Case Keenum

[Cliff]

Do we all still want Keenum back?

Lol exactly And you know for a fact some fans were wishing he showed up the bears tonight just to prove a point...yeah not gonna happen. “He plays well when the pressure is on though”......

Show of hands if you think Cousins will do significantly better against the Bears. Or are we thinking GB has a better defense than Chicago?

Remember - many of us that wish we had gone with Keenum over Cousins didn't want that because Keenum is so awesome. It was because we view as being on the same level for much cheaper - and just came off a 13-3 season wherein he showed excellent chemistry with the team.

I was wishing he showed up because I like him. He was fun to watch, brought zero drama, and was a class act.

[CharVike]

I was wishing he showed up the Bears tonight.

But that's because I want the Bears to lose.

Their defense sure looks every bit as good as advertised tonight. Our defense looks fundamentally solid when we are clicking. When they are clicking, they look less fundamentally solid, but more absolutely, positively soul crushing.

There D is better than ours. They create TOs also. Mack is a monster. This great leader Case is fumbling the ball all over the place. Plus I thought he was so great at avoiding the rush. One guy gets him and stripes him. One guy? So far this great leader is 0-3. That's not a great leader. That's why we said see ya. Now some might start to understand. Yes he's cheap and there's a reason for that. Mack will destroy Cousins also. I don't know how we will block that guy. He'll blow the whole thing up. Hopefully we get back to the 10 attempts otherwise it won't be pretty. Most importantly our D needs to step up big time. This is there game to win.

[Fat Stupid Loser]

I was wishing he showed up the Bears tonight.

But that's because I want the Bears to lose.

Their defense sure looks every bit as good as advertised tonight. Our defense looks fundamentally solid when we are clicking. When they are clicking, they look less fundamentally solid, but more absolutely, positively soul crushing.

Next week won't be good. The Vikes O line is on par with the Skins.

[Alaskan]

Their defense sure looks every bit as good as advertised tonight. Our defense looks fundamentally solid when we are clicking. When they are clicking, they look less fundamentally solid, but more absolutely, positively soul crushing.

Next week won't be good. The Vikes O line is on par with the Skins.

I disagree. The vikes lead the league in rushing. The o line has been a big part of that. It’s nowhere near as bad as the skins.

[CharVike]

Next week won't be good. The Vikes O line is on par with the Skins.

I disagree. The vikes lead the league in rushing. The o line has been a big part of that. It’s nowhere near as bad as the skins.

That's why we need to use our strength. That's running the football. We have a two headed monster. Your correct our OL can run block. Pass block forget it. That is when it will be ugly. The heat will be way too much regardless of what some think. Then the mistakes happen. This idiot OC better realize this and pound the ball all day long. Forget the highlight BS. We need to try and win this game badly. That means using your strength. Pound the ball and eat the clock up. Plus play some D against this joke offense with limited QB play. That's the only way. Boring but who cares.

[Fat Stupid Loser]

Next week won't be good. The Vikes O line is on par with the Skins.

I disagree. The vikes lead the league in rushing. The o line has been a big part of that. It’s nowhere near as bad as the skins.

I hope, but I see their D line devouring our O line. Hope to be surprised by how well we run. If we can run on the Bears, we will win many games.

[VikingLord]

I hope, but I see their D line devouring our O line. Hope to be surprised by how well we run. If we can run on the Bears, we will win many games.
[/quote]

"Devouring" might be a bit strong. It's a much different (and, IMHO, better) OL this year. The Bear defensive front 7 are very good, but I don't think they are as good as that word implies, nor are the Vikings that weak up front.

The other factor that could come into play is fatigue. First, if the Bear offense can't sustain drives and the Vikings can, eventually the Bear defenders are going to wear down. It happened to some degree against the Redskins. If the Vikings sustain drives, especially if they sustain them rushing, even the mighty Bear defenders will wear down. A smaller, but potentially significant, factor is the shorter week for the Bears. The Vikings last played mid-day Sunday, while the Bears last played a day and a half later. That is less rest, and while it's not a huge difference, it still could show up in the game.

The key is going to be can the Vikings sustain drives on the ground, especially early?

[CharVike]

I disagree. The vikes lead the league in rushing. The o line has been a big part of that. It’s nowhere near as bad as the skins.

I hope, but I see their D line devouring our O line. Hope to be surprised by how well we run. If we can run on the Bears, we will win many games.

We have no other choice. That's our game and we have been working on it for some time now. But your correct in the fact that the Bears DL is very good and could devour our OL.If that happens we can't pass either. Plus with passing the chance for mistakes increase dramatically. So we are beat at that point.

[fiestavike]

I disagree. The vikes lead the league in rushing. The o line has been a big part of that. It’s nowhere near as bad as the skins.

I hope, but I see their D line devouring our O line. Hope to be surprised by how well we run. If we can run on the Bears, we will win many games.

If Akeem Hicks is out, that's going to make a huge difference. The Vikings chances of winning go up at least 10 percent just with Hicks being out.

[Alaskan]

I hope, but I see their D line devouring our O line. Hope to be surprised by how well we run. If we can run on the Bears, we will win many games.

If Akeem Hicks is out, that's going to make a huge difference. The Vikings chances of winning go up at least 10 percent just with Hicks being out.

Do you feel Hicks is more important than Mack to slowing down the Vikings running attack? If so do you mind elaborating? Don’t mean any offense, just interested on your take. I have seen a few of your other post mentioning the interior of there line and am just curious.

I see Mack as the reason this defense is what it is. Don’t get me wrong, they have some quality players, Hicks being one, but Mack requires so much attention from and offense. It starts with game planning how to slow him down and it continues when the game plan blows up in game. It’s easy to totally over look other aspect of there defense because of his presence. He is an absolute nightmare. Honestly one of the best this generation will ever see. The real weakness I see with this defense this year, is there coordinator, chuck Pagano.

[CharVike]

If Akeem Hicks is out, that's going to make a huge difference. The Vikings chances of winning go up at least 10 percent just with Hicks being out.

Do you feel Hicks is more important than Mack to slowing down the Vikings running attack? If so do you mind elaborating? Don’t mean any offense, just interested on your take. I have seen a few of your other post mentioning the interior of there line and am just curious.

I see Mack as the reason this defense is what it is. Don’t get me wrong, they have some quality players, Hicks being one, but Mack requires so much attention from and offense. It starts with game planning how to slow him down and it continues when the game plan blows up in game. It’s easy to totally over look other aspect of there defense because of his presence. He is an absolute nightmare. Honestly one of the best this generation will ever see. The real weakness I see with this defense this year, is there coordinator, chuck Pagano.

Take Mack off that defense and they become middle of the road. Mack is impressive and you need to keep bodies on him. Not one but multiple guys. Otherwise say good night. We all know our interior line blows but our tackles better get ready. There hands will be full. That's why this idiot OC we have needs to stick with what we do best. Bang the ball. If he decides to become a passing team this week we will get crushed. I can see it now. Cousins back under heavy pressure look out for Mack... Fumble Bears ball. That's what will happen. People will say throw it short. Do people think the Bears are that stupid. They will crowd the LOS. We have two very good WRs but we don't have a guy that can blow the top off. The lid will be shut. They can bring guys up and they will. That's why we need to pound the ball all day. Wear them out. Let the know we are coming. With that OC idiot he will throw on the first play and Mack will destroy Reiff or whatever his name is and bye bye football at that point. Bears ball or they will score a TD. Here's what I would do. Use 1 WR no FB and just pound it. Bring in an extra OL for the FB. Don't stop. Wear the clock out and pound. Make them sorry we ever showed up.

[halfgiz]

I look for the Bears to stack the box to stop the run. Which will put it on Cousins shoulders to win this game. Penalties is also going to be a big deal. We need to play a clean game on both sides of the ball. Those 3rd down penalties kill us.

[VikingLord]

Take Mack off that defense and they become middle of the road. Mack is impressive and you need to keep bodies on him. Not one but multiple guys. Otherwise say good night. We all know our interior line blows but our tackles better get ready. There hands will be full. That's why this idiot OC we have needs to stick with what we do best. Bang the ball. If he decides to become a passing team this week we will get crushed. I can see it now. Cousins back under heavy pressure look out for Mack... Fumble Bears ball. That's what will happen. People will say throw it short. Do people think the Bears are that stupid. They will crowd the LOS. We have two very good WRs but we don't have a guy that can blow the top off. The lid will be shut. They can bring guys up and they will. That's why we need to pound the ball all day. Wear them out. Let the know we are coming. With that OC idiot he will throw on the first play and Mack will destroy Reiff or whatever his name is and bye bye football at that point. Bears ball or they will score a TD. Here's what I would do. Use 1 WR no FB and just pound it. Bring in an extra OL for the FB. Don't stop. Wear the clock out and pound. Make them sorry we ever showed up.

I agree with your take on the Bears' defensive strategy. Packers used a high-pressure crowded front a lot and it seemed to work, at least better than what the Falcons and the Raiders managed. Plus, that is what the Bears defense is designed to do.

But I disagree on a couple of other things, starting with the Vikings OC. Not sure why you're calling him an idiot. For the most part, his playcalling has mirrored a lot of what you're recommending the Vikings do. Maybe not the "heavy" formation with a single WR, but in terms of run-pass percentage, it's been heavy run, especially on first down. Lots of play action as well when the Vikings do pass, and I think the play selection overall has been balanced and unpredictable. In short, while Stefanski might not be a genius, I don't think the playcalling has been that bad, certainly not bad enough to call him an idiot.

Second thing I disagree on is the ability to get deep over the top. I agree that the Vikings don't have burners at WR, but both Thielen and Diggs have shown an ability to get deep. Further, I think Irv Smith can too. In fact, I think Smith's ability to get deep is the most under-utilized part of the Vikings offense so far. Smith can run. Maybe he can't necessarily outrun NFL defensive backs, but if the Vikings can create matchups where Smith has a LB on him, I'd say chuck it deep and see if he can go get it.

The biggest challenge going deep against the Bears is going to be time to let the routes develop, especially if the Bears are going all in and coming after Cousins. But having an effective run threat should temper that a bit, as should fatigue if the Vikings keep drives going and can tire the Bears out a bit later in the game. Last year, the Vikings offense couldn't stay on the field and the Bear defense never got tired. If the Vikings can run it and keep them on the field with some nice, long drives, especially if the Vikings defense can get the Bear offense off the field quickly, that will greatly favor the Vikings as the game wears on.

So yeah, if the Vikings fall behind early like they did against the Packers or can't sustain drives (either running or passing) early, that will play into the Bears' hands. I think the core approach that has been so successful for the Vikings will continue - heavy dose of run sprinkled with play action passes to the short and medium portions of the field. Avoid killer mistakes and the Vikings should have a great chance of winning provided the defense and special teams do their parts. I don't think any drastic change in approach is necessary against the Bears defense. Solid execution will be, though, at least if the Vikings hope to win comfortably as they have against some lesser opponents.

[YikesVikes]

Do we all still want Keenum back?

Yes. It’s silly to compare how he played on a skins team that has a lot of problems to how he would play for us. You guys are smarter than that.

1. No established WRs. This includes their rookie portage.

2. Best passing option with a concussion.

3. LT is home. How would Cousin look with Kline out and Reiff our vs. the Bears?

4. Predictable Running game.

All in all, you guys will use this as proof that Keenum is a poor Qb but I honestly don’t know a Qb that could excel in that situation.

[The negotiator]

I disagree. The vikes lead the league in rushing. The o line has been a big part of that. It’s nowhere near as bad as the skins.

I hope, but I see their D line devouring our O line. Hope to be surprised by how well we run. If we can run on the Bears, we will win many games.

I agree with you FSL. They are going to stack the box hoping we are stubborn enough to keep pounding the rock. Then we are 3rd and long and in predictable passing situations. We have to run it but we better have some creative play calling mixed in to keep them guessing. I’m worried about our left side even if we double Mack. Our Oline is not better than the skins. We have to sustain drives to wear them down. I noticed their pass rush was not as dominant in the second half. If we abandon the run, we are in trouble. But my hope is Kubiak really injects himself in the play calling. True test for this team. Weather could be a factor also.