Raise your hand again if you believe in Darnold

[comet52]

He's going to stink like always, that's my prediction.

But I'll be happy to say I was wrong if it turns out different.

[CFIAvike]

I look at it like this; last season we went 4-4 and then threw in the rookie Hall, then Dobbs, then Mullens who looked as if they were not even close to being prepared and we won 3 games.
Are we not better with a veteran QB with a full training camp and with Jefferson back and a better RB?

We went 4-4 with a much better QB than Darnold.  Two of those final wins defy all logic and the third was literally the worst football game ever played.  Darnold IS better than any of Mullens, Dobbs, or Hall.  Though I feel like, at most, he nets us 2-3 more wins in those final 9 games.  That being said, he likely loses us two to three more out the of first 4 games.  

We are better defensively and at RB.  We are starting the year worse at overall WR, TE, and QB with injury and depth concerns.  Optimistically, this team vs last year is a wash and 7-8 wins is possible.  Realistically, this is a 5-6 win team.  With the quality of opponents and amount of road games, 1-5 isn't a stretch for the first 6 games.  Then you have 2 quality opponents at home vs the Colts and at the Rams.

Unless Darnold is the second coming, it's pry gonna be be another season to endure.  I will say though, I'm fuckin STOKED for 2025

[Knucklehead]

I expect Darnold to play at a level similar to Baker last season or Geno Smith in 2022. In this offense, there's no reason not to.

[Kentis]

Based on what…? Common sense says he is what he is at this point. He’s a Viking so I can hope for the best, but actually believing in him, escapes my callused purple soul…

[hogjowlsjohnny]

I don't believe in him being anything other than what he has been. However I do believe in KOC, and that gives me some hope he can work around some of Darnolds weaknesses. Unfortunately KOC can't make the decisions when Darnold is under pressure. Darnold has talked about throwing balls away instead of forcing them in certain situations, so he is working on ball security. But we won't know if it sinks in until the season starts.

[RS_Express]

Both hands still firmly at my sides.

[Norse]

Can Darnold be a good game manager, I’m hoping so….He doesn’t have to carry the team, We should have enough talent to help him.
Our biggest Achilles last year was turnovers and stupid penalties and also the Red Zone. Hopefully we can correct a few of them things.

[FLVike]

When we had one of the best teams in the league we still had to go out there and play the games and some were very close against poor teams so to speak. KOC is not bad in close games.

[Bullazin]

Now that McCarthy is out....having shown he's The Man for next year, validated by KOC.....focus is all on Sam Darnold. I personally don't think he's going to have any kind of epiphany, but I will say that its possible he plays decently for a bit. But it won't last long. I mean the NY Giants game on the road to kick off the season is a game they could win, I think I can say that without sarcasm. But will they? 

I know there are a few here that believe in Sam, at least that he could play decently because this will be the best team he's ever been on. Fingers crossed for sure, would love to see him go nuts. I just don't think it will happen. I wonder now how long KOC could have kept JJM out if he continued on the trajectory he was before the injury?

Nice little film sesh on Darnold working his reads - Enjoy! 

---

Now that McCarthy is out....having shown he's The Man for next year, validated by KOC.....focus is all on Sam Darnold. I personally don't think he's going to have any kind of epiphany, but I will say that its possible he plays decently for a bit. But it won't last long. I mean the NY Giants game on the road to kick off the season is a game they could win, I think I can say that without sarcasm. But will they? 

I know there are a few here that believe in Sam, at least that he could play decently because this will be the best team he's ever been on. Fingers crossed for sure, would love to see him go nuts. I just don't think it will happen. I wonder now how long KOC could have kept JJM out if he continued on the trajectory he was before the injury?

Nice little film sesh on Darnold working his reads - Enjoy! 

[AGRforever]

Meh, doesn’t really matter at this point. The Darnold is our best shot to drain the bay.