Freeman Signs With Vikings

[run pMc]

I think it was Souhan who had a column that outlined how he thinks the Vikings would like this to play out:

Ponder's rib injury keeps him on the sideline
Cassel starts this week's game
Freeman grasps enough of the playbook to start the week after and take over from there, plays well enough to win chase down the rest of the division (or at least be competitive).

I like the move in that it's low risk, it gives them a chance to see if Freeman can play for them, and besides Ponder did not build on his improvement by last season's end. I've heard teams know if they have a keeper at QB by 32 games; I think the Vikings know what they have in Ponder and would like him as a backup.

Freeman will benefit from having Peterson and Jennings/Simpson, but I don't know if he's going to be better than Stafford, for example.
Basically, when he's bad, he's as bad as Ponder can be, but when he's good he's better than Ponder can be. The Vikes are banking on the upside.

I half expected them to bring Matt Flynn in as well -- corner the market in backup QB's.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Freeman has better physical skills than Culpepper. But there's no Moss, the O-line isn't great in pass pro, and who knows why he flaked out. But sometimes a change of scenery can work wonders - just recall Prince Hal the drunken rogue in the presence of Falstaff, but shortly thereafter the gallant king to be defeating the prideful Hotspur in single combat.

I disagree about his physical skills. Culpepper was faster and more accurate. They are similar size and the arm strength is similar, but Culpepper was better physically than Freeman (except for Culpepper's stunted hands).

[mraynrand]

I disagree about his physical skills. Culpepper was faster and more accurate. They are similar size and the arm strength is similar, but Culpepper was better physically than Freeman (except for Culpepper's stunted hands).

I shoulda looked it up before posting. Free was better in three cone and Wonderlic only. Pretty close on everything else, but Culpepper 4.52 to 4.97 in the 40. Funny how impressions stick with you. I always imagine Culpepper as brickier - maybe it just the height difference 6,6 to 6,4. I wasn't including accuracy in physical skills - Freeman seemed adequate, but spotty.