Just One Game
There was a question that was recently asked, "Can Kirk Cousins lead this
franchise to it's first Super Bowl Title". My answer to that question
came some time ago, where it was Teddy Bridgewater's first game back. It
was Veteran's Day weekend in our Nation's capital where I sat myself on the 50
yard line as tickets were abundant on that day. Teddy was teary-eyed &
Case Keenum was running the show, giving up a costly interception that was a
foreshadowing his play in Philadelphia in the NFC Championship game.
So what was that tell that I was referring to. Well, it was in watching
Kirk Cousins throw a pass toward the end zone. At first, the call was
incomplete ... out of bounds ... that is until we saw the first replay.
What occurred was very hard to digest as that touchdown was fit into a window so
small that it defied belief. What made it more incredible was that it
wasn't caught by Divonte Adams, or his ilk. It was caught by a practice
team player just activated that week to catch Cousins immaculate toss.
What that told me, and maybe Head Coach Mike Zimmer, was that here was a guy
that had highly developed & very unique skills ... and that he could win ...
at any time. This catch, at that moment in time, would be right up there
with Rothlessberger's toss to win the Cardinal's Super Bowl to end the
game.
So, what exactly is the issue? It certainly isn't Kirk Cousins
skill or ability as his play is more than capable of winning a
championship. Kirk Cousins problem lies much deeper & is the root
cause of the "Football Class" to mark him as non-capable of ever
achieving championship level success. In other words, there is a Kirk
Cousins switch that only he can reach. Can you imagine it in a Gus
Frerotte snarl?
If you look at the 2019 season, there were specific games that could have
changed the season irrevocably. Winning in either Seattle or Kansas City
are at the forefront as lost opportunities, especially with a certain starting
quarterback on the sideline however much of that blame lied at the feet of
Xavier Rhodes juvenile efforts. In other words, Kirk Cousins lost his
opportunity due to things beyond his control however there is a deeper ... much
more menacing concept ... that crawls inside of me ... and to be direct ... Kirk
Cousins may be blind to it. You see, deep down inside, he's really one
hell of a guy. Can you say the same thing about Seattle' Wilson? I
think not where although he may be loved or beloved ... he's definitely at
another level.
Allow me to explain. We were planning a trip that involved driving the
streets of Manhattan. What my father-in-law said to me was unexpected but
warranted. He looked at me like a was some sort of rookie ... lacking
preparation stating ... in Manhattan, if there's an opening in that traffic grid
... I'll fight you for it. Well, Let's just say that I didn't disappoint
him the following day which is due in part to my particular makeup. He had
no idea but that's how you drive & that's how you play.
Well, if you're like me, you're probably hanging on every word of every
interview however there was one particular statement made by Kirk Cousins that
said it all. After a particularly hard loss he stated," It's Just One
Game", where next week you'll get another chance at that victory as the
clock starts again for each 15:00 minute quarter. Most completely
understood this quote where you could imagine some coach, seeing Kirk Cousins
tear himself up from the inside, where he would make that statement to him,
letting him know that it's better to put it in the past and not dwell on
it. Now put this in perspective. For one moment do you think Jim
Marshall could ever forget the result of 4 very particular days in his
life.
Here's the point. What if that one "Just One Game" happened to
be the Super Bowl. Is that statement acceptable? No! It is
not. Which is why I'm going to fight you for that open slot on the streets
of Manhattan ... I'm going to tear your heart out on the chess board ... and
there is nothing that I will ever do that will closely approximate losing in any
way shape or form. Every opportunity matters & when I get my chance to
play in the Super Bowl ... I'm going to rip your heart out. Regardless of
what you might actually be seeing over my death bed ... that will be my last
thought taken to my grave. I'm not an evil man ... mind you ... however
that last thing that I will ever do is quit on anything. Why? Well
there is a foul stench associated with quitting that I simply just can stomach.
So, it's "Just One Game", may fly in Washington, DC but there's no
place for any thought of that type being apart of this franchise. When
you're fighting for every last inch ... then the entire NFL will then take you
seriously and you will change from just being skilled into being prepared for
that championship.
Does that mean that Kirk Cousins wife & kids will have to see something
different from what they saw the day before. Well, the answer is no, but
what they will see, with every breath your take is a deep burning desire that
cannot be distinguished. In other words, you don't have to be a shark ...
you just have to learn how to swim with them.
So, how does that apply to Kirk Cousin's. Well, your team was flailing
today. Undisciplined play; jumping off sides; allowing sacks, false
starts, over the top, lack of pressures, etc. etc. etc. however there was one
thing that was required from Kirk Cousins that could have changed the game and
turned it on its ear. All that was required was one first down in the
first half. This is the foundation that allows you to stack plays on top
of each other but instead what resulted was a 3 & out. That
immediately put the defense back on the field with little rest resulting in
uncontrolled depletion. Sure, you could say that it wasn't my fault
however blocks must be stacked and losing that objective put this franchise in a
tail spin.
"Just One Game" is no different from "Just One First Down"
& it mattered ... so acceptance of any sort is divergent. It didn't
happen due to a lack of focus, as you expected further opportunity later in that
game however ask yourself a question. In absolute turmoil & Chaos,
what would gaining that first down, against all odds say to an exhausted
defense. What would you have done if you had that exact moment back.
Sure, you were just blind sided on that sack/safety, which can be accepted, but
where was the thought ... I'll fight you for it ... I'll fight you for every
inch ... sure I'll be bloodied and battered ... but I'm not going to waist a
moment or opportunity. Can you feel it burn!!!
You show me that on that field & I don't care if we are a squad full of
rookies ... or are at half staff ... everything will turn for you on a
dime.
How do I know? Well by comparison, Joe Kapp didn't have even a quarter of
you skill & ability however he will always be known as a winner. He'd
fight you for the fart off a gnat. There wasn't a player on that 40 man
squad that didn't know it. If you carefully look at the film during Super
Bowl IV, there was a very vivid image of a battered man ... that was sill
fighting for every breath.
So, you can tell your mates, "Let it go ... we'll move onto the next one",
but never utter it ever again in any public format.
So let's take the opportunity to beat on this dead horse. Steve Jordan is
addressing the team in the conference room. He's excited & states
overtly that this team has a great chance of winning it all this year.
Well, that's blowing smoke up your skirt. When that whistle first blows,
every team has a 1 in 32 team chance of winning it all ... that is a fact.
The reality is that you have absolutely nothing. How do I know, well ask
Jim Marshal, who played in 4 Super Bowls. What he has is, "A Whole
Lot of Nothing!" My respect for him goes well beyond the casual as
the only thing he has, or will ever have, is "The Fight". If
your very careful, you'll see it over his death bed
too.
So, you want to win it all, then take a breath & think about the fact that
I'll fight you for it. I'll fight you for every one. You take that
onto the field, with your wits about you, & just maybe one day, we will
achieve what up to now has been the impossible. No, don't blow wind up my
skirt because even this old man will figuratively rip the heart out of anything
put before me.
Now look around you. You may know nothing about
this franchise & its history. You may not feel anything inside however
you can sense something enveloping your aura that you cannot understand.
What it is, you may never understand however what it is is clear. En Mass
it is the protection of your future that can only be measured in the challenge
of facing each & every opportunity to its fullest. We are its
guardians. We are the witnesses. "PUT THE FIGHT!"
The Viking Ghost Writer
http://MyVikingBlood.org
Date: September 13, 2020
