SB Nation User Blog: footballninja

Fred Evans and Jeff Garcia

footballninja — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:06:30 -0000

Just read two Vikings related stories over at profootballtalk.com that I thought some of you may be interested in.

First, "Defensive tackle Fred Evans, a restricted free agent tendered at the second-round level by the Vikings, has accepted the one-year, $1.545 million contract"

I believe this is a great signing. Especially with possible suspensions to the Williams'. Even if they don't get suspended I think its a good signing because from what I have seen of Evans he has potential to become a pretty damn good player. Time will tell.

Second, for those of you who still hate our QB situation and were hoping that Mr. Jeff Garcia could possibly still enter into the picture... It would appear that will not happen, for according to PFT.com, he is the newest member of the Oakland Raiders.

That is all.

Vikes the first to go after Cutler?

footballninja — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:16:44 -0000

Well, I figured there hasn't been a post about Cutler in the last couple of posts...so...

From Yahoo Sports:

"Before Tampa was involved in a potential three-way trade for Cutler, Minnesota was actually the first team to become engaged in talks for the quarterback. McDaniels acknowledged Tuesday that another team had inquired about Cutler prior to Tampa Bay’s interest, but he declined to name that team. A personnel source confirmed it was the Vikings. According to two league sources, the Vikings would have shipped draft picks to Denver for Cutler, and Denver would have turned around and sent picks to New England for Cassel. However, the deal fell apart early on, after some elements in the Minnesota coaching staff weren’t entirely sold on Cutler."

Interesting...

Risk Vs. Reward

footballninja — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:26:27 -0000

Ok, so far everything that I have read since Matt Cassel was franchised has been about the risk of the Vikings making a serious move towards acquiring the services of Mr. Cassel.

First, you are all correct. Matt Cassel did take over, arguably, one of the best offenses of all time. With Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and a grade A offensive line. And was given game plans by the best coaching staff in the NFL.

Yes, his success could be in large part due to the situation by which he was thrust into.

Yes, the Vikings would have to compensate the patriots heavily, not 2 first rounders heavily, but heavily, to be able to *pry* Cassel away. (Side note: I believe Tom Brady to be on his way to a full recovery and hence the reasoning for the franchise is to make sure that the Pats can get full value for losing him, not so that they can ensure they can keep him.)

Yes, the Vikings would have to give Cassel a hefty multi-year contract.

Yes, there is no way of knowing for certain that Cassel can play at a high level outside of the Patriots system and personnel.

This all creates a huge risk. Money, time, other players. I think its fair to say, that most of us understand the risk...

...But...

Let us not forget about the potential reward. Matt Cassel could be the next face of quarterbacking in this league. He stepped into a pressure situation, after not truly playing since high school! Since HIGH SCHOOL! Think about that. And he stepped up. He stepped up big time. This could be an opportunity for the Vikings to pick up a true franchise quarterback. He might turn out to be a true superstar. That is a distinct possibility. It is. For real. It is.

So you have to ask yourself: How often does a possibility like this arise?

*cue Jeopardy music*

...Well.... Ummm... The draft? HA! Roll the dice three times on a top 5 pick and you would be lucky to get one QB who can step in his first 16 games and perform half as well as Cassel, even if you gave him that offensive talent...Seriously. You guys are gonna tell me that TJack coulda done that? HA! You're blinded by your own bias and hopes.

...Ok....How about free agency? Ummm... I can't really remember any QB off the top of my head that has hit free agency with this kind of upside...None... Maybe some at the bottom end of their career...but not young ones.

...Well... On other teams through a trade? Yes. Once in a while. Which is the situation we are looking at right now.

So, the question is, should the Vikings take a shot? Its a risk but there is certainly a potential reward. A huge reward. A reward that can thrust an entire organization towards greatness.

My guess is that the Vikes front office studies every bit of tape they have on this guy, every piece of information, puts together the puzzle, and tries to figure out exactly what their risk tolerance is. My guess is they will make an attempt at him. They will find the price they are willing to pay, and if they can snatch him for that they will, if they can't....Enter Jeff Garcia?...

And a little more...
For those of you who think I am giving Cassel too much credit... Remember, also, that he has learned from Tom Brady, Belichick, and the rest of his staff. This is a good thing. Kind of takes away the need for Chilly to try and coach some fundamentals of being a NFL QB, because he has already been coached them. And keep in mind, unlike Derek Anderson, most QB's get better with experience and a year under their belt. I mean, Cassel could just be at the beginning of a huge upward swing (I suppose thats the whole message of this post...). ALSO, if you listen to the *ahem* experts on espn you will hear all the time that QB'ing in the NFL is about alot of things, but when you break down all the Great QB's throughout the NFL they have one thing in common... The intangibles. The things that can't really be taught. They show up differently in every QB... Well, I ask you, do you think, getting thrust into a starting role on the first day of a season for the super bowl favorite, replacing one of the best QB's of all time, after not starting a game since high school, and throwing almost 3700 yards and 20+ TDs and leading your team to an 11-5 record qualifies as having something special? Some intangible skill set, ability, or mentality? I certainly believe it says something.

To me it says, potential. I say its worth a risk. A contract and some draft picks, risk. Double down, Roll the dice. Hope we roll the 7... If we hit, oh how nice it will be. If we miss, it will hurt. But, when all is said and done...its simply risk vs. reward.

Not gonna happen, but...

footballninja — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:20:33 -0000

Super bowl ninja formula.

Fire Ferraro, I'm sure there is someone out there that the Wilf's could find to do a better job than this guy, seriously.

...Plus...

Fire Bevell, not sure if all of the offensive woes are to be placed at his feet, but, maybe some of them, plus I have the perfect replacement....

...Plus...

Demote Brad Childress to OC. Keep the continuity and familiarity. (I know this is not really realistic...but I do not care.)

...Plus...

Promote Mr. Frazier. I was skeptical of Frazier at first and thought that he was just riding the success that Mike Tomlin put in place...but... this season...First, he lost M. Williams for the first X amount of games, but kept the D going by filling in with a rookie. Then he lost his all pro monster middle linebacker, and picked up an unemployed NFL linebacker to take one of the most important spots on the defense. Kept the D in elite status. His veteran free safety seemed to lose a step midway through the season, the D remained strong. Then his D had to cope for weeks with ongoing suspensions to the almighty Williams Wall. Then he lost Phat Pat for the final couple of games. Then he hit the playoffs, minus his starting ML, Pat, and his other starting DE. And the D played phenomenal. He mixed up the game plan, threw in some exotic blitzes, bluffed some exotic blitzes, kept the very dangerous Westbrook in check pretty much the whole game, frustrated the eagles offense holding them to field goals, shutting down the run, and pressuring McNabb all day. One bad play. Late. Maybe because of tiredness... seeing as how the offense wasn't on the field for very long. Anyway, yeah Frazier rocks.

...Plus...

Promote Karl Dunbar to DC. Everyone seems to like this guy. And he is fiery.

...Plus...

Sign Garcia. Pay him. It won't cost a ton, but offer him more than everyone else. He is competent, can throw, can move, can run a NFL offense.

...Plus...

Draft a right tackle.

...Plus...

Convince Birk to stick around for another year....probably convince via money.

...Equals...

Super Bowl. For real. Super bowl. Trust me.

Not alot of money, not alot of moves. This team is close.

Honestly, I think keeping Frazier for another year and getting ahold of Garcia would put us as one of the top two teams in the NFC, without having to say, "Great team IF <insert a bad QBs name here> can prove he can play..." I'm sick of hearing that crap.

Great Game....BUT....

footballninja — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:51:17 -0000

I don't want to be the one to bring up any negatives because overall the vikings played a very complete game.

BUT...

Can ANYONE give me ONE reason why in the hell we are running AP deep in the 4th quarter with a big lead after watching him come off limping on multiple plays???

Doesn't make much sense to me... Other than that, I actually believe this was a well coached ball game. (I think I just complimented childress....uh...weird)

Oh yeah, and Sapp is a retard.