KUSA – All Mike Zimmer did, really, was ask what everyone else was thinking.
“Is Case Keenum the quarterback he was last year or who he was three years ago? Zimmer, the Minnesota Vikings’ head coach, said 18 days ago at the NFL Combine.
That was one variation. Another time, Zimmer was asked if Keenum could repeat his breakout 2017 season.
“You think he can, but it’s just kind of guessing,’’ he said.
Gee, thanks, coach. In fairness to Zimmer, he also praised Keenum’s heart, competitiveness and study habits. But then he dropped another money quote.
“The question is exactly what you’re asking: Is he this guy?’’ Zimmer said.
Zimmer’s candidness is refreshing. But it was surprising he didn’t think a little more highly of the guy who came to the rescue and lifted Minnesota to its best season since Brett Favre’s last hurrah in 2009.
Vikings No. 1 quarterback Sam Bradford was incredible in the season-opening win against New Orleans, but his knee couldn’t make it to week 2 against Pittsburgh.
Keenum and the Vikings lost to Pittsburgh that week, but he then went 12-2 the rest of the season, including a win at Chicago when he again came off the bench to bail out an ineffective and injured Bradford.
Keenum completed 67.6 percent of his passes in 2017 for 3,547 yards and 22 touchdowns while only throwing seven interceptions. Those numbers made him the NFL’s No. 7-rated passer. Kirk Cousins was 12th.
Keenum also threw the “Minnesota Miracle” to cap a solid performance against the Saints in a second-round NFC playoff game. He threw another touchdown pass to give Minnesota an early 7-0 lead in the NFC Championship before the Eagles took control.
And yet Keenum’s own coach couldn’t give him anything more than a maybe he is, maybe he’s not. Was Keenum offended his comments?
“I stopped getting offended a long time ago,’’ Keenum said in a sit-down interview with 9News that will be played tonight on Overtime following the 10 o’clock news. “Because I’ve had doubters for a long time. I play to prove people right that believe in me. Now that’s the Denver Broncos – John Elway, Gary Kubiak, Vance Joseph, the offensive staff – I play to prove those people right and my family, coaches I’ve had all along way, more than I do to prove people wrong or people who have doubted me.
“And I know there’s going to be doubters, people that disagree, people that will have their opinion and that’s fine. That’s great. I want people to care. I want people to care about football and people to care about the Denver Broncos -- because I do. I care a tremendous amount about this team – already. And I’ve been a Denver Broncos for less than 24 hours.’’
In the offseason, the Vikings first decided to not work out a contract extension with Keenum, or place a franchise tag on him. That move, coupled with Zimmer’s comments, all but assured Keenum would play elsewhere in 2018.
The Vikings pursued Cousins in free agency and got him with a record contract while their backup plan, Keenum, signed with the Broncos.
Keenum said of all the teams in the market for a quarterback – a group that included Arizona, the New York Jets, Cleveland, Buffalo and his own Minnesota Vikings – Denver was his first choice.
He explained with a filibuster on the strengths of the Broncos, the city and their surroundings.
“Just the fans here,’’ he said. “Broncos Country. I’ve played here a few times, just in the preseason, and it’s been incredible. The organization – the history, tradition here – I mean you walk in the door and the trophies are sitting right there.
“Elway has big shoes to fill but an incredible leader in this building. Coach Joseph is a guy that I’ve known and played with, played for with the Texans my first couple years (in 2012-13 when Joseph was the defensive backs coach). Across the board there was a lot of familiar faces. A lot of familiarity with those guys, coach Musgrave, Mike Sullivan, guys that I’ve heard nothing but incredible things about.
“That and the team itself is an incredible team, poised to do some special things on the field. First-hand I’ve had experience playing the defense. Von Miller, I think one of the fastest sacks I’ve ever had in my life (in a 2016 preseason game). I’m so glad to be wearing a different colored jersey when we practice against him. He’ll peel off. Hopefully.
“Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, guys that I’ve looked at from afar and been fans of from afar. Really excited to get to work with them.
“And so much more. The city of Denver, we’ve heard nothing but great things. We have family and friends that live here. So, we’re excited to get out and explore the city and the surrounding area. We love the outdoors.
“Red Rocks, the amphitheater there. … It’s been on my list. I’ve been dying to go there for so long. Yeah, to go to a concert. Or just to go check it out, go see it.
“That’s a really long answer because there’s a lot of great reasons why I wanted to be here.’’
Now that he’s here, there will still be questions about his level of play as an NFL quarterback. Did he peak? Or is he ascending?
But those questions are no longer being asked publicly by his bosses.
“Everything we thought that Case had -- not only what he can do on the field but what he can do off the field as far as leadership qualities, the grit that he has, the way that he plays the game and the way that he competes—he was the perfect fit for us,’’ Elway said. “We’re extremely excited to welcome Case to Denver and we really have high expectations for what we can do and what he can add, especially on the offensive side.’’
