Hartman: Vikings should end the chatter and sign Keenum to long-term deal

Another factor that has to be considered is that receivers Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, tight end Kyle Rudolph and other favorite offensive weapons have made it clear that they're hoping that Keenum comes back.
The locker room next season could be very sad if the Vikings don't make a strong bid to bring him back. The camaraderie in the locker room during the 2017 season was talked about often by Zimmer, and he said he had never seen a group like those Vikings.
I have spent a lot of time in that locker room over the years, and without a doubt Keenum was one of the most popular players to ever put on a Vikings uniform.
He was loved by every single player, and they sang his praises time after time. For Spielman to bring in another quarterback, when these players have so much confidence in Keenum, would be a big error.
I don't think there's any chance of Keenum not coming back, unless his agent makes impossible demands. I also think Keenum will be receptive to a long-term contract that pays him on the basis of how he performed last year.
Once they sign Keenum for a long-term deal, the Vikings quarterback problems — which have been an absolute disaster with 13 starting quarterbacks over nine seasons — might actually get solved.
And after completing the Minneapolis Miracle throw to Diggs in the playoff game against New Orleans, there's no doubt that Keenum has become a fan favorite.
The Vikings have raised ticket prices for next season, and they need not only good players but good storylines heading into the season. Keenum would provide both.

There have been rumors of Bridgewater signing with his hometown Miami Dolphins, who would take him on as a backup quarterback.
But maybe the Vikings could make just as good a pitch to Bridgewater to come and back up Keenum this season as he continues to get back to full health.
When it comes to Bradford, the Vikings aren't going to pay him big money unless he signs some kind of a contract filled with performance incentives. After two knee surgeries, the odds are not great that Bradford will be back in Minnesota.

There's no doubt that the Vikings' three quarterbacks are going to get positions in 2018, but I still think the team is going to look to make Keenum their long-term solution at quarterback.
Zimmer on Thursday gave no endorsements of Cousins or the idea of paying a quarterback big money. That should tell you a lot about where the team is heading.

Well, there's another voice heard from lol! 

God, this can't be over soon enough for me...

Not sure what to think, but the way they have been approaching the QB position hasn't been working for many years. I do not have much confidence in this front office getting it right when they never have.

I think the Viking's media is so old and unrelateable that this garbage is good enough for most. Losers mentality.

I'm not sure 96 year old Sid even writes anymore. I think it's been a good, long while since he has..God knows where this comes from anymore or from whom. 

I guess Sid did not hear the part where Zimmer said this ...

"We think he can," Zimmer said. "It's just kind of guessing. Is he the guy when he was at Houston or the Rams,
or is he the guy who played for us? Is it because he had a good team
around him? Bradford, his record wasn't great; is it because he didn't
have a good team around him? Did he play with a good defense? All those
things enter into it. All those factor into it. At the end of the day,
it's a guess and a hunch."

Not really a ringing endorsement of any of the current QBs.

All I know is that while Keenum played great he sure played badly in the playoffs.  IMO.

Throwing those picks is almost unforgivable in the playoffs especially the way he did make those throws.

All year he has been taking chances throwing the ball up for grabs and Thielen and Diggs bailed him out more often than not.

I thought the Saints and Eagles made an effort to keep him in the pocket which revealed more about him.

One thing that Zimmer said is true.  If they do not get it right then someone needs to go.

Case also faced quite a lot of pass rush pressure. It was not as bad as Bradford’s first year, but it was more than it should have been. Case was great at avoiding the pass rush.  Keep improving the OL and (I hope) Case will improve right along with it.

People see what they want to see.  Me i saw an O line who had been reshuffled maybe once too often, a QB running for his life every play and a defense who was inexplicably ineffective.   Game plan and play calling didnt seem effective enough either.  
It seemed the team had paid too high of a price to be beat the Saints.  It isnt the first time its happened in the NFL to a young team.

I fear that Keenum had the dream season where a lot of luck broke his way in 2017 - Zimmer repeatedly alluded to his "horseshoe". He made a lot of throws in the regular season that looked likely to be intercepted or batted, but improbably fell into the hands of Thielen, Diggs, McKinnon, Floyd. Teams studied his Vikings film by the end of the season, and good playoff teams feasted. Everyone will have his number in 2018.

I think of Harvey Keitel's character in Thelma and Louise: Don't matter (if they are real smart or real lucky). Brains'll only get you so far and luck always runs out. 

I think you could say that about any Qb.  
Im guessing the Vikes sign Keenum and Teddy to performance incentive, cap friendly contracts.  If they fight it out in camp I think Teddy probably wins if he is back to form.

@"Poiple" said: I think you could say that about any Qb.   Im guessing the Vikes sign Keenum and Teddy to performance incentive, cap friendly contracts.  If they fight it out in camp I think Teddy probably wins if he is back to form.

@"StickyBun" said:

@"Poiple" said: I think you could say that about any Qb.   Im guessing the Vikes sign Keenum and Teddy to performance incentive, cap friendly contracts.  If they fight it out in camp I think Teddy probably wins if he is back to form.

Yep, that sounds just like what they will do. Safe, conservative and will ultimately end in some kind of ass whipping to a superior team in the playoffs. I think many fans forget the Vikings were one miracle catch away from one and done again.

@"Poiple" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"Poiple" said: I think you could say that about any Qb.   Im guessing the Vikes sign Keenum and Teddy to performance incentive, cap friendly contracts.  If they fight it out in camp I think Teddy probably wins if he is back to form.

Yep, that sounds just like what they will do. Safe, conservative and will ultimately end in some kind of ass whipping to a superior team in the playoffs. I think many fans forget the Vikings were one miracle catch away from one and done again.

Hi Sticky,  I always enjoy you as a poster but I think we disagree on this one. I think that the Vikes lost due to anything except Qb play in those last 6 quarters.   Maybe some experience is all The Vikes need but i think they will continue  to lose big games until they solidify the D and the Oline depth.  

I am very surprised that no one wants to talk about how terrible the defense played in those 6 quarters.   They are supposed to be the strength of the team and the biggest investment in draft picks and probably salary (totally guessing here lol)    They looked like hell.  The Olines woes could be expected with injuries and reshuffling but the D seemed to lose it it unexpectedly.  Rhodes went a little nuts after our safety was knocked out but I cant see that as a reason for them to lose their identity.

 A side note...  Isnt it a little surprising and strange how few turnovers the D generated throughout the season?

I had to laugh at the part that says Case would sign a contract based on last year's performance....really?  Color me shocked!  No fucking shit,  Case would commit felonies to get to that contract to sign.  That had to be one of the dumbest statements ever prited.  I am not opposed to Case getting another shot,  but for the love of God it can't be based on 1 career years production on a team that bailed him out many times.  

And I think we write garbage on here sometimes... Maybe the media should be contracting with fan boards for their pieces.. we know they steal their story ideas from us already,  might as well take the whole enchilada.

@"Poiple" said: I think you could say that about any Qb.   Im guessing the Vikes sign Keenum and Teddy to performance incentive, cap friendly contracts.  If they fight it out in camp I think Teddy probably wins if he is back to form.

@"StickyBun" said:

@"Poiple" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"Poiple" said: I think you could say that about any Qb.   Im guessing the Vikes sign Keenum and Teddy to performance incentive, cap friendly contracts.  If they fight it out in camp I think Teddy probably wins if he is back to form.

Yep, that sounds just like what they will do. Safe, conservative and will ultimately end in some kind of ass whipping to a superior team in the playoffs. I think many fans forget the Vikings were one miracle catch away from one and done again.

Hi Sticky,  I always enjoy you as a poster but I think we disagree on this one. I think that the Vikes lost due to anything except Qb play in those last 6 quarters.   Maybe some experience is all The Vikes need but i think they will continue  to lose big games until they solidify the D and the Oline depth.  

I am very surprised that no one wants to talk about how terrible the defense played in those 6 quarters.   They are supposed to be the strength of the team and the biggest investment in draft picks and probably salary (totally guessing here lol)    They looked like hell.  The Olines woes could be expected with injuries and reshuffling but the D seemed to lose it it unexpectedly.  Rhodes went a little nuts after our safety was knocked out but I cant see that as a reason for them to lose their identity.

 A side note...  Isnt it a little surprising and strange how few turnovers the D generated throughout the season?

Good points.

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"Poiple" said: I think you could say that about any Qb.   Im guessing the Vikes sign Keenum and Teddy to performance incentive, cap friendly contracts.  If they fight it out in camp I think Teddy probably wins if he is back to form.

I think there is zero chance it's Keenum and Bridgewater....Ok maybe 5% if the market is cold for both of them. I think it's more likely for Bradford/Bridgewater to be here. Then RS and Zimm can hold their breath that the legs dont fall off both these guys by Xmas. 

@"MarkSP18" said: I guess Sid did not hear the part where Zimmer said this ...

"We think he can," Zimmer said. "It's just kind of guessing. Is he the guy when he was at Houston or the Rams,
or is he the guy who played for us? Is it because he had a good team
around him? Bradford, his record wasn't great; is it because he didn't
have a good team around him? Did he play with a good defense? All those
things enter into it. All those factor into it. At the end of the day,
it's a guess and a hunch."

Not really a ringing endorsement of any of the current QBs.

All I know is that while Keenum played great he sure played badly in the playoffs.  IMO.

Throwing those picks is almost unforgivable in the playoffs especially the way he did make those throws.

All year he has been taking chances throwing the ball up for grabs and Thielen and Diggs bailed him out more often than not.

I thought the Saints and Eagles made an effort to keep him in the pocket which revealed more about him.

One thing that Zimmer said is true.  If they do not get it right then someone needs to go.

I agree, Sid.  Get Case then Teddy, and we roll with Sloter as the development QB.

There, Sid and I just solved the Vikings QB quandry - have a nice day, Longshippers.  B)