Why Don't the Vikings Just Try an All-QB Backfield?
To this day, one of the coolest NFL trivia questions is asking to name the Alphabet Backfield from 1957 to 1961.
For the record:
- QB YA Tittle,
- HB CR Roberts,
- FB JD Smith, and
- WR RC Owens.
It's commonplace now, but back then, a receiver leaping for a catch was sensational. Thus, the Alley Oop became part of NFL lore:
Again, to quote the legendary Lou Reed, those were different times.
For example, the Niners' quartet before that was the even more famous Million Dollar Backfield. Back then, it took the salaries of four elite players to total a cool mil.
Yet, for all this notoriety -- and add the fact that their coach, the unfortunately named Red Hickey, was the dude who first devised the shotgun formation -- San Francisco never won a championship during those times.
Which brings us to the current Minnesota Vikings.
Successful planning continues to be a challenge.
Take, for instance, their slinger situation going into the 2019 season.
Dudes did decently with the three QBs they cobbled together to counter injuries, but apparently, not decently enough.
They're in the hunt for another decent chucker who is the poster boy for being in the right place at the right time.
If this isn't the classic grass is greener scenario, then nothing is.
- Frankly, Cousins compared to Case Keenum is virtually a wash, save for the former Michigan State Spartan having more experience.
- Teddy Bridgewater still has more upside, assuming his rebuilt knee stays in one piece.
- Where's an allegedly healthy Sam Bradford in all this? After all, his health issue this past season was directly down to stupid decision-making.
Could it be that the Vikings have too much cap space to be thinking rationally?
It's always an option.
Here's another:
Make history, dudes.
Put 'em all in at once and load that playbook up with trickeration.
So that's settled. Now, get out there an make Red Hickey proud.