quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Still boggles my mind that the 2020 Vikings ranked:

● 29th in Defense
● 29th in Pass Blocking per PFF
● 32nd in Special Teams DVOA
● 4th in Offensive Yards Gained

..and we spent all this time bitching about Gary Kubiak, Kirk Cousins, the Diggs trade, and "archaic offense."

(Dustin Baker on Twitter)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rob Viking

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Still boggles my mind that the 2020 Vikings ranked:

● 29th in Defense
● 29th in Pass Blocking per PFF
● 32nd in Special Teams DVOA
● 4th in Offensive Yards Gained

..and we spent all this time bitching about Gary Kubiak, Kirk Cousins, the Diggs trade, and "archaic offense."

(Dustin Baker on Twitter)

Kirk was 2nd in the league in YPA at 8.3, which is a very good number. Watson was at a staggering 8.9, Rodgers 8.2 and Mahomes 8.1. YPA is one of the best measures of a QB's performance. Kirk left a lot to be desired in crunch time in some crucial games vs Cowboys, Bears and Titans. But he did also make plays down the stretch vs the Panthers and Jags. With an average defense, this team is probably in the 11-5 or 10-6 range.

For comparison:

Randall 8.7 in '98
George 8.6 in '99
Culpepper 8.3 in '00
Culpepper 8.3 in '04
Favre 7.9 in '09
Keenum 7.4 in '17

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rob Viking

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Still boggles my mind that the 2020 Vikings ranked:

● 29th in Defense
● 29th in Pass Blocking per PFF
● 32nd in Special Teams DVOA
● 4th in Offensive Yards Gained

..and we spent all this time bitching about Gary Kubiak, Kirk Cousins, the Diggs trade, and "archaic offense."

(Dustin Baker on Twitter)

Kirk was 2nd in the league in YPA at 8.3, which is a very good number. Watson was at a staggering 8.9, Rodgers 8.2 and Mahomes 8.1. YPA is one of the best measures of a QB's performance. Kirk left a lot to be desired in crunch time in some crucial games vs Cowboys, Bears and Titans. But he did also make plays down the stretch vs the Panthers and Jags. With an average defense, this team is probably in the 11-5 or 10-6 range.

For comparison:

Randall 8.7 in '98
George 8.6 in '99
Culpepper 8.3 in '00
Culpepper 8.3 in '04
Favre 7.9 in '09
Keenum 7.4 in '17

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rob Viking

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Still boggles my mind that the 2020 Vikings ranked:

● 29th in Defense
● 29th in Pass Blocking per PFF
● 32nd in Special Teams DVOA
● 4th in Offensive Yards Gained

..and we spent all this time bitching about Gary Kubiak, Kirk Cousins, the Diggs trade, and "archaic offense."

(Dustin Baker on Twitter)

Kirk was 2nd in the league in YPA at 8.3, which is a very good number. Watson was at a staggering 8.9, Rodgers 8.2 and Mahomes 8.1. YPA is one of the best measures of a QB's performance. Kirk left a lot to be desired in crunch time in some crucial games vs Cowboys, Bears and Titans. But he did also make plays down the stretch vs the Panthers and Jags. With an average defense, this team is probably in the 11-5 or 10-6 range.

For comparison:

Randall 8.7 in '98
George 8.6 in '99
Culpepper 8.3 in '00
Culpepper 8.3 in '04
Favre 7.9 in '09
Keenum 7.4 in '17

Kirk was second in the league in turnovers among quarterbacks (Wentz #1). Without them, we likely would have been 9-7, 10-6 and in the playoffs. He has two against Tennessee, two against Seattle, one against Dallas and one against Chicago, many of which were in key situations. The guy is not a winner and not a leader. You can see it in his eyes and in his demeanor. He beat one team with a winning record all season.

Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of blame to go around. The defense was atrocious. And there is times when Cousins can look okay. But he has zero pocket presence and almost never comes up big in key spots in big games.

He's a $15-million quarterback making $33-million. Above all, that's my biggest beef outside of not being a winner or leader (with little to no mobility).

Diggs saw the writing on the wall.

And lets not forget, the offensive line stayed fairly healthy in 2020. If that trend goes south in 2021, the Vikings could win 4-5 games, maybe less. His contract is killing the franchise.

I do agree on the special teams. They are beyond bad.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Would Bradbury be a better guard than center? I saw someone suggest that on Twitter. I'm not thinking that is a solution. It's kind of disappointing to invest a first round draft pick for a center who has issues holding up to the point of attack. I mean, most teams don't invest a first rounder for their center. He was supposed to be the best prospect in years for a center. There might be 25 better centers in the NFL right now. Draft bust.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Would Bradbury be a better guard than center? I saw someone suggest that on Twitter. I'm not thinking that is a solution. It's kind of disappointing to invest a first round draft pick for a center who has issues holding up to the point of attack. I mean, most teams don't invest a first rounder for their center. He was supposed to be the best prospect in years for a center. There might be 25 better centers in the NFL right now. Draft bust.

Bradbury has been extremely disappointing. I think what it boils down to is that our scouting dept is horrible at judging IOL prospects.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pager

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rob Viking

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Still boggles my mind that the 2020 Vikings ranked:

● 29th in Defense
● 29th in Pass Blocking per PFF
● 32nd in Special Teams DVOA
● 4th in Offensive Yards Gained

..and we spent all this time bitching about Gary Kubiak, Kirk Cousins, the Diggs trade, and "archaic offense."

(Dustin Baker on Twitter)

Kirk was 2nd in the league in YPA at 8.3, which is a very good number. Watson was at a staggering 8.9, Rodgers 8.2 and Mahomes 8.1. YPA is one of the best measures of a QB's performance. Kirk left a lot to be desired in crunch time in some crucial games vs Cowboys, Bears and Titans. But he did also make plays down the stretch vs the Panthers and Jags. With an average defense, this team is probably in the 11-5 or 10-6 range.

For comparison:

Randall 8.7 in '98
George 8.6 in '99
Culpepper 8.3 in '00
Culpepper 8.3 in '04
Favre 7.9 in '09
Keenum 7.4 in '17

Kirk was second in the league in turnovers among quarterbacks (Wentz #1). Without them, we likely would have been 9-7, 10-6 and in the playoffs. He has two against Tennessee, two against Seattle, one against Dallas and one against Chicago, many of which were in key situations. The guy is not a winner and not a leader. You can see it in his eyes and in his demeanor. He beat one team with a winning record all season.

Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of blame to go around. The defense was atrocious. And there is times when Cousins can look okay. But he has zero pocket presence and almost never comes up big in key spots in big games.

He's a $15-million quarterback making $33-million. Above all, that's my biggest beef outside of not being a winner or leader (with little to no mobility).

Diggs saw the writing on the wall.

And lets not forget, the offensive line stayed fairly healthy in 2020. If that trend goes south in 2021, the Vikings could win 4-5 games, maybe less. His contract is killing the franchise.

I do agree on the special teams. They are beyond bad.

No context given. 2 INTs (or 3) came on Hail Mary's. One INT and one fumble were 100% on Cook. Thielan had one go through his hands.

10 of the TO came in the first six games. He was close to TO free down the stretch (without looking up exact numbers).

Did we win those games down the stretch?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Would Bradbury be a better guard than center? I saw someone suggest that on Twitter. I'm not thinking that is a solution. It's kind of disappointing to invest a first round draft pick for a center who has issues holding up to the point of attack. I mean, most teams don't invest a first rounder for their center. He was supposed to be the best prospect in years for a center. There might be 25 better centers in the NFL right now. Draft bust.

Bradbury has been extremely disappointing. I think what it boils down to is that our scouting dept is horrible at judging IOL prospects.

He was wildly acclaimed and sought after by many before the draft. I would have selected an OT from I believe Washington State who was still available and wasn't supposed to be at the time, but we all here must have thought it was a solid choice.

So I'm going to blame the coaching. I'm not a fan of our offensive line coach. I'm blaming him for who we are inserting into the starting lineup at guard. I'm blaming him for not finding a way to get Oli Udoh onto the field.

For now I would like to see Bradbury check in at about 5-10 more lbs. He might lose some of his mobility, but he needs to hold up better vs the power rushes.

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pager

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rob Viking

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Still boggles my mind that the 2020 Vikings ranked:

● 29th in Defense
● 29th in Pass Blocking per PFF
● 32nd in Special Teams DVOA
● 4th in Offensive Yards Gained

..and we spent all this time bitching about Gary Kubiak, Kirk Cousins, the Diggs trade, and "archaic offense."

(Dustin Baker on Twitter)

Kirk was 2nd in the league in YPA at 8.3, which is a very good number. Watson was at a staggering 8.9, Rodgers 8.2 and Mahomes 8.1. YPA is one of the best measures of a QB's performance. Kirk left a lot to be desired in crunch time in some crucial games vs Cowboys, Bears and Titans. But he did also make plays down the stretch vs the Panthers and Jags. With an average defense, this team is probably in the 11-5 or 10-6 range.

For comparison:

Randall 8.7 in '98
George 8.6 in '99
Culpepper 8.3 in '00
Culpepper 8.3 in '04
Favre 7.9 in '09
Keenum 7.4 in '17

Kirk was second in the league in turnovers among quarterbacks (Wentz #1). Without them, we likely would have been 9-7, 10-6 and in the playoffs. He has two against Tennessee, two against Seattle, one against Dallas and one against Chicago, many of which were in key situations. The guy is not a winner and not a leader. You can see it in his eyes and in his demeanor. He beat one team with a winning record all season.

Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of blame to go around. The defense was atrocious. And there is times when Cousins can look okay. But he has zero pocket presence and almost never comes up big in key spots in big games.

He's a $15-million quarterback making $33-million. Above all, that's my biggest beef outside of not being a winner or leader (with little to no mobility).

Diggs saw the writing on the wall.

And lets not forget, the offensive line stayed fairly healthy in 2020. If that trend goes south in 2021, the Vikings could win 4-5 games, maybe less. His contract is killing the franchise.

I do agree on the special teams. They are beyond bad.

No context given. 2 INTs (or 3) came on Hail Mary's. One INT and one fumble were 100% on Cook. Thielan had one go through his hands.

10 of the TO came in the first six games. He was close to TO free down the stretch (without looking up exact numbers).

Did we win those games down the stretch?

Remember those two INTs that bounced right off the defender's hands in I think it was the Detroit game near the end of the season? No context goes both ways.

quote:


Kirk was second in the league in turnovers among quarterbacks (Wentz #1). Without them, we likely would have been 9-7, 10-6 and in the playoffs. He has two against Tennessee, two against Seattle, one against Dallas and one against Chicago, many of which were in key situations. The guy is not a winner and not a leader. You can see it in his eyes and in his demeanor. He beat one team with a winning record all season.

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

quote:


Kirk was second in the league in turnovers among quarterbacks (Wentz #1). Without them, we likely would have been 9-7, 10-6 and in the playoffs. He has two against Tennessee, two against Seattle, one against Dallas and one against Chicago, many of which were in key situations. The guy is not a winner and not a leader. You can see it in his eyes and in his demeanor. He beat one team with a winning record all season.

You can say the same thing about missed FG and PAT
You can say the same thing about a historical low in sacks
You can say the same thing about the O-line hemorrhaging pass rushers on key downs.
You can say the same thing about the defense being unable to get off the field on 3rd down.

Cousins had 13 passes picked off. The same number as Russell Wilson and one more than Tom Brady. He had a lower int% than three QB's who threw fewer picks. He also threw 35 TD passes (6th in the league) and had the 5th highest TD%. Pretty sure we would have won about 2 games without that. His over all performance has him top 7 or top 10 in the league depending on which service is doing the measure. And that is despite operating behind the worst O-line in football. He has warts to be sure, but he has a lot of positives that compensate for them. You can't say that about our other problem areas. Putting one win against a team with a winning record on Cousins is ridiculous. How much horrible defense, terrible special teams and total inability to pass block is the QB supposed to compensate for?

Cousins is way down on the list of things that need to be fixed on this team.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dana Turner

Im hoping that in the draft, the Vikings get the opportunity to drop down to the early 20's and take a solid IOL prospect, there are about 5 of them that would work that should be around at the pick. Then in the third, get another one and a safety and DL. Several 4th round picks should solidify this draft and allow us to pick up some depth. I don't worry about our QB situation, since I feel we would still have the same issues with Trever Lawrance behind this O_Line and with this defense. We needed to get rid of those veterans last year and it hurt a bit, but with a few solid players infused here and there, we would have a pretty solid team, well, we'd still have Zimmer and he has proven to be an average HC, nothing special!

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

quote:


Kirk was second in the league in turnovers among quarterbacks (Wentz #1). Without them, we likely would have been 9-7, 10-6 and in the playoffs. He has two against Tennessee, two against Seattle, one against Dallas and one against Chicago, many of which were in key situations. The guy is not a winner and not a leader. You can see it in his eyes and in his demeanor. He beat one team with a winning record all season.

You can say the same thing about missed FG and PAT
You can say the same thing about a historical low in sacks
You can say the same thing about the O-line hemorrhaging pass rushers on key downs.
You can say the same thing about the defense being unable to get off the field on 3rd down.

Cousins had 13 passes picked off. The same number as Russell Wilson and one more than Tom Brady. He had a lower int% than three QB's who threw fewer picks. He also threw 35 TD passes (6th in the league) and had the 5th highest TD%. Pretty sure we would have won about 2 games without that. His over all performance has him top 7 or top 10 in the league depending on which service is doing the measure. And that is despite operating behind the worst O-line in football. He has warts to be sure, but he has a lot of positives that compensate for them. You can't say that about our other problem areas. Putting one win against a team with a winning record on Cousins is ridiculous. How much horrible defense, terrible special teams and total inability to pass block is the QB supposed to compensate for?

Cousins is way down on the list of things that need to be fixed on this team.

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

If it makes anyone feel better about the Vikings' upcoming salary cap problems have a look at this list. Check out the Saints, Eagles, Rams, Falcons, and Steelers. Yikes! The Packers are in tough shape too but it at least appears they have room to make it work. What the heck are the Eagles going to do? There's practically no one that gives them a whole lot of cap savings by getting rid of.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cap/

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

The owners should phase in a salary cap reduction over time for the sake of maintaining reasonable competition. Nobody anticipated Covid. Like a salary cap loan to be paid off in the next few years. The owners are rich and can handle the short term shortfall. If they can't, the league should create a fund among themselves for lending the cash strapped owners the money.