Is Kirk Cousins On The Downside Of His Career?
September 9th, 2023
Beginning to slip?
Fascinating information Joe unearthed last night while researching the Vikings.
(Joe is typing this from a downtown Minneapolis hotel just checking in late Friday night after a 10-hour travel delay. Ugh.)
Reading a piece from Rich Hribar of Sharp Football Analysis, Joe learned that long-time Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins had one of his worst seasons since joining the team. You like that?
Minnesota won the most games (13) of any season since they acquired Cousins in 2018.
Ironically, Cousins had one of his worst seasons from an efficiency stance.
Cousins had his lowest completion rate (65.9%) and touchdown rate (4.5%) since joining the Vikings while his 7.1 yards per pass attempt matched his low in Minnesota.
Mind you this happened to Cousins despite having arguably the best receiver in the game, Justin Jefferson, and arguably the best tight end in the game, T. J. Hockenson, and he had Dalvin Cook to throw to out of the backfield.
Cook, as we all know, is now with the Jets.
Cousins turned 35 last month. Could it be old age (for an NFL player) is starting to creep up on him?
The fact Cousins had a down year last year statistically with all those weapoins, well, that just gets Joe fired up for Sunday.
Joe has long maintained the Bucs defense should be quite good this year and if they can develop an edge rush, perhaps damn good.
This is going to be fun to see if Todd Bowles and his whirling basket of blitzes gets to Cousins.
September 9th, 2023 at 12:17 am
Rhetorical question Joe. At 35 he has probably absorbed more punishment than any other active QB.
That being said GO BUCS D!!!
September 9th, 2023 at 12:22 am
I’ll never forget the “You Like That” game where The Lovie led Bucs snatched defeat from the jaws of victory after being up 24-0. Capital Collapse I believe the Joes called it.
He’s made an incredible amount of money for being pretty good but not great. When he checked down to the TE instead of giving Jefferson a chance with the season on the line…that could be the beginning of the end for Kissing Cousins.
Having said that…he probably has enough fumes left to win Week 1.
September 9th, 2023 at 1:37 am
Great piece Joe. We will absolutely test Cousins to see if he’s ready for prime time. I smell a couple of picks donated to our defense by Cousins.
September 9th, 2023 at 2:03 am
Ahhh, Winnie, Joe finally published a positive, hopeful story about our BUCS chances to win in Minnesota and you pee in our delicious Corn Flakes. Are your eyes ok? Which finger am I holding up???
September 9th, 2023 at 2:14 am
Obviously Joe didn’t want the Netflix quarterback mini series
September 9th, 2023 at 3:20 am
Kirk Cousins and Case Keenum both Buc killers in the lost decade.
September 9th, 2023 at 5:53 am
‘This is going to be fun to see if Todd Bowles and his whirling basket of blitzes gets to Cousins.’
Great article Joe, although your ‘pass rush bias’ is showing again (drop Cousins enough & he’ll fold like a cheap suit?). There’s no question in my mind that having a deadly pass rush that results in sacks on every play is obviously ideal, but that ideal isn’t often achieved in the NFL. And blitzing too much can be a negative just as easily as it can be a positive (depending on which team & QB you’re playing?).
Looking at Minnesota’s 5 losses last year (including their playoff loss), several things jump out.
o Vikings lost the TOP in each of those 5 losses by a wide margin in each because … they couldn’t stop the run.
o Vikings had 10 turnovers in those 5 games (6 were INTs; 4 were fumbles).
o Cousins got sacked 15 times in the 4 regular season losses (46 times on the season), but didn’t get sacked in their playoff loss to the Giants (nor did they have any turnovers in that game).
Looks to me like Vikings’ run defense is their Achilles Heel in those 5 losses. All 5 teams who beat them though were good running teams.
o Eagles (won 24-7): 34 runs for 163 yards (4.8 YPC) … Vikings had 3 TOs … Cousins sacked 2 times … TOP 36-24 Eagles.
o Cowboys (won 40-3): 40 runs for 151 yards (3.8 YPC) … Vikings had 1 TO … Cousins sacked 7 times … TOP 37-23 Cowboys.
o Lions (won 34-23): 30 runs for 134 yards (4.5 YPC) … Vikings had 2 TOs … Cousins sacked 4 times … TOP 32-28 Lions.
o Packers (won 41-17): 33 runs for 163 yards (4.9 YPC) … Vikings had 4 TOs … Cousins sacked 2 times … TOP 34-26 Packers.
o Giants (won 31-24): 30 runs for 142 yards (4.7 YPC) … Vikings had 0 TOs … Cousins sacked 0 times … TOP 34-26 Giants.
September 9th, 2023 at 6:28 am
KOD!
September 9th, 2023 at 6:35 am
Sorry to hear about the flight delay Joe, they suck arse! just like Cousins!
We all want Cousins kissing the turf from at least 6 sacks!
Lets hope that stanky Vikings QB continues his decline in play starting
with Sunday’s game!
GO BUCS!
September 9th, 2023 at 7:17 am
Lol! Vikings 40 Yucs 16. No Evans, bad O-line, zero pass rush without blitzing everybody, it’s over Yucs fans. Over before it started. Bucs go 4-13. Just enough to miss the #1 pick. Yucs will screw that up, too
September 9th, 2023 at 7:24 am
Downside of his career?
Well the obvious is unless he is going to play 24 years in the league it is Yes.
At 35 he certainly is not as athletic as he was in his 20’s.
Last year he was sacked the most in his career and most INT’s by 1. That could be team growing pains or playing from way behind. Durable as Hell. Does not miss starts.
Like Brady his college career was was in the Big 10 and it was not uncommon for 10 of the 12 teams to be bowl eligible. Lots of tight games. He was in a lot of 1 score and 1 point games. Never out of it mentality and I don’t think age changes that.
Vikings were 8th in points scored and 28th in Points against in 2022.
On the last year of his contract @ 35 million. As consistent as he plays I don’t see Vikings moving off of him. If Flores turns around the Defense this season Cousins may say Give me 5 million more of that and sign Quietly for 2 at 60.
His career might be on the way down but his Star might be on the Rise.
September 9th, 2023 at 7:33 am
Fred McNeil Says:
September 9th, 2023 at 2:03 am
Ahhh, Winnie, Joe finally published a positive, hopeful story about our BUCS chances to win in Minnesota and you pee in our delicious Corn Flakes. Are your eyes ok? Which finger am I holding up???
Right Said Fred McKneel & Bob
You’re right…BUCS by 10
My eyes are ok
You’re holding up your typical fecal finger
September 9th, 2023 at 8:55 am
Pass rush early and often. Get some three and outs. Score first.
My keys to the game. LOL
Go Bucs!
September 9th, 2023 at 9:47 am
No excuses. This is a winnable game.
September 9th, 2023 at 12:26 pm
Todd Bowles.
September 9th, 2023 at 9:26 pm
To Jeff says u keep giving u r w cents worthless u r not a bucs fan u r just a!!!!!!! u fill in the blank