Many Minnesota Vikings fans have had a growing dislike for Kirk Cousins since what feels like the halfway point of the 2018 season. Why? The answer isn’t totally clear. If anything, Vikings fans should be blaming the injury-ridden offensive line. They could also blame the offensive play calling by former offensive coordinator John DeFilippo. DeFilippo was fired just 13 games into the Vikings 2018 season. Quarterback’s coach Kevin Stefanski took over as interim offensive coordinator. Stefanski has since accepted the position of full-time offensive coordinator for the Vikings.
Why Minnesota Vikings Fans Need To Give Kirk Cousins Another Chance
Kirk’s Stat Line
The Vikings signed Cousins in March of 2018 to a three-year $84 Million contract. Before joining the Vikings squad, Cousins had spent his entire career in Washington D.C. playing for the Washington Redskins.
The Redskins drafted Cousins in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, making him the 102nd overall pick in that draft. He would go on to sign a four-year contract with Washington in May 2012.
In 2018, Cousins completed 425 passes and attempted 606 passes. His completion percentage was 70.1%, which was the fifth-best completion percentage in the NFL in 2018. Cousins had a quarterback rating (QBR) of 60.6.
So, Why Kirk?
The Vikings could have stuck with former Quarterback Case Keenum, but for some reason, they didn’t. But why? Keenum found success with the Vikings, being thrown into the position after Sam Bradford went down with an injury. He played seven games for the Vikings in 2017.
Keenum is most famous for the play known around the state of Minnesota as the Minneapolis Miracle. The Minneapolis Miracle was the 2017 NFC divisional playoff game against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints came back from down 17-0 at the half. They had a 24-23 lead with just 25 seconds remaining in the game. Then. Keenum launched a 27-yard touchdown pass the wide receiver, Stefon Diggs. The clock had expired on that play, and the Vikings won with zero seconds remaining on the clock.
Apart from the Minneapolis Miracle game, Keenum did not have a whole lot of playoff success, but the same could be said for Kirk Cousins. Keenum has only appeared in two postseason games in his career. Both of them with Minnesota. His record is 1-1.
Cousins has appeared in two playoff games, only starting one of them. His record is 0-1. So, Cousins’ playoff look is pretty similar to Keenum. Case has actually won a playoff game. Kirk has not.
Vikings Need Offensive Line Help
The Vikings need help on the offensive line. No question about it. Their offensive line caught the injury bug even before training camp last season, and could not ever fully recover to ther way they are capable of playing.
There are several options the Vikings have to choose from with the 18th overall pick in the 2019 draft class.
Here are some of the top options:
#1: Jonah Williams – Junior – OT – Alabama – 6-5 – 301 lbs.
#2: Greg Little – Junior – OT- Ole Miss – 6-6 – 325 lbs.
#3: Elgton Jenkins – Senior – C – Miss. State – 6-4 – 310 lbs.
#4: Garrett Bradbury – Senior – C – NC State – 6-3 – 300 lbs.
#4: Beau Benzschawel – Senior – OG – Wisconsin – 6-6 – 315 lbs.
#5: Martez Ivey – Senior – OG – Florida – 6-5 – 306 lbs.
Last Word
These players that are outlined above could help the Vikings offensive line tremendously. Look for the Vikings to make some improvements on the line, which will, in-turn help Kirk Cousins lead this Vikings team deep into the postseason in 2019.
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