RUMOR: 'Vikes view Keenum as backup', won't tag him, Brandt says Vikes/Cousins in play

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"comet52" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"comet52" said: If I'm the Vikings I see two options for my 13-3 built to win now team:  Sign Cousins, and toll TB to backup or give him a low cost team friendly deal because he has no leverage.   

Or believe what James Andrews recently said about Sam's knee and get him a 3-4 year deal with incentives for staying on the field (or tag him for a year and see how it goes) and again toll TB to be the backup.   Cut Keenum loose in either case and say thanks for the memories.   

In theory that is a good idea, but in reality it doesn't work that way. 

I"m not even sure what you're saying here.   Can you be more specific?

Teddy won't be in Minnesota if Kirk ends up being signed. He wants playing time. Even if his contract tolls McGuire (agent) will get him out of there just like he did for Andre Johnson and Martellus Bennett. 

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

Report: Vikings 'in very heavy' on QB Cousins

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Vikings will be "in very heavy" on free agent Kirk Cousins. RapSheet's report was seconded by colleague Mike Garafolo, hours after NFL.com's Gil Brandt said the same thing. In addition to a win-now team and ample cap room, the Vikings can offer Cousins an indoor playing environment -- where all quarterbacks are historically more productive -- and an exciting young offensive nucleus of Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph, and Dalvin Cook.

Everyone is just connecting dots. Its not as serious as the media is making it out to be. All three teams (MN, DEN, Jets) will offer a similar deal. It is up to Kirk to decide what he wants and the timing is what may ultimately make this decision. As the market starts to fall into place, Kirk wanting to take FA visits is going to make one of those three teams nervous (you all know them well). That could change things. But I would say that the two favorites are Minnesota and Denver with no clear favorite between the two. 

I don't think anyone thinks he's ours yet. To me, the big news is just that we seem to be definitely "in" on him. If true, that's a pretty significant thing in my judgement. And, yes, I know despite what they all say, money always decides in these situations. But if the Vikings are truly "in," and they're prepared to give him a competitive offer, then he's already said (I think?) that the Vikings are #1 with a bullet. And, yes, I also know that it's in his best interest to gin up excitement, but it's also a very realistic estimation on his part. There isn't a better situation anywhere. From ownership to coaching staff to facilities to supporting cast, it's all there. This offense could make Tarvaris Jackson look good. Imagine what it'll do for someone with talent. 

I have it on good terms that the Vikings weren't the ones who said they were going to "go heavy" for Cousins. Not to say that they won't be a factor (they'll be in the running), but they aren't the ones starting these rumors. 

@"MarkSP18" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

Report: Vikings 'in very heavy' on QB Cousins

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Vikings will be "in very heavy" on free agent Kirk Cousins. RapSheet's report was seconded by colleague Mike Garafolo, hours after NFL.com's Gil Brandt said the same thing. In addition to a win-now team and ample cap room, the Vikings can offer Cousins an indoor playing environment -- where all quarterbacks are historically more productive -- and an exciting young offensive nucleus of Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph, and Dalvin Cook.

Everyone is just connecting dots. Its not as serious as the media is making it out to be. All three teams (MN, DEN, Jets) will offer a similar deal. It is up to Kirk to decide what he wants and the timing is what may ultimately make this decision. As the market starts to fall into place, Kirk wanting to take FA visits is going to make one of those three teams nervous (you all know them well). That could change things. But I would say that the two favorites are Minnesota and Denver with no clear favorite between the two. 

I don't think anyone thinks he's ours yet. To me, the big news is just that we seem to be definitely "in" on him. If true, that's a pretty significant thing in my judgement. And, yes, I know despite what they all say, money always decides in these situations. But if the Vikings are truly "in," and they're prepared to give him a competitive offer, then he's already said (I think?) that the Vikings are #1 with a bullet. And, yes, I also know that it's in his best interest to gin up excitement, but it's also a very realistic estimation on his part. There isn't a better situation anywhere. From ownership to coaching staff to facilities to supporting cast, it's all there. This offense could make Tarvaris Jackson look good. Imagine what it'll do for someone with talent. 

I have it on good terms that the Vikings weren't the ones who said they were going to "go heavy" for Cousins. Not to say that they won't be a factor (they'll be in the running), but they aren't the ones starting these rumors. 

I believe that they would never say one thing one way or another but it would be a surprise if they have not reached out to his agent.  But maybe that happens at the combine.

It is clear, and you have shown this, that the Vikings can offer a 5 year 140 mil deal pretty comfortably.  That would be the most of any QB in the league.  More than Jimmy. 

So, if he really wants to win and likes what the Vikings have on the roster (2 young WRs, a young RB, a fairly young TE, and a line that is decent and improving) plus that defense, then that should be good enough.

Not really much more to negotiate besides going over the offense with JDF.

@"comet52" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"comet52" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"comet52" said: If I'm the Vikings I see two options for my 13-3 built to win now team:  Sign Cousins, and toll TB to backup or give him a low cost team friendly deal because he has no leverage.   

Or believe what James Andrews recently said about Sam's knee and get him a 3-4 year deal with incentives for staying on the field (or tag him for a year and see how it goes) and again toll TB to be the backup.   Cut Keenum loose in either case and say thanks for the memories.   

In theory that is a good idea, but in reality it doesn't work that way. 

I"m not even sure what you're saying here.   Can you be more specific?

Teddy won't be in Minnesota if Kirk ends up being signed. He wants playing time. Even if his contract tolls McGuire (agent) will get him out of there just like he did for Andre Johnson and Martellus Bennett. 

Get him out how?  Trade?   That would be fine with me.   

Actually, giving this a little more thought, who is going to give Teddy playing time?   You're a g.m. and you see the Vikings who know Teddy better than anyone don't seem inclined to promise him playing time, why is your plan to do just that?  What's your fallback if his knee or anything else is an issue?  I don't see a team out there that wants or needs to gamble on Teddy.  Maybe Cleveland?  Good luck in Cleveland, Teddy!

Still think Bradford has the best odds to take the Vikes to the Super Bowl.  I'd prefer to sign Bradford at a reasonable salary and go in on o-line in free agency.  Imagine this line up.

QB Bradford
RB Cook
FB Hamm
LT Reiff
LG Norwell
OC Elflein
RG Sitton
RT Remmers
TE Rudolph
WR Thielen
WR Diggs

I will be blown-away if the Vikings sign Cousins...Not saying I support the move or not based on the player and taking contractual terms out of the equation for a moment...

One could argue a rosie projection with him and these weapons or probably torture the stats to tell an opposite tale. Wilf's went all in with Bert, so they do have precedence for being ballsy when they sense "a window"

Interesting times...

@"purplefaithful" said: I will be blown-away if the Vikings sign Cousins...Not saying I support the move or not based on the player and taking contractual terms out of the equation for a moment...

One could argue a rosie projection with him and these weapons or probably torture the stats to tell an opposite tale. Wilf's went all in with Bert, so they do have precedence for being ballsy when they sense "a window"

Interesting times...

It doesnt get much more interesting than this.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"comet52" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"comet52" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"comet52" said: If I'm the Vikings I see two options for my 13-3 built to win now team:  Sign Cousins, and toll TB to backup or give him a low cost team friendly deal because he has no leverage.   

Or believe what James Andrews recently said about Sam's knee and get him a 3-4 year deal with incentives for staying on the field (or tag him for a year and see how it goes) and again toll TB to be the backup.   Cut Keenum loose in either case and say thanks for the memories.   

In theory that is a good idea, but in reality it doesn't work that way. 

I"m not even sure what you're saying here.   Can you be more specific?

Teddy won't be in Minnesota if Kirk ends up being signed. He wants playing time. Even if his contract tolls McGuire (agent) will get him out of there just like he did for Andre Johnson and Martellus Bennett. 

Get him out how?  Trade?   That would be fine with me.   

Actually, giving this a little more thought, who is going to give Teddy playing time?   You're a g.m. and you see the Vikings who know Teddy better than anyone don't seem inclined to promise him playing time, why is your plan to do just that?  What's your fallback if his knee or anything else is an issue?  I don't see a team out there that wants or needs to gamble on Teddy.  Maybe Cleveland?  Good luck in Cleveland, Teddy!

The bills, broncos, and AZ woukd all be suitors.  I would also expect the dolphins to have strong interest to compete with tannehill who will have questions of his own.

If you think there isnt interest in Teddy you haven't been paying attention.

@"lakeerievike" said: Still think Bradford has the best odds to take the Vikes to the Super Bowl.  I'd prefer to sign Bradford at a reasonable salary and go in on o-line in free agency.  Imagine this line up.

QB Bradford
RB Cook
FB Hamm
LT Reiff
LG Norwell
OC Elflein
RG Sitton
RT Remmers
TE Rudolph
WR Thielen
WR Diggs

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"comet52" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"comet52" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"comet52" said: If I'm the Vikings I see two options for my 13-3 built to win now team:  Sign Cousins, and toll TB to backup or give him a low cost team friendly deal because he has no leverage.   

Or believe what James Andrews recently said about Sam's knee and get him a 3-4 year deal with incentives for staying on the field (or tag him for a year and see how it goes) and again toll TB to be the backup.   Cut Keenum loose in either case and say thanks for the memories.   

In theory that is a good idea, but in reality it doesn't work that way. 

I"m not even sure what you're saying here.   Can you be more specific?

Teddy won't be in Minnesota if Kirk ends up being signed. He wants playing time. Even if his contract tolls McGuire (agent) will get him out of there just like he did for Andre Johnson and Martellus Bennett. 

Get him out how?  Trade?   That would be fine with me.   

Actually, giving this a little more thought, who is going to give Teddy playing time?   You're a g.m. and you see the Vikings who know Teddy better than anyone don't seem inclined to promise him playing time, why is your plan to do just that?  What's your fallback if his knee or anything else is an issue?  I don't see a team out there that wants or needs to gamble on Teddy.  Maybe Cleveland?  Good luck in Cleveland, Teddy!

The bills, broncos, and AZ woukd all be suitors.  I would also expect the dolphins to have strong interest to compete with tannehill who will have questions of his own.

If you think there isnt interest in Teddy you haven't been paying attention.

@"StickyBun" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"comet52" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"comet52" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"comet52" said: If I'm the Vikings I see two options for my 13-3 built to win now team:  Sign Cousins, and toll TB to backup or give him a low cost team friendly deal because he has no leverage.   

Or believe what James Andrews recently said about Sam's knee and get him a 3-4 year deal with incentives for staying on the field (or tag him for a year and see how it goes) and again toll TB to be the backup.   Cut Keenum loose in either case and say thanks for the memories.   

In theory that is a good idea, but in reality it doesn't work that way. 

I"m not even sure what you're saying here.   Can you be more specific?

Teddy won't be in Minnesota if Kirk ends up being signed. He wants playing time. Even if his contract tolls McGuire (agent) will get him out of there just like he did for Andre Johnson and Martellus Bennett. 

Get him out how?  Trade?   That would be fine with me.   

Actually, giving this a little more thought, who is going to give Teddy playing time?   You're a g.m. and you see the Vikings who know Teddy better than anyone don't seem inclined to promise him playing time, why is your plan to do just that?  What's your fallback if his knee or anything else is an issue?  I don't see a team out there that wants or needs to gamble on Teddy.  Maybe Cleveland?  Good luck in Cleveland, Teddy!

The bills, broncos, and AZ woukd all be suitors.  I would also expect the dolphins to have strong interest to compete with tannehill who will have questions of his own.

If you think there isnt interest in Teddy you haven't been paying attention.

Nobody is going to hand Bridgewater anything...certainly not a starting spot. Teddy outside in Buffalo and Denver in the winter is a bad match. I think the interest on TB is vastly overrated by you. I'm sure he'd be allowed to compete in a few locations, but otherwise....

@"StickyBun" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"comet52" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"comet52" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"comet52" said: If I'm the Vikings I see two options for my 13-3 built to win now team:  Sign Cousins, and toll TB to backup or give him a low cost team friendly deal because he has no leverage.   

Or believe what James Andrews recently said about Sam's knee and get him a 3-4 year deal with incentives for staying on the field (or tag him for a year and see how it goes) and again toll TB to be the backup.   Cut Keenum loose in either case and say thanks for the memories.   

In theory that is a good idea, but in reality it doesn't work that way. 

I"m not even sure what you're saying here.   Can you be more specific?

Teddy won't be in Minnesota if Kirk ends up being signed. He wants playing time. Even if his contract tolls McGuire (agent) will get him out of there just like he did for Andre Johnson and Martellus Bennett. 

Get him out how?  Trade?   That would be fine with me.   

Actually, giving this a little more thought, who is going to give Teddy playing time?   You're a g.m. and you see the Vikings who know Teddy better than anyone don't seem inclined to promise him playing time, why is your plan to do just that?  What's your fallback if his knee or anything else is an issue?  I don't see a team out there that wants or needs to gamble on Teddy.  Maybe Cleveland?  Good luck in Cleveland, Teddy!

The bills, broncos, and AZ woukd all be suitors.  I would also expect the dolphins to have strong interest to compete with tannehill who will have questions of his own.

If you think there isnt interest in Teddy you haven't been paying attention.

Nobody is going to hand Bridgewater anything...certainly not a starting spot. Teddy outside in Buffalo and Denver in the winter is a bad match. I think the interest on TB is vastly overrated by you. I'm sure he'd be allowed to compete in a few locations, but otherwise....

watch cousins highlights. all of his yards/tds are of him down 35/14 getting free movement & points againts prevent. is that worth 30M Flacco money?

im sure the team has it figured out. if teddy has anything in that knee im behind him a solid 1a and developing sloter, but ill support whoever is in purple. that option leaves us a ton of $$$ and IF (a big if and only the team knows) healthy is a winner.

@"Neptizzle" said: watch cousins highlights. all of his yards/tds are of him down 35/14 getting free movement & points againts prevent. is that worth 30M Flacco money?

im sure the team has it figured out. if teddy has anything in that knee im behind him a solid 1a and developing sloter, but ill support whoever is in purple. that option leaves us a ton of $$$ and IF (a big if and only the team knows) healthy is a winner.

Still don't think Cousins is worth all of the hype he's getting, and I still prefer a Sam and Teddy combo, but I like him a little more than I did yesterday. 

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"comet52" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"comet52" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"comet52" said: If I'm the Vikings I see two options for my 13-3 built to win now team:  Sign Cousins, and toll TB to backup or give him a low cost team friendly deal because he has no leverage.   

Or believe what James Andrews recently said about Sam's knee and get him a 3-4 year deal with incentives for staying on the field (or tag him for a year and see how it goes) and again toll TB to be the backup.   Cut Keenum loose in either case and say thanks for the memories.   

In theory that is a good idea, but in reality it doesn't work that way. 

I"m not even sure what you're saying here.   Can you be more specific?

Teddy won't be in Minnesota if Kirk ends up being signed. He wants playing time. Even if his contract tolls McGuire (agent) will get him out of there just like he did for Andre Johnson and Martellus Bennett. 

Get him out how?  Trade?   That would be fine with me.   

Actually, giving this a little more thought, who is going to give Teddy playing time?   You're a g.m. and you see the Vikings who know Teddy better than anyone don't seem inclined to promise him playing time, why is your plan to do just that?  What's your fallback if his knee or anything else is an issue?  I don't see a team out there that wants or needs to gamble on Teddy.  Maybe Cleveland?  Good luck in Cleveland, Teddy!

The bills, broncos, and AZ woukd all be suitors.  I would also expect the dolphins to have strong interest to compete with tannehill who will have questions of his own.

If you think there isnt interest in Teddy you haven't been paying attention.

@"Jor-El" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"comet52" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"comet52" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"comet52" said: If I'm the Vikings I see two options for my 13-3 built to win now team:  Sign Cousins, and toll TB to backup or give him a low cost team friendly deal because he has no leverage.   

Or believe what James Andrews recently said about Sam's knee and get him a 3-4 year deal with incentives for staying on the field (or tag him for a year and see how it goes) and again toll TB to be the backup.   Cut Keenum loose in either case and say thanks for the memories.   

In theory that is a good idea, but in reality it doesn't work that way. 

I"m not even sure what you're saying here.   Can you be more specific?

Teddy won't be in Minnesota if Kirk ends up being signed. He wants playing time. Even if his contract tolls McGuire (agent) will get him out of there just like he did for Andre Johnson and Martellus Bennett. 

Get him out how?  Trade?   That would be fine with me.   

Actually, giving this a little more thought, who is going to give Teddy playing time?   You're a g.m. and you see the Vikings who know Teddy better than anyone don't seem inclined to promise him playing time, why is your plan to do just that?  What's your fallback if his knee or anything else is an issue?  I don't see a team out there that wants or needs to gamble on Teddy.  Maybe Cleveland?  Good luck in Cleveland, Teddy!

The bills, broncos, and AZ woukd all be suitors.  I would also expect the dolphins to have strong interest to compete with tannehill who will have questions of his own.

If you think there isnt interest in Teddy you haven't been paying attention.

I think there is some interest, but IMO it's going to be a matter of him getting a chance to compete for a job, not that anyone will give him a starting position. If the Vikings sign Cousins they will be committed to him starting for 4+ years, barring injury - that's a career block for Bridgewater to stay as his backup. Those suitors (Bills, Broncos, Cardinals, Dolphins) make sense except possibly the Broncos. My bet is that Bridgewater will sign with Miami if given an opportunity. He was excited at the rumors he would be traded there when Tannehill was injured last year, it's his hometown team.

His biggest fans seem to believe that loyalty to the Vikings organization is one of Bridgewater's personality traits. But he has been a regular attendee of Adrian Peterson's birthday bashes and the two are reportedly close - don't you think Peterson's attitude towards NFL contracts and the Vikings may have rubbed off? IMO if Bridgewater gives any team a discount and preference, it will be Miami. But he could end up happy for a month until they pick a QB in the draft.

I still don't understand why everyone is thinking Cousins to MN is this slam dunk right now. Its not like agents ever drive up the market for their clients ever.... 

Point being, from who I talk to the Vikings will be in play but the Broncos likely still have just as good of a chance to sign Kirk. The Jets are a close 3rd, but they're almost the wildcard since nobody knows how hard they'll come after him. Winning is important, but the Jets are the team who could still outbid the market to the extent it doesn't really matter what other opportunities present themselves. 

I will say this about the Broncos though. If they end up losing out on the Kirk Cousins derby they'll quickly pivot to Case Keenum. They had interest in him last off-season and Kubiak (FO adviser now) gave Case his first opportunity in the league. 

@"Geoff Nichols" said: I still don't understand why everyone is thinking Cousins to MN is this slam dunk right now. Its not like agents ever drive up the market for their clients ever.... 

Point being, from who I talk to the Vikings will be in play but the Broncos likely still have just as good of a chance to sign Kirk. The Jets are a close 3rd, but they're almost the wildcard since nobody knows how hard they'll come after him. Winning is important, but the Jets are the team who could still outbid the market to the extent it doesn't really matter what other opportunities present themselves. 

I will say this about the Broncos though. If they end up losing out on the Kirk Cousins derby they'll quickly pivot to Case Keenum. They had interest in him last off-season and Kubiak (FO adviser now) gave Case his first opportunity in the league. 

You know what's the most confusing thing about all of this??? The mixed and twisted perceptions about these guys. For me, when I read all of these comments I end up feeling like the 3 guys we have are junk. Yup. Junk. Then, I read about other teams' interests and suddenly it occurs to me that perhaps they aren't junk, they're just junk when they play for the Vikings. Why would this be? I'm not really sure, but I'm betting a good majority of the posters here at VF are afraid any one or all of these guys (Bridgewater/Bradford/Keenum) could go to their respective new teams and have success. And, in typical Viking fashion, we blow the wallet on Cousins and end up 7-9 for the next 4 years....