Vikings Add Craig Johnson To Coaching Staff

If you don’t remember, just a few years ago the team started 0-6 with VY on the bench. Insert VY in week 7 and they go on a run. Mmmmm….that does not sound like a cancer to me. Maybe the problem was Jeff Fisher.

We can’t have it both ways, right? Like the hires, but not the FA aquisitions.

Joe Webb was rookie of the year?
Joe Webb has made his team a winner?
Joe Webb has accomplished what VY has?

To date it isn’t even close. Yes, VY has had issues. But those issues are known to coach Johnson and now to LF and the FO. Do you really not trust them to make a good decision as to the Vikings QB future?

This is a tricky thing because as you pointed out there’s lots of nonsense out there right now. People tend to think that this “athletic QB” is the way to go and point to the success of Vick, and a lesser degree Cutler and Rodgers. These advocates state that this is the future of the NFL. They are wrong. Here’s why.

You rightly listed some of the most successful mobile QB’s in the league (although you forgot Tarkenton which shows your lack of Vikings horns). Also I would sharply disagree that Garcia was a mobile QB. If you are going to stretch that to Garcia you might as well say Favre, Flutie, and Brees were all mobile QB’s as well. Anyways….the thing about the three QB’s you mentioned is that they became successful when they stopped looking to run and started looking to throw. See a QB needs to go through his progressions and pick apart the defense, getting the ball to the outside playmakers. I’m sorry but no matter how much altheticism he has VY is not going to be as eletric with the ball as a Harvin, Jennings, Welker. Also, if the QB has found the right crease in the defense that explosive playmaker has gotten the ball 15 yards down the field rather than running around in the backfield.

You are right about the success this year of some running QB’s, Vick and Rodgers getting the most hype for this, but to understand why this is the case. See Vick and Rodgers are most dangerous running when the defense is in man, they beat the first wave of the blitz or pass rush and then the next wave has their back turned in coverage. To be able to get the defense in this position in a consistent basis the QB has to show the ability to break down a zone on a consistent basis. He has to be the intelligent pocket passer. The scramblers that go through or two progressions and then run simply don’t cut it.

So where does VY fit with this? Well I for one have never seen a game, highlight reel, or anyone point to a game where he shredded a defense. A game where he simply took a part a zone and just beat a team with his arm. So the way to stop him is the way you stopped Vick in ATL, you load the box and play zone. Take away the deep ball and the run and then let VY beat himself. Until there is tape saying otherwise this is the solution.

Now he has enough skill and willpower to bust through that, he’ll probably even have a winning record. But he won’t get far in the playoffs. The defense are too good. There is too much tape on a player who doesn’t have more than one facet to his game. This is the knock of those that want to see a more traditional passer come forward here in MN, and frankly it’s an argument that I haven’t heard a good counterargument for. Typically what I hear back is a jumbled mess of stats and loud appeals to his record. Once this is pointed out to be deceiving based on the type of offense run and such the conspiracy theory against Jeff Fischer comes out….at this point we might as well break out tin foil hats.

For the record VY could be a good fit in MN. In fact MN might be his best chance to start in the NFL. He would have the strong running game to lean on and a pretty good WR corp to throw to and let plays happen. He could also have a deep threat in Rice.

All that said, I don’t think MN would be a very good team with him either. Probably about 9-10 wins. See the defense in the division are too good. Green Bay would confuse him and they are a bit too thick up front with too much speed on the back end. Chicago’s front 7 would be contain him as well…not to mention since they play lots of zone and cover 2 they would all be spying for the run while challenging him to make a mistake. Detroit’s line is down right frightening although he could win lots of times against their LB’s and secondary. The other problem he would face against NFC North opponents is that each of the offense would be able to outscore a VY team if it became a shootout….provided the Pack stay healthy, Cutler stays consistent, and Stafford can stay on the field.