Forum The Longship This is why Sloter is still 3rd string

This is why Sloter is still 3rd string

StickierBuns
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#Vikings Mike Zimmer on Kyle Sloter 2/2: "Getting the people in the right formation, making sure the motion's there. Not missing the time clock when it’s eight yards in front of you. There’s a lot of things that he has to get better at if he wants to be the backup quarterback.’’
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#Vikings coach Mike Zimmer on Kyle Sloter 1/2: “I don’t know that you guys know all the little details about everything you see. You just see how he goes and does the games. He’s got to get a lot better in a lot of the other parts of being a quarterback. Making the right checks..

This is what I was talking about with the kid not playing QB in college: he doesn't have the QB IQ you need in today's NFL. He was playing WRer in college as much as QB. Its like Ryan Tannehill. There's only so much ground they can make up mentally.

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#1 · Aug 20, 10:30 AM
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It makes sense and is the only logical reason why Sloter hasn't elevated himself beyond QB3.

Mannion is the type of QB Sloter should have no problem beating out.  He is more physically talented than him, but Mannion is obviously much further along in the mental side of the game.

Brett Hundley looked like a star in preseason a few years ago, but when he got his chance in real games, he looked bad.  Preseason is built for athletic guys to go out and make plays.  Defenses are more bland and the game plan is watered down.  

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#2 · Aug 20, 10:52 AM
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@"Wetlander" said:

Brett Hundley looked like a star in preseason a few years ago, but when he got his chance in real games, he looked bad.  


....and there was a national sportswriter/media guy who said Hundley could start for 10 teams in the NFL when he got his chance with Rodger's injury. LMAO. 

I knew something was up when the Vikings brought in Mannion. If they felt strongly about Sloter, they'd have committed to him before that. But if Sloter should be able to beat this guy out and has not. Time to find a new developmental guy.

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#3 · Aug 20, 11:20 AM
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This is good to hear. The things he already has--good size, a strong arm, great accuracy in and out of the pocket, mobility--are things that can't be taught. The things he needs to improve upon can be developed with more experience. 

Sure hope the Vikings keep three QBs. 

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#4 · Aug 20, 11:25 AM
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Zimmer's spiel sounds good, but it doesn't explain away one big thing: why he won't let Sloter have any reps vs. the #2's.  Is he afraid Sloter would continue to look better than his predetermined "winner"?  And how is Sloter supposed to get better if he never gets to see better competition?

Yes, it was against 3's, but Sloter has totally outperformed 2 different #2 QB's in a total of 6 preseason games.  A coach interested in actual competition would give the guy lighting up 3's a chance to prove himself.  But not Zimmer.  Sloter's been tossed in the dungeon and the key thrown away.

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#5 · Aug 20, 12:44 PM
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@"MaroonBells" said: This is good to hear. The things he already has--good size, a strong arm, great accuracy in and out of the pocket, mobility--are things that can't be taught. The things he needs to improve upon can be developed with more experience. 

Sure hope the Vikings keep three QBs. 


That goofy off-angle and one-footed dart to the end zone he made is a throw only half the QBs in The League could even do.  It looked to me like He's showing off a bit in the hopes his athleticism keeps him on a roster.

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#6 · Aug 20, 12:55 PM
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I caught the jab Zimmer threw about the play clock running out on him,  but how much of that is on the QB vs the play coming in or having to explain shit in the huddle?  Maybe it was on Sloter,  i dont know,  but the coaches are allowed to call time outs as well as the QB,  and IIRC the first team O had to burn a time out as well for clock related issues.

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#7 · Aug 20, 1:02 PM
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@"StickyBun" said:
@"Wetlander" said:

Brett Hundley looked like a star in preseason a few years ago, but when he got his chance in real games, he looked bad.  


....and there was a national sportswriter/media guy who said Hundley could start for 10 teams in the NFL when he got his chance with Rodger's injury. LMAO. 

I knew something was up when the Vikings brought in Mannion. If they felt strongly about Sloter, they'd have committed to him before that. But if Sloter should be able to beat this guy out and has not. Time to find a new developmental guy.



IDK if it's time to get a new developmental QB or give up on Sloter - it might just mean he needs another year improving his craft. I suppose he might be impatient and not re-sign here if he thinks he should be starting for a different team.

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#8 · Aug 20, 1:04 PM
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@"Jor-El" said:
@"StickyBun" said:
@"Wetlander" said:

Brett Hundley looked like a star in preseason a few years ago, but when he got his chance in real games, he looked bad.  


....and there was a national sportswriter/media guy who said Hundley could start for 10 teams in the NFL when he got his chance with Rodger's injury. LMAO. 

I knew something was up when the Vikings brought in Mannion. If they felt strongly about Sloter, they'd have committed to him before that. But if Sloter should be able to beat this guy out and has not. Time to find a new developmental guy.



IDK if it's time to get a new developmental QB or give up on Sloter - it might just mean he needs another year improving his craft. I suppose he might be impatient and not re-sign here if he thinks he should be starting for a different team.


Honestly, does it matter? He's the 3rd string QB. I couldn't care less if he stays or goes at this point, the Vikings should draft a QB in the first 3 rounds next year anyway. 

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#9 · Aug 20, 1:08 PM
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@"Jor-El" said:
@"StickyBun" said:
@"Wetlander" said:

Brett Hundley looked like a star in preseason a few years ago, but when he got his chance in real games, he looked bad.  


....and there was a national sportswriter/media guy who said Hundley could start for 10 teams in the NFL when he got his chance with Rodger's injury. LMAO. 

I knew something was up when the Vikings brought in Mannion. If they felt strongly about Sloter, they'd have committed to him before that. But if Sloter should be able to beat this guy out and has not. Time to find a new developmental guy.



IDK if it's time to get a new developmental QB or give up on Sloter - it might just mean he needs another year improving his craft. I suppose he might be impatient and not re-sign here if he thinks he should be starting for a different team.


If he leaves it's not likey because he views himself as a starter as much as he isnt being given the opportunity to even compete on the field with the next level of competition.

He can still improve as the #2 on the shit he needs to work on, but he needs to be getting work against better opponents or his time here is being wasted.

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#10 · Aug 20, 1:08 PM
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@"Wetlander" said: It makes sense and is the only logical reason why Sloter hasn't elevated himself beyond QB3.

Mannion is the type of QB Sloter should have no problem beating out.  He is more physically talented than him, but Mannion is obviously much further along in the mental side of the game.

Brett Hundley looked like a star in preseason a few years ago, but when he got his chance in real games, he looked bad.  Preseason is built for athletic guys to go out and make plays.  Defenses are more bland and the game plan is watered down.  


Mr. August.  Seattle was always enamored with the Mr. Augusts from Green Bay.  They just picked up Hundley, previously it was Matt Flynn and there was one more before that, drawing a blank on the name.  Ended up playing for Tennessee.

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#11 · Aug 20, 1:10 PM
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@"RS Express" said: Zimmer's spiel sounds good, but it doesn't explain away one big thing: why he won't let Sloter have any reps vs. the #2's.  Is he afraid Sloter would continue to look better than his predetermined "winner"?  And how is Sloter supposed to get better if he never gets to see better competition?

Yes, it was against 3's, but Sloter has totally outperformed 2 different #2 QB's in a total of 6 preseason games.  A coach interested in actual competition would give the guy lighting up 3's a chance to prove himself.  But not Zimmer.  Sloter's been tossed in the dungeon and the key thrown away.


Totally agree RS.   I am not saying Sloter is the only answer if we decide to move on from Cousins, but come on Zim.  All the guy does is produce in games.  Are there some things he can get better at? Absolutely.  I cant believe he brought up the play clock issue-that happens to a lot of QBs including veterans.  Sometimes they get bailed out by their coaches who call timeouts, which Zim did not do.  How many times have you seen Rodgers come to the line with 5 seconds on the clock and have to call a timeout?  I think Mannion has appeared in one regular season game or something?   Any mention by Zim of the TD pass to Zylstra?  Rolling left throwing against your body for a TD?   Just give the kid a chance with 2s and see how he does.   I hope we don’t cut Sloter for some 6th linebacker or 2nd string FB.

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#12 · Aug 20, 1:33 PM
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@"Magnus10" said:
@"RS Express" said: Zimmer's spiel sounds good, but it doesn't explain away one big thing: why he won't let Sloter have any reps vs. the #2's.  Is he afraid Sloter would continue to look better than his predetermined "winner"?  And how is Sloter supposed to get better if he never gets to see better competition?

Yes, it was against 3's, but Sloter has totally outperformed 2 different #2 QB's in a total of 6 preseason games.  A coach interested in actual competition would give the guy lighting up 3's a chance to prove himself.  But not Zimmer.  Sloter's been tossed in the dungeon and the key thrown away.


Totally agree RS.   I am not saying Sloter is the only answer if we decide to move on from Cousins, but come on Zim.  All the guy does is produce in games.  Are there some things he can get better at? Absolutely.  I cant believe he brought up the play clock issue-that happens to a lot of QBs including veterans.  Sometimes they get bailed out by their coaches who call timeouts, which Zim did not do.  How many times have you seen Rodgers come to the line with 5 seconds on the clock and have to call a timeout?  I think Mannion has appeared in one regular season game or something?   Any mention by Zim of the TD pass to Zylstra?  Rolling left throwing against your body for a TD?   Just give the kid a chance with 2s and see how he does.   I hope we don’t cut Sloter for some 6th linebacker or 2nd string FB.


Sloter isn't the only guy they are looking at in the preseason games.  You think the WRs fighting for a spot on the 2nd team would be happy having to deal with a QB that doesn't know what he is doing throwing the ball to them? 

Allow the guy to develop as a QB, let him learn the mental part of the game.  Zimmer isn't saying he is an idiot, he is just saying he has too much to think about right now to be the backup QB.  He is still processing the information and the backup needs to not shit the bed if called upon in the regular season.  Mr. August produces against non NFL talent playing a vanilla scheme.  I will trust the coach knows that he isn't ready for the regular season yet.

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#13 · Aug 20, 1:52 PM
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@"JimmyinSD" said: I caught the jab Zimmer threw about the play clock running out on him,  but how much of that is on the QB vs the play coming in or having to explain shit in the huddle?  Maybe it was on Sloter,  i dont know,  but the coaches are allowed to call time outs as well as the QB,  and IIRC the first team O had to burn a time out as well for clock related issues.
Well, it's probably a common theme in practice...  If Sloter can't prove that he can get everyone lined up right in practice, know when the play clock is ticking down, and all the other things a QB needs to be aware of pre-snap...  Why does he deserve to get moved up?  That's an important part of being a viable starting QB.

And this likely isn't Zimmer holding the kid back...  I'm sure he's taking input from his offensive coaches and if they feel he's ready or not.  Clearly, he's not or he would be playing in front of Mannion at this point.

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#14 · Aug 20, 2:03 PM
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@"Magnus10" said:
@"RS Express" said: Zimmer's spiel sounds good, but it doesn't explain away one big thing: why he won't let Sloter have any reps vs. the #2's.  Is he afraid Sloter would continue to look better than his predetermined "winner"?  And how is Sloter supposed to get better if he never gets to see better competition?

Yes, it was against 3's, but Sloter has totally outperformed 2 different #2 QB's in a total of 6 preseason games.  A coach interested in actual competition would give the guy lighting up 3's a chance to prove himself.  But not Zimmer.  Sloter's been tossed in the dungeon and the key thrown away.


Totally agree RS.   I am not saying Sloter is the only answer if we decide to move on from Cousins, but...


What would be the fallout if this team needs to move on from Cousins? I think it's so unimaginable to the GM and HC that they won't imagine it.

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#15 · Aug 20, 2:04 PM
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@"RS Express" said: Zimmer's spiel sounds good, but it doesn't explain away one big thing: why he won't let Sloter have any reps vs. the #2's.  Is he afraid Sloter would continue to look better than his predetermined "winner"?  And how is Sloter supposed to get better if he never gets to see better competition?

Yes, it was against 3's, but Sloter has totally outperformed 2 different #2 QB's in a total of 6 preseason games.  A coach interested in actual competition would give the guy lighting up 3's a chance to prove himself.  But not Zimmer.  Sloter's been tossed in the dungeon and the key thrown away.


I don't buy the narrative that Zimmer has something personal against Sloter or that he's being stupid about it. Even if he's not, there are very smart offensive coaches on this team right now helping him make those decisions. 

But I will say two things. Coaches aren't always right and there is such a thing as a gamer. They might make mistakes, but when the lights are on, something clicks in their brain and they just make good things happen. 

I would imagine that Zimmer is also opposed to turning the ball over. Something Sloter has yet to do in 10 preseason games....10 TDs, 0 picks, a completion percentage that would be very close to Brees' NFL record, and a ridiculous passer ratings each year of 125, 114 and 137. For someone making so many mistakes, he sure is doing something right. 

I'm betting he gets the start in preseason game 4. 

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#16 · Aug 20, 2:07 PM
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"MaroonBells" said:
I'm betting he gets the start in preseason game 4. 
Which will show us absolutely nothing...
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#17 · Aug 20, 2:44 PM
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@"StickyBun" said: Honestly, does it matter? He's the 3rd string QB. I couldn't care less if he stays or goes at this point, the Vikings should draft a QB in the first 3 rounds next year anyway
This is true but will they? I doubt it. The Vikings have had many years where they could have gone this route on draft day over Spielman's tenure and I can't recall them ever doing it. Rick either waits until it's a dire need at the position or fills the spots with free agents.
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#18 · Aug 20, 3:08 PM
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Why should Sloter get a chance to play against the #2's? Because he looks good against the 3's and then looks inconsistent in practice? 

Yeesh. Talk about sending the wrong message to your young players. "Don't worry about practice. As long as you light up the 3rd Stringers you'll get your chance to move up."

Is Kyle the next Iverson?

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#19 · Aug 20, 3:22 PM
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@"pattersaur" said:
@"StickyBun" said: Honestly, does it matter? He's the 3rd string QB. I couldn't care less if he stays or goes at this point, the Vikings should draft a QB in the first 3 rounds next year anyway
This is true but will they? I doubt it. The Vikings have had many years where they could have gone this route on draft day over Spielman's tenure and I can't recall them ever doing it. Rick either waits until it's a dire need at the position or fills the spots with free agents.
Cousins would have to shit the bed for the Vikings to draft a QB.

And it doesn't make any sense to draft a QB "in the first three rounds." You either get a franchise guy in the 1st round or don't bother. God knows we don't need any Mason Rudolphs, Deshone Kizers, Davis Webbs, CJ Beatherds, and Christian Hackenbergs wasting space on our bench.

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#20 · Aug 20, 3:22 PM
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@"MaroonBells" said:
@"pattersaur" said:
@"StickyBun" said: Honestly, does it matter? He's the 3rd string QB. I couldn't care less if he stays or goes at this point, the Vikings should draft a QB in the first 3 rounds next year anyway
This is true but will they? I doubt it. The Vikings have had many years where they could have gone this route on draft day over Spielman's tenure and I can't recall them ever doing it. Rick either waits until it's a dire need at the position or fills the spots with free agents.
Cousins would have to shit the bed for the Vikings to draft a QB.

And it doesn't make any sense to draft a QB "in the first three rounds." You either get a franchise guy in the 1st round or don't bother. God knows we don't need any Mason Rudolphs, Deshone Kizers, Davis Webbs, CJ Beatherds, and Christian Hackenbergs wasting space on our bench.


Yeah the first round is part of the first 3 rounds

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#21 · Aug 20, 3:29 PM
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