CBS Sports calls Cousins most consistent QB since 2015
Joe Johnson
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Yay! More Kirk Cousins fodder!
As I’m sure some of you are aware, I like me some Kirk Cousins. That may imply that I’m unable to be objective when covering the Minnesota Vikings quarterback, but I’d just say that I like him for objective reasons. Is he perfect? No. But is he the best chance this team has since Culpepper in 2004 to make a multi-season window o’ opportunity Super Bowl run?
Obviously.
Or so you’d think it’d be obvious. Now, I’m not calling for the devil you know over the one you don’t, either. Cousins is lethally accurate, and has helped the Vikings offense reach elite status this season. Sure, there’s a ton of talent around him, but that’s not his fault. We didn’t say, even though it was partially/mostly true, that Culpepper was a product of Randy Moss’ once in a lifetime talent/The Randy Ratio when he had 39 TD’s.
How do I know that? Because many of you called for Moss to be traded back then because of vague nonsense like the most talented NFL history that was part of the highest scoring offense in league history in 1998 and again when he beat that record in 2007.
That’s the same description I’d give to the lingering reasons as to why turning this elite offense over to a rookie crap shoot next season. Vague nonsense about “never winning a Super Bowl!” (Then I guess every QB in team history sucks?) or being a “winner” because all the old narratives have been demolished.
Ironically, former Vikings head coach and cohost of my new Detroit Lakes/Fargo radio show ‘The VikingsTerritory Breakdown’ Mike Tice discussed the streak we’re about to delve into.
If you want to listen on your podcast platform. Click HERE.
Case in point is this Tweet/article from CBS sports (or maybe it’s an Instagram post? I don’t know, I miss AOL Instant messenger and Tang).
I’m sure some of you saw this stat during the Jags game in-between Tweeting that the team needs to be blown up because they were losing to the Jags.
The stat I’d point to that I think better points to his consistency is the fact that he is the second-most accurate passer in NFL history that is also the sixth highest rated. You can’t argue that he just gets 150% completion percentage during garbage time while being awful otherwise, which is why I point to that.
He isn’t Bradford-ing it up by dumping the ball off, either. He is lethal down the field, a large component of … You know… How football works? Sure, Jefferson and Thielen are amazeballs (and the third and fourth rated receivers according to PFF), but someone has to get them the ball and it’s not as if they’re Randy Moss and wide open for whomever can heave the ball furthest.
But, I’ve said this recently. I feel like I’m beating a dead horse (that was killed in stride by a 40-yard pass from Cousins) here. I feel like this argument is basically over. I will concede that Cousins has had some rough games (which knocks the “consistency” argument) but he’s pulled himself and the team out of those slumps in back-to-back seasons and is on the precipice of helming only the FOURTH team since the merger to start 1-5 and make the post-season.
So instead of bending over backwards to laud everyone on the offense while bashing the most important piece of that offense let’s just enjoy the history we’re seeing and cut the guy some slack.
I look forward to your all caps emails!