him a shot.
This is a quote from Zimmer.
Vikings
@"StickyBun" said:@"purplefaithful" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"FSUVike" said: Cousins will get money he can't refuse from either the Jets or Broncos.Minnesota will sign Case to a multi-year deal with an early out. He will regress into what I'm going to call Andy Dalton 2.0, good enough to get to the Playoffs, not good enough to get to the Super Bowl.
In a few years Minnesota will be looking to Draft a QB to compete with Sloter, who hasn't developed as much as the team would like.
If you look in your heart you know that this is the most likely outcome. And as Vikings fans we should be used to it by now but it will hurt any way. :(
I wish I could argue with this rationale, but how can you really if you're being honest as a Viking's fan? Odds are this team won't maximize its potential because of weakness at QB and it will turn problematic in the near future. Sigh. I mean, I see options with these 3 but any great ones? Nope.
If the front office believes Cousins can get them over the top, more so than Keenum and without detriment to signing young talent, they'd damn well better do it. This is exactly the situation I am sick and tired of after all these decades of no SB trophies.
I agree in theory, pf....if they like Cousins, if they feel strongly internally about him then $%^&ing for it. I just think that teams like the Jets, Browns and Broncos are going to send his contract into orbit. And contrary to what is rumored that Cousins said, he's not turning down a shit ton of $$$$ from the Jets or Browns. He just won't do it and I wouldn't blame him. I'm sure if he had his preference with all things being equal, he'd choose Minnesota.I think the Vikings are going to go the easy and safe route with this. Its weird: as fun as last season was, I have this sense that the Vikings are going to take a step back this upcoming season.
I mean, no team in NFL history has improved after going 13-3 in the previous season. So you aren't exactly going out on a limb there ;)
@"Geoff Nichols" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"purplefaithful" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"FSUVike" said: Cousins will get money he can't refuse from either the Jets or Broncos.Minnesota will sign Case to a multi-year deal with an early out. He will regress into what I'm going to call Andy Dalton 2.0, good enough to get to the Playoffs, not good enough to get to the Super Bowl.
In a few years Minnesota will be looking to Draft a QB to compete with Sloter, who hasn't developed as much as the team would like.
If you look in your heart you know that this is the most likely outcome. And as Vikings fans we should be used to it by now but it will hurt any way. :(
I wish I could argue with this rationale, but how can you really if you're being honest as a Viking's fan? Odds are this team won't maximize its potential because of weakness at QB and it will turn problematic in the near future. Sigh. I mean, I see options with these 3 but any great ones? Nope.
If the front office believes Cousins can get them over the top, more so than Keenum and without detriment to signing young talent, they'd damn well better do it. This is exactly the situation I am sick and tired of after all these decades of no SB trophies.
I agree in theory, pf....if they like Cousins, if they feel strongly internally about him then $%^&ing for it. I just think that teams like the Jets, Browns and Broncos are going to send his contract into orbit. And contrary to what is rumored that Cousins said, he's not turning down a shit ton of $$$$ from the Jets or Browns. He just won't do it and I wouldn't blame him. I'm sure if he had his preference with all things being equal, he'd choose Minnesota.I think the Vikings are going to go the easy and safe route with this. Its weird: as fun as last season was, I have this sense that the Vikings are going to take a step back this upcoming season.
I mean, no team in NFL history has improved after going 13-3 in the previous season. So you aren't exactly going out on a limb there ;)
If Cousins came here then it is not going to be his fault that they do not won another 13 games unless he totally regresses.If he has a similar season then the issue will be elsewhere.
Probably other teams getting better.
https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/02/21/kirk-cousins-free-agency-vikings-browns-jets-broncos
@"StickyBun" said: https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/02/21/kirk-cousins-free-agency-vikings-browns-jets-broncosThe article pretty much screams: "Kirk Cousins needs the Vikings more than the Vikings need Kirk Cousins"
@"comet52" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"Norse" said: The reality is Teddy can not make the majority of the intermediate-deep throws that Sam made against the Saints, and has never produced the results we saw from Keenum this season. Add in the knee injury and I just can't put my trust in him as THE guy. After being out of football for 2 years. As someone mentioned don't count Sam out, if that cleanup of his knee fixed the problem. Reality is you are passing judgement on a kid who was only entering his 3rd year, had made improvements in each of his ford 2 years, and from all accounts was looking to make a big leap into that 3rd year. Reality is you don't know what Teddy can or cannot do at this point. The coaches know, and they've said he is looking very good, his teammates know and they say the same, but you want to create your own version of "reality"?I am actually to the point of hoping he does get to move on, because so many fans here are expecting him to fail that no matter how good he would play it would never be good enough. So many people are getting so invested in the notion of him being unable to improve on what we saw in 15 or that his leg is going to fall off that he will never be able to convince them otherwise.
If the front office were as high on TB as you are we wouldn't be having this discussion. They'd have already signed a deal to make him their guy for 2018.But the reality looks like a lot more like they are hoping to toll him while they come up with a different plan and keep him in reserve. Honestly if there is an injured Viking qb who when healthy can produce at franchise level it's Bradford, not Teddy. If you want to roll the dice on a bum knee roll it on Sam's, the upside if it works is a lot higher.
The team has a brief window of opportunity here and a franchise level qb can get them to the promised land. It's a hare-brained gamble to say Teddy, Sloter and some 3rd guy is your plan after your 13-3 NFCC run. Is the franchise serious about winning a SB or are they just dicking around smoking hopium like fans? What happens if they go with this plan and TB can't cut it? Oh well, start over and waste the few years long window of opportunity that is here NOW. But hey we saved money... hurray money! Sorry no SB but you fans should feel good cuz we saved MONEY!
Where do i say Ted, Sloter and a 3rd year guy?
@"Geoff Nichols" said:That remains to be seen, really.@"StickyBun" said: https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/02/21/kirk-cousins-free-agency-vikings-browns-jets-broncos The article pretty much screams: "Kirk Cousins needs the Vikings more than the Vikings need Kirk Cousins"
@"Norse" said:@"JimmyinSD" said: Show me a list of players that have dislocated their knee. I van only think of a handful and know of 1 that came back, but they were WRs and RBs which are much more physically demanding positions on the knee.Teddy was a kid when he was drafted, and was only beginning to mature when he got hurt. I think any issues that we had with his arm were going to be laid to rest as he matured and the Vikings put a decent line in front of him and gave him some quality targets and decent play calling. All things Case had the advantages of when people want to make comparisons.
If he was a running QB I could understand the concern of his knee holding up, but he isnt so I think if the coaches are happy with where he is at in relation to 2016 and his mobility is on par with then, no reason not to give him a shot.
This is a quote from Zimmer.
Vikings"We researched Teddy's injury, there were 24 of these similar types of injuries through all sports. half of them never came back, and I think the earliest any of them came back was 24 months"Do you franchise a quarterback with an injury which history has shown only half of them ever being able to play again?
Doesn't answer my question.
Does anyone really believe that we would've won the SB, or as least beaten Philly if we had Cousins playing QB instead of Case? No way do I believe that for a second. Getting Cousins might improve the QB spot in some areas, but not necessarily all that much. Case moves around better and made several great plays while scrambling. Not sure Cousins can do those things.
I thought Case outplayed Cousins when the Vikes beat the Redskins. Case was throwing darts and was way more efficient between the two.
The thought of the Vikings making a guy like Cousins the highest paid QB just sounds wrong to me. I understand overspending on a great QB, and maybe that's my problem; I just don't see Cousins as a great QB.
I'd be more than ok with the QB combo platter of Case, Teddy, and Sloter going into next season.
@"pumpf" said:@"Poiple" said: with all of the case criticism you would think he lead us to a 7-9 season. smh....Again with the "led" the team to 13-3? He was a part of the team. But everyone (without an agenda) knows that the defense was our strongest link. If anyone, THEY led us to 13-3.
But, of course, I wouldn't be so myopic as to say that any one person- or even side of the ball- was responsible for our successful REGULAR season.You see, Poiple, the problem with giving Case credit for 13-3... means that you also have to "credit" him with our lack of success in the NFCCG. And if that's really who he is, why would we want him back?
Thats the least i telligent thing i have seen you say. He is the QB, the position is the undisputed team leader.
His stats were amazing when he got a bit of blocking. He created and extended plays. He did more than anyone else in that position has done. And when the D cant stop anyone and gives up points like a sieve and the oline is is injured, shuffled and then reshuffled and the QB has the most pressures of anyone in the playoffs... ya lets blame the QB.
you guys prove their is no rational discussion with you.
Sure lets go 13-3 and kick him to the curb and go for two who have never had that success. Lets credit all the wins to the team and all the losses to the Qb. smgdh.... Im done discussing it.
@"HappyViking" said: Does anyone really believe that we would've won the SB, or as least beaten Philly if we had Cousins playing QB instead of Case? No way do I believe that for a second. Getting Cousins might improve the QB spot in some areas, but not necessarily all that much. Case moves around better and made several great plays while scrambling. Not sure Cousins can do those things.I thought Case outplayed Cousins when the Vikes beat the Redskins. Case was throwing darts and was way more efficient between the two.
The thought of the Vikings making a guy like Cousins the highest paid QB just sounds wrong to me. I understand overspending on a great QB, and maybe that's my problem; I just don't see Cousins as a great QB.
I'd be more than ok with the QB combo platter of Case, Teddy, and Sloter going into next season.
So supporting cast has nothing to do with QB performance? In that game Case was throwing to Diggs & Thielen while Kirk was throwing to Crowder and Doctson. Or maybe Grant was his second best option. Rudolph is better than the corpse of Vernon Davis. The Washington O-Line had all its Starters playing together for the first time in a while and are they really any good even when healthy? The run game scares no one and Minnesota has a far superior Defense.
A lot of Kirk detractors wanted to see him elevate a talentless team. He didn't. Why? Because he's not a TIER 1 QB!
There are currently only 4 QBs that can make chicken salad out of chicken poop. And I hate to burst bubbles but Brady, Rodgers, Brees and Ben won't be playing in purple next year.
Cousins is a Tier 2 QB that can take a contender over the top as the SI.article Sticky linked points out. And he doesn't have any injury concerns or questions about repeating a career year.
@"FSUVike" said:@"HappyViking" said: Does anyone really believe that we would've won the SB, or as least beaten Philly if we had Cousins playing QB instead of Case? No way do I believe that for a second. Getting Cousins might improve the QB spot in some areas, but not necessarily all that much. Case moves around better and made several great plays while scrambling. Not sure Cousins can do those things.I thought Case outplayed Cousins when the Vikes beat the Redskins. Case was throwing darts and was way more efficient between the two.
The thought of the Vikings making a guy like Cousins the highest paid QB just sounds wrong to me. I understand overspending on a great QB, and maybe that's my problem; I just don't see Cousins as a great QB.
I'd be more than ok with the QB combo platter of Case, Teddy, and Sloter going into next season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SElT590QmTY&feature=onebox
So supporting cast has nothing to do with QB performance? In that game Case was throwing to Diggs & Thielen while Kirk was throwing to Crowder and Doctson. Or maybe Grant was his second best option. Rudolph is better than the corpse of Vernon Davis. The Washington O-Line had all its Starters playing together for the first time in a while and are they really any good even when healthy? The run game scares no one and Minnesota has a far superior Defense.A lot of Kirk detractors wanted to see him elevate a talentless team. He didn't. Why? Because he's not a TIER 1 QB!
There are currently only 4 QBs that can make chicken salad out of chicken poop. And I hate to burst bubbles but Brady, Rodgers, Brees and Ben won't be playing in purple next year.
Cousins is a Tier 2 QB that can take a contender over the top as the SI.article Sticky linked points out. And he doesn't have any injury concerns or questions about repeating a career year.
Do you think the Vikes would've made it to the SB with Cousins at QB? We were one win away, and I doubt Cousins would've taken this team any further than Case. I think going with Case and getting more FAs with the probable 8 - 10 million savings would make more sense.
@"HappyViking" said:@"FSUVike" said:@"HappyViking" said: Does anyone really believe that we would've won the SB, or as least beaten Philly if we had Cousins playing QB instead of Case? No way do I believe that for a second. Getting Cousins might improve the QB spot in some areas, but not necessarily all that much. Case moves around better and made several great plays while scrambling. Not sure Cousins can do those things.I thought Case outplayed Cousins when the Vikes beat the Redskins. Case was throwing darts and was way more efficient between the two.
The thought of the Vikings making a guy like Cousins the highest paid QB just sounds wrong to me. I understand overspending on a great QB, and maybe that's my problem; I just don't see Cousins as a great QB.
I'd be more than ok with the QB combo platter of Case, Teddy, and Sloter going into next season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SElT590QmTY&feature=onebox
So supporting cast has nothing to do with QB performance? In that game Case was throwing to Diggs & Thielen while Kirk was throwing to Crowder and Doctson. Or maybe Grant was his second best option. Rudolph is better than the corpse of Vernon Davis. The Washington O-Line had all its Starters playing together for the first time in a while and are they really any good even when healthy? The run game scares no one and Minnesota has a far superior Defense.A lot of Kirk detractors wanted to see him elevate a talentless team. He didn't. Why? Because he's not a TIER 1 QB!
There are currently only 4 QBs that can make chicken salad out of chicken poop. And I hate to burst bubbles but Brady, Rodgers, Brees and Ben won't be playing in purple next year.
Cousins is a Tier 2 QB that can take a contender over the top as the SI.article Sticky linked points out. And he doesn't have any injury concerns or questions about repeating a career year.
Do you think the Vikes would've made it the SB with Cousins at QB last year? We were one win away, and I doubt Cousins would've taken this team any further than Case. I think going with Case and getting more FAs with the probable 8 - 10 million savings would make more sense.
Yes. Why? They wouldn't have been blanked by the Lions at home. That would have given them home field throughout the Playoffs.I also don't think Cousins would have taken the sack that knocked the team out of FG range to start the second half of the Saints game nor would he have thrown that pick.
Let's face it, that comeback by the Saints and subsequent miracle victory drained the Vikings. Do I believe the Defense would have shut down Philly if Minnesota had cruised to a win like they should have? No. Pederson and his staff crafted a master game plan. But they would have played better.
And having an Offense that can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the Playoffs would have allowed the Defense more time to rest and more margin for error.
So yes, I really think Cousins would have made a big difference last year.
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