Tommy Kramer on Cousins

Everyone loves a winner

KC is killing it with "QB wins" this season

In truth I do like he's playing more relaxed and taking more chances. Keep the defense guessing

@"purplefaithful" said: Everyone loves a winner

KC is killing it with "QB wins" this season

In truth I do like he's playing more relaxed and taking more chances. Keep the defense guessing

I would like to see him take more chances that dont lead to our receivers taking big shots or landing weird to make the catch,   look back at some of the pounding JJ took on Sunday,   those will add up if he keeps getting hit or lands like that it may be an issue later.  

He's definitely increased his willingness to throw into tight windows. That's what KOC wanted and that's what he's getting. Some of those are going to be picked off. They just are. But more often than not, if you give receivers like JJ and Thielen a chance, they're going to come down with it.

It's interesting to me that Cousins is best in the opening script, and then again toward the end of the game when he's pressing. The middle part, where it slows down and becomes methodical could use some of that late game urgency. 

Listening to talk radio yesterday, they were talking about how this coaxing more aggressiveness out of KC started way back in ota's and TC

Sounds like credit really goes especially to KOC for pushing him out of his comfort zone - and I guess to KC for listening to him and trying to evolve later in his career. 

That could not (is not) easy.

Can you imagine the results in Orchard Park, NY if instead of 4/18 heave to JJ, it was a check down to TJH short of the stix? 

@"MaroonBells" said: He's definitely increased his willingness to throw into tight windows. That's what KOC wanted and that's what he's getting. Some of those are going to be picked off. They just are. But more often than not, if you give receivers like JJ and Thielen a chance, they're going to come down with it.

It's interesting to me that Cousins is best in the opening script, and then again toward the end of the game when he's pressing. The middle part, where it slows down and becomes methodical could use some of that late game urgency. 

Like he needs to run a few hurry up drives in the middle. I have felt the same.

@"purplefaithful" said: Listening to talk radio yesterday, they were talking about how this coaxing more aggressiveness out of KC started way back in ota's and TC

Sounds like credit really goes especially to KOC for pushing him out of his comfort zone - and I guess to KC for listening to him and trying to evolve later in his career. 

That could not (is not) easy.

Can you imagine the results in Orchard Park, NY if instead of 4/18 heave to JJ, it was a check down to TJH short of the stix? 

No doubt it is like going from being afraid to take risks to given permission to take them. He is running more or rather bumbling and stumbling but he is doing it. And although his interceptions were bad (I know all interceptions are bad but these were like wtf bad), he is making some ridiculous throws. It's like he is getting out of his head from the negative and moving forward in a positive. KOC communicates with Kirk in a way that resonates. I watched them talking during training camp and saw an animated Kirk. He is involved and invested in a big way. And seeing him have fun with his teammates is huge. Change can be hard but Kirk took it on and it's paying off. 

Here's the thing: Zimmer wanted him to be more aggressive as well, yet would lose his shit if KC threw a pic. KOC knows that's part of the deal and doesn't explode over it. INTs are going to happen, WHEN they happen in a game is most vital. Kirk is seeing what good can happen when you have a little gunslinger in your game and you don't have some old school red ass barking in your ear when you mess up.

@"StickyBun" said: Here's the thing: Zimmer wanted him to be more aggressive as well, yet would lose his shit if KC threw a pic. KOC knows that's part of the deal and doesn't explode over it. INTs are going to happen, WHEN they happen in a game is most vital. Kirk is seeing what good can happen when you have a little gunslinger in your game and you don't have some old school red ass barking in your ear when you mess up.

That's a good point. Zimmer did want Cousins to be more aggressive, but what good is that if you're not willing to accept the consequences?

What's interesting to me is that after 9 games Cousins has 16 TDs and 8 INTs. Last year thru 9 games, he had 19 TDs and only 2 INTs. I think the stall in production is due more to learning the new offense than the new aggressiveness. 

My hot take today is Kirk Cousins was better in 2021 than in 2022.

Thru 9 gms of 2021, Cousins had 19 TD to 2 INT. His team was bungling would-be comebacks, mainly the defense and kicker.

Now, he has 16 TD to 8 INT. And the defense and kicker are *not* bungling the comebacks.

— Dustin Baker (@DustBaker) November 17, 2022

My perception that the majority of Kirk's stats were coming when the game was out of reach yards and TD's coming when the outcome of the game was not in doubt, no pressure.  who gives a crap if you throw for 400 yards when the game is already decided and your not going to win. 

@"PapaScott" said: My perception that the majority of Kirk's stats were coming when the game was out of reach yards and TD's coming when the outcome of the game was not in doubt, no pressure.  who gives a crap if you throw for 400 yards when the game is already decided and your not going to win. 

Except that narrative has been disproven countless times by the actual facts, game-winning or tying drives, etc. It's actually a little hard to find these garbage time situations from last year considering every single loss, except for one, the one Kirk didn't play, was within one score.

 I don't think confidence and leadership show up on any stats other than team Win/Loss record.  To me these are the areas where Kirk has vastly improved on and it's making the entire team better.  He's playing with new confidence and we now have a Viking QB providing leadership like we've wanted since he came to the Vikes.  My eye test shows me KOC has made Kirk a better QB no matter what his personal passing stats say.

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"PapaScott" said: My perception that the majority of Kirk's stats were coming when the game was out of reach yards and TD's coming when the outcome of the game was not in doubt, no pressure.  who gives a crap if you throw for 400 yards when the game is already decided and your not going to win. 

Except that narrative has been disproven countless times by the actual facts, game-winning or tying drives, etc. It's actually a little hard to find these garbage time situations from last year considering every single loss, except for one, the one Kirk didn't play, was within one score.

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@"MaroonBells" said:

@"PapaScott" said: My perception that the majority of Kirk's stats were coming when the game was out of reach yards and TD's coming when the outcome of the game was not in doubt, no pressure.  who gives a crap if you throw for 400 yards when the game is already decided and your not going to win. 

Except that narrative has been disproven countless times by the actual facts, game-winning or tying drives, etc. It's actually a little hard to find these garbage time situations from last year considering every single loss, except for one, the one Kirk didn't play, was within one score.

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