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Win-Win
There are key statements within Coach Mike
Zimmer's words & his tone. One statement is in reference to "The
PLAN" & the other is in the statement "When Teddy is ready ... he
will play".
In regard to "The Plan", Mike Zimmer now realizes that he overlooked
an opportunity of inserting Kyle Sloter under center when we had a substantial
lead very early in the season against the Tampa Bay Buc's but at the time ...
really ... we were all swimming in elation overlooking "The
Plan". In this instance, we would have had a better idea of what we
had having Sloter face NFL competition with a cushion. Always keep in mind
that "The Plan" is in reference of executing the future so that we can
act ... rather than having to react.
The funny thing about this pending
discussion in regard to Teddy versus Case is that none of it will not come down
to some poll. Like the poll that now gets you into the college football
dance. In other words, it won't come down to what anyone might think.
What truly matters in this situation comes down to what Coach Mike Zimmer thinks
& what will be the best decision for this franchise.
As of opening
day 2017, Case Keenum was guaranteed payment on his $2 million contract which
was originally based on watching Sam Bradford production from the bench.
That didn't happen. There is nothing else at the end of Case's rainbow
except that he now knows that he's now due some enormous payment for his 2017
production ... which will come in the form of the franchise tag ... ala Cousins
... or a long term deal with some other franchise, or a long term deal with this
franchise. Of course the elephant in the room is that the latter will not
occur without a complete investigation into Teddy's ability to continue his
career at a high level ... which we are about to find out sooner rather than
later.
What makes this all interesting is that if Sam Bradford is out of this
franchises future picture as being too risky a proposition for a long term deal,
the Franchise Tag could be applied to Case leaving the rather low cost tolling
option available for Teddy, if his knee needs more time to strengthen.
It's almost certain that Teddy was told that his tolling option would not be
picked up if he agreed to accept the 6 week 2017 PUP list however that tolling
option is actually there for his benefit ... to keep him in football with a
solid franchise that supports him & allow his knee the chance of becoming
football ready in the time that he needs. What most don't realize is that
if Teddy's knee is not actually ready for the challenge yet, the Vikings could
toll Teddy's 4th year of his rookie contract into his 5th year and then pick up
his 5th year option as he was drafted in the first round & apply it to his
6th year. In other words, Teddy would get his security in being able to
see that lucrative 5th year rather than have his career trashed being cast
adrift on a lesser team that really doesn't care to protect his interests
(either you can play or you're going to be fed to the Lions). Of
course this is all mute if Teddy's ready to roll by tearing up the
league.
At this juncture, it is clear everyone outside of this franchise wants Coach
Mike Zimmer to ride the hot hand but there is a definite problem with not taking
action. This action was revealed in Coach Zimmer's statement that he would
make a decision on the starting quarterback on Wednesday also announcing that he
already made his decision. You see, in regard to "The Plan",
with a big lead playing the Redskins on Sunday, the coach could have put Teddy
behind center to get his feet wet but two back to back interceptions thrashed
that thought to hell. It's firmly believed that in that moment Coach Mike
Zimmer's hand was forced.
Now Coach Mike Zimmer is being goaded in every possible direction ... to stay
with the hot hand & to not upset the boat, which is exactly the wrong
decision. Let's not forget that there are many more Cowboy's, Steeler's,
Patriot's & Packer's fans than there will ever be on the deck of that lonely
Viking ship. Said another way, there are 31 other franchises that want
this Viking ship to sink. So now, it's in Mike Zimmer's interest to find a
win-win for everyone involved.
So let's look at it from a practical sense.
If Case was to sit the bench the remainder of the year, he'd be a hero because
he had a remarkable season running a remarkable team where the reins would be
pulled from his hands ... of no fault of his own. Economically he'd be
looking at a 1 year Franchise Tag or some sort of long term deal if he became a
free agent. Case would also be one of the most respected athletes that
walked that locker room & probably the most beloved. In short Case
wins regardless of weather Teddy succeeds or falters.
If Teddy Starts this Sunday he'll do one or more of three things, as his
destiny, and each will be a win-win for Teddy:
 | In Option 1, Teddy will get the
opportunity to tear up the league ... like Randy Moss once said & be the
greatest human interest story of the 2017 NFL season. |
| In Option 2, Teddy will have his
fragile knee torn up where he will then have to retire from football
forever. How could this possibly be a win-win situation for
Teddy? Well, of course nobody wants to see this. Be
certain that Teddy won't want to endure this but at some point in his life
he had to answer this question. Would you be willing to endure another
knee injury & possibly the loss of your leg at the chance of having
another chance to lead this team at quarterback? Last Sunday, you got
to see the answer to that question. You also might note that Sam
Bradford did it twice too before Teddy so it's out there. In Teddy's
ledger, not having that opportunity just might be worse than having to face
a thousand deaths. Would you rather jump on that hand grenade or live
with the wrong woman for most of your adult life? |
| In Option 3, Teddy is
in then out. He will clearly need more time to build his kneed back to
an NFL caliber knee where he tolls & gets that 5th year option as a
minimum. |
So what
decision might be a lose-lose decision for Coach Mike Zimmer. Without
security for Case Keenum a bird-in-the-hand might be better than two in the
bush. Everybody loses if Case has to be the next Brett Favre or Blair
Walsh. Sure Case just may have had a bad quarter but if he's willing to do
this to keep Teddy off the field then he might be able to do something much more
significant at the worst possible moment.
For Case, if Option 2 or 3 happens, everything changes as a long term option
with this franchise becomes apparent. It's really odd in that for Case
Keenum to win he really does have to be Teddy's greatest fan as Teddy is going
to make his family much more secure in his future.
In Zimmer's words there lies an unspoken commitment. You see he had to
look into Teddy's eyes. It may have been when Teddy was lying on that
field. It may have been in the hospital or in the locker room. No
words may have ever been uttered where all there was was body language & eye
contact but on every occasion there was a reaffirmation of that commitment which
goes something like this ... when you're ready, you will play.
Yes, I carefully watched Teddy practice on that field this past Sunday.
What I saw was a man that could drop long-distant-dimes in stride. Oh
yeah! He's ready. His knee ...... ????
The Viking Ghost Writer
http://MyVikingBlood.org
Date: November 14, 2017
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