Jan 22, 2018 22:28:56 GMT @admin said:

The Vikings QB situation going into next season will be fascinating. It's very difficult to predict, but I think Keenum will leave (and I'll guess Arizona as his landing spot) while Bradford and Bridgewater stick around as cover for each others injury risk.

You don't think the Giants are possible , especially if the land Shurmur? Arizona would be interesting as well , either way I think a team would still be wise to put him in a camp battle. 

The Vikings will probably do that , I hope they do as neither Teddy or Bradford worry me all that much. I wonder if they'd be ballsy enough to make a play for Smith or Cousins? They would be a scary team if they went that route.

Hell what about Eli? 

I haven't really heard any vibe other than that Shurmur will roll with Eli next season while they groom a draft pick for the future. Given that he has been hired because of his ability to get the most out of his quarterbacks I would be very surprised if they bring a veteran in. Beyond all else I think Eli in a better system, hopefully an upgraded o-line and OBJ back gives us a better chance to win that either Case Keenum or Sam Bradford at their very best could.

Whether its Cousins or Keenum, I think Elway is going to land one of these two in Denver, Paxton Lynch burned him pretty badly and I can't see Denver rolling out another rookie QB out there.

Jan 22, 2018 23:07:21 GMT @admin said:

I haven't really heard any vibe other than that Shurmur will roll with Eli next season while they groom a draft pick for the future. Given that he has been hired because of his ability to get the most out of his quarterbacks I would be very surprised if they bring a veteran in. Beyond all else I think Eli in a better system, hopefully an upgraded o-line and OBJ back gives us a better chance to win that either Case Keenum or Sam Bradford at their very best could.

It's early yet. I wouldn't be shocked if they stuck with Eli because of his history with the franchise , but I also think it would make sense football wise to let him go , sign Keenum for a cheaper two year deal than what Eli was making and still draft a QB early to develop. Keenum also has experience in the system and been in the mentor/placeholder role before. I really don't think bringing in Keenum means they don't draft a quarterback to develop for the future but this could buy them a year with a guy who can at least run this system. 

The boat just seems to have sailed on Eli leaving given how he came back into the lineup after McAdoo's firing, and Gettleman's public support for Manning.

Shurmur bringing Keenum across with him carries a lot of risk that I doubt he would be willing to take on (and I don't think there's any evidence that they are especially close beyond working together this season?). Sure, Case was great this season but there's a more that real possibility that he just caught lightning in a bottle. If he were to start and flop in New York, Shurmur's automatically tarred with that brush - another coach who tried to move on from the franchise's all time QB with a journeyman. Things can only really go upwards from what happened with Eli in 2017 so it's a less risky proposition. If they take a step forward, then Shurmur cements his reputation as a coach who has again elevated his QB and Eli gets to go out on a higher note, and if he doesn't, then they can move on with whoever they draft.

All 3 Vikings QB's are FA's. Shurmur was just officially named HC of the Giants.

Jan 23, 2018 1:01:49 GMT @ck said:

All 3 Vikings QB's are FA's. Shurmur was just officially named HC of the Giants.

Yes they are , but there isn't going to be much of a market for either of two not named Keenum, they should return to Minnesota at a reasonable cost. 

If I were the Vikings I'd be more concerned over losing Shurmur. 

Jan 23, 2018 1:24:20 GMT UT said:

Jan 23, 2018 1:01:49 GMT @ck said:

All 3 Vikings QB's are FA's. Shurmur was just officially named HC of the Giants.

Yes they are , but there isn't going to be much of a market for either of two not named Keenum, they should return to Minnesota at a reasonable cost. 

If I were the Vikings I'd be more concerned over losing Shurmur. 

That's the question, is Keenum going to continue his rise or is he just this years 2013 Nick Foles?  Roll the dice.

I think he hit his ceiling , but I also don't think he was ever THAT bad - just in a terrible situation in LA. I think at worst he is one of the best backups in the NFL.

I also think that's better than being Bradford or Teddy Two Gloves , who have two good knees combined.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Vikings go with Keenum and Bridgewater. Case performed better than anyone could have expected and developed a great combination with Diggs and Thielan. Teddy is a borderline mascot at this point, but the coaching staff loves him and they'll want to reward his tenacity with another opportunity to make a comeback. Bradford will be the odd man out of the equation and again will confirm that the trade was a silly moment born out of desperation instead of common sense.

The best case scenario would be to try our luck on Free Agency and hopefully uncover a diamond at a reasonable price, but it's a real roll of the dice. I just don't think the Vikings will get value for money out of signing Keenum, especially since he'll be asking for a lot more when he'll most likely go backwards from here on out.

There ain't no diamonds in Free Agency , they could/should possibly look at a second or third round pick. This isn't a terrible draft for Quarterbacks - at least not on the surface in January.

Diamond maybe over-stating it, bu somebody as valuable as Keenum was (a ruby? a sapphire?...an amethyst?) this year is certainly not out of the question.

Jan 23, 2018 2:51:30 GMT Big Pete said:

Diamond maybe over-stating it, bu somebody as valuable as Keenum was (a ruby? a sapphire?...an amethyst?) this year is certainly not out of the question.

Only 1 will remain in Minnesota...all 3 want to start.

Who would realistically bring Bridgewater into their side as a starter at this point? I doubt there would be a lot of interest given his injury history and anywhere he goes he'll likely be the back-up.

If somebody wants to give him a chance, that's great but honestly I don't think it's out of the question he just makes do and gives Keenum a run for his money.

First round draft pick for Alex Smith let Bradford and Keenum walk and Teddy “compete” for the starting job that he won’t win.

C’mon Minny. For mike.

Do you think the Saints will let Brees walk if we furnish all their houses and buildings?

Jan 23, 2018 2:55:30 GMT @ck said:

Jan 23, 2018 2:51:30 GMT Big Pete said:

Diamond maybe over-stating it, bu somebody as valuable as Keenum was (a ruby? a sapphire?...an amethyst?) this year is certainly not out of the question.

Only 1 will remain in Minnesota...all 3 want to start.

A lot of quarterbacks want to start , doesn't mean they all get to. Especially those two - Teddy is coming off a near career ending injury and Bradfords knee is reportedly bone on bone - no team is making an investment in those two. 

Jan 23, 2018 3:03:04 GMT Big Pete said:

Do you think the Saints will let Brees walk if we furnish all their houses and buildings?

After the Minnesota Miracle? I doubt it. 

Just beg the Chiefs for Alex Smith , it shouldn't be too hard. 

Jan 23, 2018 3:42:10 GMT UT said:

Jan 23, 2018 3:03:04 GMT Big Pete said:

Do you think the Saints will let Brees walk if we furnish all their houses and buildings?

After the Minnesota Miracle? I doubt it. 

Just beg the Chiefs for Alex Smith , it shouldn't be too hard. 

yeah I would guess the real asking price is two second rounders for a QB who has been to the playoffs five of his last six seasons as a full-time starter.

Jan 23, 2018 12:26:12 GMT mikec said:

Jan 23, 2018 3:42:10 GMT UT said:

After the Minnesota Miracle? I doubt it. 

Just beg the Chiefs for Alex Smith , it shouldn't be too hard. 

yeah I would guess the real asking price is two second rounders for a QB who has been to the playoffs five of his last six seasons as a full-time starter.

It depends on how obvious the Chiefs make the idea they want to go with Maholmes public - I mean I think they want to and so do a lot of people but if they make it too obvious they want to dump Smith teams are going to lowball them and as far as I remember - Smith has a decent sized contract that shouldn't be going to a clipboard holder. 

I think they can hold out and probably get the two second rounders , I think the Vikings would be wise to offer them their late 1st round pick and a conditional 4th rounder that could turn into a higher pick next year. They Vikings don't have a lot of huge holes anyways , and the Chiefs would have to love the idea of recouping a first round pick. 

I mean they gave that up for Bradford , hell even a higher pick - I can't believe they wouldn't the same for Smith is a better quarterback and better for their team in general. 

Oh I think it’s already obvious they’re going to do it. His contract had a year left at 19 million. It’ll be the team’s with no QBs that will give him his price, not the Chiefs desire to hold onto him.

The Kansas City Chiefs have just agreed to trade Alex Smith to the Washington Redskins.

I guess this would presumably mean that the Kirk Cousins era has ended in Washington and the Patrick Mahomes era will begin in KC.

So, who's the favorite to land Cousins now?

I'm glad for Smith that he didn't get stuck on a crappy team like the Browns to finish his career. From the Redskins perspective this seems like a fairly lateral move talent wise, and you'd think they would look to draft someone reasonably high in the next couple of years and use Smith as a placeholder.

Denver makes the most obvious sense to make a play for Cousins - they are a legitimate contender again with a quality QB.

Yeah I’d guess Denver, Jacksonville and Minnesota are the three teams most likely to engage in talks with Cousins and that Denver will be most persuasive.

Excited we found a bidder for Smith. Was starting to hear “well maybe this team will just make a play for Nick Foles” talk and I was getting sad that there was a flood of available QB’s. Also confused about anyone wanting Nick Foles after one good game.

I’m guessing it’s a second rounder and something else based on how often he plays.

The Redskins aren’t going to be any good anyways. It’s probably worse then going to the Browns who have potential upside. The NFC East is too strong for the Redskins to compete. The trade is shocking to me because of the name involved, but honestly does nothing to impact the NFC right now.

Cousins to the Broncos is my pick, too.

Looks like the rumored compensation is a third round pick and an unknown player per ESPN.

Jan 31, 2018 3:37:52 GMT mikec said:

and an unknown player

I'm gonna guess Su'a Cravens.

EDIT: Close - Kendall Fuller had a great season by all accounts so he's a nice addition to that questionable Chiefs secondary.

That's an awesome coup for the Chiefs, Fulmer was one of the best nickel corners in the game last year and is still young and on an affordable deal. 3rd round pick is quality too.

Not sure what DC is thinking with this, Alex Smith is 34 and has maybe 2 good years in him left. Seems like it's delaying the inevitable.

I hope Elway or Arizona can save the Jets from making a giant mistake and giving Cousins a 125 million dollar contract with 80-90 mill guaranteed. Fucking scared shitless, he isn't a guy who single handedly wins you games which is what your paying for with that money. He isn't Stafford or Ryan good who both got mega deals but I know that's how free agency frenzy works.

Cousins to Jets is written in the stars given McCagnan and Bowles are 1 more bad year from being fired and the Jets will be starving for a QB of the future. We have a bunch of Shanahan guys in Bates and Dennison too on offense. It's like I get the theory in getting him, I just don't think he will be close to worth that type of money and I would hate to see so much cap tied to him.

Don't be afraid to swing for the fences and get a QB in the draft guys but then again McCagnan made the utter mistake of making Hackenbust a 2nd round pick which we ALL KNEW was a massive fail so I don't have much confidence he will nail it.

Given I think Bowles and maybe even McCagnan will be gone since the Jets won't get more than 7 wins if we're lucky next year, I'd hate to draft someone, the brain trust gets fired a year after and we force a coach and a team of coordinators onto someone unless they pull a Watson and stud out year 1 which is asking a lot.

I can see the headline in The Washington Post's sports section tomorrow.

"Mr. Smith Goes To Washington"

That's an interesting deal , Washington clearly doesn't even want to begin to work with Cousins and didn't want to get into a bidding war for Smith. Smart play by them if they want to draft a quarterback and still have that bridge in between - Smith is the perfect guy. Though it's probably more of a lateral move but Washington wasn't winning any Super Bowls anytime soon anyway and might as well search for the future of the franchise while still being able to be competitive.

As for Cousins , there are a lot of potential suitors out there. I don't know about Minnesota because of the way their team is constructed and the fact that Cousins might end up breaking the bank. Denver maybe because they could be desperate.

I really want him to go to Cleveland though , I want to know what that roster and some of those players are capable of with a competent quarterback running them. He isn't going to bring them a championship but at the very least he will give them a fair shake at evaluating the rest of the talent on the team and see what they really got. Sign him to a four year , 120 million dollar contract , break the bank and develop some young guys. Go 8-8 in a couple years and build something before you just take another 1st round quarterback that is just as likely to bust as he is to be a superstar.