Thread: Sage Rosenfels Controlling only what he can

[size=13pt]Controlling only what he can[/size]

Sage Rosenfels knew he had no say in whether or not the Vikings gave him a chance to start, so he simply went about learning what he could about his new team's offense.

By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune

Last update: April 8, 2009 - 9:29 PM

The Vikings had just obtained Sage Rosenfels from Houston in late February when word came that they were interested in disgruntled Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler.

That could have frustrated Rosenfels, who has only 12 regular-season starts in an eight-year NFL career spent with three teams. But the even-keeled Iowan wasn't fazed -- even if his opportunity to battle Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job seemed in doubt.

"I've learned that you only can control so many things in this world, and all I can try to do is control when I'm out there with my team, with my offense," he said Wednesday. "Try to do the best I can to help move the football down the field and score points."

[size=13pt]Rosenfels: Vikings offense has untapped potential[/size]

by Judd Zulgad

Quarterback Sage Rosenfels is back in the Twin Cities taking part in the Vikings offseason conditioning program, getting to know his receivers and even negotiating with one of them.

Rosenfels, who was acquired from Houston for a fourth-round draft pick at the start of free agency, said today he has watched all the plays run by the Vikings offense last season and is getting more and more familiar with not only the version of the West Coast system run by the team but also the personnel with which he will be working.

“I think there is some untapped potential in this offense,” said Rosenfels, who will compete with Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job in training camp. “I think the receivers do have a lot of talent and I think there’s a lot of tight ends that can do multiple things and everyone knows about the running game. This isn’t going to be an offense where we lead the NFL in most yards and I hope it’s not. Last year, the top three teams in the league [in offense] were all 8-8, but the top three teams in defense all made the conference championship games. To win in this league you’ve got to run the ball well, you’ve got to play great defense and execute in the passing game and have a high third-down percentage. You’ve just got to look no further than the Pittsburgh Steelers, the world champions, and how they’ve been winning consistently over decades and then try to copy some of that here.”

Give Rosenfels credit for knowing his stuff. The top three teams in total offense last season – New Orleans, Denver and Rosenfels’ former club, Houston — all did finish 8-8. The top three teams in total defense were Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Another interesting tidbit from the article

One of his areas of focus will be continuing talks with wide receiver Sidney Rice in order to get the rights to the No. 18. That has been Rosenfels’ jersey number and he would like to keep it that way.

“We’re working on it, we’re working on it,” Rosenfels said of his attempts to get Rice to give up the number. “I think 18 is an awful number for a receiver. I think it’s a great number for a quarterback. I’m working with Sidney and hopefully we get something worked out.”

Odds are good this will end up Rosenfels writing out a check to Rice.

"Garland" wrote:

[size=13pt]Controlling only what he can[/size]

Sage Rosenfels knew he had no say in whether or not the Vikings gave him a chance to start, so he simply went about learning what he could about his new team's offense.

By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune

Last update: April 8, 2009 - 9:29 PM

The Vikings had just obtained Sage Rosenfels from Houston in late February when word came that they were interested in disgruntled Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler.

That could have frustrated Rosenfels, who has only 12 regular-season starts in an eight-year NFL career spent with three teams. But the even-keeled Iowan wasn't fazed -- even if his opportunity to battle Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job seemed in doubt.

"I've learned that you only can control so many things in this world, and all I can try to do is control when I'm out there with my team, with my offense," he said Wednesday. "Try to do the best I can to help move the football down the field and score points."

requested DVD copies of every offensive play his new team ran last season. Rosenfels also studied the play-call sheets while viewing the footage.

Dude definitly wants the job. I don't know if every QB does this but I am impressed.

"There is some untapped potential in this offense," he said. "The receivers have a lot of talent, and I think there's a lot of tight ends that can do multiple things, and everyone knows about the running game.

He seems not to be worried about our WRs. Maybe we will find out that TJ just can't find the open man.

"Garland" wrote:

[size=13pt]Rosenfels: Vikings offense has untapped potential[/size]

by Judd Zulgad

Quarterback Sage Rosenfels is back in the Twin Cities taking part in the Vikings offseason conditioning program, getting to know his receivers and even negotiating with one of them.

Rosenfels, who was acquired from Houston for a fourth-round draft pick at the start of free agency, said today he has watched all the plays run by the Vikings offense last season and is getting more and more familiar with not only the version of the West Coast system run by the team but also the personnel with which he will be working.

“I think there is some untapped potential in this offense,” said Rosenfels, who will compete with Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job in training camp. “I think the receivers do have a lot of talent and I think there’s a lot of tight ends that can do multiple things and everyone knows about the running game. This isn’t going to be an offense where we lead the NFL in most yards and I hope it’s not. Last year, the top three teams in the league [in offense] were all 8-8, but the top three teams in defense all made the conference championship games. To win in this league you’ve got to run the ball well, you’ve got to play great defense and execute in the passing game and have a high third-down percentage. You’ve just got to look no further than the Pittsburgh Steelers, the world champions, and how they’ve been winning consistently over decades and then try to copy some of that here.”

Give Rosenfels credit for knowing his stuff. The top three teams in total offense last season – New Orleans, Denver and Rosenfels’ former club, Houston — all did finish 8-8. The top three teams in total defense were Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Give Rosenfels credit for knowing his stuff. The top three teams in total offense last season – New Orleans, Denver and Rosenfels’ former club, Houston — all did finish 8-8. The top three teams in total defense were Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Like I said before, Sage is a smart dude. I hope he can put it together. All we need is consistency and this team will go far. Just not sure about those INTs.

Sage is not a starting level QB. Every team he's been on for the past 9 years has known this.

I gave props to TJ, however, I should have included Sage and JDB as well with respect to how they handled the Cutler goings on.

Lets hope thier heads continue to be "Screwed On" the right way this year.

By the by, thanks for the reads my friend.

The competition between Sage and Tarvaris will only make each other better. I really like this quote from Sage."This isn't going to be an offense where we lead the NFL in most yards, and I hope it's not."

It really shows that he knows we are predominantly a run first team, and the QB has to play in the scheme. He knows that there isn't going to be 300 yrd passing games, just have to make plays and be smart with the football, keep drive's alive and score points.

"PurpleTide" wrote:

The competition between Sage and Tarvaris will only make each other better. I really like this quote from Sage."This isn't going to be an offense where we lead the NFL in most yards, and I hope it's not."

It really shows that he knows we are predominantly a run first team, and the QB has to play in the scheme. He knows that there isn't going to be 300 yrd passing games, just have to make plays and be smart with the football, keep drive's alive and score points.

I echo this, and for the record I was pleased that we were able to bring him in for a 4th rounder.
While we all know he can occasionally defy gravity (apparently by rotating, much like a gyro... why can't I think of a good example of this?), I've also seen him make some pretty nice throws, and orchestrate some efficient drives with good decision making.
I don't know that he can button it all up and consistently manage, but if he wins the competition he'll have my full support until I see otherwise.
My biggest fear from either of these guys is forcing the ball, and it sounds like he knows to avoid it.
Of course, this attitude may change when the pressure is on.

A solid read for sure.
I have little doubt that Sage is going to be the starting QB on this team come opening day. T-Jack will have pressure on him to win the job ... and, well, he only does well when there is little to no pressure on him. I don't like T-Jack's chances, but I do think that if he wins this job it will be because Sage pushed him.
I think we will be better off at QB for having this competition and personally think that we will be solid at QB come game time. I don't have any real reason or logic behind it, I just personally feel at ease with our QB position for some reason.
Now RT? .... that is a different story.