Had no idea Musgrave was a quarterback in the league as late as 1996.
Granted, I was only 11 years old and didn't follow backups like that when I was a kid, but still...Saw this as I'm going back and looking at all the places he coached trying to figure out what made him so appealing. He definitely has jumped from team to team. That stands out right away. Usually that's a bad look to future employers.
Pro sports and their good 'ol boy coaching networks. smh...
Webbfann wrote:
Even Ponder could have been better without Musgrave. Not a lot better, but better. I always felt bad for the schmuck when Musgrave would give him 3rd down plays that couldn't succeed. But my sympathy was short lived when he'd turn around and do something that showed he had no business out there.
No I'm 100% convinced it's Ponder, complete absence of gridiron vision. How can we even know that Musgrave had 3rd and checkdown called, Ponder bailed out of real and imaginary rushers and had to improvise. Ultimately having to just get rid of the ball, typically late on a covered WR. And again, late in the season did the offense not look better and actually succeed somewhat? My eyes tell me it did, and they were competitive as well. We might be in a chicken or the egg debate, but it is a question that will never truely be answered. But imo Ponder was the weakest link, he looked like a HS QB out there a lot of the time, running scared like the game never slowed down for him.
PurpleHalo wrote:
No I'm 100% convinced it's Ponder, complete absence of gridiron vision. How can we even know that Musgrave had 3rd and checkdown called, Ponder bailed out of real and imaginary rushers and had to improvise. Ultimately having to just get rid of the ball, typically late on a covered WR. And again, late in the season did the offense not look better and actually succeed somewhat? My eyes tell me it did, and they were competitive as well. We might be in a chicken or the egg debate, but it is a question that will never truely be answered. But imo Ponder was the weakest link, he looked like a HS QB out there a lot of the time, running scared like the game never slowed down for him.
Yes the O did look better later in the season with Cassel at the helm and Musgrave's jjob on the line and us eliminated from the playoffs, but we still saw those trademark short throws on third and long. That tells me its Musgrave, not Ponder. No argument that Ponder was still the weakest link on the field, and he would only be slightly better with better play calling.
So as to not create yet another thread… Mark Craig is already analyzing Norv Turner as OC.
Rich Gannon, who played under Turner at Oakland, had this to say:
“Norv’s an innovative guy who knows how to get the ball into the right hands,” Gannon said. “He runs the ball, but his system features the vertical passing game. He’s going to attack safeties and throw the ball down the field.”
Gannon said he believes the Vikings job is an attractive one for Turner, with one significant caveat, of course.
“They got a great running back and a pretty solid offensive line that maybe underperformed a little bit this year,” Gannon said. “You have a couple decent receivers. This [Cordarrelle] Patterson kid looks like he’s going to be a player.
“If you’re Norv, you say to yourself, ‘If we get the quarterback situation addressed, this thing could work here. You could get this thing turned around pretty quick.’ ”
I do think that Musgrave was better than he was given credit for, a lot of this team's problems have been because, simply, we haven't had a franchise QB. I think Turner would definitely be an upgrade for the direction I think this team is going in, since the air raid system would be absolutely perfect for someone like Josh Freeman.
Eli wrote:I think he'll be different. Upgrade, downgrade or sideways move? Who knows. I expect the team to have a completely different personality next year, but whether or not they'll be any better is anyone's guess.
Exactly. While I'm excited to see a new look Vikings team, there is no way to foresee the outcome.
Mothman wrote:Didn't Zimmer say something today about wanting to put the whole staff together and announce them at once?
Maybe it's not quite Turner's job yet.
Yes, Zimmer seemed to be leaning in that direction. He mentioned several times that he just got his own job with the Vikings and that he wanted to scrutinize the coaching staff positions before deciding about any changes. In my view, Zimmer should take his time and choose wisely.
Bill, Brian, or Ted Musgrave wasn't the reason the Vikings had the worst passing defense in the league. I really didn't care for his offensive scheme, preferring a more vertical game, but his hands were tied with Ponder not being of strong arm. Norv Turner is known for his downfield scheme, having a few QB's that could make those deep throws. He used Jason Campbell to make Josh Gordon a "known" beast. And the TE. Now the question is, can the Vikings find that QB? Whether on the roster, in the draft, or through FA?
Turner is also known for riding his main horse. Peterson might make another run at Dickerson's record. The Vikings will be more dangerous and with the defense being 10 times better sooner than later, the sky is the limit.
Don't hate on my Buckeyes. Some of the best Vikings went to Ohio State.
Including now, HOF WR #80 Cris Carter
It's an upgrade, but Musgrave probably wasn't as bad as he was made out to be. The offense was okay, even with Ponder and Cassel at QB. If we had an anywhere close to average defense, we would have been fighting for a playoff spot despite having one of the worst qb situations in the league.
My only problem with Norv Turner is that he can get a little to pass happy. Haven't seen him have a good running attack since emmit smith. But STILL an upgrade over "run-run-pass" Musgrave.
Vikings offense will be the goods next year, boys. They still need a long-term option at QB, but even for a year, Cassel should suffice.
Jennings, Patterson, Wright, AP and Rudolph. That's a damn good group, fellas. I feel if the defense can hold their end of the bargain, then the Vikings should be competitive.
