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Quarterback Questions
There is allot of speculation in regard to
the future of this franchises four (4) quarterbacks but a good deal of it is now
clear.
For one, Sam Bradford is now apart of our history where it is time to move
on. There is no way this franchise can risk the money that he will demand
from this franchise versus having to face a major question mark in regard to his
health. He was the highest paid Viking in our 2017 season & he played
in just 1 game. That account cannot justify a commitment.
Kyle Sloter is under contract but he in fact represents our future. This
Vikings franchise has sported three ex-Ram's quarterbacks in Bradford, Keenum
& Shaun Hill in our never ending effort to resurrect cast offs ... a very
poor profile of futility. Whereas the Ram's have now finally settled
on Geoff as their franchise quarterback & since Bradford was also in
Philadelphia, they have settled on Wentz as their franchise quarterback.
Whereas, our fragile franchise quarterback almost lost his lower leg in an
unfortunate freak accident.
This franchise has to get out of the recycling mode & fast track into
developing their own franchise quarterback. That can now happen if you
have an offensive line that can protect him.
In regard to Teddy, although it would be a mistake to argue about tolling
Teddy's contract of his 4th year salary into his 5th year, it is my belief that
the Vikings should definitely argue that they should have the option of signing
Teddy under the terms of his 5th year of his rookie contract, as he was a round
#1 pick. Teddy should not be a free agent as he only served 4 years of
that rookie deal where he was injured for the better part of 2 of those
years. The purpose of tolling was for the franchise to recoup its position
in the event of an injury. The 5th year option of a first round rookie
contract should not be considered a 1 way street. We paid a kings ransom
for Floyd where he hadn't played a down in almost 2 years. All that money
was guaranteed. The result of Teddy's injury was to force this franchises
hand in regard to having to waive his 5th year option due to his injury.
We certainly were not going to make the same mistake of guaranteeing dead money
like we did with Floyd. Under tolling that 5th year option should be
applied & held in place as an option for this franchise. For the
last two years Teddy lost his opportunity of becoming our franchise quarterback
due to an unfortunate injury but only this franchise should be given the
opportunity of establishing that role for Teddy in his 5th year. Of
course, it still remains to be seen if Teddy can still play on an NFL stage as
there is a major difference between practice & what actually goes down on
that field. As for Teddy, a new environment does not bode well for that
eventuallity so that argument would be in his best interest. It would be
best to offer the amount that he would have been paid & then argue the case
if he chose not to sign it.
The next key question is, should we apply the franchise Tag to Case
Keenum. Well first of all we need to face the fact that he lost two
playoff contests ... not just one. Yes, a miracle did happen but ... then
again. Applying the franchise tag to Case means the most certain departure
to Teddy, even with having him under his 5th year option. The question
remains, is Case our future franchise quarterback. Said another way, is
Case going to bring home that first Super Bowl victory. If the answer is
no, then franchising Case only makes sense if the ultimate plan is to give him
one more chance to win it all proving his franchise status or to displace him
with Kyle Sloter.
According to Case Keenum, he's headed down south to let things play out but he
better have a great deal more control over the process that will ultimately seal
his fate. His agent cares, but not that much ... but what his agent does
care about is the biggest lump in his pocket when case signs the fattest deal he
can get. After the way Case played in Philadelphia, his ultimate reward in
doing so might have been to sign a big fat contract with Pat Shurmur to play
with the Giants to quickly transition away from Eli. Long term, his
playing days will be cut short by the Giants next franchise quarterback. Such is
the life in the big city.
To be direct, Case Keenum is a great deal better than what was displayed in the
playoffs in either Minnesota or in Philadelphia. He's very much a special
player ... much better than he thinks ... but he's certainly not ours. A
true Viking cannot be coerced. A true Viking cannot be bought. A
true Viking cannot be played. There was a time that I had my Voo Doo doll
representing Case, where I wanted him dead as I stabbed away but he played us
all. He played well enough to keep playing in every moment of every game
but he certainly knew how to play the system. Were those picks in
Washington just a mistake or was it in place to ensure the moment for
himself. Always, it worked in his favor. Was he great or was he just
protected very well or well enough to excell. What would a healthy Teddy
have done with such a line ... we'll never know ... and Case's play ensured that
very thing.
It's rather odd that both Keenum & Thielen, based upon looks alone,
could pass as brothers but one thing is for certain. Theilen is a Viking
through & through. Case Keenum although very similar in looks &
allot of characteristics are very similar ... he is not the same. He
must know that it is not his play, or is it his ability ... it is him.
Would I pay him to be our franchise quarterback? No. My guy doesn't
walk away to let an agent decide his fate. My guy doesn't make cheap what
was set before him ... he relishes the role of making it even better ... given
the opportunity. My guy takes the complete responsibility for every
member of that 2017 team as it was me and me alone that let my brothers down.
My guy makes it known that none of that stain goes away until I'm hoisting that
Lombardi for all those that bleed purple. My guy would say ... he dude ...
you're going to have to fire me. My guy is demanding the hammer
in Spielman's office at his earliest possible convenience ... not some time in
the future. My guy has his head coach off his farm in Kentucky & back
in his office. My guy is screaming at the top of his lungs to make it
happen. My guy isn't talking about what's good for Case Keenum, he's
talking about what's best for this team. My guy has a fire under his ass
& he's spreading it around to a bunch of people that just had their asses
handed to them. No, I'm not upset ... I'm livid!
Is that guy Kyle Sloter? Well Case ... you better not let that guy get on
that field because if you do ... it's over.
The Viking Ghost Writer
http://MyVikingBlood.org
Date: January 25, 2018
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