Hartman: Vikings should end the chatter and sign Keenum to long-term deal
After a stellar season, Case Keenum has proven he can lead, and it would finally resolve the team's quarterback issues.As the Vikings offseason gets rolling, there is nothing fans and media love to speculate on more than the team's quarterback situation.
I have been covering the Vikings since Day 1, and no quarterback has had more speculation about his performance than Case Keenum. From the day he became the Vikings' starter and throughout an incredible regular season, coach Mike Zimmerwould be asked every week who his starting quarterback was going to be.
Then the second the season ended, the question became whether or not Keenum was going to get a franchise tag.
And now people seem to think that just because it's being reported that Keenum won't be tagged, for some reason means he won't be back with the Vikings. That's just not true.
Rest assured that the Wilf family wants to keep on winning, and that means the Vikings ownership will help General Manager Rick Spielman get any quarterback he wants. And if you want my opinion, it's Keenum — and not the Redskins' Kirk Cousins, or any other quarterback.
Zimmer on Thursday put a big damper on all of the Cousins talk when he said that if he had his wish, he would just bring back all three quarterbacks from last season.
"These kids have busted their rear ends for however number of years — some of them four, some of them two, some of them one," he said. "They know how we do things now and I think it's important for the culture of this franchise and the culture of this organization.
"But, again, it's going to come down to financial things, financial for them, and maybe some of them don't get to free agency. We've still got some time. I know there's a lot of rumors and a lot of different things going on out there, but don't believe everything you hear — unless it's from me."
Last season Keenum ranked as the second-best quarterback in the NFL behind only Carson Wentz of the Eagles, according to ESPN. Keenum completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 3,547 yards with 22 touchdowns and seven picks. His quarterback rating of 98.3 landed at seventh in the NFL, right ahead of Aaron Rodgers of the Packers, who missed most of the season.
Keenum and his wife love it in Minnesota. He made it very clear when the season ended that if things could work out financially, he definitely wants to end his career here.
Futhermore, during the season he told close friends, such as his former Houston coach, Tony Levine, who is now at Purdue, and other friends how this has been a dream come true.
While Zimmer pointed out that Sam Bradford remains a question mark because of his health, it sure sounds like if the financial scenario worked out, having Keenum and Teddy Bridgewater battling for the starting spot would be his wish.
http://www.startribune.com/vikings-should-end-the-chatter-and-sign-qb-case-keenum-to-long-term-deal/475608603/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
This would be such a no-brainer if we could just somehow keep Bradford healthy. He's a top 5 QB easily.
@"KingBash" said: This would be such a no-brainer if we could just somehow keep Bradford healthy. He's a top 5 QB easily.Be damn awesome if this could just be figured out, wouldn't it?
Maybe he is healthy. James Andrews did his knee cleanup and said he's good to go. But Dr. Mike ZImmer says it's "degenerative." What to think...
@"comet52" said: Maybe he is healthy. James Andrews did his knee cleanup and said he's good to go. But Dr. Mike ZImmer says it's "degenerative." What to think...ive been called a degenerate for years and I can still move around fine... i say give him a contract.
@"JimmyinSD" said:I dont think the fans are up for the performance incentives you have in mind.@"comet52" said: Maybe he is healthy. James Andrews did his knee cleanup and said he's good to go. But Dr. Mike ZImmer says it's "degenerative." What to think... ive been called a degenerate for years and I can still move around fine... i say give him a contract.
@"Poiple" said:to borrow from Wetlander....@"JimmyinSD" said:I dont think the fans are up for the performance incentives you have in mind.@"comet52" said: Maybe he is healthy. James Andrews did his knee cleanup and said he's good to go. But Dr. Mike ZImmer says it's "degenerative." What to think... ive been called a degenerate for years and I can still move around fine... i say give him a contract.BOOM!!!
@"comet52" said: Maybe he is healthy. James Andrews did his knee cleanup and said he's good to go. But Dr. Mike ZImmer says it's "degenerative." What to think...Where's the quote that he said it was degenerative. I've heard hearsay about it, but not actually seen it.
@"MarkSP18" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"Poiple" said:@"StickyBun" said: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.@"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.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.
I have been saying this a little around here and I believe it bears repeating.The Eagles rotated their defensive line all season long. Here are the snaps played numbers ...
EAGLES
Player : Team : Def Snaps : Def Snap Pct
55-B.Graham : PHI : 666 : 64.60%
75-V.Curry : PHI : 578 : 56.10%
91-F.Cox : PHI : 608 : 59.00%
94-B.Allen : PHI : 422 : 40.90%
93-T.Jernigan : PHI : 492 : 47.70%
56-C.Long : PHI : 496 : 48.10%
96-D.Barnett : PHI : 424 : 41.10%
97-D.Vaeao : PHI : 230 : 22.30%
98-E.Qualls : PHI : 103 : 10.00%
51-S.Means : PHI : 53 : 5.10%
74-J.Hamilton : PHI : 44 : 4.30%VIKINGS
99-D.Hunter : MIN : 775 : 77.70%
97-E.Griffen : MIN : 795 : 79.70%
92-T.Johnson : MIN : 675 : 67.60%
98-L.Joseph : MIN : 664 : 66.50%
96-B.Robison : MIN : 563 : 56.40%
93-S.Stephen : MIN : 384 : 38.50%
91-S.Weatherly : MIN : 89 : 8.90%
94-J.Johnson : MIN : 41 : 4.10%
90-T.Bower : MIN : 10 : 1.00%You have to ask why the Vikings did not get Stephen and Johnson more playing time?
The line clearly wore down and Griffen had something going in with his foot at the end.
I hope that Zimmer is able to pick something up from the Eagles and play all of his defensive linemen more.
The line was not getting enough pressure in the last two games.
This is exactly why our defense wore down.
@"ap88ap28" said:@"MarkSP18" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"Poiple" said:@"StickyBun" said: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.@"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.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.
I have been saying this a little around here and I believe it bears repeating.The Eagles rotated their defensive line all season long. Here are the snaps played numbers ...
EAGLES
Player : Team : Def Snaps : Def Snap Pct
55-B.Graham : PHI : 666 : 64.60%
75-V.Curry : PHI : 578 : 56.10%
91-F.Cox : PHI : 608 : 59.00%
94-B.Allen : PHI : 422 : 40.90%
93-T.Jernigan : PHI : 492 : 47.70%
56-C.Long : PHI : 496 : 48.10%
96-D.Barnett : PHI : 424 : 41.10%
97-D.Vaeao : PHI : 230 : 22.30%
98-E.Qualls : PHI : 103 : 10.00%
51-S.Means : PHI : 53 : 5.10%
74-J.Hamilton : PHI : 44 : 4.30%VIKINGS
99-D.Hunter : MIN : 775 : 77.70%
97-E.Griffen : MIN : 795 : 79.70%
92-T.Johnson : MIN : 675 : 67.60%
98-L.Joseph : MIN : 664 : 66.50%
96-B.Robison : MIN : 563 : 56.40%
93-S.Stephen : MIN : 384 : 38.50%
91-S.Weatherly : MIN : 89 : 8.90%
94-J.Johnson : MIN : 41 : 4.10%
90-T.Bower : MIN : 10 : 1.00%You have to ask why the Vikings did not get Stephen and Johnson more playing time?
The line clearly wore down and Griffen had something going in with his foot at the end.
I hope that Zimmer is able to pick something up from the Eagles and play all of his defensive linemen more.
The line was not getting enough pressure in the last two games.
This is exactly why our defense wore down.
That an when our offense put 21 points on the board, then they would go all conservative.
We should have just stepped on their throats and been done with it.Thats the one beef I have with Zimmer.
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