Diggs

[chicagopurple]

Its funny how its always a WR who plays the diva....if that is whats happening. Think about all the diva WRs over the years....almost every team has had a few.

[VikingLord]

Wow, what a strange development if it is true. Diggs didn't exactly have a terrible day against the Bears, nor are the Vikings clearly in trouble overall yet. And while it would be the simplest explanation to think Diggs is upset with Cousins, it's hard to buy that is the sole reason for his discontent. I mean, has Cousins struggled? Sure, but Diggs had a solid year last year with Cousins throwing the ball and while the two are off to a slow start, there doesn't seem to be any reason to think they can't get on the same page soon.

It almost seems like this is something much deeper, a more fundamental disagreement, perhaps in terms of overall philosophy on offense. If the Vikings truly are going to stress the run and short pass this year, Diggs may know that no matter how hard he runs, he's just not going to get that many targets whether Cousins is accurate or inaccurate. He might feel like the change in overall approach turns him into a glorified decoy on most plays. If that is the case I could see him getting upset. Whether he gets so upset he demands a trade is another thing entirely, but sure, if Diggs thinks he's a game-changer and the overall approach on offense now says if he gets a chance to change a game, it will be a few chances at best in any given game, I could see him being unhappy with that.

And while it's easy to blame Diggs or call him a diva or whatever, this could partially fall on the coaches. If they are doing the equivalent of Mike Tice's "Randy Ratio" for run plays and short passes and aren't willing to be more flexible on the approach, they might be creating a situation where players in certain positions might have strong negative reactions.

The only other thing I can possible think might be driving Diggs is the Patriots. Maybe this sounds a bit crazy, but the Pats cut Antonio Brown. By all accounts, Tom Brady wasn't happy about that, and its reasonable to assume he would be happy to get a WR of Diggs caliber in the fold to replace what AB gave him in that offense. If you're Diggs and you spot a potential opportunity to go the Patriots and play with Tom Brady this year, do you try to make that happen? You can go from a team with a lot of question marks that is playing 1970's-style offense to a team that looks primed for another Superbowl run and still be a well-paid star in the process. Doesn't sound like bad deal if you can swing it.

[VikingLord]

As a follow-on to my crazy Patriots conspiracy theory regarding Diggs, if it is true, what can Spielman realistically get in return?

The Raiders cut AB outright IIRC, so they got nothing for him. I'd have to think the Vikings would not do that and would rather hold onto Diggs even if he doesn't play another down than get nothing in return.

So what is a good return assuming Diggs really wants out and the Patriots are really the reason he wants out? What in terms of picks and/or players makes sense in that scenario? The Pats aren't desperate. I'm sure they'd love to add Diggs, but they certainly don't need him. So what is reasonable for them to give up to get him? I'd be shocked if they were willing to give up a first, although their first in this year's upcoming draft isn't likely to be a very high pick. Maybe they give up a conditional choice that depends on Diggs' production and the team's overall success this year. It starts as a 2nd and a 4th, for example, that can become a 1st and a 4th if those targets are reached.

Could they get more than that for him? What do the Vikings really need? How about an OL? Do the Pats have a good player they could afford to lose in exchange for Diggs?

Also, one last aspect of this that I think is relevant. If the Vikings really are a run-first offense, they really don't need 2 star WRs, do they? Sure, it's nice to have 2 guys, but it's not necessary. Green Bay has Adams and a bunch of guys. Chicago just has a bunch of guys. While I like Diggs and I like the idea of having two great receiving options, if the offensive approach overall decreases the importance of the WR position and in the NFL it's really a luxury to have 2 really good WRs, maybe Diggs is more expendable than it would appear at first. Maybe Spielman would be wise to try to leverage this to improve the team in an area or a way that is a more pressing and obvious area of need.

[Dames]

Its funny how its always a WR who plays the diva....if that is whats happening. Think about all the diva WRs over the years....almost every team has had a few.

It's becoming any star now. Lev Bell, Melvin Gordon, Zeke all holding out. Ramsey and Fitzpatrick demanding trades. I hate the way the league is going.

I understand the players positions when it comes to contracts, because owners make a TON of money off those players. But, I don't understand this level of public pouting when it comes to how the teams are playing. Internally, I completely get it. Air your concerns/differences to the team. Help them make it better. Pouting about it or causing problems until the team sends you somewhere else is pathetic to me though.

I guess if I hated my job, I could leave and go somewhere else... but I also don't have a contract where I'm making a ton of money. If i did, I would most certainly make it work. These guys have little understanding how great they have it. Most people would kill to have a job in the NFL. I understanding wanting to win games, but these guys have already won just by having an elite job in the NFL. They need a little perspective. I guess the old man in me just wants them to buck up and honor the contracts they agreed to, and realize how good they have it. Pouting about things NEVER makes it better.

[Dames]

Also, one last aspect of this that I think is relevant. If the Vikings really are a run-first offense, they really don't need 2 star WRs, do they? Sure, it's nice to have 2 guys, but it's not necessary. Green Bay has Adams and a bunch of guys. Chicago just has a bunch of guys. While I like Diggs and I like the idea of having two great receiving options, if the offensive approach overall decreases the importance of the WR position and in the NFL it's really a luxury to have 2 really good WRs, maybe Diggs is more expendable than it would appear at first. Maybe Spielman would be wise to try to leverage this to improve the team in an area or a way that is a more pressing and obvious area of need.

That's a very relevant stance. Diggs is a luxury... this year at least. I would absolutely hate to see him go, but the team would not be dead without him. But, they definitely need to maximize the return or keep him. This is not an AB situation, hopefully never will be, so there is no reason to just dump him for anything you can get. If some team is willing to overpay a bit, then maybe it's worth exploring.
I don't know why they would though. As talented as Diggs is, he really doesn't have the stats to back it up. Last year was his best year, and he barely cracked 1000 yards. I'm not saying he isn't great though. I think he would shine in NE sadly, but I hope we never see it.

[Bowhunting Viking]

Now there is a new article on Pro Football Talk about Zimmers reaction to the Diggs issue. I read the article and then read the reactions ppl post after it.
1 guy said it best.
" Biggest drop in team moral after a loss in history"

[VikingLord]

Now there is a new article on Pro Football Talk about Zimmers reaction to the Diggs issue. I read the article and then read the reactions ppl post after it.
1 guy said it best.
" Biggest drop in team moral after a loss in history"

It did seem like the entire offense was down during that game after the Thielen overthrow. There seemed to be a sense of resignation. I mean, they still played hard, but it almost seemed like nobody believed they could turn it around or win.

That stood in stark contrast to the Bears defenders, where even the backups that were starting seemed supremely confident.

The general impression I had was the Vikings offense didn't belong on the same field as the Bears defense. For an offense with as much talent as the Vikings should have, that has to sting. The Bears are really good defensively. Nobody will dispute that. But as good as they are, they shouldn't have been able to wipe the floor with the Vikings offense like they did.

And this is 3 games running now against the Bears where it's been like this. Has to be really frustrating after a while, especially when the coaches tape shows how much the Vikings left on the field in the passing game.

[CharVike]

He needs to be suspended. Otherwise this gig is up. This team is splitting big time. Close the curtain.

[Dmizzle0]

He needs to be suspended. Otherwise this gig is up. This team is splitting big time. Close the curtain.

........uhhhh, what?

[808vikingsfan]

Watched the pc. What I got out of it is that he's missed practice because he was sick. He said there's some truth to the rumors floating around. Which rumors? That there's speculation that he's frustrated. He did not say there's truth to the rumors about wanting a trade. He made a general statement that there's truth to rumors. Diggs is so respectful in the vid, even to Tomasson . He's always been a team guy. He stated he loves it here in Minnesota. Not sure why so much negativity for a guy who's just frustrated with the performance of this team and wants to win.

My suggestion is watch the whole thing before typing.


https://www.vikings.com/video/stefon-di ... -the-media

[Pondering Her Percy]

Watched the pc. What I got out of it is that he's missed practice because he was sick. He said there's some truth to the rumors floating around. Which rumors? That there's speculation that he's frustrated. He did not say there's truth to the rumors about wanting a trade. He made a general statement that there's truth to rumors. Diggs is so respectful in the vid, even to Tomasson . He's always been a team guy. He stated he loves it here in Minnesota. Not sure why so much negativity for a guy who's just frustrated with the performance of this team and wants to win.

My suggestion is watch the whole thing before typing.


https://www.vikings.com/video/stefon-di ... -the-media

Exactly this is what I said earlier. The media is blowing this up to be more than it is. They’re trying to push and push to see if they can get him to say something that makes a good headline. On most sports outlets right now, it’s says “Diggs on wanting to be traded: There is truth to all rumors”. Uhhh no, that’s not what he said at all, but it makes a good headline for them.

[CharVike]

He needs to be suspended. Otherwise this gig is up. This team is splitting big time. Close the curtain.

........uhhhh, what?

How can a veteran leader skip practice? You don't think that will have an impact. If they do nothing you lose control. If we could get a 1st round pick I would deal him. That could help us draft a QB. But I wouldn't let the guy slide.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Wow, what a strange development if it is true. Diggs didn't exactly have a terrible day against the Bears, nor are the Vikings clearly in trouble overall yet. And while it would be the simplest explanation to think Diggs is upset with Cousins, it's hard to buy that is the sole reason for his discontent. I mean, has Cousins struggled? Sure, but Diggs had a solid year last year with Cousins throwing the ball and while the two are off to a slow start, there doesn't seem to be any reason to think they can't get on the same page soon.

It almost seems like this is something much deeper, a more fundamental disagreement, perhaps in terms of overall philosophy on offense. If the Vikings truly are going to stress the run and short pass this year, Diggs may know that no matter how hard he runs, he's just not going to get that many targets whether Cousins is accurate or inaccurate. He might feel like the change in overall approach turns him into a glorified decoy on most plays. If that is the case I could see him getting upset. Whether he gets so upset he demands a trade is another thing entirely, but sure, if Diggs thinks he's a game-changer and the overall approach on offense now says if he gets a chance to change a game, it will be a few chances at best in any given game, I could see him being unhappy with that.

And while it's easy to blame Diggs or call him a diva or whatever, this could partially fall on the coaches. If they are doing the equivalent of Mike Tice's "Randy Ratio" for run plays and short passes and aren't willing to be more flexible on the approach, they might be creating a situation where players in certain positions might have strong negative reactions.

The only other thing I can possible think might be driving Diggs is the Patriots. Maybe this sounds a bit crazy, but the Pats cut Antonio Brown. By all accounts, Tom Brady wasn't happy about that, and its reasonable to assume he would be happy to get a WR of Diggs caliber in the fold to replace what AB gave him in that offense. If you're Diggs and you spot a potential opportunity to go the Patriots and play with Tom Brady this year, do you try to make that happen? You can go from a team with a lot of question marks that is playing 1970's-style offense to a team that looks primed for another Superbowl run and still be a well-paid star in the process. Doesn't sound like bad deal if you can swing it.

Completely agree that I don’t think the frustration is cousins. I think it’s just usage in this offense. Nobody can tell me Diggs doesn’t trust cousins. Diggs knows he can succeed with cousins. He did last year. So did Thielen. Not only did they succeed but had career years and neither him or Diggs complained last year or had anything against cousins. So they are well aware cousins can get them the ball and do it effectively. I think they are more ticked about their usage and knowing how good they are but not being utilized.

This is what I’ve been saying with this offense. It is the COMPLETE opposite of flips. We went from barely running and passing all game to barely passing and running all game. I also have been saying this with cousins too. The guy doesn’t just forget how to play QB in the middle of his career. Stefanski and Kubiak are not playing to cousins strengths at all. They are simply just not balancing the offense. We have one of the best RBs in football and one of the best WR duos in football. There should be ZERO reason this offense shouldn’t be balanced out. Get out from the constant under center crap. Run from under center, run from the gun, throw from under center, throw from the gun. Keep defenses on their toes. Cousins might struggle against top teams but he’s not even “lighting up” weaker teams like Atlanta and Oakland. That’s a sign to me that he isn’t being utilized correctly either. Idk if Stefanski and Kubiak are going to get their hand slapped for not running non stop like Zim wants but who knows. Maybe Diggs did a good thing here and force Stefanski and Kubiak to figure this out and find ways not to get just cook the ball but Thielen and Diggs as well. Hell I think irv smith needs to touch the ball a lot more. It’s WAY deeper than just cousins. I’ll say that until I’m blue in the face. You would think Zim would know that a balanced offense will get us wins. It did when shurmur was here. You have two stud RBs, two stud WRs, a stud young TE and a QB that can sling the ball. Figure it theee fuc# out guys.

[TSonn]

Kubiak had two studs in Denver with Manning in Sanders and Thomas. There's no way he can't figure out to get both guys involved AND have a great run game. I'm with Diggs. Winning cures everything though so this all goes away if we get a solid win against the Giants on Sunday.

[Husker Vike]

Big pivotal game against the Giants this week,as much money as we have spent on our passing game with Cousins, Diggs, Thielen,Rudolph we have definitely overpaid.We can't afford to lose this game as the season and team moral will be lost.If you think people are unhappy now , see what happens next if we can't win this week.If Diggs wants out, trade him to the Redskins for Trent Williams.