Netflix totally got me, I admit it: I went in ready to cut bait and move on from Cousins for all the reasons discussed on PI over the years and finished ready to sign Cousins for life.
The only actual defensible reason I can give: Cousins is a very high IQ quarterback in a system that clearly demands it, and I wonder if KOC would be as effective as an offensive mind with a rookie -- however physically talented they are. KOC also clearly likes the guy, and communicates well with him. And he's clearly supportive in ways Zimmer was not... Makes you wonder what the Cousins experiment might have looked like with a head coach who didn't despise his quarterback. I would say we might never know, but I think this season will tell us a lot, actually.
If his play doesn't decline this season, I could see an extension -- and might even be happy about it.
One has agree with your point on what would have happened if Zimmer bothered to work with Cousins... I think virtually all of Vikingland was saddened by what happened with Teddy, but once it happened we needed to move on.
Ditto to many things in the article. In addition to the many things mentioned, one thing stood out to me. Because the camera shots stayed on Cousins through the hits, you didn't really know what happened on the play right away. More than one time I thought it was good that he was able to throw it away; better than taking a sack. Sometimes he would throw and twist so fast to avoid an exposed hit I figured it had to be a throwaway. Then they show the results of the play, on a dime to JJ 1v1 vs Washington, one was a toe-tapper to JJ on the sidelines with a corner on his hip, another was to KJ.
I definitely respect him more and am more likely to wonder what he could do behind a decent IOL.
I enjoy the Netflix portrayal of Cousins, but it hasn't changed my opinion of him. He possesses outstanding work ethic and character... the kind of guy I would want my daughter to marry. A great guy! Football skills... he'll never be a top five who can take us to the big one even with a porous O-line. His salary cap hit hurts the team for the quality of play we receive. Check-down Kirk forever, we need to move on. But I still would want him to marry my daughter!!!!
Hypothetical: Let's say Cousins came to the Vikings and said, "Look, I've made all kinds of money, and now I want to win. Give me $35M average annual value, three years guaranteed, no trade clause ... fine if it's five years with two void years tacked on." You could smooth out the cap hit over five years at, I don't know, between $20-30 million, which would put Kirk near the bottom of the league when it comes to veteran QBs not on a rookie deal. I don't think it's going to happen, but would you not jump at that? I sure would.
Maybe a better way to think about this: Kirk is currently pretty far down the list in terms of salary, so what is a dollar figure you think might work? Or are you fully in the "never Kirk" camp?
Personally, I am in the "Kirk at the right price" camp.
Interesting points… if Kirk announced he’s made enough money for a comfortable retirement life and is willing to take a low enough annual salary to allow the team to sign quality O-line players AND mentor his replacement for two-three years… I’d say go for it. But this is something I’d like Matthew to address, as he understands the intricacies of the pay cap world as it pertains to the Vikes. Me? Not so much… But interesting points, Aron.
>he'll never be a top five who can take us to the big one even with a porous O-line.
I do not really get what you mean...
As he is not a top 5 qb (which means less than 1 in 6 teams have one) one would think, by definition almost, he could not get us to the promised land with a porous O-Line.... The question is, with a decent O-Line (not saying we have one) could he get us to the promised land (if might help if our defense does not suck)
He is a great guy.
As a qb between 8 and 12 in the league. Which is still pretty decent.
Sorry I wasn’t clear... it’s a Cro-Magnon drummer trait ;-)
I meant top five QBs have the ability to make things happen even if their O-line is crap. Kirk isn’t quite there. But if he had a good O-line? I believe he could win a Super Bowl.
Kirk is a good/very good QB. Anybody saying otherwise is wrong.
BUT
A. When does he start to fall off (and getting hit as much as he does is not a positive)
B. Not Just Kirk, unless elite, is it worth having a veteran QB given the price?
Not that I really care too much, but it will be interesting to see A-Rod in NJ. No arguing he was truly elite for most of his time in GB.... But how will he do on a new team and not so young anymore.... Would not be shocked if he is a disappointment (not saying he will suck, just saying he will be merely competent)
Netflix totally got me, I admit it: I went in ready to cut bait and move on from Cousins for all the reasons discussed on PI over the years and finished ready to sign Cousins for life.
The only actual defensible reason I can give: Cousins is a very high IQ quarterback in a system that clearly demands it, and I wonder if KOC would be as effective as an offensive mind with a rookie -- however physically talented they are. KOC also clearly likes the guy, and communicates well with him. And he's clearly supportive in ways Zimmer was not... Makes you wonder what the Cousins experiment might have looked like with a head coach who didn't despise his quarterback. I would say we might never know, but I think this season will tell us a lot, actually.
If his play doesn't decline this season, I could see an extension -- and might even be happy about it.
One has agree with your point on what would have happened if Zimmer bothered to work with Cousins... I think virtually all of Vikingland was saddened by what happened with Teddy, but once it happened we needed to move on.
Ditto to many things in the article. In addition to the many things mentioned, one thing stood out to me. Because the camera shots stayed on Cousins through the hits, you didn't really know what happened on the play right away. More than one time I thought it was good that he was able to throw it away; better than taking a sack. Sometimes he would throw and twist so fast to avoid an exposed hit I figured it had to be a throwaway. Then they show the results of the play, on a dime to JJ 1v1 vs Washington, one was a toe-tapper to JJ on the sidelines with a corner on his hip, another was to KJ.
I definitely respect him more and am more likely to wonder what he could do behind a decent IOL.
I enjoy the Netflix portrayal of Cousins, but it hasn't changed my opinion of him. He possesses outstanding work ethic and character... the kind of guy I would want my daughter to marry. A great guy! Football skills... he'll never be a top five who can take us to the big one even with a porous O-line. His salary cap hit hurts the team for the quality of play we receive. Check-down Kirk forever, we need to move on. But I still would want him to marry my daughter!!!!
Hypothetical: Let's say Cousins came to the Vikings and said, "Look, I've made all kinds of money, and now I want to win. Give me $35M average annual value, three years guaranteed, no trade clause ... fine if it's five years with two void years tacked on." You could smooth out the cap hit over five years at, I don't know, between $20-30 million, which would put Kirk near the bottom of the league when it comes to veteran QBs not on a rookie deal. I don't think it's going to happen, but would you not jump at that? I sure would.
Maybe a better way to think about this: Kirk is currently pretty far down the list in terms of salary, so what is a dollar figure you think might work? Or are you fully in the "never Kirk" camp?
Personally, I am in the "Kirk at the right price" camp.
I could go for that
Interesting points… if Kirk announced he’s made enough money for a comfortable retirement life and is willing to take a low enough annual salary to allow the team to sign quality O-line players AND mentor his replacement for two-three years… I’d say go for it. But this is something I’d like Matthew to address, as he understands the intricacies of the pay cap world as it pertains to the Vikes. Me? Not so much… But interesting points, Aron.
>he'll never be a top five who can take us to the big one even with a porous O-line.
I do not really get what you mean...
As he is not a top 5 qb (which means less than 1 in 6 teams have one) one would think, by definition almost, he could not get us to the promised land with a porous O-Line.... The question is, with a decent O-Line (not saying we have one) could he get us to the promised land (if might help if our defense does not suck)
He is a great guy.
As a qb between 8 and 12 in the league. Which is still pretty decent.
Sorry I wasn’t clear... it’s a Cro-Magnon drummer trait ;-)
I meant top five QBs have the ability to make things happen even if their O-line is crap. Kirk isn’t quite there. But if he had a good O-line? I believe he could win a Super Bowl.
Now I understand... And totally agree.
Kirk is a good/very good QB. Anybody saying otherwise is wrong.
BUT
A. When does he start to fall off (and getting hit as much as he does is not a positive)
B. Not Just Kirk, unless elite, is it worth having a veteran QB given the price?
Not that I really care too much, but it will be interesting to see A-Rod in NJ. No arguing he was truly elite for most of his time in GB.... But how will he do on a new team and not so young anymore.... Would not be shocked if he is a disappointment (not saying he will suck, just saying he will be merely competent)