Luck December 14, 2023
Luck comes in three (3) forms: Good, Bad & none at all. Although
the impact of luck is undeniable, in many cases, the results are generally
determined by our own actions rather than by blaming it all on some unforeseen
influence. A good example might be in addressing an auto accident where
you could say that you were hit by another vehicle, which was out of your
control, however what led to that event. Why were you there in that
specific moment or what caused the driver not to react in time. In other
cases, what might you have been doing that caused you to be involved in an event
... where you driving too fast or were you too close to the vehicle in front of
you. All in all, having someone break down the events, from an entirely
different perspective other than yours, might reveal something glaring that
points to the cause.
Recently, the Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, took issue with the benching of Joshua
Dobbs in our last contest versus the Raiders. From Warner's perspective,
he thought that Hobbs was not the issue ... again ... speaking from the true
underdog perspective ... which is his opinion, however it wasn't luck that
provided those results. It was the timely decisions made by Dobbs ... or
lack thereof Although what Dobbs did in his 1st two games of action was
pivotal for our season, it resulted, in most cases, from being off script, which
should never be the basis of a Kevin O'Connell offense. The decision on Dobbs'
5th game, was O'Connell's measure of how Dobbs might have assimilated into
an O'Connell's offense ... and what resulted was a whole lotta BAD LUCK.
We were losing this franchises top talent at an alarming rate ... Ed Ingram,
Justin Jefferson, Brian O'Neill, K.J. Osborn, (T.J. Hockenson - being exposed
numerous times), In other words, if Kevin O'Connell's hook hadn't fallen
on Dobbs ... we might not have much of a team left. Needed change was both
apparent & evident.
Which gets at the heart of the matter. In Hobbs development with this
team, was the requirements put upon Dobbs simply too excessive ... being an
almost impossible task to accomplish. Kirk Cousins has been with this
franchise for eight years where if you look back to year 1, his developed anticipation
within his team was actually miles apart from today. Simply stated was Kirk
Cousins playing at an "All Pro" level in year 1 because he certainly
was just before he went down this year. All those Dobbs tipped balls or
dropped passes or annihilations were the result of a lack of continuity with his
players ... and within a system. In time it just came into
reality.
Which brings us to the most important question of all, which has not been
discussed, and should be at the forefront. It's not who should be this
weeks starter in Cincinnati. It's should Jaren Hall be listed as the
emergency quarterback?
The response should go something like this. If it were Jaren Hall that
played extensively in our last five (5) contests ... then he would be our backup
quarterback, with Dobbs placed in that emergency roll however this is not the
case ... regardless of how well Hall played. On the other hand, if Dobbs
was destroyed by the O'Connell's (quick - yeah right, after 5 games) hook, then
he would be the emergency 3rd quarterback. To be direct, between O'Connell
& Dobbs, they've got to understand that there is much more to the equation
where Joshua's role in Minnesota is far from over. In short, Dobbs has to
lick his wounds and come out pissin' vinegar ... because he wasn't bad ... he
was just a little foolish ... where they both have to come to terms with Dobbs
is still on a very steep learning curve.
Keep in mind that in 1971, there was this guy names Rodger Staubach, which led
the Cowboys to it first Super Bowl Title, after being on a quick-hook &
regular rotation with Craig Morton ... as time is the healer of all wounds
... and is the melting pot ... the great thickener of all that will be. In
other words, everything they say about having an established starter is correct
... but there is also something very evident in regard to the net effect of a
coach willing to use that hook for the benefit of all his players. It
maybe the greatest learning tool in any coaches basket.
If there is anything for Nick Mullens needs in his basket this week it is to
take a page directly from the interaction between Bud Grant & Joe Kapp
What Kapp did on the field really didn't matter except for one undeniable
fact. He was going to do anything & everything to win that game.
It all begins & ends with that mind set.
Another question that hasn't been asked is in regard to Kirk Cousins & A. A.
Ron's injury that occurred on September 11. Kirk Cousins went down on
October 8th, a little less than a month later. We don't know if it is
true, but there has been talk of A. A. Ron's return some time in late December
or about 15 weeks after his injury. Does that mean that Kirk Cousins might
be available for a playoff push some time in January?
Regardless of luck ...
good or bad ... the Zen Master's response is not good or bad ... it's we'll see.
The Viking Ghost Writer
http://MyVikingBlood.org
Date: December 14, 2023
