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Housh slips away, but Vikes turn their attention to Cutler
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Here's the answer. Don't let him get away, Vikes
An exciting few days ended in disappointment as T.J. Houshmanzadeh and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed on a five-year $40 million contract, including $15 million in guaranteed money just hours after Housh left Minneapolis. The Vikes offer was reportedly $5 million less than Seattle’s, as Housh showed us once again professional sports is indeed a business and about money first and winning second.
Two points: Housh is 32-years-old and Seattle is a rebuilding team that went 4-12 last year, lacks a running game and has a banged up, aging receiving corp. The Vikings are defending division champs with another star receiver who demands attention and the best running back in the game who demands teams stack eight in the box. Housh could have put on a purple jersey, ran wild in single coverage every week and had a chance to make a Super Bowl run. Instead, he took the larger contract and may help Seattle improve to a 7-9 record this year.
Secondly, it’s amazing the Vikings didn’t do everything in their power to sign him. Adding Housh opposite Berrian would make the Vikes offense one to be feared and assure the team was among the NFC favorites in 2009 (more thoughts on this here). We wined him, we dined him, but we didn’t match Seattle’s offer, and now we may know why.
Latest reports have the Vikings expressing interest in Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler has been at odds with the Broncos since word hit they tried to deal him to acquire Matt Cassel. Cutler is now upset and refusing to meet with new head coach Josh McDaniels. Reports have varied, but some say the Vikes may have already made an offer. Detroit and Chicago also may have expressed interest. The Broncos are keeping quiet and are refusing they are shopping Cutler.
I’m trying not to get too excited after the Houshmanzadeh disappointment, but I wouldn’t be able to contain myself if Cutler came to Minneapolis. Maybe it’s because after risking a fifth round pick on him in fantasy football he helped carry me to a (second) place finish, or maybe because I love young quarterbacks with “laser, rocket arms” that have the ability to put up 400 yards and three touchdowns on any given Sunday, but if Cutler comes here it’s a whole new ballgame.
Although I’m a huge fan of him, I’m aware of his problems as well. He has a lot of Brett Favre-esque decision making in him, as he will amaze you all day, only to huck up an interception on the final drive to lose the game. This is often caused by his habit of forcing the ball into bad situations, usually to Brandon Marshall. He also has an extremely large ego and seems to have some growing up to do.
In short, I don’t care. These things can be fixed.
Cutler is a 26-years old Pro Bowler who will enter only his fourth year in the league this season and has shown he has the talent to become one of the best in the league. He threw for over 4,500 yards last year to go along with 25 touchdowns, and yes, 18 picks as well. I realize the Broncos threw the ball 40+ times a game because of the complete absence of a running game (which explains both his high yard total and the high interception number). But the point is he has the ability to put up those kinds of numbers, and as always, the league’s best running back can only make a quarterback’s day easier.
A first-round pick will only be a jumping off point to acquire Cutler, but a price cannot be put on a potential franchise quarterback for the next ten years. Everybody loved Matt Cassel, including myself, who is the same age as Cutler with half as much talent. We let a superstar receiver get away, let’s not make the same mistake. The Vikes need to get this done.
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