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Worm Guts wrote:Jefferson seems a lot like Diggs to me, and it's very impressive the way he's able to step right in and replace his production as a a rookie.

I know some may laugh at this, but he reminds me of a young Antonio Brown. Not physically imposing WRs and if you look at their combine numbers, not bad but not wow numbers either. But man when they get on the field, they're crafty route runners and when they get the ball in their hands, there is another level of agility that they got.

I think this kid is special.

ezra cleveland is out for the cowboys game, and we cut elflein a week or so ago

sounds like either brett jones or oli udoh will get the start. here's hoping we don't have a rough day at the rg position

I have an idea, how bout targeting our young WR stud more than just 5 times.

can't have turnovers, defense could have been better as well

thielen on the covid list...

Duke4life831 wrote:I have an idea, how bout targeting our young WR stud more than just 5 times.

That would upset the imbalance that exists towards running game. Can't have that. Would rather lose a season. Besides, if Cook doesn't get his touches the whole team collapses. This is all they practice.

sounds like no thielen, so the good news is more jefferson but the bad news is they are likely to double him all the time because we don't have any other decent receivers

I can’t believe they pulled that out. They need Cleveland back so hopefully they can cut out those Cousins fumbles.

did everything we could to lose that and still pulled out the win. hopefully dalvin is ok

still in the playoff hunt!

Dalvin fumble
Cousin fumble
was it Beebe droppnig another?

Trying to give it away. But good ol'One TD Teddy kept Carolina in check for Vikings.

Still, anyone kind of surprised to see Teddy doing what he has this season?

Duke4life831 wrote:I have an idea, how bout targeting our young WR stud more than just 5 times.

They might have heard your call. 7 targets to the new stud this time anyway. And another 7 to like 3 more receivers.

Where did the passing game come from and the running game go? Just a Cook injury caused this? Or did they aptly gameplan for a weak passing defense in Carolina for once? Too far out of character.

It’s a combination of Theilen being out and falling behind. I think teams are starting to focus on Cook too. I think we’ll always feed Cook as much as it’s feasible though.

Jedzz wrote:

Duke4life831 wrote:I have an idea, how bout targeting our young WR stud more than just 5 times.

They might have heard your call. 7 targets to the new stud this time anyway. And another 7 to like 3 more receivers.

Where did the passing game come from and the running game go? Just a Cook injury caused this? Or did they aptly gameplan for a weak passing defense in Carolina for once? Too far out of character.

He actually had 13 targets (7 completions). Both Thielen and Jefferson should be getting 8-10 targets a game minimum.

The thing is I completely understand wanting to feed Cook, in my opinion, he is the best RB in the game and our OL is damn good at creating running gaps.

But the thing is though, we are paying Cousins big money for a reason and we have elite weapons on the outside and a reliable weapon in Rudolph. And the OL is coming around when it comes to pass protection as well.

My biggest issue with the offense is how predictable it is. We always start out with a very conservative offensive gameplan, we seem to run on 1st down like 80% of the time. For the first half, we tend to only throw on super predictable situations. How many times has Kirk barely had 100 yards passing in the 1st half, look like he's struggling because he has no opportunity to get into a rhythm. Then come late 3rd and 4th, we get into a more pass-heavy offense because we tend to get in shootouts and Cousins gets into a rhythm and looks damn good.

It just seems like we go into every game with the thought process of, Cook is our only weapon on offense. Then we get into a shootout and its like we remember we have studs on the outside and a high priced QB. Im not the biggest Cousins fan, but hard for QBs to get into a rhythm with how we call plays. I just think this offense would be close to elite if we had a more diverse offensive strategy to open up games instead of waiting for us to get into shootouts. Plus I think it would make Cook's life easier as well.

Duke4life831 wrote:

Jedzz wrote:

Duke4life831 wrote:I have an idea, how bout targeting our young WR stud more than just 5 times.

They might have heard your call. 7 targets to the new stud this time anyway. And another 7 to like 3 more receivers.

Where did the passing game come from and the running game go? Just a Cook injury caused this? Or did they aptly gameplan for a weak passing defense in Carolina for once? Too far out of character.

He actually had 13 targets (7 completions). Both Thielen and Jefferson should be getting 8-10 targets a game minimum.

The thing is I completely understand wanting to feed Cook, in my opinion, he is the best RB in the game and our OL is damn good at creating running gaps.

But the thing is though, we are paying Cousins big money for a reason and we have elite weapons on the outside and a reliable weapon in Rudolph. And the OL is coming around when it comes to pass protection as well.

My biggest issue with the offense is how predictable it is. We always start out with a very conservative offensive gameplan, we seem to run on 1st down like 80% of the time. For the first half, we tend to only throw on super predictable situations. How many times has Kirk barely had 100 yards passing in the 1st half, look like he's struggling because he has no opportunity to get into a rhythm. Then come late 3rd and 4th, we get into a more pass-heavy offense because we tend to get in shootouts and Cousins gets into a rhythm and looks damn good.

It just seems like we go into every game with the thought process of, Cook is our only weapon on offense. Then we get into a shootout and its like we remember we have studs on the outside and a high priced QB. Im not the biggest Cousins fan, but hard for QBs to get into a rhythm with how we call plays. I just think this offense would be close to elite if we had a more diverse offensive strategy to open up games instead of waiting for us to get into shootouts. Plus I think it would make Cook's life easier as well.

Agree with every word.

The next game should be interesting. Cook's ankle taped up so he can run for 300 yards against Jags to make sure we didn't forget about the running importance. They play Jags right?

Kirk did give up a strip sack TD. The turnovers have always been the reason for the more conservative offense.

Worm Guts wrote:Kirk did give up a strip sack TD. The turnovers have always been the reason for the more conservative offense.

And Cook fumbled again! Fumbleitus! He's Peterson all over again, save us!

The bunghole constricting at the first sign of a passing game turnover has 100% been an earmark of the the Zimmer/Rick era. They locked this team down after those more than I've ever seen a team in football. The reactionary games directly after a QB turnover is almost always astonishing. Couple that with a receiver turnover and it's nightmare on elmstreet time. So if you have Cook in FF and he's healthy enough to play get ready for nearing 300 yards from scrimmage again.

I am developing an irrational hatred for Kris Boyd.

initially had all the makings of the vikings lay an egg game (which we've already have this year), but they turned it around and somehow pulled it out. could have been easier (three missed kicks, fumble inside the opponents 5, and a pick six) but i'll take the win. we're in the playoff hunt - somehow!

hopefully they realize that throwing the ball down the field to thielen and jefferson opens things up for cook

and they do it earlier in the game

Probably the most miserable back-to-back wins I’ve ever seen.