Strib: McCarthy 'right where he needs to be'

[StickierBuns]

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi.../601367421

[purplefaithful]

With 39 days until quarterbacks report back to the facility July 20, McCarthy had three things on his homework list to continue building on the foundation the offseason program helped set.

First was continued study of the playbook.
“I wish I could show you guys a call sheet,” McCarthy said with a smile, indicating a heavy load.

But he has embraced what has been thrown at him not just this spring but through the past year. He has sometimes even surprised coaches with tidbits of knowledge from months ago that they thought might have dripped from the sponge.

McCarthy would rather take the heavier load now, he said, than try to play catch up in-season.

“He’s right where he needs to be right now, and right where we thought J.J. would be,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said Wednesday. “I don’t think he would come up here and say, ‘I’ve mastered the offense,’ at this point. But there’s been a lot of growth this spring.”

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Second on McCarthy’s list was resetting his body to prepare for the wear-and-tear of the regular season.

After missing last season with a torn meniscus suffered in a preseason game, McCarthy said his right knee “feels honestly stronger than ever” and was never bothersome during spring workouts. On Monday, he passed his routine team physical — separate from those specifically for his knee, which he cleared earlier this year.

Nothing about McCarthy’s movements throughout open practices indicated otherwise. He moved every way a quarterback might be asked to, albeit without the true pressure of a 300-pound defensive lineman bearing down on him.

Third on McCarthy’s list is those throwing sessions he said he will track his teammates down for if he has to, though it’s unlikely that will be necessary.

Jefferson, who attended more of the Vikings offseason program than he has in recent years at O’Connell’s request, said he will be around this summer, too.

[AGRforever]

I certainly have high hopes for JJM. But if there's one thing my past history with my abusive love partner the Vikings has taught me is to not to have to much hope.

[StickierBuns]

I certainly have high hopes for JJM.  But if there's one thing my past history with my abusive love partner the Vikings has taught me is to not to have to much hope.

I 100% get it.....I think no matter how you feel about McCarthy, there's concern that he won't hit. We've been hurt and burned so often in the past, the thought that we can't have nice things is real and hard to ever dismiss. 

I'm going to be one nervous hen watching MNF in Chicago Week 1.....

[AGRforever]

I 100% get it.....I think no matter how you feel about McCarthy, there's concern that he won't hit. We've been hurt and burned so often in the past, the thought that we can't have nice things is real and hard to ever dismiss. 

I'm going to be one nervous hen watching MNF in Chicago Week 1.....

Not me, I'm going into the season with zero expectations.  I did the same last year.  I started to buy into them mid year but I did find having no expectations was sooooo much easier.