I hope Viking Nation can be patient....

[StickierBuns]

Not talking this board, pretty level headed here with long time fans that understand patience. But for the rest, especially the 30 and under crowd? Not so sure. New players at important positions, units that need to gel, etc. it all takes time and reps. So much micromanaging play to play online of these young podcasters/online 'reporters'/Twitter engagement guys trying to make enough money following the Vikings that they can make it their jobs. Its almost like a self contained job justification as the same dudes respond to each others 'reports'. I think the team is talented, but its going to take some time and games to get to their best level (probably can be said for most teams). They'll be inconsistent in areas like QB, the secondary and offensive line for awhile. This narrative that JJ is being plunked down into the seat of smooth, all cylinders firing F1 racing car is inaccurate as it stands right now....but they'll get there. The O-line is currently giving him zero time in practice to throw.

I'm pissing into the wind even writing this because stopping overreaction online, both good and bad, is like stopping the sun from rising. Its inevitable and constant. Yet here I am doing it anyway.....so I guess the dumb one is the guy in the mirror.

[MaroonBells]

I think we'll all be reminded of how much patience is required early on. And if that lowkey makes Gen Z bros big mad, so be it. Those are lessons we all learned 30 years ago.

[rf54]

 They'll be inconsistent in areas like QB, the secondary and offensive line for awhile. This narrative that JJ is being plunked down into the seat of smooth, all cylinders firing F1 racing car is inaccurate as it stands right now....but they'll get there. The O-line is currently giving him zero time in practice to throw.

The JJ McCarthy hype train has led most Viking fans to believe we have added the franchise saviour, that alone has fans thinking SB or bust.  JJM is a virtual rookie who had the fortune of being around the team for a year, but has had very little practice and playing time that he needs.  I do think the Defense and running game have both been improved so that will help but JJM has to make great strides in the next month or it will be a down season.

I don't think the Oline is struggling to the extent you believe.  This Defense will be very good at rushing the passer and that is what we are seeing.  Defenses are traditionally ahead of offenses early in training camp so it was to be expected and Darisaw and Fries returning from injuries has also slowed down the jelling that is needed in camp.

[purplefaithful]

Here is a good reality take, from the kid himself. Also, the fact he could not practice for such a long time is having an impact early:

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There have been a lot of learning moments – not losses – for 22-year-old quarterback J.J. McCarthy during Vikings training camp this week.

That’s how McCarthy, last year’s 10th overall pick now in a starting role, prefers to look at his ongoing development against a feisty Vikings defense that hasn’t given him many throwing lanes or clean pockets so far in practices.

“Honestly, constant improvement,” McCarthy said before Wednesday’s session when asked how he judges a successful day. “Learning every single day and when the periods don’t go your way, you’re always asking why. It’s never a loss. You’re always learning from it. … Those periods where they really get you, I feel like that’s where we learn the most about ourselves and our offense.”

The Vikings defense got to him often Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Monday, McCarthy’s hurry-up drill saw flurries of pressure and ended in a third-down sack. On Tuesday, he completed just 3 of 11 passes in a red-zone period that saw him miss his targets behind or wide, as well as a couple catches ruled out when the receiver didn’t get his feet down in bounds.

“Missing by inches,” McCarthy said of the red-zone drill. “That’s what happens when you’re down in the red zone. You got to be detail oriented and really specific with where you’re putting the ball. But there was a lot of good things on tape … just more great reps to put under my belt.”

On Wednesday, McCarthy traded good and bad plays. Poor timing and accuracy appeared to affect two deep throws targeting receiver Jordan Addison; one was intercepted and one deflected by safety Jay Ward. McCarthy then fled pressure from edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel and flicked an arcing pass to tight end T.J. Hockenson down the sideline.

McCarthy, a fastball thrower, said he’s working on recapturing his touch as a passer after not throwing much last season following August knee surgery.

“Not having those reps last year, that’s something you miss out on when you take a substantial amount of time off from throwing the football,” McCarthy said. “You got to find that touch again. There was a lot of throws in OTAs where I felt I could’ve had a better outcome if I had that touch. Just learning from failures and trying to get better.”
He’s also been working without his top receiver, Justin Jefferson, who missed a fifth straight practice Wednesday due to a hamstring strain.

“We were in a really great spot,” McCarthy said. “We spent a lot of time together in the offseason getting on the same page. He’s a different receiver. He moves in different ways. … We’re going to pick up right where we left off. We’re still communicating off the field. He’s still communicating with me on the field about how he’d run certain routes and where the ball placement would be.”

Strib

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The JJ McCarthy hype train has led most Viking fans to believe we have added the franchise saviour, that alone has fans thinking SB or bust.  JJM is a virtual rookie who had the fortune of being around the team for a year, but has had very little practice and playing time that he needs.  I do think the Defense and running game have both been improved so that will help but JJM has to make great strides in the next month or it will be a down season.

I don't think the Oline is struggling to the extent you believe.  This Defense will be very good at rushing the passer and that is what we are seeing.  Defenses are traditionally ahead of offenses early in training camp so it was to be expected and Darisaw and Fries returning from injuries has also slowed down the jelling that is needed in camp.

I think the ceiling of this D will surprise even long-time fans like me...The O? That may be the step-sister that rides along for a big chunk of the season till the QB gets his footing. 

The D needs to step-up big in September especially, so we dont end-up in a hole early. One that they can never dig out of.

[Zanary]

I think we'll all be reminded of how much patience is required early on. And if that lowkey makes Gen Z bros big mad, so be it. Those are lessons we all learned 30 years ago.

I'm trying to imagine anything less frightening than "big mad Gen Z bros", and...maybe ducklings? Daisies?

The team is stacked, albeit with a newbie under center. I think the growing pains will be handled well enough by the team that the Pokémon Go collective won't panic.