Texans @ Vikings Game Day Discussion Thread -- Week 5

[SP1966]

Regarding Teddy... Maybe it wasn't all Norv's fault for the offense's struggles the last few seasons? Maybe Teddy isn't right for Norv's system. Bradford is doing better than Teddy ever did, and he has had much less time to not only prepare for the season, but get acclimated to his teammates too.

There is no maybe involved, Teddy is maybe the perfect West Coast style QB, though even they are expected to be accurate on their occasional deep throws. Teddy is an absolutely terrible fit for what Turner wants to do and always has done. The really should have drafted Carr, not Teddy.

[Mothman]

I think it still matters from the stories perspective though, because you don't typically trade for a QB in season and have success.

Sure, it's an typical situation but there's a difference between saying "Mike Zimmer's club marched into Sunday without their starting quarterback" and "Mike Zimmer's club marched into Sunday with their recently-acquired starting quarterback." I see the former take consistently used in a misleading way. It implies they're winning with a backup. Bradford's not an NFL backup.

Can anybody think of another team who did so and had success? Can you think of one that had the QB come in and play like an All-Pro?

I can think of a similar circumstance with the same team. The Vikes didn't trade for Favre but they acquired him less than a month before the season in 2009 and IIRC, he was All-Pro that year.

That's not really my point though. What Bradford and the team have done under the circumstances is impressive. It's part of the story. I'm just saying, it's time to stop proclaiming the Vikes are winning without their starter, as if they're having to overcome the loss of Bridgewater every week with Hill at QB. They're winning without their originally-intended starter but it should be pretty obvious at this point that the net result of the situation has actually been upgrade at QB.

[Mothman]

Every week I keep thinking: "Is this going to be the week where the wheels fall off and I'm forced to wake up from this dream season?" So far, they just keep proving themselves to be unquestionably superior to their opponent and it's very obvious.

Something special is going on this season. We need to enjoy it!

I agree. Who knows how far they'll go but there's definitely something special going on. It's exciting!

[Mothman]

There is no maybe involved, Teddy is maybe the perfect West Coast style QB, though even they are expected to be accurate on their occasional deep throws. Teddy is an absolutely terrible fit for what Turner wants to do and always has done. The really should have drafted Carr, not Teddy.

I agree.

[TSonn]

There is no maybe involved, Teddy is maybe the perfect West Coast style QB, though even they are expected to be accurate on their occasional deep throws. Teddy is an absolutely terrible fit for what Turner wants to do and always has done. The really should have drafted Carr, not Teddy.

I wonder if Carr's character was the concern? It is pretty clear now that he's the better down the field thrower out of the two but Zimmer and Spielman really praise character which might have been why they went with Teddy. In saying all this, I still think Teddy will become a solid starter in this league. Just not with this ceiling of Carr or the immediacy of Bradford.

[Mothman]

I wonder if Carr's character was the concern? It is pretty clear now that he's the better down the field thrower out of the two but Zimmer and Spielman really praise character which might have been why they went with Teddy. In saying all this, I still think Teddy will become a solid starter in this league. Just not with this ceiling of Carr or the immediacy of Bradford.

Carr's character was considered a real positive for him in that draft. For example:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/ ... id=2543499

Desirable intangibles for the position -- advanced maturity, leadership and intelligence. Shows poise and moxie. On-field general who commands the huddle. Passionate about the game and works at his craft.

[SP1966]

In saying all this, I still think Teddy will become a solid starter in this league. Just not with this ceiling of Carr or the immediacy of Bradford.

I agree he'll be a solid starter assuming he's able to come back healthy. In order for a team to succeed with Teddy I think they have to have a very good defense and an offense based around short passing. I don't think Teddy will ever be in the conversation for MVP or among the top QBs in the NFL, but he will be solid in that level one step below if in the right situation.

[PurpleMustReign]

Anyway, Bradford is our starting QB now... so let's let Teddy heal and Oakland keep Carr for now.

[PacificNorseWest]

Thoughts:


Another W...This defense is something else, something special. Last remaining of unbeaten. Lots of good things, but in true coach speak, Vikes got a lot to improve upon. Clemmings looked bad. Vikings gameplan is clear in the passing game...Bradford to get it out quick. Guy took some shots today, but I love his toughness.

And lest I forget...I'm thankful as a Vikings fan for Mike Zimmer. Great coach.

CP84, fellas? I gotta say...I didn't want to question the coaching staff on why he wasn't getting an opportunity because I trust them and the process, but just seeing his explosiveness and want-to, I hope he's a lot more involved in the offense even when Diggs gets back. Charles Johnson can find a seat for all I care...Disappointing, but he offers very little, if anything.

Run game started off ok, but never really got much going. That's another concern...The positive is that I think they're using the combination of McKinnon and Asiata quite well...It's just some execution issues up front that seem to hurt the most. By the way, Fusco getting trucked. :lol Sucks when it's your team, but as a football guy, that's funny. Need to re-watch, but Sirles seems to be promising.

If Harrison grabbed what was suredly a pick 6, then I was ready to pronounce to the world that it's a two man race for DPOY between he and Von. He's still in the running, but I was just ready to exclaim, ya know?...It's not an individual thing with this team, but Harrison proves to be invaluable.

The Gophers are at it again, folks! Sherels and Thielen. Beautiful. And Wright is a professional.

5-0 with a bye week. Rest up, Vikes. Lots to do, lots to do.

[S197]

Bradford was only pressured on 19% of his drop backs. They did a good job of getting the ball out quick to mask the duct tape line.

[J. Kapp 11]

Regarding Teddy... Maybe it wasn't all Norv's fault for the offense's struggles the last few seasons? Maybe Teddy isn't right for Norv's system. Bradford is doing better than Teddy ever did, and he has had much less time to not only prepare for the season, but get acclimated to his teammates too.

Excellent observation.

I've often wondered about Teddy and his fit in Norv's system. The breaks in Norv's routes all happen deeper, which requires the QB to have a strong arm -- not a strength for Teddy. And the entire concept is based on timing -- how many times have we heard the criticism that Teddy tends to hold the ball too long? It's always seemed like sort of an odd fit, like something was constantly off kilter, and Turner has taken a lot of the blame for it.

Now here comes Bradford, who has a phenomenal arm and a great sense of timing, and suddenly Norv looks like a genius again. It's starting to make sense.

With the depth we have at wideout, about the only thing that could stop Sam at this point is the O-line getting him hurt. A very legitimate concern.

[chicagopurple]

Give Norv credit...what running success we were able to create was all due to creative play calling that caused gaps...utterly necessary as the OL is journeyman quality to begin with and now injured and wee lost or RB. He is doing it with smoke and mirrors.

[Crax]

Not that I always agree with PFF, but for those wondering about why Clemmings gets such low ratings
https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-10 ... fl-action/

4. T.J. Clemmings, T, Minnesota Vikings

It didn’t seem like there was much room for the Vikings to get worse at left tackle from Matt Kalil after he went down hurt. Enter T.J. Clemmings, and the complete disproval of that notion. Against the Texans this week Clemmings surrendered two sacks, a penalty and was simply abused by Houston defensive end Jadeveon Clowney at the point of attack in the run game. On runs to either side of Clemmings’ block, Minnesota averaged 1.2 yards per carry, and 0.8 of those came after contact. The Vikings had yet another impressive win, but their offensive line is still an issue.

[TSonn]

Anyone else think that Patterson looked like a young Fitzgerald out there yesterday? I was pleasantly surprised to see CP84 involved in the game so much after the year he had last year and I'd hope this puts the 'he doesn't practice hard' argument to rest!

[IrishViking]

Anyone else think that Patterson looked like a young Fitzgerald out there yesterday? I was pleasantly surprised to see CP84 involved in the game so much after the year he had last year and I'd hope this puts the 'he doesn't practice hard' argument to rest!

Its good to see him on the field. It looks like he has mastered the playbook enough that they are comfortable with him being on the field on almost every down. Looking forward to his contimued contributions