So......

[MaroonBells]

Well, well.....look who's coming to the dark side. lol. This kid is different. He'll change narratives. And he'll change KOC's plan, watch and see. He's got the lower half as the platform and that top torso to spin it with torque. Quick release. Wait until he actually learns something! This kid has already been in the pressure cooker. No situation will ever be too big.

Sticky isn't right all the time. But he's right about McCarthy (told in Ricky Henderson 3rd person voice).

I've always loved McCarthy as a prospect. I'm just very cautious and want to be extra careful with rookie QBs. I admire what the Packers and Chiefs did with their franchise QBs. I think every team should try to follow that model. 

See, I don't care if we had drafted Caleb, Daniels, Penix, Nix, McCarthy or even CJ Stroud, I'd be banging the same drum. Don't throw him into the fire before he's ready. And remember, this is just about JJM being QB2 not QB1.

[supafreak84]

I've always loved McCarthy as a prospect. I'm just very cautious and want to be extra careful with rookie QBs. I admire what the Packers and Chiefs did with their franchise QBs. I think every team should try to follow that model. 

See, I don't care if we had drafted Caleb, Daniels, Penix, Nix, McCarthy or even CJ Stroud, I'd be banging the same drum. Don't throw him into the fire before he's ready. And remember, this is just about JJM being QB2 not QB1.

Interesting that KOC spoke after the game about the two upcoming joint practices this week with Cleveland as being "hugely important" in McCarthy's development, even more so than his performance against Vegas. Safe to say we'll know a lot more by the end of the week just where JJ stands in the QB pecking order heading into the season

[StickierBuns]

I've always loved McCarthy as a prospect. I'm just very cautious and want to be extra careful with rookie QBs. I admire what the Packers and Chiefs did with their franchise QBs. I think every team should try to follow that model. 

See, I don't care if we had drafted Caleb, Daniels, Penix, Nix, McCarthy or even CJ Stroud, I'd be banging the same drum. Don't throw him into the fire before he's ready. And remember, this is just about JJM being QB2 not QB1.

I hear you....and don't necessarily disagree. But here's the fundamental difference: Aaron Rodgers: California. Patrick Mahomes: Texas Tech. Steve McNair: Alcorn State. You see where I'm going? Small time programs and no forge by the fire. They need time. JJ McCarthy? Michigan national champs: played Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, Alabama and Washington, beat them all and were national champions. JJM needs time.....but maybe not as much time as planned for. He's WAY more physically talented as a passer than any Michigan QB in decades. He was a 5 star QB in high school. Michigan doesn't get those at QB. Ohio State pissed off JJM and he went to Michigan. JJM had committed to Ohio State, they promised not to recruit another QB and they did with Kyle McCord. JJ said you are dead to me and I will bury you. And he did.

I want the Vikings to be cautious as well. And they will be. But if you think KOC isn't losing his shit behind closed doors over McCarthy right now, I'd say that's inaccurate. If he's not the starter by the beginning of November, I'll be shocked. And he'll be ready. His accuracy and pocket presence has blown me away. I didn't expect that yet.

[AGRforever]

I hear you....and don't necessarily disagree. But here's the fundamental difference: Aaron Rodgers: California. Patrick Mahomes: Texas Tech. Steve McNair: Alcorn State. You see where I'm going? Small time programs and no forge by the fire. They need time. JJ McCarthy? Michigan national champs: played Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, Alabama and Washington, beat them all and were national champions. JJM needs time.....but maybe not as much time as planned for. He's WAY more physically talented as a passer than any Michigan QB in decades. He was a 5 star QB in high school. Michigan doesn't get those at QB. Ohio State pissed off JJM and he went to Michigan. JJM had committed to Ohio State, they promised not to recruit another QB and they did with Kyle McCord. JJ said you are dead to me and I will bury you. And he did.

I want the Vikings to be cautious as well. And they will be. But if you think KOC isn't losing his shit behind closed doors over McCarthy right now, I'd say that's inaccurate. If he's not the starter by the beginning of November, I'll be shocked. And he'll be ready. His accuracy and pocket presence has blown me away. I didn't expect that yet.

Step back from the ledge sticky. It was one game. I’d show you on the doll where the Vikings have hurt me but it’s not appropriate for the internet 

I want to believe and I’m cautiously optimistic. But it’s one game and it was the Raiders in preseason mode.

[purplefaithful]

LOFL @AGR....

@Sticky, I hope to the football gods you are spot on. I'm retired now and the years have gone fast.

I really hope to celebrate a Lombardi b4 I am on the wrong side of dirt.

---

I hear you....and don't necessarily disagree. But here's the fundamental difference: Aaron Rodgers: California. Patrick Mahomes: Texas Tech. Steve McNair: Alcorn State. You see where I'm going? Small time programs and no forge by the fire. They need time. JJ McCarthy? Michigan national champs: played Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, Alabama and Washington, beat them all and were national champions. JJM needs time.....but maybe not as much time as planned for. He's WAY more physically talented as a passer than any Michigan QB in decades. He was a 5 star QB in high school. Michigan doesn't get those at QB. Ohio State pissed off JJM and he went to Michigan. JJM had committed to Ohio State, they promised not to recruit another QB and they did with Kyle McCord. JJ said you are dead to me and I will bury you. And he did.
I want the Vikings to be cautious as well. And they will be. But if you think KOC isn't losing his shit behind closed doors over McCarthy right now, I'd say that's inaccurate. If he's not the starter by the beginning of November, I'll be shocked. And he'll be ready. His accuracy and pocket presence has blown me away. I didn't expect that yet.

[MAD GAINZ]

I'm with Sticky, I think this kid is special and he was my #1 draft target for us when Kirk went down with the Achilles. Nothing changed as the college season rolled along and we got into the off-season, combine, and lead up to the draft.

I still think we should be cautious with him this year. I hope he doesn't NEED to start. I think he could learn a lot sitting most of his rookie year... especially if Darnold plays well and has the team in the playoff hunt. You get to see another QB make plays, make mistakes, and be a part of the coaching discussion that goes on in-game.

We'll see how he does in the rest of preseason, but we saw a lot of what makes this kid special against the Raiders. The arm, the athleticism, the poise, the ability to bounce back from a mistake and continue to attack. He didn't turtle after that interception. He played even better. THAT should tell you right there what he's made of...

Whenever he starts, I don't think he'll give up the job.

[pattersaur]

He does, and he does, but he also has a proclivity for throwing to the wrong team...with terrifying consistency. It's been awhile since I've seen a QB able to nullify his own 400 yard days so well.

I literally was holding my breath every time he let go of the ball after that tendency showed itself...I don't need the health risks!

Spot on. He’s got some Jameis in him for sure ha.

[AGRforever]

Spot on. He’s got some Jameis in him for sure ha.

Meh, that’s good enough for a backup.

[comet52]

I want the Vikings to be cautious as well. And they will be. But if you think KOC isn't losing his shit behind closed doors over McCarthy right now, I'd say that's inaccurate. If he's not the starter by the beginning of November, I'll be shocked. And he'll be ready. His accuracy and pocket presence has blown me away. I didn't expect that yet.

I'll be shocked if he isn't starting by the end of September lol. Sticky you've gone full Thor Nystrom on us over JJM.

What I liked about his debut was that he didn't look like a rookie. And he doesn't show fear in the pocket or on the move.

I haven't been buying this fan meme about how the Vikings have to protect him like some delicate orchid. The great ones get back up stronger after they get knocked down. You saw what he did after the pick.

I'm counting on Sam Darnold to keep being himself and despite people saying he looked good yesterday, I saw some of the same issues that will bite him/us when the real games begin.

I dont think KOC is worrying about putting JJM in too soon; I think he's working on the text of the talk he'll have to give Darnold when he tells him he's benched.

[StickierBuns]

Step back from the ledge sticky. It was one game. I’d show you on the doll where the Vikings have hurt me but it’s not appropriate for the internet 

I want to believe and I’m cautiously optimistic. But it’s one game and it was the Raiders in preseason mode.

LOFL. 

Yes, for sure its just preseason. Shouldn't get too high or too low.......too late.

---

I'm with Sticky, I think this kid is special and he was my #1 draft target for us when Kirk went down with the Achilles.  Nothing changed as the college season rolled along and we got into the off-season, combine, and lead up to the draft.

I still think we should be cautious with him this year.  I hope he doesn't NEED to start.  I think he could learn a lot sitting most of his rookie year...  especially if Darnold plays well and has the team in the playoff hunt.  You get to see another QB make plays, make mistakes, and be a part of the coaching discussion that goes on in-game.

We'll see how he does in the rest of preseason, but we saw a lot of what makes this kid special against the Raiders.  The arm, the athleticism, the poise, the ability to bounce back from a mistake and continue to attack.  He didn't turtle after that interception.  He played even better.  THAT should tell you right there what he's made of...

Whenever he starts, I don't think he'll give up the job.

Its hard to watch him play Saturday and not see a NFL QB. The play he took the big hit on was pretty impressive: completed for a first down, didn't flinch, starred downfield the whole time and then that quick release. Gold.