Changing opinions on QBs

I have always been in the Cousins camp.  He is the best Qb that they can get IMO.  And it really is not even close to me.

The one thing that strikes me as a clear sign is the fact that the Vikings are willing to see their current 3 QBs all listen to offers in 2 and a half days.

I mean that is taking a risk of all 3 signing elsewhere.

I can see this scenario happening very easily.

The Vikings are too cheap to sign Cousins and lose him.

Cousins goes to Denver.
Keenum goes to The Browns.
Bradford goes to the Jets.
Bridgewater goes to the Cardinals.
McCarron goes to the Bills.

Switch them up however you'd like.

The Vikings could very easily be left holding their johnsons in their hands!

If this does happen (which I doubt) then I would be in favor of trading mulitple future picks to get up high enough to get a rookie this year.
Then, they probably have to turn to McCown, Fitzpatrick, Moore, or dare I say, Cutler.  Yuck!

I really do not see how the Vikings have shown any love to the current 3 QBs.

If they really believed in any of them then they should be signed by now and any talk that that is not the case is complete BS.

Oh i know!!!  I really really really hope that if we do indeed schedule a visit with Cousins that it doesn't piss off the other 3 if we don't sign Cousins. 

To me I wavier on Keenum and Cousins but its somethign like this:

1A.  Keenum + another FA
1B.  Cousins
3.    Bradford
4.    Teddy  (only because I don't think he comes back)

I'm kinda stuck where I've been: I'd prefer Cousins, followed by a thoroughly-medically-cleared Bradford.  I think Keenum is the very picture of a "get you close, but..." QB, and Teddy is a huge series of question marks to me.

Like many of us, I've over-obsessed on this and have read the whole collection of analysts' guesses on how the QB situation shakes out.  The Vikings are the best option for Cousins IF he's not purely chasing money...and he's made a pile off franchise tags, already.  My guess has him lifting the bar slightly to $28M, and getting at least 3 years in purple.

Not really. I still want a Sam and Teddy combo that would allow us to keep building the defense. But the likelihood of that seems to diminish each day. I like Cousins more now than I did a few weeks ago. My central belief on him is that he's better than anyone we have with two good knees. In other words, he's better than Keenum. Is he 10M better? Probably not, but when you're this close you don't pinch pennies and gamble on a QB who's had 1 good year in 6.  And jumping into our wide open window with the NFL's most talented young roster and a healthy QB who's been durable and productive for 3 straight years is an exciting proposition at any cost, especially considering our history at the position, which can best be described as a vomitous carousel ride on acid. 

But it's funny you mention this. I have the world's most ridiculous commute, and so I listen to Denver sports radio a lot. When they thought they had a chance at Cousins, these guys were in love, even reading "Dear Kirk" love letters on the air. After the Minnesota rumors came out, like spurned lovers, they turned on him. Hard. They hate him now. 

From the beginning I've wanted it be Teddy for various reasons; good character guy, Vikings drafted him, would make for an awesome comeback story, great ability to dodge pressure in the pocket, etc.

However, in the last couple days, I've really come around to the Cousins idea. Charchian(sp?) was on KFAN yesterday and laid out a bunch of stats regarding Cousins (yes, I know the saying on stats) and for me it painted a very intriguing picture of Cousins in purple. However, to the OPs point, I likely hear points to refute Charch's points and waffle again on who I would like to see as QB... LOL!

Cousins last 3 years as starter
1. 4th in passing yds
2. 8th in passing TDs
3. 3rd in rushing TDs
4. 3rd in completion %
5. 4th in yards per attempt

If you'd like to listen (hopefully the link works...):
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/139-The-Dan-Barreiro-Show-26981004/

Select "Charch in for Bump..." podcast and skip ahead to the approximately the 45 min mark.

I totally waiver.  im kind of like Trump (nooooooo!!!!!!!!). the last analysis I read is the one I agree with.  BUT, I do have more faith in our front office and coaches than in past years, so I feel confident that they know more than anyone what we have and need. so I’m comfortable with whatever decision they make. Which is a relief. 

@"Caactorvike" said: I totally waiver.  im kind of like Trump (nooooooo!!!!!!!!). the last analysis I read is the one I agree with.  BUT, I do have more faith in our front office and coaches than in past years, so I feel confident that they know more than anyone what we have and need. so I’m comfortable with whatever decision they make. Which is a relief. 

I keep coming back to the Minnesota miracle and Keenum was that guy.  He took our team on his shoulders last year and played his heart out.  I think thats worth something more then just $$.  The locker room loves him.  The fans love him. 

My final answer (until tomorrow) is pay Keenum plus 1 top FA maybe someone along the DL or OL who doesn't break the bank and be done with it.  I'd even be ok with Teddy being that 1 top FA on a prove it deal even though I put his chances of making back very low. 

ok, I’ll go with that.  WAIT!  See what I mean ???? lol.  (actually they do make sense)

Backup plan is probably Bradford, with Teddy on the side.  They can sign both for a reasonable deal, but neither is the QB of the future, so QB might be an elevated need in the draft, which would be the worst of all worlds really.  I mean, unless they have confidence in Sloter, what else can they do?

Sure would be nice if 1 of the guys on the current list of possibilities was a total turd. Unfortunately, they all seem to be really good people. 

Shit, I was sold at Jay Cutler in post 2!

I think if there was not so much discussion about the money associated with Cousins - both what he has received the past two years playing on the franchise tag and what is expected to be in his next contract - most posters would be thrilled that the Vikings have a shot to sign him. If the choice was: $25M/year for Keenum or $25M/year for Cousins, who would be the overwhelming winner? But there might only be about $5M difference between the two.
Anyway, I have a hunch that if the Vikings do sign Cousins next week, the move and the man are going to be overwhelmingly popular with about 90% of Vikings fans. Debate will no doubt continue among the .01% on boards like this...

@"BlackMagic7" said: Shit, I was sold at Jay Cutler in post 2!

@"Jor-El" said: I think if there was not so much discussion about the money associated with Cousins - both what he has received the past two years playing on the franchise tag and what is expected to be in his next contract - most posters would be thrilled that the Vikings have a shot to sign him. If the choice was: $25M/year for Keenum or $25M/year for Cousins, who would be the overwhelming winner? But there might only be about $5M difference between the two. Anyway, I have a hunch that if the Vikings do sign Cousins next week, the move and the man are going to be overwhelmingly popular with about 90% of Vikings fans. Debate will no doubt continue among the .01% on boards like this...

I think it will end up being a lot more than $5M difference, I think it will be 10+ and that's not even considering guaranteed money and length of commitment.  I mean if money and term are no object let's float Aaron Rogers a 10 year 200 million guarantee.  You have to get the correct value especially of you pay 25+ million per year and are locked in for 5+ years-the wrong guy with that commitment could sink your chances-Bears??

I don't care, I have opinions but in the end I trust their decision making process-I think...

I really was a Case supporter for a good chunk of the year. I cooled off on him in the playoffs, a lot. 

If I could turn back the clock, it would be a home-grown Teddy. But now I'd be shocked if they turned the keys over to someone who's had 5-6 plays in 2 seasons.

Love Bradford's elite arm, don't know about his health. Combine him and Bridgewater and I still don't know if you'd have one healthy QB to turn the franchise over to. 

Never has it been more true that when you say you have more than one qb...Well, you know the saying.

I dont know what the right answer is, people getting paid big, big $$'s are going to have to make the decision. They not only have to make that decision, but then execute the recruit and contract of whomever it is they are going after.

And do so in a responsible manner. Tall order. 

As has been said by many sages here on the board already "don't F this up Rick"

@"MarkSP18" said: I have always been in the Cousins camp.  He is the best Qb that they can get IMO.  And it really is not even close to me.

The one thing that strikes me as a clear sign is the fact that the Vikings are willing to see their current 3 QBs all listen to offers in 2 and a half days.

I mean that is taking a risk of all 3 signing elsewhere.

I can see this scenario happening very easily.

The Vikings are too cheap to sign Cousins and lose him.

Cousins goes to Denver.
Keenum goes to The Browns.
Bradford goes to the Jets.
Bridgewater goes to the Cardinals.
McCarron goes to the Bills.

Switch them up however you'd like.

The Vikings could very easily be left holding their johnsons in their hands!

If this does happen (which I doubt) then I would be in favor of trading mulitple future picks to get up high enough to get a rookie this year.
Then, they probably have to turn to McCown, Fitzpatrick, Moore, or dare I say, Cutler.  Yuck!

I really do not see how the Vikings have shown any love to the current 3 QBs.

If they really believed in any of them then they should be signed by now and any talk that that is not the case is complete BS.

I am starting to feel that they know what it will take for Cousins, they know they can come up with it and they know he is very interested.  After all not that long ago at the Super Bowl it leaked that MN was number 1 with a bullet if the offers were close.

So many unknowns...I would just Like to get some continuity. I think whoever the FO decides on will be fine. We will still need to improve the OL. 
But it is still a little concerning we haven't signed Berger,Sirles or Easton.
And we haven't signed any QB's   :#

I started out against Cousins, but here's my thinking. Sam and Teddy have too many ???? on health. Where would this season have ended with Sam getting hurt and not having Case? Ouch. I like what Case did, and he has a great attitude, I just am afraid it's not sustainable. We've seen too many one year wonders around the league. I think Cousins gives this team a QB that has stayed healthy, and can perform for years to come.

Interesting discussion and lots of opinions...
Here's my emotional take, first:
1.  You gotta love the Keenum story.  
2.  You re-live that first game of the season with Bradford lights out over the Saints, and you think of that pretty girl who you knew in college, that maybe...maybe...
3.  Teddy is such a fan favorite, you gotta love how he has worked so hard to be able to get back on the field.  Good attitude, good person, good worker, talented athlete.

Now here's my unemotional take, by contrast.
1.  When the head coach comments offhand that Sam has a "degenerative knee condition", that's pretty black and white.  And the new OC says "I like mobile QBs"...Feet-of-clay-Sam is out.  Keenum looks like an option, because he fits that description.
2.  When folks who watched practice still comment about how Teddy has a minor gimp in his stride two seasons later, and you know that the injury was pretty horrific to begin, the tea leaves are pretty black and white.  And when comparing stats with Keenum, Teddy when healthy did not put up those kind of numbers consistently.  From an on the field and stats perspective, Keenum looks like the guy.
3.  When the head coach says publicly "we don't know which the real Case Keenum is", that is showing his hand that they know they have a pretty good supporting cast.
4.  When the same coach says "if I don't get this QB right, I'm going to get fired", you know he's all in on more research and in-depth analysis of the pros and cons than any of us on this board.
5.  When you have zero starting QBs under contract (when you had three), and there was roughly $20 million in cap space devoted to the three (mostly Sam), you can look about the landscape and be objective and say..."who out there would give us the best chance of winning the Super Bowl?"

The answer to that last question, like it or not, is probably Cousins.  And with all the "smoke" out there about the Cousins sweepstakes, I'm going with Cousins first (he will go to someone fast), and if they lose that sweepstakes, they will quickly go to Keenum.  Decisions have already been made, and the dominoes are already in place, ready to fall.