When you think that Souhan has reached low...

[Thrylos]

Here comes this one...

[drjim]

Seems like a good idea to me.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Sounds like a good idea to me, too

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

With all due respect, I don't know how suggesting the Vikings signing Kaepernick is a "new low" and I agree with Souhan on this for the reasons he stated and many more he didn't.

[Mr. Brooks]

What is the new low here?

 

If anything, I finally have some respect for Souhan.

 

The blacklisting of Kaepernick has been a disgusting thing.

[crop duster]

Signing the most disliked player in the NFL, a guy that 70% of Americans dislike* is not a sound business decision.

 

*actual poll, CBS sports

[ThejacKmp]

 

Signing the most disliked player in the NFL, a guy that 70% of Americans dislike* is not a sound business decision.

*actual poll, CBS sports

 

1.) 70% disagree with his stance, it doesn't mean they dislike him. I don't agree with my father on anything politically but I definitely like him. I don't agree with my wife on how often we should clean the bathroom, doesn't mean I dislike her. When quoting a poll, make sure you quote it accurately.

 

2.) In 1966, 63% of Americans disliked Martin Luther King according to Gallup. I don't have the numbers but I imagine well over 70% of American disagreed with Muhammad Ali when he refused to join the army. We changed our minds eventually. I'm not saying CK is MLK or Ali or that people will change their mind but that number is relatively meaningless - it's but one moment in time. 

 

3.) Do you really think Vikings fans would stop cheering for the team if they had Kaepernick? I know tons of people who disagree with his views but I don't think many would stop watching a winning Vikings team. And how many wouldn't come back once he was gone? I say this as a person who refused to watch the Favre Vikings because i hated him so much. I was alone in that. Favre pre-Vikings was more hated than Colin Kaepernick will ever be and people changed their minds pretty quickly. In sports, all you have to be is good.

[ThejacKmp]

Agree 100% with Souhan on this. I also would love to see polls asking Vikings fans about having Kaepernick as backup - one taken Tuesday of last week and one taken tomorrow. I bet that watching Keenum suck today and seeing how the defense looks contender level might change . . . 25%? 30%?

[Kwak]

Why do any of you think Kaepernick would be any better?  His 49ers went from the very top to the very bottom--with him.  The entire team had major surgery in order to "rebuild".  His skill-set is that of a college offense--which has shown that shortly said QB will be broken into pieces.  Consider Kaepernick as Cam Newton light--not as big, strong or fast--then consider what happened to Carolina.

 

The problems the Vikes have won't be solved by Kaepernick--because the O-Line is the real problem.

 

As far as Souhan, the purpose of his article is to gain readers and nothing more.

[crop duster]

1.) 70% disagree with his stance, it doesn't mean they dislike him. I don't agree with my father on anything politically but I definitely like him. I don't agree with my wife on how often we should clean the bathroom, doesn't mean I dislike her. When quoting a poll, make sure you quote it accurately.

 

2.) In 1966, 63% of Americans disliked Martin Luther King according to Gallup. I don't have the numbers but I imagine well over 70% of American disagreed with Muhammad Ali when he refused to join the army. We changed our minds eventually. I'm not saying CK is MLK or Ali or that people will change their mind but that number is relatively meaningless - it's but one moment in time. 

 

3.) Do you really think Vikings fans would stop cheering for the team if they had Kaepernick? I know tons of people who disagree with his views but I don't think many would stop watching a winning Vikings team. And how many wouldn't come back once he was gone? I say this as a person who refused to watch the Favre Vikings because i hated him so much. I was alone in that. Favre pre-Vikings was more hated than Colin Kaepernick will ever be and people changed their minds pretty quickly. In sports, all you have to be is good.

Well it's 72% not 70 since we're being accurate and all. False comparisons with MLK are irrelevant, as they are with Favre. I hated Favre because he was an effing packer not because of any attention seeking political crap, once he was not a packer we were good lol. Funny that you don't think people would stop cheering the team over a player they hate but then you tell an anecdote about you yourself did just that. No you probably weren't the only one.

[The Wise One]

My understanding of how it works is that you  want your backup to have the same traits as your starter.   Kaepernik  works best in a motion style offense. That is not Bradford. 

 

Kaepernik has made a ton of money and has not been foolish with it. He wants starter's money, not a back up's  paycheck.  He can likely make more money giving speeches that being a back up. He is able to continue to be in the  news by being a victim and hence attract attention and engagements. 

 

Souhan is not at a new low. He is just takeng advantage of yet another hot button talker that polarizes. There is attention from the extremes that leads to more attention.     Attention is money. 

[Mike Sixel]

Anyone that thinks Kaep is not one of the 60 best QBs on the planet probably isn't being honest with themselves in their assessment of him as a player only......

 

As for his stance, I always thought we were fighting FOR the right to free speech out there in the world. We should be celebrating him, whether we agree with him or not.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Just to be clear: Kaepernick is using his speech on behalf of victims, not playing a victim himself.

[Vanimal46]

 

My understanding of how it works is that you  want your backup to have the same traits as your starter.   Kaepernik  works best in a motion style offense. That is not Bradford. 

 

Kaepernik has made a ton of money and has not been foolish with it. He wants starter's money, not a back up's  paycheck.  He can likely make more money giving speeches that being a back up. He is able to continue to be in the  news by being a victim and hence attract attention and engagements. 

 

Souhan is not at a new low. He is just takeng advantage of yet another hot button talker that polarizes. There is attention from the extremes that leads to more attention.     Attention is money. 

 

Do we know what Kapernick's contract terms are? I would think he would accept backup money since it's better than nothing. And backup money is better money than 99% of the jobs he would get outside of football. 

[Shaitan]

In the offseason I was for this move. Unfortunately, I don't think a QB singing in-season ever pays off. It takes too long to acclimate to a new system. (Though there are exceptions...see Bradford last year.)

 

Most of the time, though, I think you end up with Freeman and not Bradford.

[Mike Sixel]

 

In the offseason I was for this move. Unfortunately, I don't think a QB singing in-season ever pays off. It takes too long to acclimate to a new system. (Though there are exceptions...see Bradford last year.)

 

Most of the time, though, I think you end up with Freeman and not Bradford.

 

This argument has merit for sure.

[ThejacKmp]

Well it's 72% not 70 since we're being accurate and all. False comparisons with MLK are irrelevant, as they are with Favre. I hated Favre because he was an effing packer not because of any attention seeking political crap, once he was not a packer we were good lol. Funny that you don't think people would stop cheering the team over a player they hate but then you tell an anecdote about you yourself did just that. No you probably weren't the only one.

I'm going to try to not be combative here but c'mon. Address any point I made? You quoted 70% and I assumed we were okay with rounding since we were okay misrepresenting the very question the poll asked. if that's the best you have just let it drop.

 

No one said he was MLK, stop misrepresenting what I said. My point was that when people have time to calm down, they sometimes change their mind. Like they did with MLK. And Ali. My experience talking with people who don't like CK is that they don't really know what CK is saying - they're projecting their own beliefs about those who oppose them onto CK. You don't strike me as different in that regard. He doesn't hate America, he doesn't want the troops to die - he's just using his first amendment right to free speech. We should all be proud of that, even if we disagree. Jon Kitna led prayer circles after every game. I'm not a big fan of organized religion but I'm glad that he has the right to gather and worship as he chooses.

 

Likewise, I think Favre is a perfect comparison. Favre was actually hated, not disagreed with. I have never known an opposing player that MN sports fans have ever hated more. Then he became a Viking and people raced out to buy his jersey and crow at their Packer fan friends with every win. People dropped that hate in a second because sports has a "my guy" aspect that is hard to resist. If a player makes your team better you like him. We all originally liked AJ if you need another example. And as to your last point, I never met a single person who didn't think that my stance was stupid and never met anyone else who was done with the Vikings for the Favre era. That's anecdotal but I think it's telling.

 

Do you have an actual response? NItpicking and misrepresenting don't count.

[ThejacKmp]

In the offseason I was for this move. Unfortunately, I don't think a QB singing in-season ever pays off. It takes too long to acclimate to a new system. (Though there are exceptions...see Bradford last year.)

 

Most of the time, though, I think you end up with Freeman and not Bradford.

Can't be worse than Keenum. Hopefully Sam can soldier through til Week 6 or so. Then we may have a credible backup in Teddy. I'd still like to see them bring in CK though. Keenum is just not an NFL QB.

[ThejacKmp]

Do we know what Kapernick's contract terms are? I would think he would accept backup money since it's better than nothing. And backup money is better money than 99% of the jobs he would get outside of football.

 

I don't think it's ever been about money for him. It's about having an opportunity to play. The Vikings job should be appealing to him - he's better than Keenum, Bradford is a lame duck with serious injury issues on the same knee in the past, Teddy is a complete unknown. If CK came in and took a few weeks to learn the system and then beat the Packers (again), MN would love him.

[crop duster]

I'm going to try to not be combative here but c'mon. Address any point I made? You quoted 70% and I assumed we were okay with rounding since we were okay misrepresenting the very question the poll asked. if that's the best you have just let it drop.

No one said he was MLK, stop misrepresenting what I said. My point was that when people have time to calm down, they sometimes change their mind. Like they did with MLK. And Ali. My experience talking with people who don't like CK is that they don't really know what CK is saying - they're projecting their own beliefs about those who oppose them onto CK. You don't strike me as different in that regard. He doesn't hate America, he doesn't want the troops to die - he's just using his first amendment right to free speech. We should all be proud of that, even if we disagree. Jon Kitna led prayer circles after every game. I'm not a big fan of organized religion but I'm glad that he has the right to gather and worship as he chooses.

Likewise, I think Favre is a perfect comparison. Favre was actually hated, not disagreed with. I have never known an opposing player that MN sports fans have ever hated more. Then he became a Viking and people raced out to buy his jersey and crow at their Packer fan friends with every win. People dropped that hate in a second because sports has a "my guy" aspect that is hard to resist. If a player makes your team better you like him. We all originally liked AJ if you need another example. And as to your last point, I never met a single person who didn't think that my stance was stupid and never met anyone else who was done with the Vikings for the Favre era. That's anecdotal but I think it's telling.

Do you have an actual response? NItpicking and misrepresenting don't count.

If the Favre comparison is perfect then Kaepernick must have been loved in San Fran, he was "their guy" right? Oh but he was drummed out of town there, some love... Do you have a valid comparison involving a player who was reviled nationwide for his politics and judgement on displaying those views suddenly becoming loved in a new city?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

If the Favre comparison is perfect then Kaepernick must have been loved in San Fran, he was "their guy" right? Oh but he was drummed out of town there, some love... Do you have a valid comparison involving a player who was reviled nationwide for his politics and judgement on displaying those views suddenly becoming loved in a new city?

I'm not sure this is as true as you believe it is. You might be looking at a faulty study.

[jkcarew]

Not offended by the article.  But kind of weary of Kaepernick articles, in general.

 

Everyone talks about the political consequences of Kaepernick's actions.  But there are real, non-political consequences as well.  The goat rodeo of media and distraction that will surround the team and Kaep's own ability to put in the time to be an active NFL quarterback, while also playing the part of highly-visible political activist...is very problematic.  Jim Brown, who has a lot of experience at both political activism and playing in the NFL said that, if Kaepernick wants to play in the NFL, he needs to recede from the political activist role for a while.  That's not a political reality, it's an NFL reality.  (To be fair, I'm not sure the media would accept him stepping away from that role anymore...even if he were to want to.)  In the meantime, while Kaepernick is probably better than several QB's on current rosters, he's simply not good enough to take on this stuff...again, that's ignoring the political risk (or benefit) you may see in taking him on.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Not offended by the article.  But kind of weary of Kaepernick articles, in general.

 

Everyone talks about the political consequences of Kaepernick's actions.  But there are real, non-political consequences as well.  The goat rodeo of media and distraction that will surround the team and Kaep's own ability to put in the time to be an active NFL quarterback, while also playing the part of highly-visible political activist...is very problematic.  Jim Brown, who has a lot of experience at both political activism and playing in the NFL said that, if Kaepernick wants to play in the NFL, he needs to recede from the political activist role for a while.  That's not a political reality, it's an NFL reality.  (To be fair, I'm not sure the media would accept him stepping away from that role anymore...even if he were to want to.)  In the meantime, while Kaepernick is probably better than several QB's on current rosters, he's simply not good enough to take on this stuff...again, that's ignoring the political risk (or benefit) you may see in taking him on.

 

that's certainly all true. 

 

That's part of what makes him brave, not a coward or a victim. He's willing to stand up for what he thinks is right, even though it is costing him money. And he's being viscerated for doing that by a large populace, even though he's doing it peacefully, like they keep telling the people of St. Louis to do....

[drock2190]

Kaepernick is an idiot. He's protesting but then doesn't even vote in the election. That's pretty much end of the story right there.

 

I really don't like it when people don't honor the flag, I've had relatives and friends give there all defending this country. Today's generation (and I'm part of it), feel way too entitled to things and cry when they don't get their way.

 

I would be dissapointed if the Vikings signed him. Besides he's not really that good to make a difference when Sam is out.

[Mr. Brooks]

Kaepernick is an idiot. He's protesting but then doesn't even vote in the election. That's pretty much end of the story right there.

 

I really don't like it when people don't honor the flag, I've had relatives and friends give there all defending this country. Today's generation (and I'm part of it), feel way too entitled to things and cry when they don't get their way.

 

I would be dissapointed if the Vikings signed him. Besides he's not really that good to make a difference when Sam is out.

Isn't a big part of what your friends and relatives defended the right to choose to NOT stand during the anthem?

 

I have 3 cousins who have served in 3 different branches, and that is their feeling on it.

 

Does patriotism have any meaning if its required? I guess I'd lean heavily towards no.

[drock2190]

 

Isn't a big part of what your friends and relatives defended the right to choose to NOT stand during the anthem?

I have 3 cousins who have served in 3 different branches, and that is their feeling on it.

Does patriotism have any meaning if its required? I guess I'd lean heavily towards no.

 

No it shouldn't be required but that doesn't mean I can't frown on it. Without diving into statistics, Kaep's argument is rather weak. He's a drama queen and him not voting proves it.

[drock2190]

 

The NFL's blackballing Colin Kaepernick is a purely political, racist move by a group of racist, white billionaires that consider black men to be expendable pieces in their rich white boy's game of pro football ownership. Kaepernick's uppity protest of America's extremely racist national anthem is something we as Americans should all praise, not condemn. 

 

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings owners and management are revealing to us that they are no better than the grossest Klansmen in their hatred of uppity black men. Kaepernick is a starting NFL quarterback. Maybe not the best, but a damn sight better than a place holder like Case Keenum. Shame on Vikings management for ignoring a winning QB for purely racist reasons. 

 

Wow. You sir, just jumped to a lot of conclusions. Not everything is about racism.

[Craig Arko]

 

Wow. You sir, just jumped to a lot of conclusions. Not everything is about racism.

Ultimately in this case, I think it is, based on the nature of the protest. Clearly the cases of say, Michael Vick, Darren Sharper, Ray Lewis, and Adrian Peterson were much less so. Although the NFL took all of those men back.

 

If the Vikings showed some guts and signed Kaepernick, I might watch them again.

[drock2190]

 

Ultimately in this case, I think it is. Clearly the cases of say, Michael Vick, Darren Sharper, Ray Lewis, and Adrian Peterson were much less so. Although the NFL took all of those men back.

 

If the Vikings showed some guts and signed Kaepernick, I might watch them again.

 

Sam is out a week and everyone freaks out over the backup. They played a good team, probably wouldn't have won if Bridgewater walked out on the field fully healthy. Bridgewater is a better QB and if he is good to go at the midway point, he might take the job from Sam. And if he has to sit, I would bet he would be better about taking that then Kaep.

[Kwak]

 

Just to be clear: Kaepernick is using his speech on behalf of victims, not playing a victim himself.

+1

 

The timing of "his protest" coincided with the news that SF was considering releasing him (from a bloated contract).  There was considerable turmoil in the SF team given their "fall from grace". 

 

The first game he "protested"--nobody said a word!  K. then announced to all--"I'm protesting!".  Said protests continued--but K. wasn't redirecting the commentary about him to "his issue" (alleged race-specific police brutality), but instead made the entire issue about him (his protest) specifically.  No longer were the brutalized the victim--Kaepernick was the "victim".

 

The SF football was euchured by Kaepernick into keeping on its payroll all-season for fear of a wrongful termination lawsuit. 

 

So if you want an example of a "me first" guy on your team (out shining AP in that category)--well he's all yours.  But, to expect K. to fix MV's offensive line weakness is unfathomable.