2015 Offseason - Free Agent/Draft Tracker

[Demi]

Because they're are so many out there that would carry us to the promised land They are backups in this league for a reason....because they really aren't good.

We had one. Who's won games. And made a pro bowl. You then claimed he wasn't much (any) worse than what we have now. And he will likely be starting next year for the Bills. Guess having cake and eating it too really is the way to go.

At least if Teddy went down, Cassel would have given us a chance to remain competitive. If that's what you want out of a backup. which I assume you don't since you're happy with Shaun Hill.

At least we aren't signing any more of those stupid 5 million a year Spielman Special free agents. That sure got old fast...

[Pondering Her Percy]

We had one. Who's won games. And made a pro bowl. You then claimed he wasn't much (any) worse than what we have now. And he will likely be starting next year for the Bills. Guess having cake and eating it too really is the way to go.

At least if Teddy went down, Cassel would have given us a chance to remain competitive. If that's what you want out of a backup. which I assume you don't since you're happy with Shaun Hill.

At least we aren't signing any more of those stupid 5 million a year Spielman Special free agents. That sure got old fast...

Your point is moot. I have already once compared the two and proved that there was little to no difference between them. I'm not sure what everyone's hard-on is for Cassel. He's 33-39 as a starter. Hill is 16-18. Is there really that much of a difference of "who can keep us around .500"??? Cassel is 2 years removed from going 1-8 as a starter in KC and getting benched for who?? Brady Quinn??. And don't sit there and say KC's talent around him was terrible.....there were 5 pro bowlers on the team that year and a couple that were snubbed. He had plenty of talent around him. Hill was benched for Austin Davis. A very similar situation to Cassel

This past year, Hill went 4-5 as a starter for the Rams. Had a 63.3% completion rate, 7.24 YPA, 8:7 TD:INT ratio and a 83.9 rating
In 2013 (since Cassel was hurt early last year), Cassel went 5-4 as a starter for us. Had a 60.2% completion rate, 7.11 YPA, 11:9 TD:INT ratio and a 81.6 rating.

.....how in God's name is there really any difference there?? Hill is actually better in more of the categories. The funny thing is....offensively, Hill had WAY less talent around him and still posted similar numbers to Cassel. Cassel had an all world RB, better WRs and TE and probably an equal offensive line.

Bottom line is....your point doesn't prove anything because it has no backing behind it. It's just your way to take another shot at the FO that you hate so much. The numbers don't lie pal so argue all you want....you're getting nowhere

[S197]

He went to Harvard.

I know? Should've went to Jared? Sorry I have no idea how to respond to that.

[808vikingsfan]

Your point is moot. I have already once compared the two and proved that there was little to no difference between them. I'm not sure what everyone's hard-on is for Cassel. He's 33-39 as a starter. Hill is 16-18. Is there really that much of a difference of "who can keep us around .500"??? Cassel is 2 years removed from going 1-8 as a starter in KC and getting benched for who?? Brady Quinn??. And don't sit there and say KC's talent around him was terrible.....there were 5 pro bowlers on the team that year and a couple that were snubbed. He had plenty of talent around him. Hill was benched for Austin Davis. A very similar situation to Cassel

This past year, Hill went 4-5 as a starter for the Rams. Had a 63.3% completion rate, 7.24 YPA, 8:7 TD:INT ratio and a 83.9 rating
In 2013 (since Cassel was hurt early last year), Cassel went 5-4 as a starter for us. Had a 60.2% completion rate, 7.11 YPA, 11:9 TD:INT ratio and a 81.6 rating.

.....how in God's name is there really any difference there?? Hill is actually better in more of the categories. The funny thing is....offensively, Hill had WAY less talent around him and still posted similar numbers to Cassel. Cassel had an all world RB, better WRs and TE and probably an equal offensive line.

Bottom line is....your point doesn't prove anything because it has no backing behind it. It's just your way to take another shot at the FO that you hate so much. The numbers don't lie pal so argue all you want....you're getting nowhere

Not speaking for Demi, but my problem is that before 2014, Hill's last start was in 2010. That's over four years ago. I have a hard time judging Hill or putting much weight in his stats with only 9 starts in 5 years. Also, Hill is a #2. He's only started games because of injury. Cassel fought and won the starting position in 2014. He's a starter. He was also familiar with Turner's system and his players which is huge IMO. As far as talent, Cassel had a healthy Peterson for only a couple of games in 2013 so I don't think saying Hill had less talent is correct. I really think you have to throw stats out the window on this one. Yeah, they may look similar, but Cassel was the much better fit for the Vikings in 2015. The Vikings basically had a starting QB as a backup.




http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/vide ... Highlights

[Pondering Her Percy]

Not speaking for Demi, but my problem is that before 2014, Hill's last start was in 2010. That's over four years ago. I have a hard time judging Hill or putting much weight in his stats with only 9 starts in 5 years. Also, Hill is a #2. He's only started games because of injury. Cassel fought and won the starting position in 2014. He's a starter. He was also familiar with Turner's system and his players which is huge IMO.

Well regardless of him starting 9 games in five years....he started 9 games last year which is very recent and his did pretty decent for having a pile of junk surrounding him. I mean I guess you could say Cassel "fought" to win the job last year but you know just as well as I do, Cassel had the gig from day 1 because they didnt want to rush Teddy in like they did Ponder. Norv's offense is one of the most complicated out there, so why force a rookie in their day 1 when you have a decent backup. Cassel didnt fight at all. He was going to be given the starting job regardless and let Teddy learn under him. Just a smart move by the franchise. Teddy had a lot to learn and Cassel was the one with the experience. Not that he was clear cut better than Teddy because I don't believe that was the case. You don't draft a QB in the first round to just let him sit the entire year. Cassel was on a short leash

As far as talent, Cassel had a healthy Peterson for only a couple of games in 2013 so I don't think saying Hill had less talent is correct. I really think you have to throw stats out the window on this one. Yeah, they may look similar, but Cassel was the much better fit for the Vikings in 2015. The Vikings basically had a starting QB as a backup.

This isn't true at all. Out of the 9 games Cassel started, Peterson started in 7 of them. The Rams had no running game until after Hill was benched. The Rams also didnt have a WR that amounted to crap. We at least had Jennings, a dual threat in Patterson, Wright and Rudolph. Matt Cassel wouldnt be a starter in this league if the Bills weren't so desperate and you know that. The QB market this year in FA and the draft is so pathetic that they had no choice. I mean teams are offering 1st round picks for Sam Bradford for god sakes!! Teams are getting desperate because there is nothing else out there. Simple as that. Rex Ryan also runs a run heavy offense so all Cassel needs to do is manage a game. He won't be asked to do much.

[Purple bruise]

Well regardless of him starting 9 games in five years....he started 9 games last year which is very recent and his did pretty decent for having a pile of junk surrounding him. I mean I guess you could say Cassel "fought" to win the job last year but you know just as well as I do, Cassel had the gig from day 1 because they didnt want to rush Teddy in like they did Ponder. Norv's offense is one of the most complicated out there, so why force a rookie in their day 1 when you have a decent backup. Cassel didnt fight at all. He was going to be given the starting job regardless and let Teddy learn under him. Just a smart move by the franchise. Teddy had a lot to learn and Cassel was the one with the experience. Not that he was clear cut better than Teddy because I don't believe that was the case.

This isn't true at all. Out of the 9 games Cassel started, Peterson played in 7 of them. The Rams also didnt have a WR that amount to crap. We at least had Jennings, a dual threat in Patterson, Wright and Rudolph. Matt Cassel wouldnt be a starter in this league if the Bills weren't so desperate and you know that. The QB market this year in FA and the draft is so pathetic that they had no choice. I mean teams are offering 1st round picks for Sam Bradford for god sakes!! Teams are getting desperate because there is nothing else out there. Simple as that. Rex Ryan also runs a run heavy offense so all Cassel needs to do is manage a game. He won't be asked to do much.

Great points, totally agree. But I would add that both Cassel and Hill are both nothing to "write home about". Save this post 'cause I know the team will end up with better QB options by the time the regular season rolls around.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Great points, totally agree. But I would add that both Cassel and Hill are both nothing to "write home about".

Thanks Bill!! And I agree....Neither are anything to write home about. What backups are?? We just have to hope Teddy doesnt go down just like every other fan hopes the same for their specific teams.

[Purple bruise]

Actually, what team has a quality backup that could come in and save any season? If Rodgers, Brees, Romo, Kaperenick, Stafford, Rothlisberger, Wilson, Newton, etc. go down then you can flush their seasons IMO. There just are not any quality backup QBs that come to mind and if they were that capable they would be starting some where. Cassel will stink with the Bills just like he did with the Chiefs and the Vikes (most of the time), I would bet on it!

[Pondering Her Percy]

TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline reports that the Vikings are "concentrating on the FSU defensive backs."
Minnesota dispatched four employees to FSU's pro day, including general manager Rick Spielman. By this point, it seems almost assured that the Vikings will take a defensive back early, with cornerback the likeliest bet. Between CBs P.J. Williams and Ronald Darby, they assuredly saw something they liked in Tallahassee. The 6-foot, 196-pound Williams has a smooth blend of speed, fluidity and physicality.
Source: Walter Football

Well by the looks of it....a CB is going to be selected in the first 2 rounds by us. I'm not a huge fan of Darby but man, PJ Williams is a stud. Very physical and plays some tight coverage. If we decide to go elsewhere at 11, Williams is our man in the 2nd

[808vikingsfan]

Well regardless of him starting 9 games in five years....he started 9 games last year which is very recent and his did pretty decent for having a pile of junk surrounding him. I mean I guess you could say Cassel "fought" to win the job last year but you know just as well as I do, Cassel had the gig from day 1 because they didnt want to rush Teddy in like they did Ponder. Norv's offense is one of the most complicated out there, so why force a rookie in their day 1 when you have a decent backup. Cassel didnt fight at all. He was going to be given the starting job regardless and let Teddy learn under him. Just a smart move by the franchise. Teddy had a lot to learn and Cassel was the one with the experience. Not that he was clear cut better than Teddy because I don't believe that was the case. You don't draft a QB in the first round to just let him sit the entire year. Cassel was on a short leash

Cassel started because he was the best option at that position. I didn't see him being on a short leash at all. He was the starter, plain and simple. I don't remember reading any of Zimmer's comments indicating that Cassel was on a short leash. In fact, I remember reading how confident he was in Cassel being the starter.

This isn't true at all. Out of the 9 games Cassel started, Peterson started in 7 of them. The Rams had no running game until after Hill was benched. The Rams also didnt have a WR that amounted to crap. We at least had Jennings, a dual threat in Patterson, Wright and Rudolph. Matt Cassel wouldnt be a starter in this league if the Bills weren't so desperate and you know that. The QB market this year in FA and the draft is so pathetic that they had no choice. I mean teams are offering 1st round picks for Sam Bradford for god sakes!! Teams are getting desperate because there is nothing else out there. Simple as that. Rex Ryan also runs a run heavy offense so all Cassel needs to do is manage a game. He won't be asked to do much.

Not sure where you're getting your stats from. Cassel started 7 games in 2013.

Here's Peterson's carries when Cassel started in 2013:

vs. PIT 23 for 140
vs CAR 10 for 62
vs CHI 35 for 211
vs BAL DNP
vs PHI DNP
vs CIN 11 for 45
vs DET DNP

Peterson was hurt in the CAR and CIN games. This makes only 2 games that a healthy Peterson played when Cassel was the starter. Those two games were wins by the way.

[808vikingsfan]

Actually, what team has a quality backup that could come in and save any season? If Rodgers, Brees, Romo, Kaperenick, Stafford, Rothlisberger, Wilson, Newton, etc. go down then you can flush their seasons IMO. There just are not any quality backup QBs that come to mind and if they were that capable they would be starting some where. Cassel will stink with the Bills just like he did with the Chiefs and the Vikes (most of the time), I would bet on it!

You just explained why it is so important to have a quality backup. Your entire season flushed because of one injury? That's why I thought it was important to keep Cassel. We don't know how durable Bridgewater will be in the NFL. He's already missed games due to injury. If Bridgewater goes down, Cassel is good enough to win at least .500 of the games if Peterson plays. I really don't care how well Cassel does in Buffalo, he would have been a great fit and a solid insurance policy in Minnesota.

It's more likely that Hill will start in 2015 than not.

Of the 32 NFL teams, 13 have had multiple starters this season at the sport’s most important position. A total of 48 quarterbacks league-wide have started games this season, meaning that teams have averaged 1-1/2 starters apiece.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/spor ... nough/Many NFL teams finding one reliable QB not enough

[Pondering Her Percy]

Cassel started because he was the best option at that position. I didn't see him being on a short leash at all. He was the starter, plain and simple. I don't remember reading any of Zimmer's comments indicating that Cassel was on a short leash. In fact, I remember reading how confident he was in Cassel being the starter.

Dude what?? When would Mike Zimmer or any coach for that matter ever come out and say "yeah the guy we are starting is on a short leash so we hope he doesnt mess up"??? No coach ever says anything about short leashes. Thats basically saying, "hey we have no confidence in you so if you mess up a few times you're done". People blew smoke up Ponder's rear for years but do you actually think the coaches had THAT much confidence in him?? Matt Cassel was the "best option" at the beginning of the year simply due to experience. Not because he was a better "QB". It isn't very often where a rookie gets thrown to the wolves.

Not sure where you're getting your stats from.

Here's Peterson's carries when Cassel started in 2013:

vs. PIT 23 for 140
vs CAR 10 for 62
vs CHI 35 for 211
vs BAL DNP
vs PHI DNP
vs CIN 11 for 45
vs DET DNP

Peterson was hurt in the CAR and CIN games. This makes only 2 games that a healthy Peterson played when Cassel was the starter. Those two games were wins by the way.

Dude you have me lost here. Here are the links so you can actually see it yourself.

Cassel: http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_ ... att-cassel
Peterson: http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_ ... n-peterson

You say he was hurt during the Carolina game but still had 10 carries for 62 yards. Same goes for Cincy. What does it matter if he got hurt or not during the game?? He still started and was still a DOMINATING presence on the field that teams had to plan towards. The only games he missed out of Cassel's 9 was PHI and DET. Banged up or not, his presence alone makes a game plan totally different. That should be pretty obvious.

[Purple bruise]

You just explained why it is so important to have a quality backup. Your entire season flushed because of one injury? That's why I thought it was important to keep Cassel. We don't know how durable Bridgewater will be in the NFL. He's already missed games due to injury. If Bridgewater goes down, Cassel is good enough to win at least .500 of the games if Peterson plays. I really don't care how well Cassel does in Buffalo, he would have been a great fit and a solid insurance policy in Minnesota.

It's more likely that Hill will start in 2015 than not.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/spor ... nough/Many NFL teams finding one reliable QB not enough

No, you might have misunderstood what I was trying to say or I did not express my self clearly enough. Hill and Cassel both pretty much suck IMO. That being said, most other teams have average of less QBs as backups. I was trying point that out by listing most of the top tier QBs and the fact that their backups are marginal at best and I can't think of even one backup that could replace those starters and lead their teams to a play-off.
Don't get me wrong, I can't see one redeemable facet of Hill either as a replacement QB. I mentioned this several months ago, but if Mariota would slip to them at 11 I would grab him up and develop him right along with TB (sort of a Favre Rodgers kind of move).
None the less that won't happen and I can't believe that the Vikes will go into this season with Hill as the only viable option as a second string QB.

[Pondering Her Percy]

You just explained why it is so important to have a quality backup. Your entire season flushed because of one injury? That's why I thought it was important to keep Cassel. We don't know how durable Bridgewater will be in the NFL. He's already missed games due to injury. If Bridgewater goes down, Cassel is good enough to win at least .500 of the games if Peterson plays. I really don't care how well Cassel does in Buffalo, he would have been a great fit and a solid insurance policy in Minnesota.

It's more likely that Hill will start in 2015 than not.

Bridgewater missed 1 game due to a rolled ankle. You act like he was out half the season. You also are saying Cassel is good enough to go .500 which is also pure speculation. You say he is a great fit and would have been good insurance yet he's owed $4 million and we moved up 48+ picks in the draft by getting rid of him. WHO CARES!!! He's not above and beyond Shaun Hill by any means and I have proved and pointed that out above. So in turn, we save money, move up 48+ picks in the draft, and move on!! Matt Cassel nor Shaun Hill are going to save this team if Teddy goes down. I have no clue what makes you think any different.

[Pondering Her Percy]

No, you might have misunderstood what I was trying to say or I did not express my self clearly enough. Hill and Cassel both prety much suck IMO. That being said, most other teams have average of less QBs as backups. I was trying point that out by listing most of the top tier QBs and the fact that their backups are marginal at best and I can't think of even one backup that could replace those starters and lead their teams to a play-off.
Don't get me wrong, I can't see one redeemable facet of Hill either as a replacement QB. I mentioned this several months ago, but if Mariota would slip to them at 11 I would grab him up and develop him right along with TB (sort of a Favre Rodgers kind of move).
None the less that won't happen and I can't believe that the Vikes will go into this season with Hill as the only viable option as a second string QB.

Please don't get us going on the Mariota trip again!!! I hear what you're saying but Favre was on his way out and about 90 years old and Rodgers was up and coming. Teddy is only in his 2nd year and Mariota would only be in his first. They took Rodgers for a reason and that was to replace Favre. Mariota is a waste of a first round pick because Teddy is the clear cut starter and is only a year apart from him.