Login

StickierBuns · 11-11-2024, 08:17 AM

https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/viki...jcc5ztfn9v

We figured this day was coming....here it is.

"Prior to last Sunday's win over the Colts, Darnold had thrown five interceptions in the first seven games of the season and hadn't had any outings with multiple picks. He's doubled that total with five interceptions over the last two games, including a season-high three in Sunday's 12-7 win over the Jaguars. The Vikings have made it very clear that Darnold isn't at risk of being benched, but the reality is that if he doesn't start to play a lot better, he could derail their promising season."

hogjowlsjohnny · (This post was last modified: 11-11-2024, 09:32 AM by hogjowlsjohnny.)

He's in a contract year and this is his last opportunity to potentially make himself wealthy. Sure, 10 million is not chicken feed, but he better pull his head out of his ass and wake up. He has a good team and this is his best opportunity.
The " I have to play better and take what the defense gives me, be a point guard and distribute the ball, and play with a quiet mind", rings pretty hollow.
Fortunately, it is a win and there is time to get back on track. But it is a win that appears to put the cap back on the jar of championship aspirations.

comet52 · 11-11-2024, 09:45 AM

Well that's what the team gets for developing expectations around him. He's got nearly 7 years of this brain fart stuff on tape. He gets on little streaks from time to time where luck shows up and teams start believing. Then he reverts hard to the mean.

We're just the latest team to take a guy with great physical gifts and a pea-sized brain and go "We can make this work".

purplefaithful · (This post was last modified: 11-11-2024, 10:06 AM by purplefaithful.)

The last two games have been sh it for sure...The flip side is overall he's improved while being here and I congratulate the guy for that.

I suspect his ceiling is around Danny Dimes type.

He's really not our problem child much longer. Get out of him what we can the next 8 weeks and enjoy the ride.

I'm sure not wringing my hands over Darnold.

MaroonBells · 11-11-2024, 10:32 AM

I think this is a pivotal moment in Darnold's season. I worry that the rash of turnovers the last couple weeks will make him less aggressive down the stretch. Some will argue that he needs to ratchet it back, but I think in order for us to be a player in the playoffs, Darnold has to keep driving the ball downfield. Goff threw 5 picks last night and really the only reason they were able to pull out a win was because they stayed aggressive despite the turnovers. Turnovers are going to happen. The worst thing is pairing turnovers with an inert offense. We'll see if KOC can find a balance.

StickierBuns · 11-11-2024, 10:53 AM

(11-11-2024, 10:32 AM)MaroonBells Wrote: I think this is a pivotal moment in Darnold's season. I worry that the rash of turnovers the last couple weeks will make him less aggressive down the stretch. Some will argue that he needs to ratchet it back, but I think in order for us to be a player in the playoffs, Darnold has to keep driving the ball downfield. Goff threw 5 picks last night and really the only reason they were able to pull out a win was because they stayed aggressive despite the turnovers. Turnovers are going to happen. The worst thing is pairing turnovers with an inert offense. We'll see if KOC can find a balance.

Goff has 201 TDs and 91 INTs in his career, has led his team to a Superbowl. Sam Darnold has 80 TD passes and 66 INTs. Who you picking to stay aggressive with here, lol? Your constant excuse for Darnold when he throws pics are 'turnovers happen'....yeah, especially when your name is Sam Darnold. He leads the league in turnovers currently. KOC isn't going to stay aggressive with him, as he didn't in the 4th quarter....and Sammy came damn close to a 4th INT yesterday.

This team most certainly won't be a 'player' in the playoffs with Sam Darnold, IMO.

purplefaithful · 11-11-2024, 11:05 AM

We've seen some good and bad Sam...

If I were betting, his true self is in the middle some-where.

My hope is that this staff and this surround gives the team more good Sundays than bad. We have 8 more weeks to see.

Hopefully a playoff game or 2 as well.

mblack · (This post was last modified: 11-11-2024, 11:14 AM by mblack.)

Minor detail:
Goff was drafted in 2016
Darnold was drafted in 2018.
So Goff has at least a 34 potential game head start.

Anyway better question I have from yesterday is what’s worse:
3 INTs and no TDS or 5INTs and 2TDs.

Goff: 15/30 for 230 yards
Darnold: 24/38 for 241 yards

Crazy how similar their passing stats are

Greylock · 11-11-2024, 11:23 AM

We have seen the good Sam and now the bad Sam. His days as a full time starter has taken a big hit going into free agency next season. He has made some good money in his career after being the third pick so maybe his best option is to take a similar $10 million dollar deal to return next season to back up JJ, especially since we don't know how well JJ is going to play. Sam could lead a team if needed for a short stretch if the starter goes out but full time starter, not sure. He certainly would be a better option on the bench instead of Mullens or Rypien.

JR44 · 11-11-2024, 11:25 AM

This is exactly the point in the season where many thought we would be seeing JJM, the hope being that Darnold could keep us competitive until we were ready to turn it over to the rookie. The plan would have worked perfectly if not for the injury. What we are seeing now is the magnitude of the injury and now having to roll with a guy for a full season who has never been able to consistently perform at a high level all year.