There's 2 kinds of negativity out there on JJ McCarthy that have people biased toward Darnold - the reflexive doom and gloom of Vikings fans about knee injuries and assuming that they must be career ending, and the people who just based on raw stats and Jim Harbaugh's offensive style assume that there was nothing special about JJ McCarthy as a prospect. If you look at his 3rd and 7+ passing, where Harbaugh will use a QB most like anyone else will, JJ McCarthy was truly elite. Good luck finding anyone who was even close there.
People who question his usage at Michigan only need to look at Harbaugh first year with Herbert and how drastically different his passing numbers were because of Harbaugh system.
All year you said the KOC calls long developing plays. You have said in the past that it’s because it is what our players are best at like JA and JJ. You also added in today that it was because it helped Sam read the field better. Do you think next year we will see more quick game/ shorter developing plays because that’s what JJ is better at and not as good at the deep ball?
Great segment Luke. Agree on you analysis of Sam's mechanics and his strengths & weakness. I would add that Sam struggled in games where he got pressured & hit early in the 3 games where he struggled badly. Sam's processing chip would smoke out the top of his helmet - Complete system breakdown. Sam would move his feet from 1 to 2 to 3 (muscle memory) But Sam could not process if his look 1-2-3 was open or not. Sam just lost his process completely in these games. Quick pressures up the middle and bad blocking by our "G - C - G shop of horrors" was his downfall. Sam has physical courage in the pocket - Don't get that wrong - but he blanks when things get to fast.
Are the Vikings really going to about face on there plan the same plan where they parted ways with Kirk Cousins after a failed campaign with a veteran QB that seems to melt in the biggest situation avoiding using a high percentages of cap space on an unproven QB? I don't think so! I think Sam was a relatively inexpensive bridge option while implementing a plan to prepare JJ McCarthy to take the reigns at QB with a solid roster with hopes of being in a super bowl window.
I am in the camp of tagging him and see what happens. We have seen season, where 6 QBs have gone down early in the season. What would a QB needy team, give for Darnold. I think it would be higher, than anyone would think. If not, we are not100% sure about JJ Mac. He might still have a bad leg.
I'm on the fence about Darnold. When he's on, he's a top tier QB, but when he's not...YIKES! Can he learn to handle the pressure of big games? For me, that's where the gamble is. He's shown he can improve and learn from his bad games (see performance since JAX game), but you may only get a handful of big game opportunities learn and grow. I'm going to trust what Kwesi and KOC decide on this one.
@jordannichols6495 look at Darnold and Cousins before KOC. JJ is younger, faster, without the football trauma, and cheaper. I like Darnold but if you give a QB 40 million he cannot fold under pressure.
No matter what happens I have faith this Vikings org will do what's best relating to the qb situation. We moved off Kirk at the right time, I would assume they will do the same with Darnold.
For me there is no Sam or JJ decision - Give McCarthy his chance. See what he has. Upside: this kid works hard, studies and is athletic. Downside: JJ was kept on training wheels at Michigan and was not allowed to take over games - So nobody knows how he will react when asked to carry an NFL offense. Jaden Daniels. Lamar & Allen started fast due to their offenses having a RB give, QB pull with Pass or Run triple option. I'm hoping McCarthy can get some of that from KOC. JJ is athletic and that offense is a cheat code for young QBs looking to hunt the Superbowl. SKOL!
There's 2 kinds of negativity out there on JJ McCarthy that have people biased toward Darnold - the reflexive doom and gloom of Vikings fans about knee injuries and assuming that they must be career ending, and the people who just based on raw stats and Jim Harbaugh's offensive style assume that there was nothing special about JJ McCarthy as a prospect. If you look at his 3rd and 7+ passing, where Harbaugh will use a QB most like anyone else will, JJ McCarthy was truly elite. Good luck finding anyone who was even close there.
People who question his usage at Michigan only need to look at Harbaugh first year with Herbert and how drastically different his passing numbers were because of Harbaugh system.
All year you said the KOC calls long developing plays. You have said in the past that it’s because it is what our players are best at like JA and JJ. You also added in today that it was because it helped Sam read the field better. Do you think next year we will see more quick game/ shorter developing plays because that’s what JJ is better at and not as good at the deep ball?
I have no idea! I'll be curious to watch for that in camp and preseason with McCarthy.
Luke, tag him IF you have a trade deal in place. Then the team that gets him (Oakland) doesn't have to bid against everyone else
Great segment Luke. Agree on you analysis of Sam's mechanics and his strengths & weakness. I would add that Sam struggled in games where he got pressured & hit early in the 3 games where he struggled badly. Sam's processing chip would smoke out the top of his helmet - Complete system breakdown. Sam would move his feet from 1 to 2 to 3 (muscle memory) But Sam could not process if his look 1-2-3 was open or not. Sam just lost his process completely in these games. Quick pressures up the middle and bad blocking by our "G - C - G shop of horrors" was his downfall. Sam has physical courage in the pocket - Don't get that wrong - but he blanks when things get to fast.
Without o-line improvements it is not going to matter who is QB.
And those improvements are far easier if you’re not paying Darnold 35-40 million a year
Are the Vikings really going to about face on there plan the same plan where they parted ways with Kirk Cousins after a failed campaign with a veteran QB that seems to melt in the biggest situation avoiding using a high percentages of cap space on an unproven QB? I don't think so! I think Sam was a relatively inexpensive bridge option while implementing a plan to prepare JJ McCarthy to take the reigns at QB with a solid roster with hopes of being in a super bowl window.
I am in the camp of tagging him and see what happens. We have seen season, where 6 QBs have gone down early in the season. What would a QB needy team, give for Darnold. I think it would be higher, than anyone would think. If not, we are not100% sure about JJ Mac. He might still have a bad leg.
I'm on the fence about Darnold. When he's on, he's a top tier QB, but when he's not...YIKES! Can he learn to handle the pressure of big games? For me, that's where the gamble is. He's shown he can improve and learn from his bad games (see performance since JAX game), but you may only get a handful of big game opportunities learn and grow. I'm going to trust what Kwesi and KOC decide on this one.
I tell people to look at Michigan record before JJ and after JJ.
Minnesota before Darnold 7-10
@jordannichols6495 look at Darnold and Cousins before KOC. JJ is younger, faster, without the football trauma, and cheaper. I like Darnold but if you give a QB 40 million he cannot fold under pressure.
The Jefferson and Darrisaw contracts were done with the intent of JJ being the viking qb in 2025, obviously, so it's already a done deal.
No matter what happens I have faith this Vikings org will do what's best relating to the qb situation. We moved off Kirk at the right time, I would assume they will do the same with Darnold.
JJ threw 11 picks total in 3 seasons in the toughest college conference as far as defense goes.....acting like he was interception prone is crazy
For me there is no Sam or JJ decision - Give McCarthy his chance. See what he has. Upside: this kid works hard, studies and is athletic. Downside: JJ was kept on training wheels at Michigan and was not allowed to take over games - So nobody knows how he will react when asked to carry an NFL offense. Jaden Daniels. Lamar & Allen started fast due to their offenses having a RB give, QB pull with Pass or Run triple option. I'm hoping McCarthy can get some of that from KOC. JJ is athletic and that offense is a cheat code for young QBs looking to hunt the Superbowl. SKOL!
LET SAM DARNOLD WALK AND USE THE MONEY FOR OTHER NEEDED POSITIONS
It was a total offensive collapse..9 sacks? Total shit show
You non beat writers are a joke. They are going franchise him get one 2nd round pick then trade back. Look what I can do.
That's not happening either. He's not going to make Franchise Tag money from anyone, so nobody is trading for that.
@DerrickRG I bet the raiders do. We shall see
@DerrickRG he won 14 games. He's going to get paid. Lmao. He's better than kirk. Internet logic is crazy 🤪